Wisconsin Small Claims Court Forms: SC-500, SC-6020V, and Every Form You Need

The Forms You Actually Need to File

Wisconsin's court system publishes dozens of small claims forms, but most litigants only use a handful. Here's what matters and when you need each one.

SC-500: Summons and Complaint

This is the form that starts your case. Every small claims action in Wisconsin begins with the SC-500. It captures:

• Plaintiff and defendant names and addresses
• The type of claim (money, tort, eviction, or replevin)
• The dollar amount you're seeking
• A brief factual statement of what happened

There's also an SC-500I version that bundles line-by-line instructions with the form itself — useful if this is your first filing. Both are available on wicourts.gov or through the Forms Assistant at myforms.wicourts.gov.

When filling out the SC-500, use the defendant's exact legal name. For businesses, search the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions database at dfi.wi.gov to find the registered entity name. A form filed against "Joe's Plumbing" when the real entity is "Joseph Smith d/b/a Joe's Plumbing" creates enforcement problems down the line.

CV-410A: Fee Waiver Petition

If you cannot afford the filing and service costs, file Form CV-410A (Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs — Declaration of Indigency) with your SC-500. The court reviews the petition; Form CV-410B states which fees or costs are waived or deferred. Through October 31, 2026, the standard filing total is $94.50 ($98 in Milwaukee County); from November 1, 2026, it is $124 statewide ($131.50 in Milwaukee).

Instruction Sheets (Not Filed With the Court)

These documents are reference guides, not court filings. Don't submit them to the clerk.

• SC-6020V — Basic Steps for Handling a Small Claims Case for Recovery of Money. Covers the pre-judgment process for money claims: filing, service, return date, and judgment.
• SC-6010V — Basic Steps for Eviction. Same format but specific to eviction procedures.
• SC-6030V — Basic Steps for Replevin. Covers actions to recover specific personal property.
• SC-6040V — Basic Steps for Filing an Answer. Written for defendants who need to respond to a claim.
• SC-6050V — Pre-Judgment: Basic Steps to Small Claims for Service. Details service methods and timing rules.

Forms You May Need After Filing

Proof of Service Forms

Use the proof-of-service form that matches the case and service method: SC-5100V is for eviction cases; SC-5110V is for serving a corporation or LLC in a non-eviction case; SC-5120V is for serving an individual, sole proprietor, or partner in a non-eviction case; and SC-5130V is a declaration of mailing. The person who served or mailed the papers completes the applicable form. File proof with the court as directed in SC-6050V.

SC-5200V: Answer and Counterclaim

This is the defendant's form, not yours. If the other side files an SC-5200V, it means they're contesting your claim — and they might be filing a counterclaim against you. The counterclaim must fit the limit for its claim type. In 2026, the limits are $10,000 for general money claims and non-consumer replevin, $25,000 for consumer credit transactions and leases, and $5,000 for tort or personal-injury claims. Effective January 1, 2027, the first two limits rise to $15,000 and $50,000; the tort limit stays $5,000. Under Wis. Stat. § 799.02, an over-limit counterclaim arising from the same transaction or occurrence moves the entire case to civil procedure; an unrelated over-limit counterclaim is dismissed.

Settlement Forms

For a non-eviction small-claims settlement, use Form SC-5310VA (Stipulation for Dismissal) and SC-5310VB (Order for Dismissal). Eviction cases use SC-5300VA and SC-5300VB. If a defendant does not make an agreed payment in a non-eviction case, the plaintiff can use SC-5420VA/VB to request a money judgment based on noncompliance.

SC-517: Demand for Trial

If a Court Commissioner decides your case and you disagree, file Form SC-517 and mail a copy to the other parties within 10 calendar days of an oral decision or 15 calendar days of the mailing of a written decision to get a fresh trial before a Circuit Court Judge.

GF-126A: Subpoena

Need a reluctant witness to show up at your hearing? Form GF-126A compels attendance. Serve it on the witness along with the statutory fee: $16 per day plus mileage through October 31, 2026; beginning November 1, 2026, $55 per day plus the federal mileage rate under Wis. Stat. § 814.67.

Where to Get the Forms

All Wisconsin small claims forms are free at wicourts.gov under the Circuit Court Forms section. The Forms Assistant at myforms.wicourts.gov can generate a completed SC-500 through a guided interview. Your county Clerk of Circuit Court's office also has paper copies.

For a complete walkthrough of which forms to use at each stage — plus fill-in guidance, deadline tracking, and fee calculations — see our Wisconsin Small Claims Filing Guide.

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