Salt Lake County Small Claims Court (Justice Courts, UT): How to File
Salt Lake County small claims: the court, limit, fees, where to file and case lookup. Checked 2026-10-27.
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Quick answer: In Salt Lake County, small claims up to $20,000 are filed in a justice court: your city or town's justice court if it has one, or the county justice court if not. Filing costs $60, $100 or $185, depending on the amount. Use the Utah courts' directory to find the right court.
This independent guide covers small claims cases in Salt Lake County, Utah, including Salt Lake City and Holladay. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.
Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Utah State Courts website and the Utah Code. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our Utah small claims guide.
Filing in Salt Lake County? See a filled-in sample first.
Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of the Utah Small Claims Summons and Affidavit (ODR), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Salt Lake County small claims court: the justice courts
- Courts: justice courts. "As of 2009, all small claims cases are filed in justice courts."
- A justice court judge hears your case, without a jury. A defendant who wants a jury trial can move the case to district court within 15 days of being served.
- Limit: $20,000, including attorney fees but not court costs or interest (Utah Code 78A-8-102). It rises to $25,000 on January 1, 2030.
- Money only. You can't sue a government agency or sue to evict someone.
- Appeal: within 28 days of the judgment; the case goes to district court for a new trial (Utah Code 78A-8-106).
Which justice court do I file in?
- File in the city or town justice court if there is one, and the county justice court if not. Some cities use another city's or the county's justice court. Look for your city's justice court in the court directory, then call it to confirm before you file.
Addresses, phone numbers and hours
We couldn't confirm a list of Salt Lake County justice court addresses. Use the Utah courts' court directory.
How much does small claims cost in Salt Lake County?
From the Utah courts' Fees page:
- $2,000 or less: $60.00
- More than $2,000 and less than $7,500: $100.00
- $7,500 up to $20,000: $185.00
- Counter affidavit: $50 / $70 / $120 (same tiers)
- Trial de novo (appeal): $240.00, plus $10 to the justice court when the notice of appeal is filed
- Fees can change; confirm with your justice court clerk before you file.
Can I e-file in Salt Lake County?
We couldn't confirm e-filing for Salt Lake County justice courts. Holladay Justice Court is on the courts' Online Dispute Resolution list; ask your court.
Salt Lake County small claims forms
Ask your justice court which forms to use. Statewide forms and steps are in our Utah guide.
How to file in Salt Lake County, step by step
- Make sure your claim is for money and $20,000 or less.
- Find your justice court with the court directory.
- File your claim and pay the fee.
- Go to your trial with your evidence.
- Lost? You can appeal for a new trial in district court within 28 days. Statewide rules are in our Utah 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 Utah Small Claims Summons and Affidavit (ODR) with every box explained, plus your Utah Playbook section with ODR or paper filing, serving the defendant, a made-up step-by-step filing example with a filled-in sample Small Claims Summons and Affidavit (ODR), a Utah checklist, a timeline with deadlines, what to expect at your hearing, 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.
How to look up a Salt Lake County small claims case
- Utah court cases can be searched through Xchange, which has subscription terms. Ask your justice court how to check your case.
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; ask your justice court clerk.
Fee waivers and venue changes
- Can't afford the fees? Ask the clerk what options the court offers.
Coach's Tips for Salt Lake County
- Find where a business "lives". Use the Utah Department of Commerce Business Search to see which justice court to file in.
- An appeal starts fresh. "What happened in the first trial will not control what happens in the new trial."
Salt Lake County small claims checklist
- My claim is for money and $20,000 or less.
- I found my justice court in the directory.
- I budgeted the filing fee.
- My evidence is organized.
- I know the 28-day appeal deadline.
Salt Lake County small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Salt Lake County?
$20,000, including attorney fees but not court costs or interest. It rises to $25,000 on January 1, 2030.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Salt Lake County?
$60.00 for $2,000 or less, $100.00 for more than $2,000 and less than $7,500, and $185.00 for $7,500 up to $20,000.
How long do I have to appeal a Salt Lake County small claims judgment?
Within 28 days of the judgment.
Which court handles small claims in Salt Lake County, Utah?
Small claims cases are filed in a justice court: the city or town justice court if there is one, or the county justice court if there isn't.
How do I find the right justice court in Salt Lake County?
Some cities use another city's or the county's justice court. Use the Utah courts' court directory to find your court, then call it to confirm before you file.
What does it mean if I got an Affidavit and Summons in Utah?
It means a small claims case has been filed against you. Read it carefully and attend the trial date.
Can a defendant file a claim back in Utah small claims?
Yes. A defendant can file a Small Claims Counter Affidavit.
What happens at a small claims appeal in Utah?
An appeal goes to district court for a new trial (trial de novo), and the first trial does not control the new one.
Sources
Checked 2026-10-27.
More for Utah: Utah 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 Salt Lake County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the Utah Small Claims Summons and Affidavit (ODR), your Utah 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.