Small Claims Court Bronx: How to File in Bronx County

Filing in Bronx County Civil Court

Bronx small claims cases are heard at the Bronx County Civil Court, 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451. The small claims clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, and hearings run during evening sessions — typically starting at 6:30 PM.

The defendant must live, work, or have a business address in NYC. You can file in Bronx County if either party lives, works, or has a business address there. If you live outside NYC, file in the borough where the defendant lives, works, or has a business address. For a claim related to a tenancy or lease, if the defendant owns the property you rent or rented, you may also file in the borough where it is located.

Limits and Fees

The Bronx court shares the NYC-wide $10,000 small claims cap. Filing fees are:

• Claims of $1,000 or less: $15
• Claims over $1,000: $20

Pay with cash, money order, certified check, or bank check. Personal checks are not accepted. The total cost including certified mail service is typically $35 to $45.

If your claim is worth more than $10,000, you can waive the excess and sue for $10,000, or file a regular civil action. Do not split a larger claim into multiple filings to avoid the cap; splitting can waive the excess or result in dismissal of later actions.

How to File

Complete Form CIV-SC-50 (Statement of Claim) with the defendant's full legal name and a physical street address. The clerk won't accept P.O. boxes.

The clerk reviews your form, takes payment, and assigns a hearing date. Service is handled by the court — the clerk mails a notice of claim to the defendant via certified mail and first-class mail simultaneously. You don't need to arrange service yourself unless the mail comes back undeliverable.

If both mailings are returned, the clerk notifies you and you'll have 120 days from your original filing date to arrange personal service through someone who is 18 or older and not involved in the case. Failing to complete service within that window means the court dismisses your case without prejudice — you can refile, but you'll pay another filing fee.

Suing a Business in the Bronx

Confirm the business's exact legal name before you file. A storefront or website name is often different from the name registered with New York State. Search the NYS Department of State Corporation and Business Entity Database for corporations and LLCs. For sole proprietors using a trade name, check the Bronx County Clerk's office for assumed name certificates.

Corporations and LLCs cannot be plaintiffs in the regular small claims part — they must use the Commercial Claims Part. But if you're an individual suing a corporation, you file in regular small claims.

Preparing Evidence

Bronx hearings follow relaxed evidentiary rules, but "relaxed" doesn't mean "anything goes." Bring three printed copies of every document — judges and arbitrators will not look at evidence on phones or tablets.

Organize your evidence package chronologically:

• The contract, lease, or agreement
• Proof you paid (bank statements, canceled checks, Venmo/Zelle screenshots printed out)
• Photos of damage with dates
• Written communications — texts, emails, letters
• Repair documentation: an itemized bill or invoice, receipted or marked paid, or two independent itemized written estimates from qualified providers

That last point catches many people off guard. Under Section 1804 of the City Civil Court Act, an itemized bill or invoice, receipted or marked paid, or two independent itemized written estimates from qualified providers is prima facie evidence of reasonable value and necessity for repair costs.

At the Hearing

You'll choose between a judge trial (appealable) or arbitration before a volunteer attorney (faster, but both parties waive ordinary appeal rights, subject to narrow statutory exceptions). If there's any chance you'd want to appeal, choose the judge.

If the defendant doesn't show, the court still requires you to present evidence under oath in an inquest. Defaults don't produce automatic money judgments.

Collecting Your Judgment

Winning doesn't mean getting paid immediately. The court enters a judgment, but enforcement is on you. Tools available include information subpoenas to locate the debtor's bank accounts, restraining notices to freeze funds, and income execution through the NYC Marshal or Sheriff.

For the complete filing process — from the demand letter through evidence preparation and hearing day — the New York Small Claims Filing Guide has step-by-step checklists tailored to every NYC borough.

See more New York guides →