How to File a Small Claims Case in Las Vegas Justice Court

Before You File: The Demand Letter

Las Vegas Justice Court requires a written demand letter sent before you file. Draft a letter stating the exact dollar amount owed, the factual basis for the debt, and a clear warning that you'll file a lawsuit if payment isn't made.

Send it via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested. Keep a copy of the letter and the certified mail receipt — you'll attach both to your complaint. If the letter comes back "Refused" or "Unclaimed," keep the unopened envelope with its USPS tracking stamp. That counts as proof of attempted demand.

One important detail: Las Vegas Township does not require a waiting period after you send the demand. You can file your complaint the same day you mail the letter, as long as proof of demand is attached. Henderson, by contrast, expects you to give the defendant time to respond.

Step 1: Confirm Venue

Las Vegas Justice Court covers the City of Las Vegas, unincorporated Clark County, and surrounding urban areas. Under NRS 73.010(2), your case belongs in the township where the defendant lives, works, or has a business — or where the injury or contract performance happened.

If the defendant is in Henderson, North Las Vegas, or a rural Clark County township, you need to file there instead. Filing in the wrong township gets your case dismissed or transferred, and the Reno transfer fee alone is $125.

Step 2: E-File Through eFileNV

Las Vegas Justice Court requires all civil filings to go through the eFileNV portal (Odyssey File & Serve). No paper filings are accepted.

Create an account, upload your complaint as a PDF, attach the demand letter and return receipt, and pay the filing fee electronically. The vendor adds a $2.50 surcharge per document submitted. Your case is officially filed when the clerk accepts the submission — not when you hit upload.

Common rejection reasons: incorrect PDF formatting, a missing Civil Court Cover Sheet, or unredacted personal information (Social Security numbers, bank account numbers). Check every document before uploading.

Step 3: Pay the Filing Fee

Filing fees depend on how much you're claiming:

• $0–$1,000: $66
• $1,000.01–$2,500: $86
• $2,500.01–$5,000: $106
• $5,000.01–$7,500: $146
• $7,500.01–$10,000: $196

If you can't afford the fee, file an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with a financial affidavit. The judge reviews it and, if approved, waives filing fees and Constable service fees.

Step 4: Serve the Defendant

You cannot hand the complaint to the defendant yourself. Service must be done by the township Constable, the County Sheriff, a licensed private process server, or any disinterested adult who is at least 18 and has no stake in the case.

The critical deadline: service must be completed at least 14 business days before the trial date. If your process server can't reach the defendant in time, file a Motion to Continue to get a new hearing date.

Once service is done, the server fills out an Affidavit of Service (Proof of Service) and you file it with the court before the hearing. No proof of service on file means the judge cancels.

Step 5: Prepare for the Hearing

Las Vegas Justice Court offers voluntary mediation on the day of trial through the Clark County Neighborhood Justice Center. If both sides agree and reach a settlement, the case can be resolved without a judge's decision.

If it goes to trial, bring three copies of every exhibit — one for the judge, one for the defendant, one for yourself. Organize them in a binder with numbered cover sheets. Photos, text messages, contracts, invoices, and repair estimates all work as evidence. Smartphone screenshots printed on paper are fine.

The hearing is informal. There's no formal discovery, no written answer required from the defendant, and no jury. The judge hears both sides and decides.

The Full Walkthrough

This covers the basics, but each step has details that vary by court and situation — naming the right legal entity, handling a business defendant's registered agent, dealing with e-filing rejections, or calculating your statute of limitations. The Nevada Small Claims Filing Guide maps out every step for Las Vegas and every other Nevada Justice Court, with the forms, fees, and deadlines specific to each township.

See more Nevada guides →