DC Small Claims Court: How It Works and What to Expect

What DC Small Claims Court Actually Is

The Small Claims and Conciliation Branch sits inside the Civil Division of the DC Superior Court. It handles money-only disputes up to $10,000 — no property disputes, no evictions, no injunctions. If someone owes you money and won't pay, this is where you go.

The court operates out of Court Building B at 510 4th Street NW, Room 120, Washington, DC 20001. Phone number is (202) 879-1120. It's a separate building from the main Moultrie Courthouse at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, which handles the Civil Actions Branch for claims over $10,000.

The whole system is designed for people without lawyers. You file a short Statement of Claim, pay a small fee, serve the other side, and show up for your hearing. Most cases get sent to mediation on the first court date through the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division before a judge hears anything.

The $10,000 Jurisdictional Limit

DC's small claims cap is $10,000, exclusive of interest, attorney fees, and court costs. This ceiling was raised from $5,000 in January 2017 under Public Law 114-257 — any source still citing $5,000 is outdated.

If your claim exceeds $10,000, you have two options: file in the Civil Actions Branch for the full amount, or waive everything above $10,000 and stay in small claims. You cannot split a single dispute into multiple lawsuits to stay under the cap — DC courts strictly prohibit claim splitting.

Claims must be for money only. Security deposit disputes are fine (they're about getting cash back), but if you need your landlord to make repairs or want someone evicted, those go to different branches entirely.

Filing Fees by Claim Size

DC uses a tiered fee schedule based on your claim amount:

• $0.01 to $500: $5 filing fee
• $500.01 to $2,500: $10 filing fee
• $2,500.01 to $10,000: $45 filing fee

If you can't afford the fee, you can apply for a waiver under D.C. Code § 15-712. The application requires a detailed financial declaration — income, benefits, bank balances, and monthly expenses — reviewed by a judge at the time you submit it.

The Step-by-Step Process

Here's how a typical DC small claims case moves from start to finish:

1. Verify the defendant's legal name. Search the DLCP CorpOnline database if you're suing a business. A judgment against a trade name instead of the actual registered entity can be unenforceable.

2. Send a demand letter. Not legally required for most claims, but it establishes that you tried to resolve things before going to court. Keep a copy — the judge may ask about it.

3. File your Statement of Claim. Complete the Statement of Claim form and the Small Claims Information Sheet. You can file in person at Building B Room 120, by mail, or online through eFileDC.

4. Serve the defendant. You cannot hand the papers to the defendant yourself. Service happens through clerk-sent certified mail ($6.75), a court-appointed special process server ($5 motion fee), or the U.S. Marshal Service.

5. Attend your hearing. The initial date is typically set 21 to 30 days after filing. Most cases get referred to Multi-Door mediation first. If mediation doesn't resolve things, the case goes to a bench trial before a judge.

6. Collect the judgment. Winning doesn't mean automatic payment. If the defendant won't pay voluntarily, you'll need to pursue post-judgment enforcement — wage garnishment, bank attachment, or an oral examination to locate assets.

Court Hours and Location

The Small Claims Clerk's Office keeps these hours:

• Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
• Wednesday evenings: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (filing and clerk assistance only — no hearings)
• Saturdays: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Moultrie Courthouse (500 Indiana Avenue NW), not Building B

The Saturday relocation to Moultrie took effect September 6, 2025. Weekday operations remain at Building B, 510 4th Street NW, Room 120.

Key Statutes of Limitations

Your filing deadline depends on the type of claim:

• Simple contracts other than contracts for sale of goods: 3 years from accrual (D.C. Code § 12-301(7)); sales contracts for goods generally have 4 years (D.C. Code § 28:2-725)
• Property damage: 3 years from the injury (D.C. Code § 12-301(3))
• Security deposit claims: 3 years under the contract limitation
• Intentional torts (assault, defamation, false arrest): 1 year (D.C. Code § 12-301(4))

Sending a demand letter does not pause or extend these deadlines. If your statute of limitations is approaching, file first and negotiate second.

What Happens at the Hearing

Small claims hearings are usually bench trials. A party may request a jury trial under Small Claims Rule 6 ($75 fee); a jury trial is held in the assigned Associate Judge's courtroom. The judge hears both sides, reviews evidence, and issues a ruling.

Bring three copies of every document: one for the judge, one for the opposing party, and one for yourself. Organize exhibits in a binder with a clear index. Photographs, contracts, invoices, text messages, and emails are all fair game.

If the defendant doesn't show up after being properly served, the court enters a default judgment in your favor. If you don't show up, the case gets dismissed.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

Individuals and sole proprietors can represent themselves — that's the whole point of small claims court. Corporations filing as plaintiffs must have a DC Bar attorney, though corporate defendants can send a non-attorney officer or employee to negotiate a settlement, enter a consent judgment, or present a defense under Rule 9.

For small claims help, the DC Bar Consumer Law Resource Center meets every other Monday in Building B, Room 223, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM (call 202-780-2574 for dates). NLSP's Small Claims Resource Center meets in person or virtually on the second and fourth Thursdays, 10 AM–1 PM; call 202-849-3608 for virtual attendance. The Family Court Self-Help Center in Room JM-570 handles family law matters, not small claims.

Get the Complete Filing Guide

If you're ready to file, our DC Small Claims Filing Guide walks you through every step — from verifying the defendant's legal name to organizing your evidence binder, with fillable worksheets for tracking deadlines and service of process.

See more District of Columbia guides →