Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Alaska
The most you can sue for in Alaska 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 Alaska
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $10,000 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | $50 or $100 by claim size: $50 if the dispute is $2,500 or less, $100 if it is more than $2,500 (Alaska sets these fees statewide by administrative rule) |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Allowed |
| Statute / court rule | AS §22.15.040 |
You can still use small claims for a larger dispute, but you give up the right to collect anything over $10,000. The $10,000 figure does not include interest or court costs. Small claims cannot be used for evictions, real-property title, or claims against the state or federal government.
Where to file in Alaska
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 Alaska's official court self-help resource.
→ Alaska Court System self-help (small claims)What Alaska filers get wrong
Alaska hears small claims in the district court, and the ceiling is $10,000, set by AS §22.15.040. We confirmed that figure verbatim on the Alaska Court System's own information sheet (form SC-95), which states a small claims case is for "money or personal property worth $10,000 or less" and that the $10,000 does not include interest or court costs. If your dispute is bigger, you can still file in small claims, but you have to waive anything above $10,000. Alaska is unusual in that both sides have to agree to use the simplified small-claims procedure at all. Lawyers are allowed but rarely needed. Because Alaska sets its fees statewide, the cost is predictable: $50 if you are claiming $2,500 or less, $100 if you are claiming more.
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Alaska?
Alaska small claims cases are for money or property worth $10,000 or less, under AS §22.15.040. The $10,000 cap does not count interest or court costs.
Can I file a claim over $10,000 in Alaska small claims?
You can, but you must give up the right to collect anything above $10,000. If you want the full amount, you would file a formal civil case in district court instead.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Alaska?
The filing fee is $50 if your claim is $2,500 or less and $100 if it is more than $2,500. These amounts are set statewide, so they are the same across Alaska.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Alaska?
No. You do not need a lawyer, though you may bring one if you want. Both parties also have to agree to use the simplified small-claims procedure for the case to proceed that way.
What kinds of cases cannot be filed in Alaska small claims?
Evictions, disputes over title to real property, actions to recover real property, injunctions, lien foreclosures, and claims against the State of Alaska or the U.S. government cannot use the small-claims procedure.
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.