Brooklyn Small Claims Court (Kings County): Address, Limit, Fees, and Forms
How small claims works in Brooklyn: courthouse, limit, fee, forms, and steps. Checked 2026-10-08.
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How small claims works in Brooklyn
Brooklyn small claims go to the Small Claims Part of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County, at 141 Livingston Street. Individuals can sue for up to $10,000 using form CIV-SC-50, and the fee is $15 (up to $1,000) or $20 (over $1,000), with no personal checks. The clerk gives you a hearing date and mails notice to the defendant.
Checked on 2026-10-08. See sources at the end of the free section. Same rules apply in all five NYC counties: Queens · Manhattan · Bronx. Outside NYC: Suffolk · all of New York.
Which court hears small claims in Brooklyn?
The Small Claims Part of the Civil Court of the City of New York — Kings County. The rules, forms, and fees are the same in all five New York City counties; only the courthouse differs. Individuals can sue for up to $10,000. See the New York overview for how New York courts are split.
Brooklyn small claims court address
From the court guide for NYC, Nassau, and Suffolk (updated July 2024, p. 22):
| Courthouse | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Kings County Civil Court | Small Claims Clerk's Office, Room 303, 141 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (347) 404-9021 |
Call before you go to confirm the room, hours, and night-court days. The court guide says Thursday evening claim filing and night court depend on the location.
At a glance
| Item | What applies here |
|---|---|
| Court | Small Claims Part, Civil Court of the City of New York (Kings County) |
| Limit (individuals) | $10,000 |
| Filing fee | $15 (up to $1,000) / $20 ($1,000.01 to $10,000) |
| Main form | CIV-SC-50, Statement of Claim (Small Claims) |
| E-filing | NYC's court system says it does not offer electronic filing for small claims right now. Plan to file in person at the Small Claims Clerk's office in the right county. The court's page also mentions outside e-filing services, so ask the clerk before you rely on one. |
| Office hours | |
| Statute of limitations | Generally 6 years for contracts, 3 years for property damage or injury (CPLR 213, 214). Exceptions apply; see the full guide. |
Where do I file small claims in Brooklyn?
The defendant must live, work, or have a business address in New York City. Sue in the NYC county where either party lives. If no party lives in NYC, sue where either party works or has a business address (NYC "Starting a Case" page). If you live outside NYC and are suing someone in it, you can file by mail (CIV-SC-66).
Brooklyn small claims forms
- CIV-SC-50 Statement of Claim (Small Claims): form page
- CIV-SC-70 Statement of Claim (Commercial Claims), for businesses
- CIV-SC-66 Instructions for non-NYC residents suing NYC residents, including mail filing (PDF)
- CIV-SC-25 Instructions for actions against the City, the State, or the United States
- CIV-GP-67A Notice of Appeal
- CIV-GP-15 Poor Person's Relief (fee waiver)
All of these are on the NYC small claims forms page.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Brooklyn?
From the NYC Civil Court fees page and CIV-SC-66 (checked 2026-10-08):
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Small claim, $1,000 or less | $15 |
| Small claim, $1,000.01 to $10,000 | $20 |
| Commercial claim | $25 plus postage |
| Counterclaim | $5 plus postage |
Pay by cash (exact change), certified check, money order, or bank check made out to "Clerk of the Civil Court." No personal checks. If you can't afford the fee, ask about Poor Person's Relief (CIV-GP-15).
How to file small claims in Brooklyn
- Go to the Small Claims Clerk's office in the proper county (or file by mail if you live outside NYC) and complete CIV-SC-50.
- Have the defendant's correct legal name and street address. For a business, you can check business certificates with the County Clerk.
- Pay the fee. The clerk gives you a hearing date.
- The clerk mails notice to the defendant by certified and first-class mail. If the defendant isn't served within 4 months, the case is dismissed.
- At the hearing, you can choose a judge or a volunteer arbitrator. An arbitrator's decision can't be appealed.
Suing a New York City agency? The court guide (p. 7) describes a 90-day notice of claim rule. See CIV-SC-25.
Do I need a lawyer for Brooklyn small claims?
No.
Can a business sue in Brooklyn small claims?
Businesses use Commercial Claims, not the ordinary small claims form (NYC Commercial Claims page; CIV-SC-66):
- Limit $10,000; no more than 5 commercial claims per month.
- The business's principal office must be in New York State.
- For a consumer transaction, a demand letter is required first.
- Form CIV-SC-70; fee $25 plus postage.
| Who is suing | Which path |
|---|---|
| Corporation | Commercial Claims |
| Partnership | Commercial Claims |
| Association | Commercial Claims |
| Sole proprietor |
More detail: New York small claims for businesses.
Brooklyn small claims FAQ
Where is small claims court in Brooklyn?
Kings County Civil Court small claims is at 141 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The Small Claims Clerk's Office is in Room 303, phone (347) 404-9021. Call before you go to confirm the room and hours.
How much can I sue for in Brooklyn small claims court?
Individuals can sue for up to $10,000 in the Small Claims Part of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Brooklyn?
$15 for claims of $1,000 or less and $20 for $1,000.01 to $10,000. Commercial claims are $25 plus postage. No personal checks; cash (exact change), certified check, money order, or bank check to “Clerk of the Civil Court.”
What form do I need for Brooklyn small claims?
CIV-SC-50, Statement of Claim (Small Claims). Businesses use CIV-SC-70 for Commercial Claims.
Can I file Brooklyn small claims by mail?
If you live outside NYC and are suing someone in it, you can file by mail; see the CIV-SC-66 instructions.
What if I can't afford the filing fee?
Ask about Poor Person's Relief, form CIV-GP-15.
Sources (all checked 2026-10-08)
- NYC Small Claims Court
- NYC Small Claims: Starting a Case
- NYC Civil Court fees
- NYC small claims forms
- CIV-SC-66 instructions (PDF)
- Court guide for NYC, Nassau, and Suffolk, updated July 2024 (PDF)
Related guides: 10 things to do before you sue · How to save text messages as evidence · Sued in small claims? What to do next · Small claims court basics · Ready to sue · Just got sued
Other states: pick your state on the map. Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).
What's in the Brooklyn Playbook section
- How to file a small claim in Brooklyn, step by step (made-up example)
- How the other side gets served, and what happens if mail service fails
- Counterclaims: the window and the fee
- What to bring to your small claims hearing, plus a talking-point outline
- How to collect a small claims judgment after you win
- How to appeal, and which decisions can't be appealed
- Common mistakes and a printable checklist
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.
Nearby counties
- New York County (Manhattan) small claims guide
- Queens County small claims guide
- Bronx County small claims guide
- Suffolk County small claims guide
- All county small claims guides
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.
Ready for the full game plan? The Playbook adds step-by-step prep guides that work in any state, plus your state's forms and court info. See the Playbook