In Oakland County, small claims cases up to $7,000 are heard by the 50th District Court (Small Claims Division). Here is where it is, how to reach it and how to file.
Address: 70 N. Saginaw, Pontiac, MI 48342 · Map
Phone: 248-758-3800
Online filing: available, per the court
14 district courts serve Oakland County, each covering certain cities/townships (this row: City of Pontiac). File in the district court for the place where the defendant lives, works or does business, or where the problem happened. Others: 43rd District Court (City of Hazel Park), 43 E. Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030, 248-547-3034; 43rd District Court (City of Ferndale), 305 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, MI 48220, 248-547-8700; 43rd District Court (City of Madison Heights), 200 W. Thirteen Mile Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071, 248-583-1800; 44th District Court (City of Royal Oak and City of Berkley), 400 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48068, 248-246-3600; 45th District Court (Cities of Huntington Woods, Oak Park, and Pleasant Ridge, and Township of Royal Oak), 13600 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237, 248-691-7433; 46th District Court (Cities of Southfield and Lathrup Village, and Township of Southfield), 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield, MI 48076, 248-796-5800; 47th District Court (Cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills), 31605 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336, 248-871-2900; 48th District Court (Cities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, and Orchard Lake Village, and Townships of Bloomfield and West Bloomfield), 4280 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, 248-647-1141; 51st District Court (Township of Waterford), 5100 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329, 248-674-4655; 52nd District Court - Division 1 (Cities of Novi, South Lyon, Wixom, and Walled Lake, and Townships of Millford, Highland, Commerce, Lyon, and Novi), 48150 Grand River Ave., Novi, MI 48374, 248-305-6080; 52nd District Court - Division 2 (City of Clarkston, Townships of Springfield, Independence, Holly, Groveland, Rose, White Lake and Brandon), 5850 Lorac, Clarkston, MI 48346, 248-625-4888; 52nd District Court - Division 3 (Cities of Rochester, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, Lake Angelus, and Townships of Oxford, Addison, Orion, and Oakland), 700 Barclay Circle, Rochester Hills, MI 48307, 248-853-5553; 52nd District Court - Division 4 (Cities of Troy and Clawson), 520 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084, 248-528-0400.
Court addresses, phones and hours change. Call the clerk before you go, and ask whether small claims are filed at this location.
File at the district court where the problem happened or where the defendant lives, works or does business. You must sign the claim under oath in front of the clerk or a notary, so don't sign it in advance. Bring 4 copies and photo ID.
If the person or business you are suing is in another county, use that county's court instead. See all Michigan counties.
Michigan doesn't require a demand letter, but the court suggests trying to settle first, and a written demand is good evidence. Make a free demand letter.
Affidavit and Claim, Small Claims Get the form.
$30 for claims up to $600, $50 up to $1,750, and $70 above that. Service costs extra: about $15 by certified mail, or up to $26 plus mileage for personal delivery. If you win, your costs can be added to the judgment. Fee waiver: Fee Waiver Request (form MC 20).
The court clerk arranges service, and you pay for it: certified mail with restricted delivery, or personal delivery by a process server or court officer.
The clerk sets the date when you file, often about 6 weeks out. Bring receipts, photos, messages, the contract and your demand letter, with copies.
Want every detail? The full Michigan filing guide covers each stage with a checklist.
Open the filing guideSmall claims in Oakland County are filed with the 50th District Court (Small Claims Division), 70 N. Saginaw, Pontiac, MI 48342. Phone: 248-758-3800.
Up to $7,000. The limit is $7,000 for people and businesses. If you're owed more, you give up the extra for good, and you can't split one claim into several cases. Claims from $7,000 to $25,000 go to the district court's general civil division. Small claims can only award money.
$30 for claims up to $600, $50 up to $1,750, and $70 above that. Service costs extra: about $15 by certified mail, or up to $26 plus mileage for personal delivery. If you win, your costs can be added to the judgment.
Yes. The court says online filing is available for small claims. Check the court website for the e-filing system and any fees.