Alaska Small Claims Court

How it works in Alaska

1. Get the Complaint (SC-1), Summons (SC-2) and Answer (SC-3) from the court website or a clerk, and read the Small Claims Handbook (SC-100).
2. Choose the district court nearest where the defendant lives or works, or nearest the injury or damage, or where a business does or solicits business.
3. File the Complaint and Summons and pay the fee, or ask for a waiver on form TF-920.
4. Serve each defendant and file proof of service within 120 days of filing, or the case may be dismissed.
5. The defendant has 20 days from receiving the summons to answer (40 days if served outside the United States), and can ask to use formal rules instead.
6. Bring evidence and witnesses to trial before a judge or magistrate judge. There is no jury.

What it costs

$50 if the claim is $2,500 or less, $100 if it is more. A fee waiver is available on form TF-920.

How long you have to sue

AS 09.10.053 (contracts, written or oral), AS 09.10.070 (personal injury and personal property), AS 09.10.050 (six years for waste or trespass on real property). These are general limits. The clock can start late, pause or be much shorter, as it is for claims against a government agency.

If you lose

Either side can appeal to superior court by filing a Notice of Appeal within 30 days from when the judgment is sent or given to you; it is a review of the record with no new evidence, not an automatic new trial.

Official links

• Alaska small claims self-help
• Court forms
• Find your court