Michigan Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees, Forms, and Where to File
How small claims works in Michigan: the limit, filing fee, forms, where to file, and the basic steps. Checked 2026-10-25.
Quick answer: Michigan small claims go to the small claims division of the district court, for money claims up to $7,000. The filing fee is $30 to $70, depending on how much you claim. The limit, fees and state forms are the same statewide. Lawyers can't represent you, and you can't appeal unless you move the case to the general civil division.
Filing in Michigan? See a filled-in sample first.
Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of Michigan's Small Claims Affidavit (DC 84), 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 Michigan
Michigan has one process statewide. Every district court has a small claims division, with the same limit, fees, rules, and required state forms everywhere. What changes locally is which district court you use, whether it takes filings in person, by mail, or through MiFile, and some service and copy fees.
Checked October 2026. Sources: official sources are linked in each section and under Official links below.
What is the small claims limit in Michigan?
$7,000, since January 1, 2024 (MCL 600.8401). You can bring a bigger claim, but you can't claim or recover more than $7,000.
- Small claims is for money only: you can't ask the court to return property or order someone to do or stop doing something.
- Fraud, libel, slander, assault, battery, and other intentional wrongs can't be filed here. The exceptions are fraud under MCL 600.2952 or the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, and actions under MCL 324.73109.
- The state and most state agencies can't be parties (MCL 600.8424).
Sources: MCL 600.8401; MCL 600.8424; DC 84info.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Michigan?
| Amount claimed | Filing fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $600 | $30 |
| $600.01 to $1,750 | $50 |
| Over $1,750 | $70 |
Service by certified mail costs the postal rate for each defendant. Copy fees vary by court. You can ask to waive fees with form MC 20.
Sources: DC 84info; MCL 600.8420 and 600.1986.
Where do I file a small claim in Michigan?
With the district court in the county where the claim happened, or in the county where the defendant is established, resides, or is employed. Find yours in the Michigan trial court directory.
Michigan small claims forms
Use the state's Small Claims Affidavit and Notice of Hearing (DC 84), plus DC 84a for more parties. The forms were redesigned in 2026; older versions can still be used through December 31, 2026. The new forms are required starting January 1, 2027. All forms: Michigan small claims forms.
How to file in Michigan: the basic steps
- Fill out the Small Claims Affidavit (DC 84).
- Sign it in front of a notary public or a deputy clerk.
- File it with the district court, in person, by mail, or through MiFile, depending on what that court allows.
- Pay the fee, or file a fee waiver request (MC 20).
- The clerk sets the hearing and arranges service on the defendant by certified mail or process server.
- Go to the hearing with all your evidence and witnesses.
Ready to do these steps yourself?
Know the trade-off before you file: in small claims, lawyers can't represent you, and if a judge hears your case, you can't appeal. Moving the case to the general civil division keeps those rights. The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one, with a filled-in sample of DC 84 and every box explained, plus your Michigan Playbook section: a step-by-step filing walkthrough (made-up example), a Michigan small claims checklist, timeline and deadlines, what to expect on hearing day, 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.
Who can sue, and can a business sue?
- Individuals, including a guardian, conservator, or next friend.
- Businesses: a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, suing or being sued, appears through an owner, a partner, or an employee who knows the facts (MCL 600.8408). Same court, limit, form and fees as everyone else.
- Counties, cities, villages, townships, and school districts, through an authorized officer or employee.
Lawyers and collection agencies can't file or appear in small claims, except a lawyer on their own behalf.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Michigan?
No, and you can't have one: "you may not be represented by an attorney at any stage of the case." If you want a lawyer, a jury, or the right to appeal, either side can move the case to the court's general civil division.
Small claims court by Michigan county
The ten largest counties, largest first (Census Bureau 2024 population estimates). Every county uses the same $7,000 limit, fees and state forms; you file in the district court covering where the claim happened or where the defendant is established, resides, or is employed. Some counties have more than one district court, so find yours in the Michigan trial court directory. County guides are coming soon.
- Wayne: district court small claims division
- Oakland: district court small claims division
- Macomb: district court small claims division
- Kent: district court small claims division
- Genesee: district court small claims division
- Washtenaw: district court small claims division
- Ottawa: district court small claims division
- Ingham: district court small claims division
- Kalamazoo: district court small claims division
- Livingston: district court small claims division
Which court, address and filing method (in person, mail or MiFile): check your court's rules.
Michigan county guides
Know your court? 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.
Michigan small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Michigan?
$7,000, since January 1, 2024 (MCL 600.8401). You can bring a bigger claim, but you can't claim or recover more than $7,000. Small claims is for money only.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Michigan?
Up to $600: $30; $600.01 to $1,750: $50; over $1,750: $70. You can ask to waive fees with form MC 20.
What form do I use for small claims in Michigan?
Use the state's Small Claims Affidavit and Notice of Hearing (DC 84), plus DC 84a for more parties. Older versions can still be used through December 31, 2026. The new forms are required starting January 1, 2027.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Michigan?
No, and you can't have one in small claims. If you want a lawyer, a jury, or the right to appeal, either side can move the case to the court's general civil division.
Where do I file small claims in Michigan?
With the district court in the county where the claim happened, or where the defendant is established, resides, or is employed.
Can a business sue in Michigan small claims?
Yes. A business appears through an owner, a partner, or an employee who knows the facts (MCL 600.8408). Collection agencies can't file or appear.
Official links
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
Other states: pick your state on the map. Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists). Go deeper: preview the Playbook.
What's in the Michigan Playbook section
- How to file a small claim in Michigan, step by step (made-up example)
- Michigan small claims checklist
- Timeline and deadlines
- Hearing day: what to expect
- Collecting after you win
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers the Michigan rules. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of DC 84, your Michigan 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.
You can handle your case yourself, but if it's complicated, doesn't fit our samples, or a deadline is close, consider calling 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.