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 UJS Statement of Claim, plus a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your South Dakota claim qualifiesThe South Dakota Small Claims Form
📄 UJS Statement of Claim
The form that opens your case. Download it free from ujs.sd.gov.
South Dakota Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Magistrate Court (Small Claims), UJS |
| Claim limit | $12,000 |
| Claim form | UJS Statement of Claim |
| Filing fee | $24.84 (≤$100) / $30.84 ($100–$1,000) / $40.84 ($1,000–$3,999) / $42.84 ($4,000–$12,000), incl. surcharges and postage |
| Serving the defendant | Certified mail by CLERK or sheriff (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Law that sets the limit | SDCL 15-39-45.1 |
| Court data verified | October 6, 2026 |
Filing Deadlines in South Dakota
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 — 2 years for wage claims (§ 15-2-15(3)–(4)) and 4 years for a UCC sale of goods (§ 57A-2-725). | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(1) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 6 years | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(1) |
| Damage to property | 6 years | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(3), (4) |
| Personal injury | 3 years — 2 years for libel, slander, assault, battery, or false imprisonment — S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-15(1). | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14(3) |
| Unpaid debt or account | 6 years | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13(1) |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Being Sued in South Dakota Instead?
If they owe you money: Within the time for answer you may claim any setoff or counterclaim within the court's civil jurisdiction. (SDCL 15-39-66)
The been-sued deadline lookup covers what happens if you do nothing.
Where to Get the Official South Dakota Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — ujs.sd.gov
- Official source — ujs.sd.gov
- Official source — ujs.sd.gov
- The law itself — SDCL 15-39-45.1
- The clerk of the Magistrate Court (Small Claims), UJS — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does South Dakota compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
South Dakota Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in South Dakota?
The form that opens the case is the UJS Statement of Claim. The official source is ujs.sd.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in South Dakota small claims court?
In South Dakota you can claim up to $12,000 in the Magistrate Court (Small Claims), UJS. 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 Dakota?
The filing fee is $24.84 (≤$100) / $30.84 ($100–$1,000) / $40.84 ($1,000–$3,999) / $42.84 ($4,000–$12,000), incl. surcharges and postage. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the South Dakota 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 UJS Statement of Claim 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 Dakota case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your South Dakota claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.