Minnesota Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Minnesota.
Maximum Claim
$20,000
Filing Fee
$75–$100
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Conciliation Court
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Minnesota
Search by city, county, or ZIP code to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
How Much Can You Sue For in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $20,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Minnesota Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Claims up to $7,500 | $75 |
| Claims $7,501–$15,000 | $100 |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the court clerk for a fee waiver application when you file.
Statutes of Limitations in Minnesota
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
6
years — written contract
6
years — oral contract
6
years — property damage
2
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Minnesota?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court. Our free guide shows you how to write one in minutes.
Read the demand letter guideWhere to File in Minnesota
Small claims cases in Minnesota are handled by the Conciliation Court. Minnesota has 87 county District Courts (10 judicial districts).
Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives or where the incident occurred
Not sure which court you need? Our step-by-step filing guide walks you through finding the right court for your case.
Find your specific courthouse: Search for your county courthouse below ↓ — get the address, phone number, hours, and see if e-filing is available.
How to Serve the Defendant in Minnesota
After filing your claim, you must formally notify the defendant. This is called "service of process" and is required before your case can be heard.
Accepted methods: Personal service, certified mail, or first-class mail by court administrator
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 10 days before the hearing.
Minnesota Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Minnesota small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may request removal to district court within 10 days
Is e-filing available?
Yes, electronic filing is available in Minnesota.
Are remote hearings available?
Yes, virtual/remote hearings are available in Minnesota.
Official Minnesota Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Minnesota
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Aitkin County
Aitkin area
(218) 927-7350
Anoka County
Anoka area
(763) 760-6801
Becker County
Detroit Lakes area
(218) 846-5040
Beltrami County
Bemidji area
(218) 888-5060
Benton County
Foley area
(320) 968-5205
Big Stone County
Ortonville area
(320) 839-2536
Blue Earth County
Mankato area
(507) 594-3055
Brown County
New Ulm area
(507) 441-7020
Carlton County
Carlton area
(218) 673-5065
Carver County
Chaska area
(952) 361-1420
Cass County
Walker area
(218) 888-5150
Chippewa County
Montevideo area
(320) 269-7774
Chisago County
Center City area
(651) 213-7010
Clay County
Moorhead area
(218) 227-7040
Clearwater County
Bagley area
(218) 935-4020
Cook County
Grand Marais area
(218) 264-7001
Cottonwood County
Windom area
(507) 831-7003
Crow Wing County
Brainerd area
(218) 824-1310
Dakota County
Hastings area
(651) 377-7900 (Civil Division)
Dodge County
Mantorville area
(507) 624-7010
Douglas County
Alexandria area
(320) 304-6050
Faribault County
Blue Earth area
(507) 526-6273
Fillmore County
Preston area
(507) 765-6021
Freeborn County
Albert Lea area
(507) 668-6014
Goodhue County
Red Wing area
(651) 267-4800
Grant County
Elbow Lake area
(218) 685-7675
Hennepin County
Minneapolis area
(612) 348-2713
Houston County
Caledonia area
(507) 724-7002
Hubbard County
Park Rapids area
(218) 732-5286
Isanti County
Cambridge area
(763) 290-7020
Itasca County
Grand Rapids area
(218) 327-2870
Jackson County
Jackson area
(507) 847-4400
Kanabec County
Mora area
(320) 679-6400
Kandiyohi County
Willmar area
(320) 231-6206
Kittson County
Hallock area
(218) 843-3632
Koochiching County
International Falls area
(218) 283-1160
Lac qui Parle County
Madison area
(320) 295-4000
Lake County
Two Harbors area
(218) 595-5001
Lake of the Woods County
Baudette area
(218) 634-1451
Le Sueur County
Le Center area
(507) 357-8260
Lincoln County
Ivanhoe area
(507) 694-1355
Lyon County
Marshall area
(507) 706-7050
Mahnomen County
Mahnomen area
(218) 935-2251
Marshall County
Warren area
(218) 745-4921
Martin County
Fairmont area
(507) 432-7003
McLeod County
Glencoe area
(320) 864-1545
Meeker County
Litchfield area
(320) 535-6015
Mille Lacs County
Milaca area
(320) 362-3200
Morrison County
Little Falls area
(320) 412-7010
Mower County
Austin area
(507) 509-7013
Murray County
Slayton area
(507) 831-7008
Nicollet County
St. Peter area
(507) 550-7032
Nobles County
Worthington area
(507) 350-3015
Norman County
Ada area
(218) 415-7090
Olmsted County
Rochester area
(507) 722-7264
Otter Tail County
Fergus Falls area
(218) 560-7045
Pennington County
Thief River Falls area
(218) 684-7000
Pine County
Pine City area
(320) 591-1500
Pipestone County
Pipestone area
(507) 690-7004
Polk County
Crookston area
(218) 281-2332
Pope County
Glenwood area
(320) 424-7170
Ramsey County
Saint Paul area
(651) 266-8230
Red Lake County
Red Lake Falls area
(218) 253-4281
Redwood County
Redwood Falls area
(507) 616-4800
Renville County
Olivia area
(320) 523-3680
Rice County
Faribault area
(507) 497-7134
Rock County
Luverne area
(507) 935-7006
Roseau County
Roseau area
(218) 463-2541
Scott County
Shakopee area
(952) 496-8200
Sherburne County
Elk River area
(763) 284-7140
Sibley County
Gaylord area
(507) 237-4051
St. Louis County
Duluth area
(218) 221-7560
Stearns County
St. Cloud area
(320) 656-3620
Steele County
Owatonna area
(507) 686-7012
Stevens County
Morris area
(320) 349-7010
Swift County
Benson area
(320) 843-2744
Todd County
Long Prairie area
(320) 357-5005
Traverse County
Wheaton area
(320) 422-6010
Wabasha County
Wabasha area
(651) 412-8627
Wadena County
Wadena area
(218) 631-7633
Waseca County
Waseca area
(507) 835-0540
Washington County
Stillwater area
(651) 413-8131, option #2 (Conciliation/Small Claims Court)
Watonwan County
St. James area
(507) 621-6005
Wilkin County
Breckenridge area
(218) 517-6020
Winona County
Winona area
(507) 615-5183
Wright County
Buffalo area
(763) 760-6300
Yellow Medicine County
Granite Falls area
(320) 722-7002
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Minnesota?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide