In Cumberland County, small claims cases up to $10,000 are heard by the Portland District Court. Here is where it is, how to reach it and how to file.
Address: 205 Newbury Street, Portland, ME 04101 · Map
Phone: 207-822-4200
Online filing: available, per the court
2 District Court locations in the county; also Bridgton (3 Chase Street, Suite 2, Bridgton, ME 04009, 207-647-3535). File where the defendant lives or does business or where the events happened; the Judicial Branch town list (https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/find-by-town.html) shows which court serves each town
Court addresses, phones and hours change. Call the clerk before you go, and ask whether small claims are filed at this location.
The District Court where the events happened, where the defendant lives or has its main place of business, or where a company's registered agent is located.
If the person or business you are suing is in another county, use that county's court instead. See all Maine counties.
Maine doesn't require a demand letter, but the court encourages you to try to settle first. Make a free demand letter.
Statement of Claim Get the form.
$70 to file (this includes a mediation fee). Service costs extra: about $15 per defendant if the clerk mails it, or the sheriff's own fee. Fee waiver: Application to Proceed without Payment of Fees (form CV-067).
You can use the sheriff, certified mail (restricted delivery, return receipt), first-class mail with an acknowledgment form (SC-005), or, if you file fewer than three cases a month, have the clerk mail it (SC-006).
The clerk mails both sides the hearing date; small claims are usually heard faster than regular civil cases. Bring receipts, photos, messages, the contract and your demand letter, with copies.
Want every detail? The full Maine filing guide covers each stage with a checklist.
Open the filing guideSmall claims in Cumberland County are filed with the Portland District Court, 205 Newbury Street, Portland, ME 04101. Phone: 207-822-4200.
Up to $10,000. Since January 1, 2026 you can sue for up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs (it was $6,000 before). Disputes over title to land, personal injury claims against a city or town, and some consumer debt collection cases can't be brought. Winning bars you from suing again for the same facts.
$70 to file (this includes a mediation fee). Service costs extra: about $15 per defendant if the clerk mails it, or the sheriff's own fee.
Yes. The court says online filing is available for small claims. Check the court website for the e-filing system and any fees.