Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Alabama
The most you can sue for in Alabama small claims — with the filing-fee range and whether a lawyer is allowed, cited to the statute.
The limit, the fee & who can appear in Alabama
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $6,000 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | ~$35–$200 by claim size and county: the fee steps up with the amount claimed (roughly $35 for the smallest claims, well over $100 for claims near the top of the range) and each circuit adds its own local costs |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Allowed Individuals, partnerships, and corporations may all appear with or without a lawyer. A partnership appearing without counsel must be represented by a partner or employee; a corporation must be represented by an officer or full-time employee. Attorney fees can only be awarded to a party that is actually represented by a licensed attorney. |
| Statute / court rule | Ala. Code §12-12-31 |
Small claims are the lowest tier of the district court civil docket. The same district court also hears larger civil actions up to $20,000, but only cases at or under $6,000 go on the small-claims docket with its simplified rules.
Where to file in Alabama
A reference page, not a filing walkthrough — here's the official resource for procedure.
This page is a reference for the dollar limit, fee, and whether a lawyer is allowed — not a step-by-step filing guide. For the forms, where to file, and how service works, use Alabama's official court self-help resource.
→ Alabama Judicial System small claims guideWhat Alabama filers get wrong
Alabama does not run a separate small-claims court. It runs a small-claims docket inside each district court, and the cap on that docket is $6,000, set by Ala. Code §12-12-31. Above that amount a case still stays in district court up to $20,000, but it loses the simplified small-claims rules. One point that trips people up: Alabama lets businesses appear without a lawyer. A corporation can send an officer or full-time employee, and a partnership can send a partner or employee, so a company does not automatically need counsel to sue or defend a small claim. Attorney fees, though, are only recoverable if you actually hire a lawyer. We could not reach an official .gov copy of the statute directly, so this page is marked Draft, but the $6,000 figure is confirmed word for word by two independent legal databases.
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Alabama?
The small-claims docket of the district court hears claims up to $6,000 under Ala. Code §12-12-31, exclusive of interest and costs. Larger claims can still go to district court up to $20,000, but without the simplified small-claims procedure.
Can a business sue in Alabama small claims court without a lawyer?
Yes. A corporation may appear through an officer or full-time employee, and a partnership through a partner or employee, with or without an attorney. Individuals may represent themselves too.
Can I recover my attorney fees in Alabama small claims?
Only if you are represented by a licensed attorney. Under §12-12-31 a party who appears without a lawyer cannot be awarded attorney fees in a small-claims case.
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Alabama?
It depends on how much you are claiming and on the county. Fees step up with the amount in controversy, from roughly $35 for the smallest claims to well over $100 near the top of the range, plus local court costs. Check the district court clerk where you file.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.