Manhattan Small Claims Court: How to File in NYC Civil Court
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New York County (Manhattan): small claims filing guide
Filing in New York County? See a filled-in sample first.
The court, cost and filing information on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of the NYC Civil Court Statement of Claim (CIV-SC-50), 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.
Which court hears small claims in Manhattan?
The Small Claims Part of the Civil Court of the City of New York — New York 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.
Courthouse
From the court guide for NYC, Nassau, and Suffolk (updated July 2024, p. 22):
| Courthouse | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| New York County Civil Court | Room 325, 111 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013 | (646) 386-5484 |
| Harlem Community Justice Center | 170 East 121 Street, Room 302, New York, NY 10035 | (212) 360-4113 |
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 (New York 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 to file
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).
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.
Filing costs
Filing fee: $15 (up to $1,000) / $20 ($1,000.01 to $10,000).
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
- 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.
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 NYC Civil Court Statement of Claim (CIV-SC-50) with every box explained, plus your New York Playbook section on a step-by-step filing walkthrough (made-up example), how the other side gets served, what to bring to your hearing plus a talking-point outline, collecting a judgment, and how to appeal.
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.
Do I need a lawyer?
No.
Filing as a business
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.
Manhattan small claims checklist
- Confirm the defendant lives, works, or has a business address in NYC, and that your claim fits the $10,000 limit.
- File in the right NYC county. For New York County (Manhattan), that's the courthouse above.
- Fill out CIV-SC-50 (businesses use CIV-SC-70).
- Bring the $15 or $20 fee in an accepted form. No personal checks.
- Call the court to confirm the room, hours, and night-court days before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manhattan small claims court part of NYC Civil Court?
Yes. It's the Small Claims Part of the Civil Court of the City of New York, New York County.
What's the address and phone number of Manhattan small claims court?
Manhattan small claims is at 111 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013. The Small Claims Clerk's Office is in Room 118, phone 646-386-5484. The citywide general information line for Civil and Small Claims is 646-386-5700.
Should I choose a judge or an arbitrator in NYC small claims?
You choose. If both sides are ready when your case is called, it goes to an arbitrator, an experienced attorney trained to decide small claims, unless you say "by the court" to have a judge hear it; you may have to come back another night if the judge does not get to your case by the end of the session. A judge's decision can be appealed, but "An Arbitrator's decision cannot be appealed because there is no official record of the proceedings."
Related guides
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
- Bronx County small claims guide
- Kings County (Brooklyn) small claims guide
- Queens 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.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers where and how to file in New York County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the NYC Civil Court Statement of Claim (CIV-SC-50), your New York Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. One membership covers every state.