Want it filled in for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a completed draft of the SC-001 Statement of Claim — every field filled in from your answers, ready to copy 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 Maine claim qualifiesThe Maine Small Claims Form
📄 SC-001 Statement of Claim
The form that opens your case. Download it free from courts.maine.gov.
Maine Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | District Court (Small Claims) |
| Claim limit | $10,000 |
| Claim form | SC-001 Statement of Claim |
| Filing fee | $70 — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | Certified mail restricted delivery (plaintiff) or sheriff (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Law that sets the limit | 14 M.R.S. § 7482 |
| Court data verified | October 6, 2026 |
A claim of exactly $10,000 is within the limit.
Filing Deadlines in Maine
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 | 6 years | 14 M.R.S. sec. 752 |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 6 years | 14 M.R.S. sec. 752 |
| Damage to property | 6 years | 14 M.R.S. sec. 752 |
| Personal injury | 6 years — 3 years for professional negligence by a health care provider or practitioner — 24 M.R.S. § 2902, which runs from the act or omission, not from discovery. | 14 M.R.S. sec. 752 |
| Unpaid debt or account | 6 years | 14 M.R.S. § 752 |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Being Sued in Maine Instead?
Do you file an answer? You do not have to file a written response, though you may until the hearing. You must attend the hearing. (Me. R. Small Cl. P. 3(b))
The been-sued deadline lookup covers what happens if you do nothing.
Where to Get the Official Maine Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — courts.maine.gov
- Official source — mjbportal.courts.maine.gov
- Official source — mjbportal.courts.maine.gov
- The law itself — 14 M.R.S. § 7482
- The clerk of the District Court (Small Claims) — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does Maine compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
Maine Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in Maine?
The form that opens the case is the SC-001 Statement of Claim. The official source is courts.maine.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in Maine small claims court?
In Maine you can claim up to $10,000 in the District Court (Small Claims). 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 Maine?
The filing fee is $70 — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the Maine small claims form for me?
Yes. Answer a few plain-English questions and we produce a completed draft of the SC-001 Statement of Claim, with every field filled in from your answers, ready to copy onto the official form and file. It comes with a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist.
Want it filled in for you?
A few plain-English questions about your Maine case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Maine claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.