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 SCCA Magistrate Complaint, plus a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your South Carolina claim qualifiesThe South Carolina Small Claims Form
📄 SCCA Magistrate Complaint
The form that opens your case. Download it free from sccourts.org.
South Carolina Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Magistrate Court (civil) |
| Claim limit | $7,500 |
| Claim form | SCCA Magistrate Complaint |
| Filing fee | $80 |
| Serving the defendant | Certified mail restricted, sheriff, or server (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Law that sets the limit | S.C. Code § 22-3-10(1) |
| Court data verified | October 6, 2026 |
In South Carolina, the exact court, local paperwork and fees can differ by county or court. The court finder below shows yours.
Filing Deadlines in South 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 | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(1) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 3 years | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(1) |
| Damage to property | 3 years | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(3), (4) |
| Personal injury | 3 years | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5) |
| Unpaid debt or account | 3 years | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(1) |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Being Sued in South Carolina Instead?
Do you file an answer? You must file an answer, and any counterclaim, within 30 days from the first day after service. (S.C. Magistrates Court Rule 7(b))
If they owe you money: File any counterclaim with your answer, within the 30-day answer period. If it exceeds the magistrate limit you may waive the excess or the case is transferred to circuit court. (S.C. Magistrates Court Rule 9(b))
The been-sued deadline lookup covers what happens if you do nothing.
Where to Get the Official South Carolina Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — sccourts.org
- Official source — sccourts.org
- Official source — sccourts.org
- The law itself — S.C. Code § 22-3-10(1)
- The clerk of the Magistrate Court (civil) — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does South Carolina compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
South Carolina Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in South Carolina?
The form that opens the case is the SCCA Magistrate Complaint. The official source is sccourts.org. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in South Carolina small claims court?
In South Carolina you can claim up to $7,500 in the Magistrate Court (civil). 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 South Carolina?
The filing fee is $80. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the South Carolina 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 SCCA Magistrate Complaint 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 South Carolina case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your South Carolina claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.