Mecklenburg County Small Claims Court (Charlotte, NC): How to File

Mecklenburg County small claims: the $10,000 limit, the $96 fee, where to file in Charlotte, what to bring and the 10-day appeal. Checked 2026-10-27.

Navy cover with a drawn generic courthouse and the words Mecklenburg Small Claims, One courthouse in Charlotte; a magistrate hears it
Where and how to file small claims in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Home › States › North Carolina › Mecklenburg County

Quick answer: In Mecklenburg County, small claims are heard by a magistrate in District Court, for claims that don't exceed $10,000, with no jury. One courthouse serves the whole county: the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, 832 East Fourth St, Charlotte. Filing costs $96, and sheriff service is $30. The hearing is set within 30 days. Civil/Small Claims magistrates: (704) 686-0560.

Drawn generic courthouse beside a pinned info board for the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina District Court: 832 East Fourth St., Charlotte; hours Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (call to confirm); and e-filing not listed online, call the clerk.
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina small claims at a glance, checked 2026-10-27.

This independent guide covers small claims cases in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, including Charlotte, Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Pineville. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.

Checked on 2026-10-27 against the North Carolina Judicial Branch website and the North Carolina General Statutes. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our North Carolina small claims guide.

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Mecklenburg County small claims court: District Court

  • Court: District Court, with small claims heard by a magistrate.
  • Limit: the amount in controversy "does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000)" (G.S. 7A-210).
  • Who hears it: a magistrate in District Court. There are no jury trials in small claims court.
  • Businesses: a business can be represented by a non-attorney authorized agent, such as an owner or employee.
  • Appeal: written notice "within 10 days after a judgment is rendered" (G.S. 7A-228(a)), or announce it in open court. The appeal cost amount wasn't confirmed; ask the clerk.

Which courthouse do I file in?

  • One courthouse for the county. Wherever you are in Mecklenburg County, small claims go to the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. You don't need to look up a precinct.
  • Which county: G.S. 1-82 says the action is tried "in the county in which the plaintiffs or the defendants, or any of them, reside at its commencement". For a magistrate to hear it, G.S. 7A-211 lets the chief district judge assign a small claim "if the defendant is a resident of the county" (other conditions apply). Confirm with the clerk.
  • We couldn't confirm which clerk window or floor takes small claims filings. Call the main line, (704) 686-0400, before you go.

Addresses, phone numbers and hours

From the Mecklenburg County Courthouse page and its Contact Directory. Courthouse hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; call to confirm before you go.

Mecklenburg County Courthouse

Address: 832 East Fourth St, Charlotte, NC 28202 (mailing: PO Box 37971, Charlotte, NC 28237-7971)

Phone: (704) 686-0400 (main)

Offices:

How much does small claims cost in Mecklenburg County?

From the NCcourts Small Claims page:

  • Filing fee: $96
  • Sheriff service: $30 per defendant (or certified mail, return receipt requested)
  • Confirm the total with the clerk before you file.
  • If you can't afford the fee, an indigent form is available.
  • Fees can change; confirm with the Mecklenburg civil magistrates at (704) 686-0560.

Can I e-file in Mecklenburg County?

We didn't confirm e-filing for small claims in Mecklenburg County. Call the main line, (704) 686-0400, to ask how the clerk takes small claims filings.

Mecklenburg County small claims forms: complaint and Magistrate Summons

Bring three copies of the complaint, three copies of the magistrate summons and an SCRA (military status) affidavit. See the NCcourts Small Claims page. Local requirements may vary, so check with the clerk.

How to file in Mecklenburg County, step by step

Illustrated winding road with seven numbered stations for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina small claims: check your claim fits the limit, confirm the right county, complaint, summons, affidavit, file at the courthouse, serve: sheriff or certified mail, go to your hearing with evidence, lost? Appeal in writing or in court.
The steps to file a small claims case in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
  1. Make sure your claim doesn't exceed $10,000.
  2. Confirm the case belongs in Mecklenburg County (see the venue rule above).
  3. Prepare three copies of the complaint and the magistrate summons, plus the SCRA affidavit.
  4. File at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse and pay $96.
  5. Have the defendant served by the sheriff ($30) or by certified mail.
  6. Go to your hearing (set within 30 days) with your evidence.
  7. If you lose, appeal within 10 days in writing, or announce it in court. Statewide rules are in our North Carolina 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 North Carolina Complaint for Money Owed (AOC-CVM-200) with every box explained, plus your North Carolina Playbook section on serving the other side, hearing day, the 10-day appeal deadline, 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.

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How to look up a Mecklenburg County small claims case

  • The courthouse page links the NC eCourts "Portal (Search/Pay)". We couldn't confirm its address or search steps.
  • To check on your case, call the main line at (704) 686-0400.

What does it cost to collect a judgment?

Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. Mecklenburg County's collection fees weren't on the pages we checked. Ask the clerk, and see our North Carolina guide for the statewide steps.

Fee waivers and venue changes

  • Can't afford the fee? An indigent form is available; ask the clerk.
  • Appeal: within 10 days after the judgment, in writing, or announce it in open court. Ask the clerk what it costs.

Coach's Tips for Mecklenburg County

  • Three copies of everything. Bring three copies of everything, and know that the magistrate may announce the decision on the spot.
  • Call before you go. Call the main line, (704) 686-0400, first.
  • Know the 10-day appeal clock. If you lose, you can announce your appeal in court, or file written notice within 10 days.

Mecklenburg County small claims checklist

  • My claim doesn't exceed $10,000.
  • The case belongs in Mecklenburg County.
  • I have three copies of the complaint and the magistrate summons.
  • I have the SCRA (military status) affidavit.
  • I budgeted $96 to file and $30 for sheriff service.
  • I know about the 10-day appeal deadline.
  • My evidence is organized and copied for court.

Mecklenburg County small claims FAQ

Who hears small claims in Mecklenburg County?

Small claims in Mecklenburg County are heard by a magistrate, an appointed officer of the district court.

How do I file a small claims complaint in Charlotte?

You file a complaint and a Magistrate Summons with the Mecklenburg County clerk of superior court. The fee and limit are in the sections above; confirm them with the clerk before you file.

What is a Magistrate Summons?

A Magistrate Summons is the form that tells the defendant about the case and when to appear before the magistrate.

Where is the Mecklenburg County small claims court?

Mecklenburg County small claims are handled at 832 East Fourth St, Charlotte.

Can I appeal a magistrate's small claims decision in North Carolina?

Yes. You can give notice of appeal to district court. File written notice of appeal with the clerk of superior court within 10 days after the judgment, or announce the appeal in court when the judgment is given.

What is the small claims limit in Mecklenburg County?

Claims that don't exceed $10,000, under G.S. 7A-210.

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

$96 to file, under the statewide NCcourts page. Sheriff service is $30, or you can use certified mail.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-27.

More for North Carolina: North Carolina 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 Mecklenburg County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the North Carolina Complaint for Money Owed (AOC-CVM-200), your North Carolina Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See the Playbook →

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.