Want it filled in for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a completed draft of the Small Claim and Notice of Small 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 Oregon claim qualifiesThe Oregon Small Claims Form
📄 Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim
The form that opens your case. Download it free from courts.oregon.gov.
Oregon Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court, Small Claims Dept. |
| Claim limit | $10,000 |
| Claim form | Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim |
| Filing fee | $55 (≤$2.5k) / $102 (>$2.5k) — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | Certified mail restricted (plaintiff) or sheriff/server (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Before you file | Bona fide demand for payment REQUIRED before filing (pleaded on form) |
| Law that sets the limit | ORS 46.405(3) |
| Court data verified | October 6, 2026 |
Filing Deadlines in Oregon
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 | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 6 years | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1) |
| Damage to property | 6 years | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(3), (4) |
| Personal injury | 2 years | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1) |
| Unpaid debt or account | 6 years — 4 years where the debt arises from a contract for the sale of goods — Or. Rev. Stat. § 72.7250, which § 12.080(1) expressly yields to. | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1) |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Being Sued in Oregon Instead?
Do you file an answer? You must sign and file the Defendant's Response, with the fee, within 30 calendar days after you were served, or the plaintiff may request a default judgment. (OJD Small Claims Defendant's Instructions (SC-INSTR, Jan 2026; ORS 46.455))
If they owe you money: If your counterclaim is over $10,000, you must file a motion to transfer the case to the civil department, or the counterclaim may be dropped. (OJD Small Claims Defendant's Instructions (SC-INSTR, Jan 2026; ORS 46.461))
The been-sued deadline lookup covers what happens if you do nothing.
Where to Get the Official Oregon Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — courts.oregon.gov
- Official source — courts.oregon.gov
- Official source — courts.oregon.gov
- The law itself — ORS 46.405(3)
- The clerk of the Circuit Court, Small Claims Dept. — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does Oregon compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
Oregon Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in Oregon?
The form that opens the case is the Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim. The official source is courts.oregon.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in Oregon small claims court?
In Oregon you can claim up to $10,000 in the Circuit Court, Small Claims Dept.. 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 Oregon?
The filing fee is $55 (≤$2.5k) / $102 (>$2.5k) — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the Oregon small claims form for me?
Yes. Answer a few plain-English questions and we produce a completed draft of the Small Claim and Notice of Small 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 Oregon case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Oregon claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.