Small Claims Court Manhattan: Filing in New York County

Manhattan Civil Court Small Claims Part

Manhattan small claims are heard at 111 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013. This is the New York County Civil Court building in lower Manhattan, near the courthouses of Foley Square. The small claims clerk's office handles filings during regular weekday hours, and hearings are held during evening sessions with calendar call at 6:30 PM.

The defendant must live, work, or have a business address in NYC. You can file in Manhattan if either party lives, works, or has a business address in New York County. 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.

The $10,000 Cap and Filing Costs

Manhattan shares the NYC-wide $10,000 small claims limit. Filing fees:

• $1,000 or less: $15
• Over $1,000: $20

Payment must be cash, money order, certified check, or bank check. The court will not accept personal or business checks. Plan to have the exact form of payment before arriving — the line at 111 Centre Street can be long.

Total out-of-pocket cost, including certified mail service fees, runs about $35 to $45.

Filing Your Claim

Complete Form CIV-SC-50 with the defendant's legal name and physical address. The form asks you to describe what happened and how much you're owed — write in plain language.

For business defendants, verify the legal name first. A restaurant called "Sal's Kitchen" might be registered as "SP Dining LLC" or "Salvatore Russo d/b/a Sal's Kitchen." Search the NYS Department of State database for LLCs and corporations. Use the County Clerk's assumed name records for sole proprietors operating under trade names.

If you live outside New York City and want to sue someone in Manhattan, you can file by mail using Form CIV-SC-66 instead of traveling to 111 Centre Street in person.

The Evening Hearing

Manhattan's evening schedule works well for employed claimants. Cases are called from the calendar starting at 6:30 PM.

When your case comes up, you'll choose between trial before a judge (appealable to the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court, 1st Department) or a hearing before a volunteer attorney arbitrator (faster, but both parties waive ordinary appeal rights, subject to narrow statutory exceptions).

Given the heavy Manhattan docket, judge trials may require adjournments to another date. Arbitration is typically same-night.

Bring three printed copies of all evidence. Print text messages, screenshot emails, and photograph any physical damage — judges will not look at documents displayed on a phone. Organize everything chronologically with clear labels.

Proving Your Damages

For repair or service damages, 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 under Section 1804 of the City Civil Court Act.

Security deposit claims should include the lease, proof of deposit payment, move-out photos, and documentation that the landlord missed the 14-day return deadline under GOL § 7-108. You can file where the apartment is located, so a Manhattan apartment means Manhattan court even if your landlord has moved to Connecticut.

After the Verdict

The clerk mails a Notice of Judgment to both parties. If you win and the defendant doesn't pay, enforcement falls to you — information subpoenas, restraining notices, and income execution through the NYC Marshal are the standard tools.

Appeals from Manhattan go to the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court, 1st Department. File a Notice of Appeal within 30 days after personal service of the judgment with Notice of Entry, or within 35 days if the Notice of Entry is served by mail.

The New York Small Claims Filing Guide walks through every step for Manhattan filers, from verifying a business entity's legal name through assembling an evidence binder the judge can actually use.

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