Want it filled in for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a completed draft of the DC 84 Affidavit and 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 Michigan claim qualifiesThe Michigan Small Claims Form
📄 DC 84 Affidavit and Claim
The form that opens your case. Download it free from courts.michigan.gov.
Michigan Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | District Court, Small Claims Division |
| Claim limit | $7,000 |
| Claim form | DC 84 Affidavit and Claim |
| Filing fee | $30 / $50 / $70 by amount — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | Court mails (certified) or personal via server (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Law that sets the limit | MCL 600.8401 |
| Court data verified | July 30, 2026 |
A claim of exactly $7,000 is within the limit.
Filing Deadlines in Michigan
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 | MCL 600.5807(9) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 6 years | MCL 600.5807(9) |
| Damage to property | 3 years | MCL 600.5805(2) |
| Personal injury | 3 years — 2 years for assault, battery or false imprisonment (subsec. 3) and for malpractice (subsec. 8); 1 year for libel or slander (subsec. 11) — all in MCL 600.5805. | MCL 600.5805(2) |
| Unpaid debt or account | 6 years | MCL 600.5807(9) |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Where to Get the Official Michigan Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — courts.michigan.gov
- Official source — courts.michigan.gov
- Official source — courts.michigan.gov
- The law itself — MCL 600.8401
- 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 Michigan compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
Michigan Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in Michigan?
The form that opens the case is the DC 84 Affidavit and Claim. The official source is courts.michigan.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in Michigan small claims court?
In Michigan you can claim up to $7,000 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 Michigan?
The filing fee is $30 / $50 / $70 by amount — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the Michigan small claims form for me?
Yes. Answer a few plain-English questions and we produce a completed draft of the DC 84 Affidavit and 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 Michigan case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Michigan claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.