Want it filled in for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a completed draft of the Statement of Claim and Summons — 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 Minnesota claim qualifiesThe Minnesota Small Claims Form
📄 Statement of Claim and Summons
The form that opens your case. Download it free from mncourts.gov.
Minnesota Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Conciliation Court (District Court div.) |
| Claim limit | $20,000 |
| Limit: Consumer credit claim | $4,000 |
| Claim form | Statement of Claim and Summons |
| Filing fee | $65–$85 by county — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | Court administrator mails (first-class; certified above threshold) (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Law that sets the limit | Minn. Stat. § 491A.01, subd. 3a |
| Court data verified | October 6, 2026 |
Filing Deadlines in Minnesota
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 — 4 years for a contract for the sale of goods, under the UCC — Minn. Stat. § 336.2-725. | Minn. Stat. sec. 541.05, subd. 1(1) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 6 years | Minn. Stat. sec. 541.05, subd. 1(1) |
| Damage to property | 6 years — 2 years against a pesticide applicator for injury from the application (§ 541.07 subd. 7), and 2 years for damage from a non-commercial dam (subd. 3); product strict-liability claims are 4 years (§ 541.05 subd. 2). | Minn. Stat. sec. 541.05, subd. 1(3)-(4) |
| Personal injury | 6 years — 2 years for libel, slander, assault, battery, false imprisonment, or other tort resulting in personal injury — Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1). | Minn. Stat. § 541.05 subd. 1(5) |
| Unpaid debt or account | 6 years — 4 years where the debt arises from a contract for the sale of goods, under the UCC — Minn. Stat. § 336.2-725. | Minn. Stat. § 541.05 subd. 1(1) |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Being Sued in Minnesota Instead?
Do you file an answer? Conciliation court has no written answer. You must appear at the trial on the date in the summons. (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 508(b))
If they owe you money: At least 14 days before trial you must file the counterclaim, pay the fee, and serve it on the plaintiff. (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 509(b) (as amended eff. July 1, 2026))
The been-sued deadline lookup covers what happens if you do nothing.
Where to Get the Official Minnesota Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — mncourts.gov
- Official source — mncourts.gov
- Official source — mncourts.gov
- The law itself — Minn. Stat. § 491A.01, subd. 3a
- The clerk of the Conciliation Court (District Court div.) — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does Minnesota compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
Minnesota Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in Minnesota?
The form that opens the case is the Statement of Claim and Summons. The official source is mncourts.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in Minnesota small claims court?
In Minnesota you can claim up to $20,000 in the Conciliation Court (District Court div.). Different limits apply in some cases: Consumer credit claim, $4,000. 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 Minnesota?
The filing fee is $65–$85 by county — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the Minnesota small claims form for me?
Yes. Answer a few plain-English questions and we produce a completed draft of the Statement of Claim and Summons, 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 Minnesota case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Minnesota claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.