Want it written for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a Statement of Claim laid out so you can copy each field onto the official form, plus a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Arkansas claim qualifiesThe Arkansas Small Claims Form
📄 District Court small claims complaint (statewide)
The form that opens your case. Download it free from arcourts.gov.
Arkansas Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | District Court, Small Claims Division |
| Claim limit | $5,000 |
| Claim form | District Court small claims complaint (statewide) |
| Filing fee | ~$65 — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | Certified mail by clerk, or sheriff (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
Filing Deadlines in Arkansas
How long the law gives you to file. When the clock starts depends on the claim, so do not leave it late: a claim filed after the deadline can be dismissed however strong it is.
| Type of claim | Time to file | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 5 years | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111(a) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 3 years | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105(1) |
| Damage to property | 3 years | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105(4), (6) |
| Personal injury | 3 years | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 |
| Unpaid debt or account | 3 years — 5 years where the debt is on a written contract — Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111(a). | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105(1) |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Where to Get the Official Arkansas Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — arcourts.gov
- Official source — arkansasag.gov
- Official source — arcourts.gov
- The clerk of the District Court, Small Claims Division — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does Arkansas compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
Arkansas Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in Arkansas?
The form that opens the case is the District Court small claims complaint (statewide). The official source is arcourts.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in Arkansas small claims court?
In Arkansas you can claim up to $5,000 in the District Court, Small Claims Division. If your claim is larger, you can usually reduce it to the limit or file in a higher court instead.
❓ How much does it cost to file small claims in Arkansas?
The filing fee is ~$65 — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the Arkansas small claims form for me?
We write a Statement of Claim from your answers, laid out so you can copy each field onto the official form yourself — we do not produce the form itself. It comes with a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist.
Want it written for you?
A few plain-English questions about your Arkansas case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Arkansas claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.