A landlord kept your deposit, a contractor walked off the job, a dry cleaner ruined your coat. In Washington you can sue for up to $10,000 in the District Court, Small Claims Department, without hiring a lawyer. Check your case below, then follow six steps.
Answer a few questions. The result updates as you type.
Washington doesn't require a demand letter, but sending one is a good idea and can lead to a settlement. A short, dated demand letter is the best proof. Use the generator below and keep a copy.
Usually the District Court of the county where the defendant lives; for a business, also where it does business.
Notice of Small Claim. The clerk sets the date when you file; in King County cases are heard 40 to 90 days after filing, and many counties hold mediation first.
$35 or $50, depending on whether your county adds a dispute resolution surcharge (King County $50, Spokane County $35). Service by a sheriff or process server costs extra. If you can't afford it, ask for a fee waiver: Ask the clerk for a fee waiver; in King County, a Motion and Declaration for Waiver of Civil Fees.
You can't serve the papers yourself. The sheriff, a process server or any adult not in the case delivers them, or you send them by certified mail with a receipt signed by the defendant. Service must be complete at least 10 days before the first hearing.
Bring receipts, photos, texts, the contract and your demand letter, with three copies of each. If the loser doesn't pay within 30 days, you can garnish wages or bank accounts or seize property, and the judge can add collection costs. Judgments can be enforced for 10 years.
Want every detail? The full filing guide walks you through all 7 stages, from finding the defendant's legal name to collecting your money, with a checklist.
Open the filing guideFill in the details, then download the letter as a PDF or Word file, or copy the text. Send it by certified mail or email so you can prove the date.
Miss this date and the court will dismiss your case, however strong it is. For fraud, the 3 years start when the fraud is discovered.
| Type of claim | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Broken written contract (lease, invoice, signed agreement) | 6 years |
| Broken verbal agreement | 3 years |
| Damaged property | 3 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years |
| Fraud | 3 years |
| Libel or slander | 2 years |
| Claims against a government agency | You can't sue the State in small claims. For a city or county, file a tort claim form first and wait 60 days before suing. |
Lawyers and paralegals can't take part unless the judge allows it. This applies to businesses too.
A person can sue for up to $10,000; businesses and other non-individuals for up to $5,000. Small claims handles money claims only and can't order someone to return property or do work. Otherwise, you can give up the amount above the limit, or file a regular civil case where the rules are stricter.
Either side can appeal to Superior Court within 30 days, but not if the claim was under $250, and a party who filed a claim can appeal only if it was over $1,000. Appeals cost about $340 in fees plus a bond of twice the judgment.
Ask the court for an interpreter early; a party with limited English generally doesn't pay for it.