Washington Small Claims Court: $10,000 Limit, $35 to $50 to File, No Lawyers

Small claims is the part of Washington’s district courts built for people to settle money disputes on their own. You file a short form, tell your side to a judge, and get a decision, usually without lawyers [1][5].

The limits

How much you can sue for depends on who’s suing. A natural person can ask for up to $10,000. Everyone else, including businesses, is capped at $5,000 [1]. Small claims is only for money; you can’t use it to force someone to do something, and only the person owed the money can file [4].

If your claim is bigger, you can sue in the regular civil side of the court instead. Check which rules and fees apply before you file.

Filing fees

State law sets the small claims fee at $35, plus any surcharge that supports local dispute resolution centers [2]. Washington Courts says that makes the fee $35 or $50, depending on whether your county supports a dispute resolution center [3]. King County District Court charges $50 and accepts filings in person, online through its e-filing portal, or by mail [4].

Serving the other side can cost extra. If you win, the court can order the other side to repay your filing and service costs [3][4].

No lawyers in the courtroom

Washington keeps lawyers out of small claims hearings. No attorney, paralegal or anyone other than the two sides can appear without the consent of the judicial officer hearing the case [5]. You’re free to talk with a lawyer beforehand to prepare [4].

How to file, step by step

1. Pick the right court. Most cases are filed in the district court for the area where the person you’re suing lives, or where they can be served within their home county. Some claims can be filed where the problem happened [9].
2. Fill out a Notice of Small Claim. Get it from the district court clerk. It includes your name and address, a sworn short description of the claim with the amount and date, and a notice that the other side must appear [10]. The clerk can help with forms but can’t give legal advice [10].
3. Pay the fee when you file [2]. Ask the clerk about a fee waiver if you can’t afford it; King County reviews waiver requests with the claim [4].
4. Serve the other side. Use the same methods as a regular summons, or registered or certified mail with a signed return receipt filed with the court. Service must be done at least 10 calendar days before the first hearing [6].
5. Go to mediation if your court requires it. King County requires mediation before trial, done free by phone or online through the Dispute Resolution Center of King County [4].
6. Bring your evidence to the hearing. Receipts, photos, contracts, texts. King County trials are in person; if you show digital evidence, bring your own device and a copy for the court [4].

Appeals

The right to appeal is limited. No one can appeal when the amount claimed was under $250, and the person who filed in small claims can’t appeal if their own claim was under $1,000 [7].

Collecting if you win

The court doesn’t collect for you [4]. If the losing side doesn’t pay within 30 days after the judgment is entered, you can use tools like garnishment and execution [8]. You can also file the judgment with the superior court so it becomes a lien there [8].