Nova Scotia Small Claims Court Online Filing and Court Locations

You have filled out Form 1 on your screen and are looking for the "Submit" button. There is not one. Nova Scotia Small Claims Court does not accept electronic filings — not by web portal, not by email, not by fax. Here is what you need to know about actually getting your claim filed.

No Online Filing — Yet

As of 2026, the Small Claims Court of Nova Scotia does not operate an e-filing portal. The interactive PDF forms available on the Courts of Nova Scotia website (courts.ns.ca) are for preparation only. You fill them out on your computer, print them, and physically deliver them to the court.

This catches people off guard because the forms look like they should be submittable online. They are fillable PDFs designed to help you type your information neatly — not a digital submission system.

How to File Your Claim

You have two options for submitting your completed Form 1 (Notice of Claim) and filing fee:

In person. Bring your printed Form 1 and filing fee to the court clerk's office at the Justice Centre serving the correct venue. The clerk reviews your paperwork, accepts the fee, stamps the court seal, assigns a file number and hearing date, and returns service copies to you. Payment accepted: cash, Interac debit, certified cheque, or money order payable to the "Minister of Finance." Personal cheques are not accepted.

By mail. Mail your completed Form 1 and a certified cheque or money order for the filing fee to the correct court registry. The clerk processes your claim and mails the stamped service copies back to you. Allow additional time for the registry to receive, process, and return the issued copies; ask the registry about its current processing time.

In-person filing is faster — you walk out the same day with stamped copies ready to serve on the defendant. If you are mailing, allow extra time before the limitation period expires.

Choosing the Right Court Location

Nova Scotia Small Claims Court operates through Justice Centres located across the province. You must file at the court registry that serves the judicial district where:

• The cause of action arose (where the contract was signed, the work was done, or the damage happened), or
• The defendant resides or carries on business

Filing at the wrong location does not kill your claim, but the defendant can apply for a venue transfer, which delays everything.

The main Justice Centres handling small claims filings include locations in Halifax, Dartmouth, Sydney, Truro, New Glasgow, Amherst, Kentville, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, and Antigonish. The full list with addresses and phone numbers is on the Courts of Nova Scotia website under "Court Locations."

If you are unsure which court serves your area, call Access Nova Scotia at 1-800-225-8227 — they can direct you to the correct registry.

The Filing Fee

The fee depends on your claim amount:

If your household income falls below statutory thresholds, you can apply for a fee waiver using Form 14. Thresholds range from $1,067/month for a single adult to $2,156/month for two adults with three children. See our fees and waivers guide for the full breakdown.

What to Bring When Filing In Person

• The original Form 1. The clerk makes copies and returns two copies: one to serve on the defendant and one for your records. Ask the registry whether additional service copies are needed if you have multiple defendants.
• Your filing fee in an accepted payment method
• Your supporting documents are not filed at this stage — they are presented at the hearing

The clerk will check that Form 1 is legible, signed, and accompanied by the correct fee. They do not review the legal merits of your claim.

After Filing

Once your claim is issued, the clerk returns stamped service copies. You then have to personally serve the defendant at least 20 clear days before the hearing date. For the full service process, see our service of process guide.

The Nova Scotia Small Claims Filing Guide walks through the entire filing process from form completion to service, with a deadline calendar that counts backwards from your hearing date to keep every step on track.

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