Indiana Small Claims Court Forms

One of the first surprises for Indiana small claims filers: there is no single statewide form. Each county clerk and Marion County township court issues its own Notice of Claim form, formatted to its local docketing system. Using the wrong county's form gets your filing rejected.

The Notice of Claim

This is the core document — your formal complaint. Regardless of which county's version you use, every Notice of Claim requires the same essential information:

• Court header: The specific court, county, division, or township where you are filing.
• Party names and contact information: The plaintiff's name, mailing address, email address (unless the court grants an exemption), and phone number; each defendant's name and mailing address, plus a phone number if available.
• Factual statement: A clear, concise description of the dispute and the exact dollar amount you are claiming, up to $10,000 statewide.
• Verification: The statewide Notice of Claim is unverified under Small Claims Rule 2(A)(1); follow the specific court's form for signature requirements.
• Service election: Whether you want the defendant served by certified mail or sheriff.

Get your county's form from the clerk's office, the county clerk's website, or through Indiana's e-filing portal. Do not download another county's form — Clark County's "Notice of Small Claims Collection" cannot be used to file in Hamilton County.

Affidavit of Debt

If you are suing on an open account — an ongoing balance rather than a single transaction — you must attach an Affidavit of Debt that conforms to Small Claims Appendix A. This is a sworn statement that itemizes the amounts owed, payments received, and the current balance.

Unpaid invoices, running tabs, and account-stated claims all require this attachment. A breach of contract claim based on a one-time written agreement does not.

Certificate of Venue

Some Indiana counties and Marion County township courts require a Certificate of Venue — a statement confirming that you have filed in the proper location based on where the defendant lives, where the contract was executed, or where the incident occurred. Warren Township, for example, includes this as part of its filing packet.

Check with your specific court's filing requirements. The certificate is a short form, but omitting it when required delays your case.

Corporate Filing Documents

If a business uses a designated employee or trustee to appear under Small Claims Rule 8(C), it must file a certificate of compliance and an affidavit from the representative in each case. A corporation, LLC, or LLP must also adopt a resolution; a sole proprietorship, partnership, or trust uses the sworn document specified by the rule. A qualifying owner, partner, designated full-time employee, or trustee may represent the business for a claim within the $10,000 small claims limit. Assigned claims must be handled by an attorney.

Mandatory Attachments

Beyond the forms themselves, attach copies of any documents that support your claim. Written contracts, leases, and promissory notes must be attached to the Notice of Claim. Cancelled checks, invoices, repair estimates, and text message printouts may also support your claim; follow your court's instructions on whether to file them or bring them to the hearing.

Where to Get the Forms

• County clerk's office or website for paper filing forms specific to your county.
• Indiana E-Filing Portal (in.gov/courts/efile) for electronic submissions — attorneys must e-file in courts and case types where e-filing is mandatory; pro se filers can choose.
• Marion County township court websites for township-specific forms, resolutions, and certificates.

The Indiana Small Claims Filing Guide includes a master document checklist that matches each form to the type of claim you are filing, so you do not show up at the clerk's window missing an attachment.

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