New Hampshire Small Claims Court Guide
Here's how small claims court works in New Hampshire — what you can sue for, what it costs, where to file, and what actually happens on your hearing date.
New Hampshire quick facts
- Dollar limit
- $10,000
- Typical filing fee
- $90 – $185Fees vary by county and by how much you're claiming. Service costs are usually extra.
- Where to file
- Circuit Court – District Division (Small Claims)File in the county where the defendant lives or does business — or, in many cases, where the deal was made or the damage happened.
- How long you have to file
- Most contract and property damage claims: 3 years.These deadlines are general. The clock usually starts on the day you were harmed or the day payment was due.
How the process works in New Hampshire
- Send a demand letter first. Before you file, put your demand in writing: what happened, how much you're owed, and a deadline to pay. Many disputes settle here, and judges in New Hampshire like to see that you tried to resolve it.
- File your claim. Fill out the claim form at the Circuit Court – District Division (Small Claims) in the right county, name the defendant exactly as they're legally known (get the business's registered name if you're suing a company), and pay the filing fee — typically $90 – $185. Keep your claim at or under $10,000; if you're owed more, you can waive the extra to stay in small claims.
- Serve the defendant. The court won't just take your word that they know about the case. Depending on the county, service is done by certified mail through the clerk, by the sheriff, or by a private process server. Do it well before your hearing date and file the proof of service with the court — cases get thrown out over bad service more than anything else.
- Show up prepared for the hearing. Bring three copies of everything: contracts, texts, photos, invoices, receipts, bank records. Hearings are short — often 15 minutes — so lead with what you're owed and why, in a couple of sentences, then walk the judge through your evidence in order. Lawyers usually aren't required, and in some New Hampshire courts they're limited.
- Collect — or appeal. If you lose, you generally have a short window (often 10 to 30 days) to appeal to a higher court in New Hampshire, and the appeal is usually a fresh hearing rather than a review of the transcript. Winning also isn't the same as getting paid — if they don't pay voluntarily, you may need to ask the court about garnishment or a lien.
Official New Hampshire court resources
New Hampshire doesn't have a single statewide court-finder tool — small claims are handled county by county. This official directory is the closest thing, and it's the right place to confirm locations, hours, and contact details before filing.
Keep reading
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