Suffolk County Small Claims Court

Suffolk County splits its small claims courts in a way that confuses most first-time filers. Whether you file in District Court or Town Court depends on which part of the county the defendant is in — and the dollar limits are different.

Western Suffolk: District Court ($5,000 Limit)

If the defendant lives, works, or has a business in one of the five western towns — Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, or Smithtown — you file in Suffolk County District Court. The monetary cap is $5,000.

Small claims are heard in six District Court districts at five locations across western Suffolk. The First and Fifth Districts share the main facility at 3105 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. Other courthouses serve Lindenhurst, Huntington Station, Hauppauge, and Patchogue.

Night court sessions are held on designated third Wednesdays at 5:30 PM. Daytime sessions run during regular business hours.

Filing fees follow the standard schedule:

• $1,000 or less: $15
• $1,001 to $5,000: $20

Suffolk County District Court accepts mail filing for small claims. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the filing fee by money order; do not mail cash. You can also file in person at any District Court location.

Eastern Suffolk: Town Courts ($3,000 Limit)

If the defendant is in one of the five eastern towns — East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, or Southold — District Court jurisdiction does not reach there. You must file in the specific Town Justice Court where the defendant resides, works, or does business.

Town Court small claims have a lower cap of $3,000. These courts operate with part-time clerks and irregular schedules, often holding evening sessions. Call ahead to confirm hours and accepted payment methods.

How to Know Which Court to Use

The dividing line is geographic, not optional. If you're unsure which town the defendant falls under, check their physical address against the five western towns listed above. If the defendant lives, works, or does business in one of those five, use District Court. If the defendant is in one of the five eastern towns, use that town's Justice Court; if the defendant is outside Suffolk County, use the court required by the applicable venue rule.

A mistake here can cost time — filing in the wrong court can lead to dismissal or transfer. If the case is dismissed, refiling in the correct court requires a new filing fee.

What Happens After Filing

The clerk sends the defendant a Notice of Claim by certified mail and regular first-class mail. Service is deemed complete if the defendant signs for the certified mail, or if the certified mail comes back unclaimed but the regular mail isn't returned.

If both mailings fail, the clerk will instruct you to arrange personal service — typically through a private process server or the Suffolk County Sheriff. You have four months from filing to complete service.

At the hearing, bring printed copies of all evidence: contracts, invoices, photographs, receipts, and correspondence. Do not rely on a judge or arbitrator reviewing anything on a phone screen.

Filing in Suffolk County Step by Step

Our Filing a Small Claims Case in New York guide covers all four New York court tiers, including the Western/Eastern Suffolk split, with court-specific filing instructions, evidence checklists, and a deadline tracker to keep your case on track.

See more New York guides →