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Small Claims Court Limit in Washington

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

Official statuteRead word-for-word
against RCW §12.40.010 · app.leg.wa.gov
Read from the official source · Jul 9, 2026How we verify →
Our researchWashington ranks #12 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 Washington small claims checker →

Maximum small claim · Washington
$10,000
Business: $5,000No lawyers at hearing
Maximum claim$10,000Business $5,000
Filing fee$35–$50
Lawyers at hearingNot allowed
Statute / court ruleRCW §12.40.010

The limit, the fee & who can appear in Washington

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

Maximum claim$10,000
Business entity: $5,000
How the limit worksOne statewide limit
Filing fee$35–$50
a $35 base plus a dispute-resolution surcharge (RCW 7.75.035) in counties that have a DRC; about $50 in King, Pierce, and Snohomish
Lawyers at the hearingNot allowedSelf-represent only
Attorneys are barred unless the judicial officer gives consent (RCW 12.40.080). The same applies to paid representatives and collection agents; small claims is meant to be argued by the parties.
Statute / court ruleRCW §12.40.010 (limit); §12.40.020 (fee); §12.40.080 (attorneys)

Where to file in Washington

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

Filing in Washington?

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 Washington's official court self-help resource.

→ Washington Courts

What Washington filers get wrong

Washington splits its small-claims ceiling by who is suing: a natural person can claim up to $10,000, but "all other cases" (businesses, and people suing on a business's behalf) are capped at $5,000. RCW 12.40.010 states both figures verbatim, so this is a genuine two-tier limit, not a rounding difference. Washington also bars lawyers: under RCW 12.40.080 an attorney can't appear unless the judicial officer consents, and the same restriction reaches paid representatives and collection agents. The base filing fee is $35 (RCW 12.40.020), but counties with a dispute-resolution center add a surcharge, so you'll pay closer to $50 in King, Pierce, or Snohomish. It's one of the cleaner statutes to read; the whole chapter opened without trouble.

Common questions

What is the small claims limit in Washington?

A natural person can sue for up to $10,000; businesses (and anyone suing on a business’s behalf) are limited to $5,000. Both figures are in RCW 12.40.010.

Why is the Washington small claims limit $5,000 for businesses?

RCW 12.40.010 sets $10,000 for cases "brought by a natural person" and $5,000 "in all other cases." A corporation or LLC therefore has a lower small-claims ceiling than an individual.

Can I bring a lawyer to Washington small claims court?

Only if the judge allows it. RCW 12.40.080 bars attorneys and paid representatives unless the judicial officer consents. Small claims is designed for the parties to argue themselves.

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

The base fee is $35 (RCW 12.40.020). Counties with a dispute-resolution center add a surcharge, so the total is closer to $50 in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

Primary source
→ RCW §12.40.010 (limit); §12.40.020 (fee); §12.40.080 (attorneys)
Washington State Legislature (RCW 12.40) · app.leg.wa.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 Washington law

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

Small-claims limits · other states
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