Oakland County Small Claims (MI): Which District Court to File In

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This independent guide covers small claims cases in Oakland County, Michigan, including Troy, Southfield, Novi, Pontiac, Royal Oak, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Waterford, Birmingham and Auburn Hills. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.

Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Oakland County Courts website and the Michigan Compiled Laws. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our Michigan small claims guide.

Oakland County small claims court: the district courts

• Court: the small claims division of each district court.
• Limit: $7,000 (MCL 600.8401(e), beginning January 1, 2024).
• No lawyers: under MCL 600.8408(1), an attorney (except on the attorney's own behalf), a collection agency or anyone other than the plaintiff and defendant can't take part in filing, prosecuting or defending the case.
• Businesses: a business "may be represented by an officer or employee who has direct and personal knowledge of facts in dispute."
• What you give up: the 52-1 court says that when you file in small claims, you waive the right to be represented by an attorney, the right to have a jury trial, and the right to appeal the final decision of the court (unless the case is heard by an attorney/magistrate).
• Over the limit? "If your claim is more than $7,000.00 and you still elect to file in small claims court, you waive your right to collect more than that amount."
• Car damage: against an insured at-fault driver, you can recover up to $3,000 for damage to your vehicle not covered by your insurance (MCL 500.3135(3)(e), for accidents after July 1, 2020). Damages use comparative fault, nothing is awarded to a party "more than 50% at fault", and the case "must be commenced, whenever legally possible, in the small claims division of the district court".
• Appeal: only if a district court magistrate heard the case, and within 7 days after the magistrate's decision is entered (MCL 600.8427). If a judge heard it, there's no further appeal.

Which district court do I file in?

• Which district: under MCL 600.8415(2), file "in the district in which the cause of action arose or in the district in which the defendant is established or resides or is employed."
• Find your district in the list below, and call the court if you're not sure.

Oakland County district courts by city

From MCL 600.8123, the official city-to-district list.

The statute calls the 52nd's divisions "election divisions", and we couldn't confirm that small claims must be filed in the matching one. File at the 52nd division for the defendant's city, or call that division to confirm. The city of Northville isn't in the 52nd; it's in Wayne County's 35th District.

Addresses, phone numbers and hours

From Oakland County Courts' About page and the 52-1 small claims page. Every 52nd division lists Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For the 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th and 51st District Courts, check the court's own website and call before you go. (The 43rd has courthouses in Ferndale, Hazel Park and Madison Heights.)

How much does small claims cost in Oakland County?

From the 52-1 District Court's small claims page:

• Claims of $600.00 and under: $30
• $600.01 to $1,750.00: $50
• $1,750.01 to $7,000: $70
• Motions, 2nd summons, alternate service: $20.00 each
• Writs and discovery subpoenas (statute): $15.00

• These amounts are the statutory fee in MCL 600.8420(1) ($25, $45 or $65) plus the $5.00 small claims electronic filing system fee in MCL 600.1986(1)(d). The court's page still shows a "$6,500.00" top bracket, which was the limit before 2024; the $70 tier covers claims up to $7,000.
• Service: court-officer fees are per defendant and vary by court officer and city. The 52-1 page says "Cash will not be accepted for payments."
• The filing fee is $30, $50 or $70 depending on the claim amount, plus service. Confirm with your district court clerk before you file.

Can I e-file in Oakland County?

We didn't confirm e-filing options for small claims in Oakland County's district courts. Ask your district court's clerk how it takes small claims filings.

Oakland County small claims forms: the Small Claims Affidavit (SCAO DC 84)

Michigan small claims start with a small claims affidavit. Ask your district court's clerk for it, or see the 52-1 small claims page.

How to file in Oakland County, step by step

1. Make sure your claim is $7,000 or less (or up to $3,000 for damage to your car that your insurance didn't cover, from an at-fault driver, for accidents after July 1, 2020).
2. Find your district court (where the claim arose, or where the defendant is established, resides or is employed).
3. Prepare your small claims affidavit.
4. File with the district court clerk and pay $30, $50 or $70 depending on the amount, plus service (confirm with the clerk; 52-1 doesn't take cash).
5. Go to your hearing with your evidence.
6. If a magistrate decided the case and you disagree, appeal within 7 days. Statewide rules are in our Michigan guide.

How to look up an Oakland County small claims case

• Each district court has its own website, and we couldn't confirm a case lookup for each one.
• The statewide Michigan Online Court Case Search may help, but we couldn't confirm which courts take part. Call your district court to check on your case.

What does it cost to collect a judgment?

Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. By statute, a writ of execution, attachment or garnishment, or a judgment debtor discovery subpoena, costs $15.00. See our Michigan guide for the statewide steps.

Fee waivers and venue changes

• Can't afford the fees? Ask your district court's clerk what options it offers.
• Motions: the 52-1 court charges $20.00 on all motions.
• Appeal: only from a magistrate's decision, within 7 days.

Coach's Tips for Oakland County

• Car-accident claims are capped. For a car-accident claim against an insured at-fault driver, the 52-1 court page caps the claim at $3,000 for damage your own insurance didn't cover. Check your policy first.
• Don't bring cash to 52-1. The 52-1 court says cash won't be accepted for payments.
• Over $7,000? If you file in small claims anyway, you give up the right to collect more than $7,000.

Oakland County small claims checklist

• My claim is $7,000 or less.
• I found the right district court for the place.
• I have my small claims affidavit.
• I confirmed the filing fee and service cost with the clerk.
• I know lawyers can't take part and there's no jury.
• I know about the 7-day appeal window after a magistrate's decision.
• My evidence is organized and copied for court.

Oakland County small claims FAQ

Which district court hears small claims in Oakland County, Michigan?

Small claims go to the small claims division of the district court that covers the city involved, one of the district courts listed on this page.

Where is small claims court in Troy, Royal Oak, Southfield or Pontiac?

Each city is covered by its own numbered district court; for example, Pontiac is the 50th District Court. Find your city in the list on this page to see which court covers it.

How do I file a small claims affidavit in Oakland County?

You fill out the Small Claims Affidavit (SCAO form DC 84; the older version, titled Affidavit and Claim, may be used through December 31, 2026) and file it with the district court clerk.

Will a magistrate or a judge hear my case?

Small claims may be heard by an attorney magistrate or a district court judge. A case heard by a judge cannot be appealed; a magistrate's decision can be.

How do I look up an Oakland County district court case?

Use the case lookup on the website of the district court that has your case.

What is the small claims limit in Oakland County?

$7,000. If you file a bigger claim in small claims anyway, you give up the right to collect more than $7,000.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Oakland County?

$30, $50 or $70 depending on the claim amount, plus service. That's the statutory fee plus a $5 electronic filing system fee. Confirm with your district court clerk.

Sources

• Oakland County: Small Claims at 52-1 District Court
• Oakland County Courts: About
• MCL 600.8123 (Oakland districts)
• MCL 600.1986 (electronic filing system fee)
• MCL 500.3135 (car damage)
• MCL 600.8401 (small claims limit)
• MCL 600.8408 (no lawyers)
• MCL 600.8415 (venue)
• MCL 600.8420 (fees)
• MCL 600.8427 (appeal)
• Michigan Online Court Case Search

Checked 2026-10-27.

More for Michigan: Michigan small claims guide · Ready to sue · Just got sued · How to serve small claims papers · What to say on hearing day

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