Oregon small claims Playbook
Checked against official court sources, updated October 2026.
Quick answer: Every Oregon circuit court has a small claims department, with one statewide process. You can sue for up to $10,000; claims of $750 or less generally must be filed there. Filing costs $57 for $2,500 or less and $102 above that. Lawyers can't take part in the hearing without the judge's consent, and there's no appeal. Check your court's rules.
How does small claims court work in Oregon?
Oregon has one small claims process statewide. Every circuit court has a small claims department (ORS 46.405). The limits, the claim form, and the filing fees are the same everywhere. What changes locally is the courthouse, whether that court requires mediation, and what the sheriff or process server charges.
Official sources are listed under Sources below.
How much can I sue for in Oregon?
Up to $10,000. Claims of $750 or less generally must be filed in small claims. Between $750 and $10,000 you can choose small claims or the regular circuit court. You can add up amounts from more than one transaction, as long as the total stays at $10,000 or less.
Class actions can't be filed in small claims, and there's no attachment.
Who can sue in Oregon small claims?
- Any person or business. You must state under oath that you made a good-faith effort to collect from the defendant before filing.
- Unlike many states, Oregon lets someone who was assigned a claim file it.
- Debt buyers have extra rules (UTCR 5.180 and ORS 646A.670), and the claim form has a checkbox for them.
Sources: ORS chapter 46; Small Claims Instructions for Plaintiffs (January 2026). Checked 2026-10-24.
Where do I file a small claim in Oregon?
In the county where at least one defendant lives or can be found. For an injury or damage claim, you can also file where it happened. If the defendant agreed to do the work in a particular county, you can also file there (ORS 46.560). In a few places a justice court may handle small claims instead of the circuit court, by agreement between the courts (ORS 46.405(6)); check your court's rules.
How much does it cost to file?
A plaintiff pays $57 for a claim of $2,500 or less and $102 for more than $2,500. A defendant who asks for a hearing pays the same amounts.
| Who | Amount claimed | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Plaintiff | $2,500 or less | $57 |
| Plaintiff | More than $2,500 | $102 |
| Defendant who asks for a hearing | Claim of $2,500 or less | $57 |
| Defendant who asks for a hearing | Claim of more than $2,500 | $102 |
| Sheriff or process server | Check your court's rules | Check your court's rules |
If you can't afford the fee, you can file a Fee Deferral or Waiver Application. Source: Oregon Circuit Court Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026, checked 2026-10-24.
What forms do I need in Oregon?
Start the case with the Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim. Itemize your money damages instead of giving one lump sum, and include the filing fee in the amount you ask for. Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim (PDF). Read the plaintiff instructions first.
How do I file a small claim in Oregon?
Fill out the Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim, file it with the circuit court clerk, pay the fee, and serve every defendant.
- Try to collect from the defendant first. You'll swear that you did.
- Fill out the Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim (PDF), and the defendant's response forms with the names filled in.
- File with the circuit court clerk and pay the fee.
- Serve every defendant and file proof of service. The court's instructions say a case can be dismissed without notice if proof of service isn't filed within 63 days of filing.
- The defendant has 30 days after service to pay, ask for a hearing, or ask for a jury if the claim is over $750.
- Many courts send the case to mediation first. If it doesn't settle, the clerk sets a trial.
Can a business sue in Oregon small claims?
Businesses use the same court, limits, form, and fees. A business that isn't a person can appear without a lawyer (ORS 46.415(5)). On the claim, a company uses its full corporate name. A partnership or sole proprietorship names the owners "dba" the business name.
| Who | Who can appear without a lawyer |
|---|---|
| Spouses who are both parties | One spouse can appear for both, with the other's written consent |
| Who | Who can appear for it without a lawyer |
|---|---|
| Corporation, LLC or other business | Can appear without a lawyer (ORS 46.415(5)); who may appear for it: check your court's rules. |
Which court handles small claims in my Oregon county?
In every Oregon county, you file with the small claims department of the circuit court in a county where a defendant lives or can be found, or where an injury or damage happened. Some of Oregon's larger counties:
- Multnomah County
- Washington County
- Clackamas County
- Lane County
- Marion County
- Jackson County
- Deschutes County
- Linn County
- Douglas County
- Yamhill County
Next step
- Confirm the county where a defendant lives or can be found.
- Get the Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim.
- Plan how you'll serve every defendant.
Oregon small claims FAQ
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Oregon?
No. Lawyers can't take part in the hearing without the judge's consent, and a business can appear without a lawyer.
How long does the defendant have to respond in Oregon small claims?
30 days after service to pay the claim, ask for a hearing, or ask for a jury if the claim is over $750.
Can I appeal an Oregon small claims judgment?
No. A small claims judgment is final, and no appeal may be taken (ORS 46.485(4)).
Related guides
Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
Sources
- ORS chapter 46 (checked 2026-10-24)
- Oregon Circuit Court Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026 (PDF) (checked 2026-10-24)
- Small Claims Instructions for Plaintiffs (PDF) (checked 2026-10-24)
- Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim (PDF) (checked 2026-10-24)
- Oregon Judicial Department: Small Claims forms (checked 2026-10-24)
How much should I ask for in Oregon small claims?
Ask for what you can prove: receipts, invoices, estimates and a simple running total. Oregon's small claims limit is $10,000 (ORS 46.405). If your loss is bigger, look closely at your options before filing, because what happens to the extra amount depends on your court's rules. Our guide to how much you can sue for in small claims explains the basics, and the damages calculator (free quick total; the itemized version is in your Playbook) helps you add up your numbers.
What's in the Oregon Playbook section
- Suing or being sued as a business in Oregon: the details
- Where else can you file in Oregon?
- Small claims courts in Oregon's largest counties
- Filing on paper or online
- Serving the defendant: options and fees
- Free mediation
- How to file a small claim in Oregon, step by step (made-up example)
- Oregon small claims checklist
- Oregon small claims timeline and deadlines
- If the defendant asks for a jury
- What to expect at your Oregon small claims hearing
- Collecting after you win in Oregon
Want the whole game plan for Oregon? The Small Claims 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 membership covers all our state guides. 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.