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Small claims by state · checked

Court: NYC Civil Court small claims part; City Courts; District Courts (Nassau, western Suffolk); Town and Village Justice Courts. Claims up to $10,000 in the main court ($10,000 in NYC ($5,000 or $3,000 in other courts)). Each fact below links to the official source we read. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.

Limit

$10,000 in NYC ($5,000 or $3,000 in other courts)

Up to $10,000 in New York City Civil Court small claims; up to $5,000 in City Courts outside NYC and in the District Courts of Nassau County and western Suffolk County; up to $3,000 in Town and Village Courts. Corporations, partnerships, associations and assignees cannot sue in small claims; they must use Commercial Claims (also up to $10,000). A commercial claimant must have its principal office in New York and may start no more than five commercial claims per calendar month.

Sources: New York City Small Claims Court; CourtHelp: Small Claims; NYC Small Claims: Commercial Claims and Consumer Transactions · checked 25 Oct 2026

Filing fee

$15 to $25

Small claims in NYC: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less, $20 for claims over $1,000. Commercial claims: $25 plus postage. Fees in other courts (City, District, Town and Village Courts) can differ: check with your court.

Sources: Starting a Case in NYC Small Claims Court; NYC Civil Court Fees · checked 25 Oct 2026

Lawyers

Lawyers allowed

Parties may appear with or without a lawyer. A corporation sued in small claims may appear through an attorney, or through an authorized officer, director or employee who can bind it to a settlement or at trial.

Source: Uniform City Court Act 1809 - Procedures relating to corporations, associations ... · checked 25 Oct 2026

Serving a corporation

See how

After filing, the clerk mails the notice of claim to the defendant (including a corporation) by ordinary first-class mail and by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the first-class mailing is not returned as undeliverable within 21 days, the defendant is presumed served, even if the certified mail is not delivered. Give the corporation's correct legal name and address.

Sources: Uniform City Court Act 1803 - Commencement of action; Starting a Case in NYC Small Claims Court · checked 25 Oct 2026

Demand before suing

Check with your court Not verified

No pre-suit demand rule was found for individuals filing small claims. For commercial claims arising from a consumer transaction, the business claimant must mail a demand letter at least 10 and no more than 180 days before filing.

Source: NYC Small Claims: Commercial Claims and Consumer Transactions · checked 25 Oct 2026

Official self-help

Court self-help page

www.nycourts.gov/help/small-claims

Official page · checked 25 Oct 2026

Suing Meta from New York

Meta’s terms point disputes to California courts or arbitration and cap its liability, so a New York small-claims case is leverage, not a sure thing. Read the small-claims checklist before you pay a fee, then draft your demand letter in the free kit: pick New York and it checks your loss amount against the limit.

Fees and limits change, and local courts can add costs. Confirm with the court clerk before you file.

LockoutCase is a self-help tool, not a law firm, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Draft the demand letter

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New York small claims, answered

What is the small-claims limit in New York?
Up to $10,000 in New York City Civil Court small claims; up to $5,000 in City Courts outside NYC and in the District Courts of Nassau County and western Suffolk County; up to $3,000 in Town and Village Courts. Corporations, partnerships, associations and assignees cannot sue in small claims; they must use Commercial Claims (also up to $10,000). A commercial claimant must have its principal office in New York and may start no more than five commercial claims per calendar month.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in New York?
Small claims in NYC: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less, $20 for claims over $1,000. Commercial claims: $25 plus postage. Fees in other courts (City, District, Town and Village Courts) can differ: check with your court. Local courts can add costs.
Can I bring a lawyer to small claims in New York?
Parties may appear with or without a lawyer. A corporation sued in small claims may appear through an attorney, or through an authorized officer, director or employee who can bind it to a settlement or at trial.
Where do these facts come from?
Each fact on this page links to the official court, statute or government source we read. We last checked New York on 25 Oct 2026. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.
Is this legal advice?
No. LockoutCase is a self-help tool, not a law firm, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. It shows general information from official sources; confirm with the court clerk before you file.