Maryland Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees, Forms, and Where to File
How small claims works in Maryland: the $5,000 limit, $44 filing fee, forms, where to file, and the basic steps. Checked October 2026.
Checked against official court sources, updated October 2026.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.
Quick answer: Maryland small claims are heard in the District Court of Maryland, with one process statewide. A small claim is $5,000 or less, not counting interest, costs and allowed attorney's fees, and the complaint fee is $44. You file the Civil Complaint (DC-CV-001) and check the small claims box. An appeal is a new trial in the Circuit Court. Check your court's rules.
Filing in Maryland? See a filled-in sample first.
Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of Maryland's DC-CV-001 (the Civil Complaint, with the small claims box checked), 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 does small claims court work in Maryland?
Maryland has one small claims process statewide, in the District Court of Maryland. The limit, the complaint form, and the fee are the same in every county and Baltimore City. You just pick the right county.
Official sources are listed under Sources below.
How much can I sue for in Maryland?
$5,000 or less, not counting interest, costs, and attorney's fees that a law or contract lets you recover. It also counts as a small claim only if you're asking for money (not the return of property or a service) and you don't plan to use discovery. Landlord rent claims of $5,000 or less count too. A claim over $5,000 is a "large claim," with different rules and fees.
Sources: Maryland Courts: Small Claims; Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 4-405. Checked October 2026.
Where do I file a small claim in Maryland?
In a county where the defendant lives, works, carries on a regular business, or regularly works in a trade. A corporation can also be sued where it has its main Maryland office. With several defendants, you can file where any one of them could be sued, or where the claim arose.
How much does it cost to file?
The small claims complaint fee is $44. A counterclaim is $18.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Small claims complaint | $44 |
| Counterclaim | $18 |
| Service by sheriff or constable, per defendant | $60 |
| Service by mail through the clerk, per defendant | $20 |
| Appeal | $10, plus $165 to the Circuit Court |
Source: District Court Cost Schedule (DCA-109, Rev. 03/2026). If you can't afford the fees, you can ask for a waiver.
What forms do I need in Maryland?
File the Civil Complaint (DC-CV-001) and check the small claims box. After service, file Proof of Service (DC-CV-002). The court's booklet How to File a Small Claim (DC-CV-001BR) walks through the form.
How do I file a small claim in Maryland?
File the Civil Complaint (DC-CV-001) with the District Court, pay $44, have the defendant served, and file proof of service.
- Try to settle first. The District Court offers free mediation.
- File DC-CV-001 with the District Court and pay the fee. The court's booklet How to File a Small Claim (PDF) walks through it.
- The court issues a summons. Choose service by certified mail, private process server, constable, or sheriff.
- File proof of service in time, or you may not be able to present your case on the trial date.
- The defendant has 15 days to file a Notice of Intention to Defend (60 days if they're out of state).
- Go to the trial with your witnesses and documents. The court doesn't collect the money for you if you win.
Ready to do these steps yourself?
Collecting is its own step: the court doesn't collect the money for you. The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one, with a filled-in sample of DC-CV-001 and every box explained, plus your Maryland Playbook section: a step-by-step filing walkthrough (made-up example), serving the defendant (options and fees), free mediation (ADR) before or on your trial date, a Maryland 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.
Which court handles small claims in my Maryland county?
In every Maryland county and Baltimore City, you file at the District Court of Maryland in a county where the defendant lives, works, or carries on a regular business. Some of Maryland's larger jurisdictions:
- Montgomery County
- Prince George's County
- Baltimore County
- Anne Arundel County
- Baltimore City
- Howard County
- Frederick County
- Harford County
- Carroll County
- Charles County
Next step
- Confirm the county where the defendant lives, works or does business.
- Get the Civil Complaint (DC-CV-001) and check the small claims box.
- Choose how the defendant will be served.
Know your next step? 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.
Maryland small claims FAQ
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Maryland?
No, though you can hire one. The court help line is 410-260-1392, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Can I appeal a Maryland small claims judgment?
Yes. An appeal is a new trial in the Circuit Court. The appeal costs $10, plus $165 paid to the Circuit Court.
How long does the defendant have to respond in Maryland small claims?
15 days to file a Notice of Intention to Defend, or 60 days if they're out of state. If they don't, the court may enter judgment based on your sworn papers.
Related guides
Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
Sources
- Maryland Courts: Small Claims (checked 2026-10-24)
- Maryland Courts: What to do if you are sued (checked 2026-10-24)
- Defending a Small Claim tip sheet (PDF) (checked 2026-10-24)
- How to File a Small Claim (DC-CV-001BR, PDF) (checked 2026-10-24)
- District Court Cost Schedule (DCA-109, PDF) (checked 2026-10-24)
- Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 4-405 (checked 2026-10-24)
- Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 6-201 (checked 2026-10-24)
- Business Occupations and Professions § 10-206 (checked 2026-10-24)
What's in the Maryland Playbook section
- A filled-in sample of Maryland's complaint form (DC-CV-001), marked SAMPLE
- How to file, step by step (made-up example)
- Serving the defendant: options and fees
- Free mediation (ADR) before or on your trial date
- Maryland small claims checklist
- Timeline and deadlines
- What to expect at your hearing
- Collecting after you win
- Can a business sue?
- How much should I ask for?
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers the Maryland rules. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of DC-CV-001, your Maryland 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.