Hennepin County Conciliation Court (Small Claims, MN): How to File
Hennepin County small claims: the court, limit, fees, where to file and case lookup. Checked 2026-10-27.
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Quick answer: In Hennepin County, small claims are called Conciliation Court. It handles money claims of $20,000 or less ($4,000 for consumer credit claims). File at the Civil Division, 300 S. 6th Street, 3rd Floor Courts Tower, Minneapolis. Filing costs $70. Phone: (612) 348-6000.
This independent guide covers conciliation (small claims) court in Hennepin County, Minnesota, including Minneapolis, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Edina, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and Maple Grove. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.
Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Minnesota Judicial Branch (Hennepin County) pages and the Minnesota Statutes. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our Minnesota small claims guide.
Filing in Hennepin County? See a filled-in sample first.
Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of the Minnesota Conciliation Court Plaintiff's Statement of Claim (CCT102), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Hennepin County small claims court: Conciliation Court
- Court: Hennepin County Conciliation Court (Minnesota's name for small claims).
- Limit: $20,000, or $4,000 if the claim involves a consumer credit transaction (Minn. Stat. 491A.01).
- You may not split one incident into several claims to reach a higher amount.
- Not allowed: title to real estate, class actions, medical malpractice, libel or slander, discrimination claims, and actions against deceased persons.
- Lawyers: you may have an attorney, but the court decides how much the attorney may take part.
- Claims filed for someone else using a Power of Attorney are rejected.
Which courthouse do I file in?
- One filing location for the whole county: the Civil Division, Conciliation Court.
- File in person at 300 S. 6th Street, 3rd Floor Courts Tower, Minneapolis, or online (eFS or Guide and File), or by mail.
- Which county: generally where the defendant is located. Bad checks: generally where the check was issued, if you're a county resident and sent the required notice first. Security deposits and rent: where the rental property is. Multiple defendants: if at least one is in the county.
Addresses, phone numbers and hours
From the court's Conciliation Court page.
Civil Division, Conciliation Court
Address: 300 S. 6th Street, 3rd Floor Courts Tower, Minneapolis, MN 55487
Phone: (612) 348-6000
How to file: File in person, through eFile and eServe, with Guide and File, or by mail.
How much does small claims cost in Hennepin County?
From the court's Fees page (changes effective July 1, 2025):
- Claim, up to $20,000: $70.00
- Counterclaim, up to $20,000: $70.00
- Subpoena: $16.00
- Removal (appeal), court trial: $322.00
- Removal (appeal), jury trial: $422.00
- eFile and eServe processing fee: $5.00
- The Fees page and the Conciliation page name different payees for checks; ask the clerk at (612) 348-6000 how to make out a mailed check.
- Fees can change; confirm with the court at (612) 348-6000 before you file.
Can I e-file in Hennepin County?
Yes. You can file through eFile and eServe ($5.00 processing fee) or Guide and File, as well as in person or by mail.
Hennepin County conciliation court forms: the Statement of Claim
You start the case with the Conciliation Court Plaintiff's Statement of Claim. When you file, don't attach documents or exhibits. See the court's Conciliation Court page.
How to file in Hennepin County, step by step
- Make sure your claim is $20,000 or less ($4,000 for consumer credit).
- File your claim and pay $70.
- Serve and file proof of service within 60 days of the Summons. If the claim is over $2,500 and the defendant is in the county, you must serve by certified mail.
- Submit your evidence to the court before the hearing, following your Summons and Notice of Hearing.
- Go to your hearing, set about 90 days after filing. Statewide rules are in our Minnesota guide.
Ready to fill in your own form?
The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one: a filled-in sample of the Minnesota Conciliation Court Plaintiff's Statement of Claim (CCT102) with every box explained, plus your Minnesota Playbook section with a step-by-step filing walkthrough, serving the other side, what to bring to your hearing, a hearing outline, collecting a judgment, removal and vacating a default, a timeline, a printable checklist, and a Minnesota day-of plan.
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.
How to look up a Hennepin County small claims case
- The court says to use Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) and select Civil Cases.
- If you can't find your case, call (612) 348-6000.
What does it cost to collect a judgment?
Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. Collection fees weren't on the pages we checked; call (612) 348-6000.
Fee waivers and venue changes
- Can't afford the fees? Ask the clerk what options the court offers.
- Rescheduling: once only, by a letter received at least 5 days before the hearing.
- Removal to District Court: only after a contested trial, within 21 days after notice of the judgment order. A corporation or LLC needs an attorney in District Court.
- Free help: Volunteer Lawyers Network clinic intake, (612) 752-6677 (financial screening required).
Coach's Tips for Hennepin County
- Send evidence early. Hennepin wants your evidence submitted BEFORE the hearing.
- Don't expect a ruling that day. Normally the court won't decide your claim at the hearing.
- Use certified mail over $2,500. For a defendant in the county, it's required.
Hennepin County small claims checklist
- My claim is within the limit.
- I filed my claim without exhibits attached.
- I served and filed proof of service within 60 days.
- I submitted my evidence before the hearing.
- I know my hearing date.
Hennepin County small claims FAQ
What is the conciliation court limit in Hennepin County?
$20,000, or $4,000 if the claim involves a consumer credit transaction.
How much does it cost to file in Hennepin County Conciliation Court?
$70.00 for a claim up to $20,000. eFile and eServe adds a $5.00 processing fee.
How long do I have to serve the defendant in Hennepin County?
You must serve and file proof of service within 60 days of the issuance of the Summons.
What is small claims court called in Hennepin County, Minnesota?
It is called Conciliation Court, also known as small claims court.
Where do I file a Conciliation Court claim in Hennepin County?
File with the Civil Division – Conciliation Court, 300 S. 6th Street, 3rd Floor Courts Tower, Minneapolis. You can file in person, through eFS, with Guide and File, or by mail.
What form starts a Conciliation Court case?
The plaintiff files a Statement of Claim. A defendant who believes the plaintiff owes them money can file a Statement of Counterclaim.
What should I do if I get a Conciliation Court Summons?
Receiving a Summons means you are being sued. If you ignore it and do not appear at the hearing, a default judgment may be entered.
Can I appeal a Hennepin County Conciliation Court decision?
After a contested trial, a party can remove the case to District Court before the stay of entry date on the Order for Judgment expires. That date is written on the bottom of your Order for Judgment; call the court at (612) 348-6000 if you can't find it.
Sources
Checked 2026-10-27.
More for Minnesota: Minnesota small claims guide · Ready to sue · Just got sued · How to serve small claims papers · What to say on hearing day
Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers where and how to file in Hennepin County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the Minnesota Conciliation Court Plaintiff's Statement of Claim (CCT102), your Minnesota Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer. But if your situation is complicated, doesn't 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.