LockoutCase

Small claims by state · checked

Court: Small claims department of the district court. Claims up to $10,000. Each fact below links to the official source we read. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.

Limit

$10,000 (businesses $5,000)

Up to $10,000 in cases brought by a natural person; $5,000 in all other cases (RCW 12.40.010). The courts’ FAQ also says a corporation may be sued in small claims if the suit is $5,000 or less, so ask the clerk before filing over $5,000 against a company.

Sources: Chapter 12.40 RCW (Small claims); An Introduction to Small Claims Court (updated October 2025); Suing a corporation in small claims court · checked 26 Oct 2026

Filing fee

$35 to $50

$35 or $50, depending on whether the county supports a dispute resolution center (RCW 12.40.020, RCW 7.75.035), plus service or mailing costs.

Sources: An Introduction to Small Claims Court (updated October 2025); Chapter 12.40 RCW (Small claims) · checked 26 Oct 2026

Lawyers

Lawyers limited

No attorney or paralegal may appear or participate without the consent of the judicial officer hearing the case (RCW 12.40.080).

Sources: Chapter 12.40 RCW (Small claims); An Introduction to Small Claims Court (updated October 2025) · checked 26 Oct 2026

Serving a corporation

See how

Serve the notice of claim as for a civil summons (RCW 4.28.080) or by registered or certified mail with a signed return receipt filed with the court, at least 10 days before the first hearing. A business can be sued in any county where it has an office or does business, or where its registered agent resides.

Sources: Chapter 12.40 RCW (Small claims); Suing a corporation in small claims court · checked 26 Oct 2026

Demand before suing

Check with your court Not verified

We could not confirm this from an official source. Ask the court clerk before you file.

Official self-help

Court self-help page

www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/resources/brochure_scc/smallclaims.pdf

Official page · checked 26 Oct 2026

Suing Meta from Washington

Meta’s terms point disputes to California courts or arbitration and cap its liability, so a Washington 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 Washington 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

Other states

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Washington small claims, answered

What is the small-claims limit in Washington?
Up to $10,000 in cases brought by a natural person; $5,000 in all other cases (RCW 12.40.010). The courts’ FAQ also says a corporation may be sued in small claims if the suit is $5,000 or less, so ask the clerk before filing over $5,000 against a company.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Washington?
$35 or $50, depending on whether the county supports a dispute resolution center (RCW 12.40.020, RCW 7.75.035), plus service or mailing costs. Local courts can add costs.
Can I bring a lawyer to small claims in Washington?
No attorney or paralegal may appear or participate without the consent of the judicial officer hearing the case (RCW 12.40.080).
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 Washington on 26 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.