Nevada Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees, Forms, and Where to File
How small claims works in Nevada: the limit, filing fee, forms, where to file, and the basic steps. Checked 2026-10-11.
Quick answer: Nevada small claims go to the Justice Court, for money claims of $10,000 or less. The state base filing fee runs $45 to $175 depending on the amount, and counties add local fees. You serve the other side yourself, and either side has 7 days after service of the judgment to appeal. Check your court's rules.
Filing in Nevada? See a filled-in sample first.
Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of Nevada's Small Claims Complaint (Clark County version), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. Other Justice Courts may use their own form, so ask the clerk. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
How small claims works in Nevada
One statute and one set of rules apply statewide, but you file in a specific justice court township, and counties add local fees on top of the state base. The AOC says forms "are available at the corresponding court."
Court name: Justice Court, Small Claims (for example Las Vegas Justice Court Civil Division, "Small Claims").
Checked on 2026-10-11. Official sources are listed under Sources below.
Does small claims work the same everywhere in Nevada?
- Fees: state base plus county add-ons: dispute-resolution fee of $5–$10 in counties of 100,000+ (other counties may adopt up to $10); $1 state fee; optional pro bono fee up to $10; optional law library fee up to $8. Example: Las Vegas Justice Court all-in small claims fees run $66–$196.
- Which courthouse: township-based venue.
What is the small claims limit in Nevada?
- You can claim up to $10,000, and only money, not any other kind of relief. Las Vegas Justice Court also lists $10,000.00.
- No splitting debts owed to one creditor by the same person; amounts over the limit must be waived.
- Over $10,000 up to $15,000: regular justice court civil action.
For what it means when a court can order only money, or something else, see What Judges Can Actually Order.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Nevada?
| Amount claimed | State base fee | Las Vegas Justice Court all-in |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $1,000 | $45 | $66 |
| $1,000.01–$2,500 | $65 | $86 |
| $2,500.01–$5,000 | $85 | $106 |
| $5,000.01–$7,500 | $125 | $146 |
| $7,500.01–$10,000 | $175 | $196 |
- No answer fee for a defendant appearing in a small claims case.
- Writ of execution/garnishment: $25. Notice of appeal and bond: $25; Las Vegas also lists a $47 district court appeal filing fee.
Who can sue in Nevada small claims?
- Lawyers are allowed but not required (AOC article). No attorney's fees are awarded to either side, with narrow exceptions; prevailing party on appeal gets up to $15 attorney fee.
Where do I file a small claim in Nevada?
File in the township where the defendant lives, works or does business. For an injury to a person or property, you can also file where it happened.
- The defendant's home, work or business counts if it was there when the claim arose or when you file.
- For a contract to be performed at a particular place, you can also file in the township where it is or was to be performed.
- Jurisdiction challenges must be based on NRS 73.010.
How to file in Nevada: the basic steps
- Pick the justice court township where the defendant lives, works or does business (or where the injury happened or a contract was to be performed).
- Fill out the affidavit of small claims complaint: the amount owed, a short reason, and that the court has jurisdiction. Swear it before the justice of the peace or a Nevada notary.
- File and pay the fee: $45 to $175 state base depending on the claim, plus local fees.
- The court sets the trial date when you file, no more than 90 days out without good cause.
- You serve the papers through a sheriff, constable, licensed process server or any adult who isn't a party, at least 14 days before trial, and file proof of service right away.
- Go to trial. The defendant doesn't file a written answer but must appear.
- Either side can appeal to district court within 7 calendar days of service of the judgment, with an appeal bond.
Ready to do these steps yourself?
Two things to plan for: you're responsible for getting the other side served (not by you personally), and the appeal window is 7 days after service of the judgment. The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one, with a filled-in sample of the Clark County Small Claims Complaint and every box explained, plus your Nevada 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.
Small claims court by Nevada county
In every Nevada county, you file at the justice court for the township where the defendant lives, works or does business. The ten largest counties, largest first (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimates):
- Clark County — Las Vegas Justice Court and other township justice courts
- Washoe County
- Lyon County
- Carson City
- Nye County
- Elko County
- Douglas County
- Churchill County
- Humboldt County
- White Pine 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.
Nevada small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Nevada?
$10,000 or less, for money only (NRS 73.010). You can't split a debt to fit, and any amount over the limit must be waived.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Nevada?
The state base fee is $45 up to $1,000, rising to $175 for $7,500.01 to $10,000. Counties add local fees; in Las Vegas Justice Court the all-in fees run $66 to $196. There's no answer fee.
Where do I file a small claim in Nevada?
In a justice court township where the defendant lives, does business or is employed, or where the injury happened, or where a contract was to be performed.
Who serves the papers in Nevada small claims?
You do, through a sheriff, constable, licensed process server or any non-party aged 18 or older, at least 14 days before trial.
How long do I have to appeal in Nevada small claims?
7 calendar days from service of the judgment, to district court. An appeal bond is required.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Nevada?
No. Lawyers are allowed but not required, and a business can be represented by its director, officer or employee.
Does the defendant file an answer in Nevada small claims?
No written answer is required. The order tells the defendant to appear at trial, and a no-show may lose by default.
Sources
- NRS: CHAPTER 73 - SMALL CLAIMS
- NRS: CHAPTER 4 - JUSTICE COURTS
- Justice Court Rules of Civil Procedure
- Nevada AOC article
- Clark County Justice Court, NV
- Clark County Justice Court, NV
All checked 2026-10-11.
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
Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
What's in the Nevada Playbook section
- How to serve the other side in Nevada
- What to expect at your Nevada small claims hearing
- Appeals in Nevada small claims
- Collecting after you win in Nevada
- Common mistakes and a printable checklist
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers the Nevada rules. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the Clark County Small Claims Complaint, your Nevada 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.