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File a small claim for money or property owed
Oregon Judicial Department · Shared Oregon or applicable federal route
Prepare a documented claim, file in the correct county and arrange legally effective service.
Where and how to proceed: prepare, file and follow up
Start here: First make a good-faith collection attempt. Prepare the Small Claim and Notice, the caption of the Defendant's Response, itemized losses, and defendants' correct legal names and service addresses.
1. Is this for me?
Eligible money or property claims of $10,000 or less. Claims involving debt buyers, consumer debt or public bodies have additional requirements.
Service area: Oregon or applicable federal route; confirm venue and agency jurisdiction.
2. What should I prepare?
Some documents may be conditional. Ask about alternatives. Checkmarks are temporary and are not saved or sent.
3. Where and how do I submit?
File with the circuit court for a county where a defendant lives or can be found, the damage/claim/injury occurred, or contractual performance was due, as the official plaintiff instructions specify. Self-represented people may file in person, by mail, or through OJD electronic filing. Confirm the selected court's address and local requirements before sending papers.
- Try in good faith to resolve or collect the claim before filing and document the attempt.
- Read the plaintiff packet, confirm the amount and proper county, and verify each defendant’s legal identity.
- Complete the claim with itemized actual losses and required accompanying forms; pay or request relief from the filing fee.
- Arrange an allowed service method and file the certificate or acceptance of service.
- Monitor the court’s notices and attend mediation or hearing prepared with witnesses and evidence.
Timing: The packet warns that proof of service not filed within 63 days after the claim is filed may cause dismissal. Other response, default and hearing dates also apply; track the full packet.
4. What will it cost?
2026 plaintiff filing fee: $57 when the claim is $2,500 or less; $102 when it exceeds $2,500 (small claims cannot exceed $10,000). Service costs are separate. Submit a fee deferral/waiver application if unable to pay. Jury demands or transfer can create additional fees.
5. What happens after I submit?
Arrange legally effective service on every defendant and file the original proof of service or acceptance. Keep the assigned case number and watch for mediation/hearing notices. Read the current packet's service, response, and default provisions; a defendant's silence does not automatically produce a judgment.
6. What if something goes wrong?
If service by mail lacks the required defendant-signed receipt, use another permitted method. If a jury demand or public-body defendant is involved, follow the packet's special instructions and seek legal advice.
Language, disability and offline help
Ask the selected court clerk about filing procedures; staff cannot choose your claim or give legal advice. Request an interpreter or contact that court's ADA Coordinator for accommodations.
Winning does not automatically collect the judgment. Do not serve the case yourself using a method requiring a non-party server. Claims outside small-claims jurisdiction need another route.
Sources for the added submission and follow-up details
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Read current publisher instructions before acting.
OJD Small Claims Plaintiff Instructions, January 2026
Retained evidence SHA-256: 21964e9f53da3914afaf41c2b02ef59905e71685840d95f94d0a0632aa9854b9
Retained evidence SHA-256: 9e8781e8000f2b3baf4638b3e76a84794330afc9182a978fe3fc99387ef62fe0
2026 Circuit Court Fee Schedule
Retained evidence SHA-256: 9db4d3e2071c295077ceeac035b5b3f84225422c89349f2d37d3e9bb4db34f4a
OJD Accessibility and ADA Coordinators
Retained evidence SHA-256: 2feceff44b61bfaf84308ea8ec8b01af5a6ee4b71c36997e98de7eda66bf6e3a
Sources and review date
Guidance reviewed 2026-10-11. Read the current publisher instructions before acting.
File a small claim for money or property owed - official instructions · publisher pdf
Captured evidence SHA-256: 21964e9f53da3914afaf41c2b02ef59905e71685840d95f94d0a0632aa9854b9
Oregon Judicial Department : Small Claims : Forms Center : State of Oregon · publisher html snapshot
Captured evidence SHA-256: d1a864b7faaeeb8a2747e3019150dbcf7bc592d518f1ebbf359533127f430655
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