Small claims run through the county circuit court. Money claims of $10,000 or less must go here, but tort and personal injury claims are capped at $5,000. For a money claim, file in the county where the claim arose or a defendant lives, and consumer claims follow the customer.
| Limit | $10,000 |
|---|---|
| Court | Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Small Claims (Clerk of Circuit Court, Civil Division) |
| Address | Milwaukee County Courthouse, 901 N. 9th Street, Room 104, Milwaukee, WI 53233 |
| Phone | (414) 278-5362 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| File online | Wisconsin circuit court eFiling, https://efiling.wicourts.gov/ |
| Fees | $124 to start a small claims case from 1 November 2026 ($39 filing fee, $61 court support surcharge, $24 justice information surcharge). E-filing adds $35 per party. The fee rose on 1 November 2026, so older guides are out of date. |
| Serving papers | State guidance: personal or substitute service, publication, or mail if court rule allows and the defendant lives in the county. Serve at least 8 business days before the return date, and within 90 days of filing. The county says the Sheriff charges $75 for three attempts, in its general civil guidance. The state chart lists clerk mail service at $7 per defendant plus any certified postage. |
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General information to help you get organized, last checked November 1, 2026. It isn't legal advice, and SueYou isn't a law firm. Laws change and every case is different, so confirm anything important with a lawyer or the court. No lawyer has reviewed this page yet.
