Alabama Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees, Forms, and Where to File
How small claims works in Alabama: the limit, filing fee, forms, where to file, and the basic steps. Checked 2026-10-08.
Quick answer: Alabama's Small Claims Court is a division of the District Court in every county, for claims up to $6,000, not counting interest or costs. Filing costs $35 to $198 depending on the amount, and your county may add local costs. There's no jury, and you can appeal to circuit court within 14 days of the judgment. Check your court's rules.
Filing in Alabama? See a filled-in sample first.
Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of Alabama's small claims Statement of Claim (Form SM-1), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
How small claims works in Alabama
Alabama's Small Claims Court is a division of the District Court in every county. The limit, the rules, and the forms are the same statewide. A county can add local costs to the filing fee, so check the total with the clerk.
Checked on 2026-10-08. Official sources are listed under Sources below.
What is the small claims limit in Alabama?
$6,000, not counting interest or costs. There's no jury. Evictions don't go through small claims.
Who can sue in Alabama small claims?
- You have to be at least 19, or legally emancipated, and mentally competent.
- You can represent yourself.
- If you're suing on a claim someone assigned or sold to you, you need a lawyer.
- You can only get attorney fees in the judgment if a lawyer represents you.
Sources: A Guide to Alabama Small Claims Courts; Ala. Code § 12-12-31 (2015 act). Checked 2026-10-08.
Where do I file a small claim in Alabama?
In the small claims division of the District Court in the county where the defendant lives or has an office.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Alabama?
$35 to $198, depending on how much you claim, plus $50 for each additional plaintiff. Your county may add local costs.
| Amount claimed | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1,500 or less | $35 |
| More than $1,500, up to $3,000 | $109 |
| More than $3,000, up to $6,000 | $198 |
| Each additional plaintiff | $50 (no more than $500 total) |
| Local costs added by your county | Ask the clerk |
| Service by the sheriff or certified mail | Ask the clerk |
If you can't pay at filing, you can file an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship (form C-10-Civil) and ask the judge to let the case go forward. Source: Ala. Code § 12-19-71, checked 2026-10-24.
Alabama small claims forms
Start with SM-01, Statement of Claim (Complaint). If you want specific property back, use SM-02. The defendant answers on SM-03 and files any counterclaim on SM-06. Alabama small claims forms.
How to file small claims in Alabama: the basic steps
- Try to settle first. The court's guide suggests asking for the money in writing and keeping a copy.
- Fill out SM-01.
- File with the small claims clerk and pay the fee.
- The defendant is served by the sheriff, a process server, or certified mail. Ask the clerk if you aren't sure whether the defendant has been served.
- The defendant has 14 days after being served to file an answer.
- The clerk notifies both sides of the trial date at least 14 days ahead. Be on time.
Ready to do these steps yourself?
The appeal window is short: you can appeal to circuit court within 14 days of the judgment. The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one, with a filled-in sample of Form SM-1 and every box explained, plus your Alabama Playbook section: a step-by-step filing walkthrough (made-up example), a Alabama small claims checklist, the timeline and deadlines, what to expect at your hearing, and collecting a judgment.
You also get prep guides that work in any state: a document checklist, exhibit labels, a prep timeline and a hearing-day outline. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Can a business sue in Alabama small claims?
Businesses use the same court, limit, forms, and fees.
| Who | Who can appear without a lawyer |
|---|---|
| Corporation | An officer or full-time employee |
| Partnership | A partner or employee |
- LLCs: check your court's rules.
A business suing on an assigned or purchased claim needs a lawyer. Source: Ala. Code § 12-12-31(b) and (d), checked 2026-10-08.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Alabama?
No, unless you're suing on an assigned claim or want attorney fees in the judgment.
Small claims court by Alabama county
In every Alabama county, you file in the small claims division of the District Court in the county where the defendant lives or has an office. The ten largest counties, largest first (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimates):
- Jefferson County
- Madison County
- Mobile County
- Baldwin County
- Tuscaloosa County
- Shelby County
- Montgomery County
- Lee County
- Morgan County
- Calhoun County
Know your county? Next, get your proof in order.
You can present your own case. The Playbook's exhibit-label guide and hearing-day outline help you put your documents in order and explain them clearly, step by step. General legal information, not advice about your case.
Alabama small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Alabama?
$6,000, not counting interest or costs. There's no jury. Evictions don't go through small claims.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Alabama?
$35 for $1,500 or less, $109 for more than $1,500 up to $3,000, and $198 for more than $3,000 up to $6,000. Each additional plaintiff is $50 (no more than $500 total). Your county may add local costs.
What form do I use for small claims in Alabama?
Start with SM-01, Statement of Claim (Complaint). If you want specific property back, use SM-02. The defendant answers on SM-03 and files any counterclaim on SM-06.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Alabama?
No, unless you're suing on an assigned claim or want attorney fees in the judgment.
Where do I file small claims in Alabama?
In the small claims division of the District Court in the county where the defendant lives or has an office.
How long does the defendant have to answer in Alabama small claims?
14 days after being served.
Can I appeal an Alabama small claims judgment?
Yes. File a notice of appeal with the clerk within 14 days from the date of the judgment, with a bond or cash for costs, or an approved hardship affidavit (Rule M).
Sources
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
Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
What's in the Alabama Playbook section
- How to file a small claim in Alabama, step by step (made-up example)
- Alabama small claims checklist
- Alabama small claims timeline and deadlines
- What to expect at your Alabama small claims hearing
- Collecting after you win in Alabama
- Common mistakes and a printable checklist
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers the Alabama rules. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of Form SM-1, your Alabama Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. Every state and DC has a filled-in sample claim (for Mississippi, Oklahoma and Wyoming it's a sample layout we made, so you'd get the real form from the court clerk). One membership covers every state.
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.