Idaho Small Claims Playbook: Filing, Service, Hearing and Collecting
Quick answer: Idaho small claims go to the Magistrate Division of the District Court, for money or personal property worth up to $15,000. Filing costs $69 statewide. Lawyers can't appear at the hearing, and either side can appeal within 30 days for a new trial. Check your court's rules.
How small claims works in Idaho
One statute and one set of Idaho Rules for Small Claims Actions (IRSCA) apply in every county. You file in the Magistrate Division of the District Court for the proper county; the local courthouse changes by county, but the limit, statewide fee schedule, forms and rules do not.
Court name: Small Claims Department of the Magistrate’s Division; self-help and CAO materials call it Small Claims Court.
Checked on 2026-10-12. Official sources are listed under Sources below.
What is the small claims limit in Idaho?
You can sue for up to $15,000 in money or personal property. You can't get punitive damages or money for pain and suffering.
- Counterclaims: not allowed in the same small claims case; defendant may file a separate small claims action. If defendant files a related non-small-claim action, the small claim may be transferred and consolidated.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Idaho?
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Small claims filing (total charged) | $69.00 |
| Small claims appeal | $81.00 |
| Statutory appeal fee component in § 1-2311 | $20.00 (to court technology fund) |
| Change of venue | $29.00 |
| Writ application (possession / garnishment / execution) | $2.00 filing fee |
- Service costs are separate and added to any plaintiff’s judgment.
Where do I file a small claim in Idaho?
File in the county where the defendant lives or where the claim arose.
- County where the defendant resides or where the cause of action arose.
- If you file in the wrong county, the defendant can ask to move the case.
How to file in Idaho: the basic steps
- Pick the right county (see Where to file above).
- Fill out the Small Claims Form/Claim and Summons from the Idaho court self-help forms. Businesses must e-file where e-filing is available.
- Pay the $69 filing fee.
- Serve the summons, claim, blank answer form and instructions by an adult non-party, or by court certified mail. File the Affidavit of Service, usually within 30 days; check your court's rules.
- The defendant has 21 days after service to file a written answer.
- The court mails a notice setting trial or mediation. Ask for any continuance at least 2 weeks before trial.
- Either side that appeared can appeal within 30 days of judgment ($81), for a new trial before a different magistrate.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Idaho?
No, and lawyers can't appear for anyone at the trial, pretrial matters or post-trial motions. They can advise you and help prepare materials, and can appear after judgment for collection. A business appears through an owner of a substantial interest or a non-lawyer employee. Parties may use lawyers on appeal.
A lawyer may be worth a call if your case is complicated or a deadline is close.
Can a business sue in Idaho small claims?
Can a company file? Yes. Who appears: only an owner of a substantial interest or a nonattorney employee. Same person may represent the business on trial de novo appeal without a lawyer. Lawyer at hearing? No (unless the attorney is appearing as a party on their own claim). E-file required for businesses where e-filing is available.
Idaho small claims forms and official help
Forms hub: Idaho court self-help forms (Summons, Small Claims Form/Claim, Answer, Affidavit of Service, Judgment, Notice of Appeal, writs, Satisfaction of Judgment, mediation set). Plaintiff instructions PDF (rev. 07/01/2026). Collect instructions. Guide & File / e-file. IRSCA rules index. Claim contents: names, brief nature/amount, when claim accrued, defendant address if known.
Small claims court by Idaho county
In every Idaho county, you file in the Magistrate Division of the District Court. The ten largest counties, largest first (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimates):
- Ada County
- Canyon County
- Kootenai County
- Bonneville County
- Twin Falls County
- Bannock County
- Madison County
- Bonner County
- Bingham County
- Nez Perce County
Idaho small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Idaho?
$15,000 for money or personal property. No punitive damages and no damages for pain or suffering.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Idaho?
$69 to file. An appeal costs $81. Service costs are separate.
Where do I file small claims in Idaho?
In the county where the defendant lives or where the claim arose.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Idaho?
No. Lawyers can't appear for a party at the hearing in small claims.
Can a business sue in Idaho small claims?
Yes. An owner of a substantial interest or a non-lawyer employee appears for it. Businesses must e-file where e-filing is available.
Can a collection agency use Idaho small claims?
Yes. Assignees, including collection agencies, may file, but an attorney-assignee may not appear.
How long do I have to appeal in Idaho?
30 days from entry of judgment, for a new trial before a different magistrate. A party who defaulted or didn't appear can't appeal.
Sources
- Section 1-2301 – Idaho State Legislature
- Section 1-2303 – Idaho State Legislature
- Section 1-2304 – Idaho State Legislature
- Section 1-2305 – Idaho State Legislature
- Section 1-2307 – Idaho State Legislature
- Section 1-2310 – Idaho State Legislature
- Section 1-2311 – Idaho State Legislature
- Section 1-2312 – Idaho State Legislature
- Section 31-3201A – Idaho State Legislature
- Small Claims
- How to Sue / Serve / Trial; Plaintiff, rev. 07/01/2026
- How to Collect Your Small Claims Judgment
- ISC Appendix A filing fee schedule, eff. July 12, 2024
- Idaho Rules on Small Claim Actions | Idaho Courts | Idaho Supreme Court
All checked 2026-10-12.
Related guides: Ready to sue · Just got sued · Small claims court basics · 10 things to do before you sue · How to save text messages as evidence · Sued in small claims? What to do next
Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
What's in the Idaho Playbook section
- Who can sue in Idaho small claims?
- Does small claims work the same everywhere in Idaho?
- Suing or being sued as a business in Idaho: the details
- How much should I ask for in Idaho small claims?
- Where to file in Idaho
- Idaho small claims forms and fees
- Serving the defendant: options and fees
- How to file a small claim in Idaho, step by step (made-up example)
- Idaho small claims checklist
- Idaho small claims timeline and deadlines
- What to expect at your Idaho small claims hearing
- Appeals in Idaho small claims
- Collecting after you win in Idaho
Want the whole game plan for Idaho? The Idaho Playbook takes you from filing to hearing day: what to gather, how to label your exhibits, a one-page timeline, and a day-of plan for your hearing. One yearly membership covers every state guide. See the Playbook
Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer — but if your situation is complicated, does not fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.
Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.