Alabama Small Claims Court Forms: Every Form You Need to File

Where to Get Alabama Small Claims Forms

Every form you need is free from the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts (AOC) e-Forms portal at eforms.alacourt.gov. County clerk offices also have paper copies. The forms are standardized statewide — the same SM-1 works in Jefferson County and Cherokee County alike.

What varies by county is the filing fee, not the form.

Form SM-1: Statement of Claim (Your Complaint)

This is the form that starts your case. Form SM-1 is officially titled "Statement of Claim (Complaint) - Small Claims." It asks for:

• Plaintiff information: Your full legal name and mailing address
• Defendant information: The defendant's full legal name and address. For an LLC or corporation, use the registered entity name; for a sole proprietorship, name the individual owner; for a partnership, name the partners.
• Claim amount: The dollar amount you're seeking, up to $6,000 (excluding interest and costs)
• Statement of facts: A concise description of the transaction, the breach or damage, and when it happened

Keep the factual statement brief and specific. Dates, dollar amounts, and what went wrong. The judge reads dozens of these — clarity beats length.

Privacy rules apply: Redact Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and driver's license numbers to the last four digits. Filing unredacted PII violates Alabama court rules.

Form SM-07: Summons / Service Instruction

Form SM-07 is the AOC summons/service-instruction form directing the County Sheriff to execute personal service.

Form SM-3: Answer (Defendant's Form)

You won't file this one — your defendant will (or won't). Form SM-3 is the defendant's Answer to your Statement of Claim. They have 14 days from service to file it.

If they miss the deadline entirely, you can apply for a default judgment.

Form C-25 / C-25A: Default Judgment Application

When the defendant doesn't file an Answer within 14 days of being served, Form C-25 (Application, Affidavit, and Entry of Default Judgment) is how you ask the court to rule in your favor.

Along with C-25, you'll need:

• Proof that service was completed (the signed green card or sheriff's return)
• An affidavit of non-military status under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
• Documentary proof of the amount owed
• The $50 default judgment fee, if your claim exceeds $3,000 (in counties that charge it)

The judge reviews the paperwork. For liquidated claims (a specific dollar amount backed by a contract or invoice), the judge may rule on the papers alone. For unliquidated amounts, expect a brief "prove up" hearing.

Form C-10-CIVIL: Affidavit of Substantial Hardship

Can't afford the filing fee? Form C-10-CIVIL lets you request a deferral. You'll disclose household income, liquid assets, real property equity, monthly expenses, and whether you receive public assistance (TANF, SNAP, SSI, Medicaid).

If the judge approves, the clerk assigns a case number and issues process without requiring you to pay the fee upfront. The fee is deferred — not waived permanently. It gets taxed as costs at the end of the case.

Form C-37: Notice of Appeal

Either party can appeal a small claims judgment to Circuit Court within 14 calendar days. Form C-37 is the Notice of Appeal. The appeal triggers a trial de novo — a completely fresh trial in Circuit Court where the small claims ruling doesn't carry over.

Filing the appeal also requires the Circuit Court docket fee ($265–$451 depending on county and whether you want a jury trial) and potentially a supersedeas bond to stay enforcement of the judgment while the appeal is pending.

Filing Options: Paper vs. AlaFile

You can submit forms two ways:

Paper filing at the District Court Clerk's office: Bring signed originals, the filing fee (cashier's check or money order — most clerks reject personal checks), and copies for the court and each defendant.

AlaFile (alafile.alacourt.gov): Alabama's electronic filing system. Self-represented litigants can register for a pro se account. Convert your signed forms to PDF, upload, and pay online. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but optional for everyone else.

Either route works. AlaFile saves a trip to the courthouse and gives you electronic tracking through your account.

For a step-by-step walkthrough of filling out each form, organizing exhibits, and tracking every deadline, the Alabama Small Claims Filing Guide covers the full sequence from complaint through judgment.

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