Mississippi Small Claims Court Guide

Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Mississippi.

Maximum Claim

$3,500

Filing Fee

$48

Fee waiver available

Court Name

Justice Court

Hearing Timeline

30–60 days from filing

Find your courthouse in Mississippi

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 Mississippi?

In Mississippi, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $3,500. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.

Mississippi Small Claims Court Filing Fees

Claim AmountFiling Fee
Standard filing fee$48

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 Mississippi

You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.

3

years — written contract

3

years — oral contract

3

years — property damage

3

years — personal injury

Ready to take action in Mississippi?

A demand letter often resolves disputes before court. Our free guide shows you how to write one in minutes.

Read the demand letter guide

Where to File in Mississippi

Small claims cases in Mississippi are handled by the Justice Court. Mississippi has 82 county Justice Courts.

Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives

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 Mississippi

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 by sheriff or constable

Deadline: Service must be completed at least 5 days before the hearing.

Mississippi Small Claims Court Procedures

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Can I bring a lawyer?

Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Mississippi small claims court.

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Can I appeal?

Either party may appeal within 10 days to county or circuit court

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Is e-filing available?

No, e-filing is not currently available for small claims in Mississippi. You must file in person or by mail.

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Are remote hearings available?

No, hearings are in-person only in Mississippi.

Official Mississippi Court Resources

Find Your Courthouse in Mississippi

Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.

Adams County

Natchez area

(601) 442-0199

Alcorn County

Corinth area

(662) 286-7777

Amite County

Liberty area

(601) 657-4527

Attala County

Kosciusko area

(662) 289-7272

Benton County

Ashland area

(662) 224-6320

Bolivar County

Cleveland area

(662) 759-3762

Calhoun County

Pittsboro area

(662) 412-3134

Carroll County

Carrollton area

(662) 237-9699

Chickasaw County

Houston area

(662) 456-3941

Choctaw County

Ackerman area

(662) 285-3599

Claiborne County

Port Gibson area

(601) 437-4478

Clarke County

Quitman area

(662) 776-5371

Clay County

West Point area

(662) 494-6140

Coahoma County

Clarksdale area

(662) 624-3060

Copiah County

Hazlehurst area

(601) 894-3218, (601) 894-4403

Covington County

Collins area

(601) 765-6581

DeSoto County

Hernando area

(662) 469-8026

Forrest County

Hattiesburg area

(601) 544-3136

Franklin County

Meadville area

(601) 384-2002

George County

Lucedale area

(601) 947-4834

Greene County

Leakesville area

(601) 394-2347

Grenada County

Grenada area

(662) 226-3331

Hancock County

Bay St. Louis area

(228) 467-5573

Harrison County

Gulfport area

(228) 865-4203

Hinds County

Jackson area

(601) 965-8800

Holmes County

Lexington area

(662) 834-4565

Humphreys County

Belzoni area

(662) 247-4337

Issaquena County

Mayersville area

(662) 873-6287

Itawamba County

Fulton area

(662) 862-4315

Jackson County

Pascagoula area

(228) 769-3081

Jasper County

Bay Springs area

(601) 727-2247

Jefferson County

Fayette area

(601) 786-8594

Jefferson Davis County

Prentiss area

(601) 792-5129

Jones County

Laurel area

(601) 428-3137

Kemper County

De Kalb area

(601) 743-2793

Lafayette County

Oxford area

(662) 234-1545

Lamar County

Purvis area

(601) 794-2950

Lauderdale County

Meridian area

(601) 482-9875

Lawrence County

Monticello area

(601) 587-4854

Leake County

Carthage area

(601) 267-5677

Lee County

Tupelo area

(662) 432-2500

Leflore County

Greenwood area

(662) 453-1605

Lincoln County

Brookhaven area

(601) 835-3475

Lowndes County

Columbus area

(662) 329-5929

Madison County

Canton area

(601) 859-6337

Marion County

Columbia area

(601) 736-2572

Marshall County

Holly Springs area

(662) 252-3585

Monroe County

Aberdeen area

(662) 256-8493

Montgomery County

Winona area

(662) 283-2290

Neshoba County

Philadelphia area

(601) 656-4053

Newton County

Decatur area

(601) 635-2367

Noxubee County

Macon area

(662) 726-5834

Oktibbeha County

Starkville area

(662) 324-3032

Panola County

Batesville area

(662) 487-2080

Pearl River County

Poplarville area

(601) 403-2572

Perry County

New Augusta area

(601) 964-8366

Pike County

Magnolia area

(601) 783-5333

Pontotoc County

Pontotoc area

(662) 489-3920

Prentiss County

Booneville area

(662) 728-8696

Quitman County

Marks area

(662) 326-2104

Rankin County

Brandon area

(601) 824-2665 (Civil Department, option 3)

Scott County

Forest area

(601) 469-4555

Sharkey County

Rolling Fork area

(662) 873-6140

Simpson County

Mendenhall area

(601) 847-5848

Smith County

Raleigh area

(601) 782-4334

Stone County

Wiggins area

(601) 928-4415

Sunflower County

Indianola area

(662) 887-6921

Tallahatchie County

Charleston area

(662) 647-3477

Tate County

Senatobia area

(662) 562-7626

Tippah County

Ripley area

(662) 837-8842

Tishomingo County

Iuka area

(662) 423-7033

Tunica County

Tunica area

(662) 363-2178

Union County

New Albany area

(662) 534-1951

Walthall County

Tylertown area

(601) 876-2311

Warren County

Vicksburg area

(601) 634-6402

Washington County

Greenville area

(662) 332-0633

Wayne County

Waynesboro area

(601) 735-3118

Webster County

Walthall area

(662) 258-2590

Wilkinson County

Woodville area

(601) 888-3538

Winston County

Louisville area

(662) 773-6016

Yalobusha County

Water Valley area

(662) 675-8115

Yazoo County

Yazoo City area

(662) 746-8181

Don't see your county? Let us know here!

Ready to take action in Mississippi?

A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.

Read the demand letter guide
Data verified March 31, 2026. Sources: www.mssc.state.ms.us