Baltimore Small Claims Court: Where and How to File

Which court

Small claims are heard in the District Court. You generally file where the defendant lives, works or regularly does business, and Baltimore City and Baltimore County are separate. The old courthouse at 501 East Fayette Street has closed and moved to 500 North Calvert Street.

Where and how to file

Limit	$5,000
Court	District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City
Address	500 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone	410-878-8900
Hours	Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except legal holidays
File online	MDEC File & Serve, https://maryland.tylertech.cloud/OfsWeb
Fees	$44 to file a small claim. Service is $20 per defendant if the clerk mails it, or $60 per defendant by sheriff. Fee waivers are available.
Timing	Trial is normally set within 60 days of filing.
Serving papers	Choose certified mail through the clerk ($20 per defendant), the sheriff ($60 per defendant) or a private process server, then file proof of service. If the sheriff can't serve the papers, 50% of the fee is refunded.

District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City small claims page

Good to know here

The $5,000 limit doesn't count interest, attorney's fees or court costs, and the claim must be for money only.
Use form DC-CV-001 and check the "$5,000 or less" box. If you print it yourself, bring at least four copies.
Sheriff fee checks in Baltimore City are payable to Director of Finance.
Free lawyers can help with civil forms at the Help Center, 500 N. Calvert Street, 3rd floor, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by phone at 410-260-1392.
E-filing is optional if you don't have a lawyer, but once you e-file a case you must keep e-filing in it.

Hours, fees and locations change. Call the court or check its site before you go.

Baltimore Small Claims Court

Where and how to file

Good to know here

Sources

Keep going

Have a dispute in Baltimore?