Maine Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees, Forms, and Where to File
How small claims works in Maine: the limit, filing fee, forms, where to file, and the basic steps. Checked 2026-10-14.
Quick answer: Maine small claims are a session of the District Court, for money claims up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs. Filing costs $70, which includes mediation. You serve the defendant first, then file within 20 days. Lawyers are allowed but not required, and there's a 30-day appeal window. Check your court's rules.
Filing in Maine? See a filled-in sample first.
Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of Maine's Small Claims Statement of Claim (SC-001), 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 Maine
Maine small claims is a session of the District Court for money claims up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs. One set of rules, one fee schedule and one set of forms apply in every District Court. Maine has an unusual order of steps: you serve the defendant first, then file with the clerk within 20 days. Filing costs $70, which includes mediation.
Checked on 2026-10-16. Sources: Maine Judicial Branch small claims help; A Guide to Small Claims Cases (PDF, January 2026); fee order JB-05-26 (PDF). More under Official links below.
What is the small claims limit in Maine?
$10,000, not counting interest and costs (14 M.R.S. § 7482). Besides money, the judge can order the other side to return, reform, refund, repair or rescind (14 M.R.S. § 7481).
- Reducing your claim to fit is final. If you cut an $11,000 claim to $10,000, you can't sue later for the other $1,000 (14 M.R.S. § 7485).
- Several claims can be combined only if the total stays within the limit.
What can't go to small claims in Maine?
- Cases about title to real estate (14 M.R.S. § 7482).
- Debt collectors can't use small claims to collect a consumer debt (32 M.R.S. § 11021). A business collecting its own debts in its own name is not a debt collector under 32 M.R.S. § 11003(1).
- Claims against a city or town have special rules; check your court's rules.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Maine?
$70 to file, which includes mediation. Optional service by the clerk is $15 per defendant.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing a small claims case (includes mediation) | $70.00 |
| Optional service by the clerk, per defendant | $15.00 |
| Disclosure (collection) hearing, per defendant | $30.00 |
| Optional clerk service of a disclosure, per party | $20.00 |
| Appeal and jury fees | Confirm with the clerk |
| Sheriff service, postage, transcripts | Extra; check your court's rules |
Fees come from Administrative Order JB-05-26, effective March 9, 2026. If you can't afford the fee, use the Application to Proceed without Payment of Fees (CV-067). If you win, the court usually awards your filing and service costs.
Where do I file a small claim in Maine?
The District Court for the area where the transaction happened, where the defendant lives or has a place of business, or, for a corporation or partnership, where its registered agent is (14 M.R.S. § 7483). Use the court's "Find a Court by City/Town" tool. If unsure, check your court's rules.
How to file in Maine: the basic steps
- Check that the claim fits: $10,000 or less, not about title to real estate, and not a debt collector suing a consumer.
- Pick the District Court by venue.
- Fill out the Statement of Claim (SC-001) with the defendant's exact legal name.
- Serve the defendant first, by mail with acknowledgment forms, certified mail, or the sheriff.
- Within 20 days after service, file the original claim, proof of service and the $70 fee with the clerk.
- The clerk mails a hearing notice at least 10 days before the hearing.
- On hearing day, try mediation first. If you don't settle, a judge hears the case.
Ready to do these steps yourself?
Maine runs in a different order: you serve the defendant first, then file within 20 days. The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one, with a filled-in sample of SC-001 and every box explained, plus your Maine Playbook section: serving the other side, what to expect at your hearing, appeals, 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.
Do I need a lawyer, and can a business sue in Maine?
Yes. A business, including an LLC, can sue. An officer or authorized employee of a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship, or a member, manager or authorized employee of an LLC, may appear for it without a lawyer (4 M.R.S. § 807(3)(C)(1)). Lawyers are allowed but not required.
- Lawyers are allowed but not required, for either side.
- A corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or government entity can be represented by an officer or authorized employee who isn't a lawyer, and an LLC by a member, manager or authorized employee (4 M.R.S. § 807(3)(C)(1)).
- A parent or guardian can represent a child under 18. A friend or spouse who isn't a party can't help you at the hearing.
- Businesses use the same court, limit, fee and form. A filer with 3 or more small claims in a calendar month statewide must arrange service itself.
- If you bought the debt you're suing on, list the original creditor's name and address.
- Suing a business? Check its legal name and registered agent with the Bureau of Corporations. Sue a sole proprietor in the owner's own name.
Small claims court by Maine county
In every Maine county, you file at the District Court that covers the town; use "Find a Court by City/Town". Court addresses are from the District Court directory. The ten largest counties, largest first (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimates):
- Cumberland County — Portland District Court, 205 Newbury St, Portland, (207) 822-4200; Bridgton District Court, 3 Chase St, Suite 2, Bridgton, (207) 647-3535
- York County — Biddeford District Court, 515 Elm St, Biddeford, (207) 283-6000
- Penobscot County — Bangor District Court (Penobscot Judicial Center), 78 Exchange St, Bangor, (207) 561-2300; Lincoln District Court, 52 Main St, Lincoln, (207) 794-8512; Millinocket District Court, 207 Penobscot Ave, Millinocket, (207) 723-4786
- Kennebec County — Augusta District Court, 1 Court St, Suite 101, Augusta, (207) 213-2800; Waterville District Court, 18 Colby St, Waterville, (207) 873-2103
- Androscoggin County — Lewiston District Court, 71 Lisbon St, Lewiston, (207) 795-4800
- Aroostook County
- Oxford County
- Hancock County
- Somerset County
- Knox 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.
Maine small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Maine?
$10,000, not counting interest and costs (14 M.R.S. § 7482). If you reduce your claim to fit, you can't sue later for the rest.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Maine?
$70 to file, which includes mediation. Optional service by the clerk is $15 per defendant.
Where do I file a small claim in Maine?
The District Court for the area where the transaction happened, where the defendant lives or has a place of business, or, for a corporation or partnership, where its registered agent is.
Do I serve before I file in Maine?
Yes. You serve the defendant first, then file the claim, proof of service and the fee with the clerk within 20 days after service.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Maine?
No, but lawyers are allowed. A business may be represented by an officer or employee who isn't a lawyer.
Can a debt collector use Maine small claims?
Not to collect a consumer debt (32 M.R.S. § 11021). A business collecting its own debts in its own name isn't a debt collector.
How long do I have to appeal in Maine small claims?
30 days. Check your court's rules.
Official links
- Maine Judicial Branch: Small Claims
- Maine court forms
- Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure (PDF)
Start here: Ready to sue · Just got sued · Small claims court basics
Related guides: How to serve small claims papers · Hearing day: what to say · You won: how to get paid · 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 Maine Playbook section
- Serving the other side: every method and the proof you need
- Hearing day: mediation, recording and what to bring
- Appeals: the 30-day window and who can appeal what
- Collecting: disclosure hearings and what a debtor can keep
- Common mistakes and a printable checklist
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers the Maine rules. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of SC-001, your Maine 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.