How to File Small Claims in New Hampshire

Check Whether Your Claim Qualifies

Before you start the e-filing process, confirm three things. First, your dispute must be about money — not the return of specific property, an eviction, or a claim involving title to real estate. Second, the total you are claiming cannot exceed $10,000 (not counting interest and court costs). Third, the statute of limitations has not expired: three years for most contract and property-damage claims under RSA 508:4, four years for sales-of-goods disputes under the UCC, and generally eight years from substantial completion for covered construction-defect claims under RSA 508:4-b, subject to statutory exceptions.

If your claim exceeds $10,000, you can still file in small claims, but you permanently waive the overage. There is no way to recover that difference later.

Figure Out Where to File

New Hampshire venue rules say you file at the District Division court that has territorial jurisdiction over the town where either you or the defendant lives. You cannot just pick the nearest courthouse.

If you are suing an out-of-state person or business, you can file in any District Division location where the defendant transacted business in New Hampshire, entered into a contract with an NH resident, committed a wrongful act here, or owns property in the state.

The NH Judicial Branch website lists every District Division court location and the towns each one covers.

Identify the Defendant Correctly

Getting the defendant's name wrong is one of the fastest ways to lose before you start. If you are suing an individual who operates under a trade name, name the person, not just the business name — for example, "John Doe d/b/a Doe's Plumbing." Suing a trade name alone can make any judgment unenforceable.

For LLCs and corporations, look up the exact registered name on the NH Secretary of State's QuickStart database. Your complaint needs the entity name and the address of a corporate officer or registered agent.

File Through TurboCourt

Every small claims case in New Hampshire must be filed electronically. Paper complaints are rejected unless a judge grants an exemption for extraordinary circumstances.

Self-represented filers use TurboCourt at turbocourt.com. The system runs you through an interview that builds the complaint. You will enter:

• Full legal names and addresses for all parties
• A factual statement explaining the dispute and the amount owed
• An itemized damages breakdown
• A military service statement about the defendant (required before any default judgment)
• Redacted personal identifiers — show only the last four digits of account numbers and Social Security numbers

Attorneys use a separate portal called File & Serve.

Pay the Filing Fee

Fees depend on your claim amount:

• $5,000 or less: $125 ($105 entry fee + $20 electronic case filing surcharge)
• $5,001 to $10,000: $180 ($160 entry fee + $20 electronic case filing surcharge)

Credit and debit card payments carry an additional non-refundable processing charge. Fee waivers exist but require proof of extraordinary circumstances beyond standard indigency — the court applies a stricter standard than regular civil cases.

What Happens After You File

The court clerk mails your complaint to the defendant by first-class mail. If that mail bounces back undeliverable, you have 60 days to supply a new address or request sheriff service. Missing that deadline means automatic dismissal.

Once the defendant is served, the case moves to a pretrial hearing. For claims over $5,000, mandatory mediation happens at that hearing. For claims at $5,000 or under, mediation is voluntary.

The Full Filing Walkthrough

Our New Hampshire small claims filing guide covers every step from the demand letter through judgment collection, with TurboCourt screenshots, fillable worksheets for tracking parties and deadlines, and a calendar that adapts to your case dates.

See more New Hampshire guides →