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Small Claims Court Limit in Arizona

The most you can sue for in Arizona small claims, with the filing-fee range and whether a lawyer is allowed, cited to the statute.

Official statuteRead word-for-word
against A.R.S. §22‑503 · azleg.gov
Read from the official source · Jul 9, 2026How we verify →
Our researchArizona ranks #27 of 50 in our Consumer Protection Index, an original score read from the statutes.

Have a number in mind? See if your claim fits in the Arizona small claims checker →

Maximum small claim · Arizona
$5,000
No lawyers at hearing
Maximum claim$5,000
Filing fee~$26–$40+
Lawyers at hearingNot allowed
Statute / court ruleA.R.S. §22‑503

The limit, the fee & who can appear in Arizona

The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.

Maximum claim$5,000
How the limit worksOne statewide limit
Filing fee~$26–$40+
by county: each justice court sets its own fee; the amount is not fixed by A.R.S. §22-503
Lawyers at the hearingNot allowedSelf-represent only
An attorney cannot appear in the small-claims division UNLESS both parties agree in writing (A.R.S. §22-512). Absent that written stipulation, both sides represent themselves.
Statute / court ruleA.R.S. §22-503 (limit); §22-512 (attorneys)
Recent or pending change

Arizona raised the small-claims limit from $3,500 to $5,000 through SB 1022 (2025), effective September 26, 2025. This is the only increase among the fifteen states in 2025–2026; older pages still showing $3,500 are out of date.

Where to file in Arizona

A reference page, not a filing walkthrough: here's the official resource for procedure.

Filing in Arizona?

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 Arizona's official court self-help resource.

→ Arizona Judicial Branch Self-Service

What Arizona filers get wrong

Arizona's number changed recently, and a lot of sites haven't caught up. The small-claims limit in the justice-court small-claims division is now $5,000, not the $3,500 you'll still find quoted around the web. The increase came through SB 1022 in 2025 and took effect September 26, 2025; A.R.S. §22-503 now reads "does not exceed $5,000, exclusive of interest and costs," and we confirmed it verbatim on the legislature's site. Arizona's lawyer rule is unusual too: attorneys are barred from the small-claims division unless both parties agree in writing to allow them (§22-512). Fees aren't set by statute. Each justice court sets its own, so expect roughly $26–$40 or more depending on the county.

Common questions

What is the small claims limit in Arizona?

Arizona’s small-claims division hears claims up to $5,000 under A.R.S. §22-503. The limit rose from $3,500 to $5,000 effective September 26, 2025.

Did the Arizona small claims limit go up?

Yes. SB 1022 (2025) raised it from $3,500 to $5,000, effective September 26, 2025. Pages still quoting $3,500 are out of date; the current figure is $5,000.

Can I have a lawyer in Arizona small claims court?

Only if both parties agree in writing. Under A.R.S. §22-512, an attorney cannot appear in the small-claims division unless both sides stipulate to it; otherwise each party represents themselves.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Arizona?

It varies by county, roughly $26 to $40 or more. The fee is set by each justice court, not by the statute, so check the specific court where you will file.

Primary source
→ A.R.S. §22-503 (limit); §22-512 (attorneys)
Arizona Revised Statutes · azleg.gov
Cholilurrohman
Every figure on this page is checked line-by-line against the current statute. Editorial standards →

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.

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More Arizona law

Other everyday-law questions we answer for Arizona, each from the state's own statute and cited to the source.

Small-claims limits · other states
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