Want it filled in for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a completed draft of the AOC-CVM-200 — 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 North Carolina claim qualifiesThe North Carolina Small Claims Form
📄 AOC-CVM-200 (money owed) / CVM-201 (recover property) / CVM-202 (ejectment); CVM-100 summons
The form that opens your case. Download it free from nccourts.gov.
North Carolina Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Small Claims Court (District Court div., magistrate) |
| Claim limit | $10,000 |
| Claim form | AOC-CVM-200 (money owed) / CVM-201 (recover property) / CVM-202 (ejectment); CVM-100 summons |
| Filing fee | $96 + $30/defendant sheriff service — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | Sheriff or certified mail (plaintiff) (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Law that sets the limit | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210(1) |
| Court data verified | October 6, 2026 |
In North Carolina, the exact court, local paperwork and fees can differ by county or court. The court finder below shows yours.
Filing Deadlines in North Carolina
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 | 3 years | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(1) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 3 years | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(1) |
| Damage to property | 3 years | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(3), (4) |
| Personal injury | 3 years | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(5) |
| Unpaid debt or account | 3 years | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(1) |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Where to Get the Official North Carolina Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — nccourts.gov
- Official source — nccourts.gov
- Official source — nccourts.gov
- The law itself — N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210(1)
- The clerk of the Small Claims Court (District Court div., magistrate) — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does North Carolina compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
North Carolina Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in North Carolina?
The form that opens the case is the AOC-CVM-200. The official source is nccourts.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in North Carolina small claims court?
In North Carolina you can claim up to $10,000 in the Small Claims Court (District Court div., magistrate). 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 North Carolina?
The filing fee is $96 + $30/defendant sheriff service — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the North Carolina small claims form for me?
Yes. Answer a few plain-English questions and we produce a completed draft of the AOC-CVM-200, 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 North Carolina case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your North Carolina claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.