Kansas City Small Claims Court: Where and How to File

Which court

Missouri lets you file where at least one defendant lives, where a plaintiff lives and a defendant can be found, or where the events happened. Jackson County then splits: Kansas City and Grandview file at 415 E. 12th Street, while Blue Springs, Independence and Lee's Summit file at 308 W. Kansas in Independence. Clay County has its own small claims court in Liberty, so check the county first.

Where and how to file

Limit	$5,000
Court	16th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County, Small Claims
Address	415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone	(816) 881-3983
Hours	The court says it is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fees	$27.50 to file, plus service: $46 per defendant by Jackson County deputy or $10 per person by certified mail. Schedule dated 1 September 2026.
Serving papers	Certified mail or a Jackson County deputy. The court recommends personal service, and service is not guaranteed. A private process server costs the court nothing but needs a motion and a judge's order. Out-of-county service: ask that county's sheriff.

16th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County, Small Claims small claims page

Good to know here

At least a week before court, check Case.net to confirm the defendant was served; you may need an alias summons and another fee if not.
Missing your court date can end the case, and a case dismissed for that reason cannot be refiled in small claims.
The loser has 10 days, weekends included, to ask for a trial de novo.
Naming the defendant wrongly can get the case dismissed; for a corporation, list the registered agent.
Under state law you cannot file more than twelve other small claims in a calendar year, or file a claim assigned to you.

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

Kansas City Small Claims Court

Where and how to file

Good to know here

Sources

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