A landlord kept your deposit, a contractor walked off the job, a dry cleaner ruined your coat. In Wyoming you can sue for up to $6,000 in the Small Claims, Circuit Court, without hiring a lawyer. Check your case below, then follow six steps.
Answer a few questions. The result updates as you type.
Your small claims affidavit must say you asked the defendant to pay and they refused. A short, dated demand letter is the best proof. Use the generator below and keep a copy.
The circuit court in the county where the defendant lives, or where the claim arose.
Small Claims Affidavit. Most cases are set within about a month. Some courts hear small claims only on certain weekdays.
$10 to file. Service by the sheriff or a process server costs extra, charged per defendant and per attempt. If you can't afford it, ask for a fee waiver: Ask the circuit court clerk about waiving fees if you can't afford them..
The sheriff or a private process server delivers the papers in person. For in-state defendants, the court may serve by certified mail instead. State law sets the hearing 12 to 20 days after service; the court's guide still mentions 3 to 12 days, so confirm with the clerk.
Bring receipts, photos, texts, the contract and your demand letter, with three copies of each. The court doesn't collect for you. If they don't pay, ask the clerk about garnishment or execution against property.
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. Some deadlines start later if the harm was discovered later.
| Type of claim | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Broken written contract (lease, invoice, signed agreement) | 10 years |
| Broken verbal agreement | 8 years |
| Damaged property | 4 years |
| Personal injury | 4 years |
| Fraud | 4 years |
| Libel or slander | 1 year |
| Claims against a government agency | To sue a Wyoming government entity, you must first present a written claim to it, generally within 2 years. |
Yes. Lawyers are allowed but not required. If one side brings a lawyer, the other side can ask for a delay to get one too.
You can sue for up to $6,000 in money or debts. To use small claims for a bigger claim, you must give up the amount over $6,000. 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 district court, but only on legal questions, not on whether the evidence was enough. Ask the clerk about the deadline, usually 30 days.
Ask the court for an interpreter through the Wyoming Judicial Branch court interpreter services before your hearing.