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 Small Claims Complaint Packet, plus a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your New Jersey claim qualifiesThe New Jersey Small Claims Form
📄 Small Claims complaint packet (statewide CN forms)
The form that opens your case. Download it free from njcourts.gov.
New Jersey Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court, Special Civil Part, Small Claims Section |
| Claim limit | $5,000 |
| Claim form | Small Claims complaint packet (statewide CN forms) |
| Filing fee | $35 for one defendant, plus $5 for each additional defendant — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | Court officer serves/mails (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Law that sets the limit | N.J. Ct. R. 6:1-2(a)(2) |
| Court data verified | October 6, 2026 |
Filing Deadlines in New Jersey
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 | N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1(a) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 6 years | N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1(a) |
| Damage to property | 6 years | N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1(a) |
| Personal injury | 2 years | N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a) |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Where to Get the Official New Jersey Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — njcourts.gov
- Official source — njcourts.gov
- Official source — njcourts.gov
- The law itself — N.J. Ct. R. 6:1-2(a)(2)
- The clerk of the Superior Court, Special Civil Part, Small Claims Section — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does New Jersey compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
New Jersey Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in New Jersey?
The form that opens the case is the Small Claims Complaint Packet. The official source is njcourts.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in New Jersey small claims court?
In New Jersey you can claim up to $5,000 in the Superior Court, Special Civil Part, Small Claims Section. 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 New Jersey?
The filing fee is $35 for one defendant, plus $5 for each additional defendant — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the New Jersey 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 Small Claims Complaint Packet 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 New Jersey case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your New Jersey claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.