Arizona Small Claims Court

How it works in Arizona

1. File a small claims complaint in the justice court precinct where the defendant lives, or as otherwise allowed by A.R.S. § 22-202, using correct legal names. You can't amend the complaint later.
2. Pay the filing fee, or ask for a fee waiver or deferral.
3. Serve the summons, complaint and Notice to Plaintiff and Defendant, and file proof of service within 45 days of filing, or the case will be dismissed.
4. The defendant has 20 days after service to answer. If no answer is filed, you must start default proceedings.
5. If an answer is filed, the court sets a hearing within 60 days. A hearing officer or justice of the peace decides, with no jury.

What it costs

$30 base fee statewide, plus any local fees. Filing an answer is $18. Fee waivers and deferrals are available.

How long you have to sue

A.R.S. §§ 12-548 (debt on a written contract signed in Arizona, or a credit card), 12-543 (oral debt), 12-542 (injury and 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

There is no appeal: the decision is final and binding on both sides, so to keep appeal rights you must ask to move the case to the justice court's civil division at least 10 days before the hearing.

Official links

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