Minnesota Small Claims Court: How Conciliation Court Works in 2026

Minnesota calls its small claims court "Conciliation Court." It operates as a division of the District Court in all 87 counties, and it exists for one purpose: letting ordinary people resolve money disputes without hiring a lawyer. If someone owes you money and won't pay, this is likely where you'll end up.

Here's how the whole system works — limits, costs, forms, hearings and what happens after.

What Conciliation Court Handles (and What It Doesn't)

Conciliation Court hears claims for money owed or personal property worth up to $20,000. That limit went up from $15,000 in August 2024 under Minnesota Laws 2024, Chapter 123.

One exception: covered consumer credit transactions are capped at $4,000. This covers a sale of personal property or a loan arranged to facilitate such a purchase, with credit extended by a regular professional lender or seller to an individual primarily for personal, family or household purposes. The legislature kept that lower limit to prevent financial institutions and debt buyers from using the informal small claims system to churn through default judgments.

You can bring cases involving:

• Unpaid invoices and broken contracts
• Security deposit disputes (under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178)
• Property damage claims
• Bounced checks
• Used car disputes

You cannot bring:

• Eviction or recovery-of-possession actions
• Defamation claims (libel or slander)
• Actions for specific performance or injunctive relief, except as allowed for return of specific personal property
• Medical malpractice suits
• Family law or probate matters

Filing Fees and Costs

The base filing fee is $65 statewide under Minn. Stat. § 357.022. Each county adds a law library surcharge of $5–$15, bringing the total to $70–$80 depending on where you file.

If you're a natural person and can't afford the fee, you can apply for a waiver using Form CCT104. You'll qualify automatically if you receive public assistance (MFIP, SNAP, SSI), are represented by a civil legal services or volunteer attorney program based on indigency, or your household income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Other costs to budget for:

• Service fees (claims over $2,500): you pay for certified mail or a process server
• Witness subpoenas: $20/day plus mileage
• Continuance requests: up to $50

The Filing Process

Filing starts with Form CCT102 — the Plaintiff's Statement of Claim and Summons. You can fill it out on paper, or use Minnesota's online Guide & File tool to answer questions and have the form populated for you.

You'll need the defendant's exact legal name. For businesses, search the Minnesota Secretary of State portal to confirm whether you're suing an LLC, corporation or sole proprietor. Getting the name wrong means your judgment may be unenforceable.

Submit the form at the courthouse or electronically through eFile & eServe, and pay your filing fee.

Service of Process — the $2,500 Split

Minnesota has an unusual rule that trips people up. How the defendant gets notified depends on how much you're claiming:

• $2,500 or less: the court clerk handles it, mailing the summons by first-class mail at no extra cost
• Over $2,500: you're responsible for serving the defendant yourself, via certified mail with restricted delivery and return receipt requested or through a process server

If you're handling service, you must file Form CCT103 (Affidavit of Service) within 60 calendar days of the summons being issued. Miss that deadline and your case gets dismissed automatically.

The Hearing

Conciliation Court hearings are informal. No court reporter records them, and judges often ask questions directly. Attorneys generally aren't allowed unless the judge specifically permits it.

Bring three copies of every piece of evidence — one for the judge, one for the other side, one for yourself. Photographs, contracts, invoices, text messages, repair estimates — organize everything chronologically.

The judge usually takes the case under advisement rather than ruling on the spot. You'll receive a Notice of Order for Judgment by mail.

After the Hearing

Once judgment is entered, there's an automatic 21-calendar-day stay of execution from the transmission date on the judgment notice. During that window, a party who appeared at the hearing can demand "removal" to District Court for a completely new trial (a trial de novo) by serving Form CCT402 on the other parties, filing it with proof of service, submitting an Affidavit of Good Faith, and paying $310–$410 in District Court fees.

If no party demands removal and the losing side doesn't pay, you'll need to pursue enforcement — garnishment, bank levies, or disclosure orders. The court doesn't collect for you.

Key Deadlines at a Glance

Filing Your Minnesota Small Claims Case

Conciliation Court handles most money disputes under $20,000 without the cost and complexity of a full lawsuit. The process is straightforward once you understand the forms, the service rules and the deadlines.

If you want every step mapped out — from the demand letter through the hearing — the Minnesota Small Claims Filing Guide walks through the entire process with checklists and deadline trackers.

See more Minnesota guides →