Can You File Small Claims Online in Manitoba?

No Electronic Filing for Manitoba Small Claims

Despite Manitoba Courts using electronic filing for general civil litigation, electronic filing is strictly prohibited for small claims matters. Court officers will reject any small claims documentation submitted electronically or by email.

This catches many people off guard, especially claimants who have used e-filing in other provinces or in higher Manitoba courts. But the rule is clear: every small claims form must be submitted as a physical paper copy.

Your Two Filing Options

In-Person Filing

Visit the Court of King's Bench court centre serving the location where the claim should be heard. The general rule is the court centre or circuit location nearest to where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened; check the current Manitoba Courts location list before travelling. Bring:

• The original completed Form 76A (Small Claim)
• Enough paper copies for the court registry file plus one copy per defendant
• Your filing fee — $75 for claims up to $5,000, or $100 for claims over $5,000, payable by cash, debit, credit card, cheque, or money order depending on the registry

The registry clerk reviews your form for completeness, stamps it with the filing date, assigns a hearing date, and returns your copies. You walk out with a filed claim and dial-in instructions for the teleconference first appearance printed on the form.

In-person filing is the fastest option. You get immediate confirmation that your claim was accepted, and you know the exact filing date — critical if you are close to a limitation period deadline.

Filing by Mail

If you cannot visit the appropriate court centre in person, mail your documents to its filing address. Include:

• The original Form 76A plus copies
• Your filing fee as a cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance
• A return envelope if you want stamped copies mailed back to you

The filing date is the date the registry receives and stamps the documents, not the date you mailed them. Canada Post delivery times vary, and there is no guaranteed delivery date for standard mail. If your limitation period is about to expire, do not rely on mail filing.

How to Fill Out Form 76A

Form 76A is the official Small Claim form under Rule 76 of the Court of King's Bench Rules. You can download it from the Manitoba Courts website and print it, or pick up blank copies at any registry.

Key fields:

• Claimant information: Your full legal name, address, and phone number
• Defendant information: The defendant's exact legal name and address for service. If you are suing a business, use the legal entity name from a Manitoba Companies Office search — not just the trade name on the storefront
• Claim details: A clear, factual description of what happened, what the defendant owes, and how you calculated the amount. Attach nothing at filing — evidence is presented at the hearing, not with the form
• Amount claimed: The specific dollar figure, up to $20,000 (pre-judgment interest excluded from this limit)

Write clearly and concisely. The court officer reads dozens of these — a well-organized form makes a better first impression than a rambling narrative.

Common Filing Mistakes

• Submitting by email or fax: Rejected outright. Paper only.
• Wrong defendant name: Suing "Joe's Plumbing" when the legal entity is "Joseph Smith operating as Joe's Plumbing" — a judgment against the wrong name may be unenforceable
• Missing copies: You need the original plus copies for the court and each defendant
• Insufficient fee: A short payment means your filing is not accepted until you make up the difference

After Filing

Once your claim is filed, you have 30 calendar days to serve the defendant with a copy of the stamped Form 76A, the "Important Information" page, and a blank Form 76D (Defence). Service is your responsibility — the court does not serve documents for you.

For a full walkthrough of the entire filing process — including service methods, proof of service, and hearing preparation — the Manitoba Small Claims Filing Guide covers every step in order.

See more Manitoba guides →