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Small Claims Court Limit in North Dakota

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

Official statuteRead word-for-word
against N.D. Cent. Code §27‑08.1‑01 · ndcourts.gov
Read from the official source · Jul 11, 2026How we verify →
Our researchNorth Dakota ranks #7 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 North Dakota small claims checker →

Maximum small claim · North Dakota
$15,000
Lawyers allowed
Maximum claim$15,000
Filing fee$20
Lawyers at hearingAllowed
Statute / court ruleN.D. Cent. Code §27‑08.1‑01

The limit, the fee & who can appear in North Dakota

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

Maximum claim$15,000
How the limit worksOne statewide limit
Filing fee$20Uniform statewide
uniform statewide; the small-claims filing fee rose from $10 to $20 effective July 1, 2025
Lawyers at the hearingAllowed
North Dakota small claims court is built for self-representation, and most parties appear without counsel, but lawyers are not barred. A party may be represented by a lawyer admitted in the state.
Statute / court ruleN.D. Cent. Code §27-08.1-01
Which court?

Small claims court hears money claims, a tenant's claim for civil damages, or cancellation of an agreement tainted by fraud, where the amount does not exceed $15,000. The cap is statewide. Choosing small claims court is irrevocable for the plaintiff and waives the right to appeal, though the defendant may remove the case to district court.

Recent or pending change

The small-claims filing fee doubled from $10 to $20 effective July 1, 2025. Confirm the current amount with the clerk of district court where you file.

Where to file in North Dakota

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

Filing in North Dakota?

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 North Dakota's official court self-help resource.

→ ND Courts small claims self-help

What North Dakota filers get wrong

North Dakota sets one of the higher small-claims ceilings in the country at $15,000, written in N.D.C.C. §27-08.1-01 as "fifteen thousand dollars." Small claims court hears money claims, a tenant's claim for civil damages, and requests to cancel an agreement tainted by fraud or misrepresentation, so long as the amount stays at or below $15,000. Two features stand out. First, the plaintiff's choice to use small claims court is irrevocable and gives up any right to appeal the decision, though the defendant can remove the case to regular district court. Second, the filing fee is uniform statewide and low: it rose from $10 to $20 effective July 1, 2025. The court is designed for people without lawyers, but attorneys are not barred if a party wants one.

Common questions

What is the small claims limit in North Dakota?

North Dakota small claims court hears cases up to $15,000 under N.D.C.C. §27-08.1-01, which sets the cap as "fifteen thousand dollars." That covers money claims, a tenant's claim for damages, and cancellation of an agreement tainted by fraud.

How much is the filing fee for small claims in North Dakota?

It is $20 statewide. The small-claims filing fee doubled from $10 to $20 effective July 1, 2025, so confirm the current amount with the clerk of district court where you file.

Can I appeal a small claims decision in North Dakota?

No, not if you are the plaintiff. Electing to use small claims court is irrevocable and waives the right to appeal the decision. The defendant, however, can remove the case to regular district court before the hearing.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims court in North Dakota?

No. Small claims court is designed for self-representation and most parties appear on their own, but lawyers are not barred. A party may bring a lawyer admitted to practice in North Dakota if they choose.

What kinds of cases can small claims court hear in North Dakota?

Claims to recover money, a tenant's claim for civil damages, and requests to cancel an agreement involving fraud, deception, misrepresentation, or a false promise, as long as the amount does not exceed $15,000.

Primary source
→ N.D. Cent. Code §27-08.1-01
North Dakota Court System (small claims self-help) · ndcourts.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 North Dakota law

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

Small-claims limits · other states
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