Missouri Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Missouri.
Maximum Claim
$5,000
Filing Fee
$50
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Small Claims Court (Circuit Court)
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Missouri
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 Missouri?
In Missouri, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $5,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Missouri Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard filing fee (varies by county) | $50 |
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 Missouri
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
10
years — written contract
5
years — oral contract
5
years — property damage
5
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Missouri?
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 Missouri
Small claims cases in Missouri are handled by the Small Claims Court (Circuit Court). Missouri has 115 county Circuit Courts (46 judicial circuits).
Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives or where the cause of action arose
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 Missouri
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 certified mail
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 10 days before the hearing.
Missouri Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Missouri small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 10 days
Is e-filing available?
No, e-filing is not currently available for small claims in Missouri. You must file in person or by mail.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some Missouri courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official Missouri Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Missouri
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Adair County
Kirksville area
(660) 665-2552
Andrew County
Savannah area
(816) 324-3921
Atchison County
Rock Port area
(660) 744-2700
Audrain County
Mexico area
(573) 473-5841
Barry County
Cassville area
(417) 847-3133
Barton County
Lamar area
(417) 682-2444
Bates County
Butler area
(660) 679-5171
Benton County
Warsaw area
(660) 428-2900
Bollinger County
Marble Hill area
(573) 238-1900 ext. 6
Boone County
Columbia area
(573) 886-4000
Buchanan County
St. Joseph area
(816) 271-1462
Butler County
Poplar Bluff area
(573) 686-8082
Caldwell County
Kingston area
(816) 586-2771
Callaway County
Fulton area
(573) 642-0780
Camden County
Camdenton area
(573) 346-4440
Cape Girardeau County
Jackson area
(573) 335-8253
Carroll County
Carrollton area
(660) 542-0615
Carter County
Van Buren area
(573) 323-4513
Cass County
Harrisonville area
816-380-8227
Cedar County
Stockton area
(417) 276-6700 ext. 230/234
Chariton County
Keytesville area
(660) 288-3602
Christian County
Ozark area
(417) 582-5120
Clark County
Kahoka area
(660) 727-3292
Clay County
Liberty area
(816) 407-3900
Clinton County
Plattsburg area
(816) 539-3731
Cole County
Jefferson City area
(573) 634-9150, Option 3
Cooper County
Boonville area
(660) 882-2232
Crawford County
Steelville area
(573) 775-2866
Dade County
Greenfield area
(417) 637-2741
Dallas County
Buffalo area
(417) 345-2243
Daviess County
Gallatin area
(660) 663-2532
DeKalb County
Maysville area
(816) 449-2602
Dent County
Salem area
573-729-3931
Douglas County
Ava area
(417) 683-4713
Dunklin County
Kennett area
(573) 888-2456 (Circuit Clerk), (573) 888-3378 (Associate Division II - Small Claims)
Franklin County
Union area
(636) 583-7391
Gasconade County
Hermann area
(573) 486-2632
Gentry County
Albany area
(660) 726-3618
Greene County
Springfield area
(417) 868-4074
Grundy County
Trenton area
(660) 359-4040
Harrison County
Bethany area
(660) 425-6425
Henry County
Clinton area
(660) 885-7230
Hickory County
Hermitage area
(417) 745-6421
Holt County
Oregon area
(660) 446-3380
Howard County
Fayette area
(660) 248-2194
Howell County
West Plains area
(417) 256-3741
Iron County
Ironton area
(573) 546-2511
Jackson County
Kansas City area
(816) 881-3970
Jasper County
Carthage area
(417) 358-0441
Jefferson County
Hillsboro area
(636) 797-5443
Johnson County
Warrensburg area
(660) 422-7410
Knox County
Edina area
(660) 397-2305
Laclede County
Lebanon area
(417) 532-2471
Lafayette County
Lexington area
(660) 259-6101
Lawrence County
Mount Vernon area
(417) 466-2471
Lewis County
Monticello area
(573) 767-5352
Lincoln County
Troy area
(636) 528-6300
Linn County
Linneus area
(660) 895-5212
Livingston County
Chillicothe area
(660) 646-8000, ext. 305
Macon County
Macon area
(660) 385-4631
Madison County
Fredericktown area
(573) 783-3105
Maries County
Vienna area
(573) 422-3338
Marion County
Palmyra area
(573) 769-2550
McDonald County
Pineville area
(417) 223-7512
Mercer County
Princeton area
(660) 748-4335
Miller County
Tuscumbia area
573-369-1970
Mississippi County
Charleston area
(573) 683-2146
Moniteau County
California area
(573) 796-2071
Monroe County
Paris area
(877) 433-3061 ext. 425
Montgomery County
Montgomery City area
573-564-3341
Morgan County
Versailles area
(573) 378-4235
New Madrid County
New Madrid area
(573) 748-2228
Newton County
Neosho area
(417) 451-8210
Nodaway County
Maryville area
(660) 582-5431
Oregon County
Alton area
(417) 778-7460
Osage County
Linn area
(573) 897-3114
Ozark County
Gainesville area
(417) 679-4611
Pemiscot County
Caruthersville area
(573) 333-0182
Perry County
Perryville area
(573) 547-6581
Pettis County
Sedalia area
(660) 826-5000, ext. 926
Phelps County
Rolla area
(573) 458-6210
Pike County
Bowling Green area
573-324-3112
Platte County
Platte City area
(816) 858-2232
Polk County
Bolivar area
(417) 326-4912
Pulaski County
Waynesville area
(573) 774-4755
Putnam County
Unionville area
(660) 947-2071
Ralls County
New London area
(573) 985-5633
Randolph County
Huntsville area
844-277-6555 ext. 400
Ray County
Richmond area
(816) 776-2335
Reynolds County
Centerville area
(573) 648-2494
Ripley County
Doniphan area
(573) 996-2818
Saline County
Marshall area
(660) 886-2300
Schuyler County
Lancaster area
(660) 956-9187
Scotland County
Memphis area
(660) 465-2404
Scott County
Benton area
(573) 545-3596
Shannon County
Eminence area
(573) 226-3315
Shelby County
Shelbyville area
(573) 633-2151
St. Charles County
St. Charles area
(636) 949-3079
St. Clair County
area
(417) 646-2226
St. Francois County
area
(573) 756-4551 or (573) 431-6505, Option 2 then 1
St. Louis city
area
(314) 622-3700
St. Louis County
Clayton area
(314) 615-2601
Ste. Genevieve County
area
(573) 883-2705 ext. 1
Stoddard County
Bloomfield area
(573) 568-4640
Stone County
Galena area
(417) 357-6114
Sullivan County
Milan area
(660) 265-4717
Taney County
Forsyth area
(417) 546-7230
Texas County
Houston area
(417) 967-3742
Vernon County
Nevada area
(417) 448-2525
Warren County
Warrenton area
(636) 456-3363
Washington County
Potosi area
(573) 438-4171
Wayne County
Greenville area
(573) 224-3014
Webster County
Marshfield area
(417) 859-2041
Worth County
Grant City area
(660) 564-2210
Wright County
Hartville area
(417) 741-7121 ext. 236 (Associate Civil & Small Claims)
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Missouri?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide