Tennessee Small Claims Playbook: Filing, Service, Hearing and Collecting
Checked against official court sources, updated October 2026.
Quick answer: Tennessee has no court called "small claims." Small civil cases are filed on a civil warrant in each county's General Sessions Court. You can sue for up to $25,000, not counting fees and costs. Each county sets its own costs, so ask your county's General Sessions clerk for the total filing and service cost.
How does small claims court work in Tennessee?
Small civil cases go to the General Sessions Court in each county, and you start the case with a civil warrant. The dollar limit, venue rules and appeal deadline are statewide. Fees, forms and some filing rules are set county by county.
Official sources are listed under Sources below.
How much can I sue for in Tennessee?
$25,000 in all civil cases (T.C.A. § 16-15-501(d)(1)). Fees and costs aren't counted toward the limit (§ 16-15-501(d)(2)). Forcible entry and detainer cases and actions to recover personal property have no limit.
Can a business sue in Tennessee General Sessions?
Hamilton County's court says: "A corporation filing suit must have an attorney" (county-only). Statewide, ask the clerk whether a business must hire a lawyer to file.
Where do I file in Tennessee?
| Defendant | Where you can file |
|---|---|
| An individual | Where the claim arose or where the defendant lives (T.C.A. § 20-4-101) |
| A business | Where a substantial part of the events happened; a Tennessee company's principal office; or where an out-of-state company's registered agent is (T.C.A. § 20-4-104) |
How much does it cost to file?
Each county sets its own costs. Ask your county's General Sessions clerk for the total filing and service cost. Two county examples:
| County (county-only) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Davidson County | $145.75 for a civil warrant against one defendant ($50 clerk + $52 sheriff + $43.75 litigation tax) (fee schedule effective July 12, 2026) |
| Shelby County | Shelby County General Sessions: $164.90 to file a civil warrant served by the Shelby County sheriff ($112.90 in court costs plus $52 sheriff service per defendant), per the court's cost sheet (effective January 1, 2026, revised September 1, 2026). |
What forms do I need in Tennessee?
There is no statewide form number. You start with your county's civil warrant. In Davidson County (county-only): Civil Warrant (Metropolitan General Sessions Court, pro se form, rev. 9/1/22), from the Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk's General Sessions forms page.
Which court handles my Tennessee county?
Every county's General Sessions Court hears these cases. County details we've checked:
- Davidson County (Nashville): civil warrant fees and the pro se form, from the Circuit Court Clerk.
- Shelby County (Memphis): civil warrant cost from the court's cost sheet.
- Hamilton County (Chattanooga): civil warrant suits "may not exceed $25,000.00," and larger suits go to Circuit Court.
Next step
- Confirm the county where you can file.
- Get your county's civil warrant form.
- Ask the General Sessions clerk for the total filing and service cost.
- Davidson County General Sessions accepts e-filing (efile.nashville.gov). Shelby County does not yet; file in person, by mail or by fax. In other counties, ask the clerk.
- Use the Playbook below to file, serve, prepare and collect, step by step.
Tennessee small claims FAQ
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Tennessee?
Hamilton County says a corporation filing suit must have an attorney (county-only). Elsewhere, ask the clerk whether a business must hire a lawyer to file.
How much can I sue for in Tennessee General Sessions Court?
Up to $25,000 in civil cases, not counting fees and costs (T.C.A. § 16-15-501(d)). Forcible entry and detainer cases and actions to recover personal property have no limit.
How long do I have to appeal a Tennessee General Sessions judgment?
10 days, to circuit court (T.C.A. § 27-5-108). The circuit court hears the case anew (T.C.A. § 16-15-729).
Related guides
Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
Sources
- Tennessee Code Annotated (official, Lexis Public Access): §§ 16-15-501, 16-15-729, 20-4-101, 20-4-104, 27-5-108, 28-3-104, 28-3-105, 28-3-109 (checked 2026-10-25)
- Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk: General Sessions forms (checked 2026-10-25)
- Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk: General Sessions civil division filing fees (checked 2026-10-25)
- Shelby County General Sessions Court: civil filing cost sheet (checked 2026-10-25)
- Hamilton County Sessions Court: Civil FAQ (checked 2026-10-25)
- Hamilton County Sessions Court: civil filing fees effective January 1, 2026 (checked 2026-10-25)
- Tennessee courts: list of courts approved for e-filing (checked 2026-10-25)
What's in the Tennessee Playbook section
- How do I file a civil warrant in Tennessee?
- How much should I ask for in Tennessee?
- Who can file and who can appear in Tennessee
- Where to file in Tennessee
- Tennessee forms and fees by county
- Serving the defendant in Tennessee
- How to file in Tennessee, step by step (made-up example)
- Tennessee small claims checklist
- Tennessee timeline and time limits
- What to expect at your Tennessee hearing
- Appeals in Tennessee
- Collecting after you win in Tennessee
Want the whole game plan for Tennessee? The Tennessee 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.