Wisconsin Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Wisconsin.
Maximum Claim
$10,000
Filing Fee
$98
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Small Claims Court (Circuit Court)
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $10,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Wisconsin Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard filing fee | $98 |
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 Wisconsin
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
3
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin
Small claims cases in Wisconsin are handled by the Small Claims Court (Circuit Court). Wisconsin has 72 county Circuit Courts (10 judicial districts).
Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives or where the claim 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 Wisconsin
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, process server, or certified mail
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 10 days before the hearing.
Wisconsin Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Wisconsin small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 15 days for new trial in circuit court
Is e-filing available?
Yes, electronic filing is available in Wisconsin.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some Wisconsin courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official Wisconsin Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Wisconsin
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Adams County
Friendship area
(608) 339-4208
Ashland County
Ashland area
(715) 682-7016
Barron County
Barron area
(715) 537-6265
Bayfield County
Washburn area
(715) 373-6108
Brown County
Green Bay area
(920) 448-4155
Buffalo County
Alma area
(608) 685-6212
Burnett County
Siren area
(715) 349-2147
Calumet County
Chilton area
(920) 849-1414
Chippewa County
Chippewa Falls area
(715) 726-7758
Clark County
Neillsville area
(715) 743-5181
Columbia County
Portage area
(608) 742-2191
Crawford County
Prairie du Chien area
(608) 326-0209
Dane County
Madison area
(608) 266-4311
Dodge County
Juneau area
(920) 386-3570
Door County
Sturgeon Bay area
(920) 746-2205 ext 3
Douglas County
Superior area
(715) 395-1203
Dunn County
Menomonie area
(715) 232-2611
Eau Claire County
Eau Claire area
(715) 839-4816
Florence County
Florence area
(715) 528-3205
Fond du Lac County
Fond du Lac area
(920) 929-3038
Forest County
Crandon area
(715) 478-3323
Grant County
Lancaster area
(608) 723-2752
Green County
Monroe area
(608) 328-9433
Green Lake County
Green Lake area
(920) 294-4142
Iowa County
Dodgeville area
(608) 935-0395
Iron County
Hurley area
(715) 561-4084
Jackson County
Black River Falls area
(715) 284-0208
Jefferson County
Jefferson area
(920) 674-7157
Juneau County
Mauston area
(608) 847-9355
Kenosha County
Kenosha area
(262) 653-2664
Kewaunee County
Kewaunee area
(920) 388-7144
La Crosse County
La Crosse area
(608) 785-9689
Lafayette County
Darlington area
Langlade County
Antigo area
(715) 627-6215
Lincoln County
Merrill area
(715) 536-0302
Manitowoc County
Manitowoc area
(920) 683-4031
Marathon County
Wausau area
(715) 261-1310
Marinette County
Marinette area
(715) 732-7450
Marquette County
Montello area
(608) 297-3005
Menominee County
Keshena area
(715) 799-3313
Milwaukee County
Milwaukee area
(414) 278-4140
Monroe County
Sparta area
(608) 269-8745
Oconto County
Oconto area
(920) 834-6843
Oneida County
Rhinelander area
(715) 369-6120
Outagamie County
Appleton area
(920) 832-5131
Ozaukee County
Port Washington area
(262) 284-8409
Pepin County
Durand area
(715) 672-8861
Pierce County
Ellsworth area
(715) 273-6741
Polk County
Balsam Lake area
(715) 485-9299
Portage County
Stevens Point area
(715) 346-1364 ext. 5
Price County
Phillips area
(715) 339-2353
Racine County
Racine area
(262) 636-3145
Richland County
Richland Center area
(608) 647-3956
Rock County
Janesville area
(608) 743-2200
Rusk County
Ladysmith area
(715) 532-2108
Sauk County
Baraboo area
(608) 355-3287
Sawyer County
Hayward area
(715) 634-4887
Shawano County
Shawano area
(715) 526-9347
Sheboygan County
Sheboygan area
(920) 459-3070
St. Croix County
Hudson area
(715) 386-4636
Taylor County
Medford area
(715) 748-1425
Trempealeau County
Whitehall area
(715) 538-2311 ext. 331
Vernon County
Viroqua area
(608) 637-5340
Vilas County
Eagle River area
(715) 479-3632
Walworth County
Elkhorn area
(262) 741-7012
Washburn County
Shell Lake area
(715) 468-4677
Washington County
West Bend area
(262) 335-4341
Waukesha County
Waukesha area
(262) 548-7525
Waupaca County
Waupaca area
(715) 258-6460
Waushara County
Wautoma area
(920) 787-0441
Winnebago County
Oshkosh area
(920) 236-4858
Wood County
Wisconsin Rapids area
(715) 421-8548
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Wisconsin?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide