Nevada Small Claims Court Forms: Every Document You Need to File

The Core Forms

Every Nevada small claims case uses the same basic set of documents, though exact titles vary between Clark County, Washoe County, and rural Justice Courts. Here's what you'll need.

Small Claims Complaint (or Declaration of Small Claims). This is the document that opens your case. You state who you're suing, why they owe you money, and how much. Attach your demand letter, certified mail return receipt, and any key supporting documents like a contract or invoice.

Civil Court Cover Sheet. An administrative form that indexes your case by type, monetary range, and party details. Required for paper filings in Henderson, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sparks, and rural courts. Las Vegas e-filers submit this data electronically through eFileNV.

Affirmation Pursuant to NRS 239B.030. A mandatory statewide form confirming your filed documents don't contain Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, or other protected identifiers. Every court in Nevada requires this with your initial filing.

Forms for Specific Situations

Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. If you can't afford the filing fee, this form requests a judicial waiver. You'll submit a detailed financial affidavit showing income, assets, and any public assistance you receive. If the judge grants it, filing fees and Constable service fees are waived for your case.

Proof of Service (Affidavit of Service). After the defendant has been served, whoever delivered the papers fills out this form with the date, time, address, and identity of the person served. File it with the court clerk before your hearing — if it's missing, the judge will cancel.

Small Claims Counterclaim. This isn't yours to file — it's what the defendant uses if they want to claim money from you. But knowing it exists helps you prepare. In Las Vegas, the counterclaim fee is a flat $71. Other courts charge the same tiered rates as a new complaint.

Where to Get the Forms

Clark County (Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas): Las Vegas Justice Court publishes downloadable fillable PDFs on its website, including the complaint, demand letter template, and fee waiver application. Henderson and North Las Vegas have their own small claims packets available at the clerk's office and online.

Washoe County (Reno, Sparks): Reno Justice Court and Sparks Justice Court provide form packets through the Washoe County court website. Reno's forms include the complaint, mediation order, and proof of service. Sparks uses the same forms with its own local scheduling procedures.

Rural Courts (Elko, Nye, Incline Village, and others): Form titles and packets can differ by court. Check with the specific court clerk for its small claims complaint form and any additional local documents.

Clark County vs. Washoe County Differences

The forms themselves are largely the same, but the procedures around them differ.

In Clark County, Las Vegas Justice Court requires 100% electronic filing through eFileNV. You upload your complaint as a PDF, pay filing fees online, and wait for the clerk to accept it electronically. Henderson and North Las Vegas still accept counter filings and mailed paper forms.

In Washoe County, Reno and Sparks accept counter filings, mail, and selective e-filing. Paper filers must submit the signed original complaint plus at least two copies, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope for the court to return your file-stamped copy.

Filling Out the Complaint Correctly

The complaint needs to state the exact dollar amount, the date of the breach or damage, and a brief explanation of why the defendant owes you. A few tips:

• Name the right entity. If you're suing an LLC, use the exact legal name from the Nevada Secretary of State's SilverFlume portal — not a trade name. Sole proprietors get listed as "John Doe dba Business Name."
• Redact personal data. NRS 239B.030 means no Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or driver's license numbers anywhere in your filing.
• Attach the demand letter. Clark County courts require a copy of your demand letter and the certified mail return receipt (or the unopened refused envelope) stapled to the complaint.

Getting Started

The forms are free from every court, but filling them out correctly and in the right order is where most pro se filers run into trouble. The Nevada Small Claims Filing Guide includes the complete form sequence for your specific township court, with the attachment checklist and filing routes mapped out step by step.

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