Small Claims Plainly

State guide

Missouri

This is general information, not legal advice. Missouri's small claims court is a way a judge sits, not a separate statewide building. Section 482.305 of the Revised Statutes says that when sitting as a small claims court, the judge has original jurisdiction of all civil cases, whether tort or contract, where the amount in controversy does not exceed $5,000, exclusive of interest or costs, or as provided in that chapter. The Revisor's page shows the section effective August 28, 2011, after a series of amendments that raised earlier amounts. Circuit court clerks in each county take the filings. The $5,000 line is the amount in controversy. Interest and costs are outside it.

Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
Which court hears it
Small claims court, a setting of the circuit court
Dollar limit we could verify
Missouri Revised Statutes section 482.305 says that when sitting as a small claims court, the judge has original jurisdiction of all civil cases, whether tort or contract, where the amount in controversy does not exceed $5,000, exclusive of interest or costs.
Statute or court page
Official page →
Filing or self-help page
Official page →

Tort and contract are both named, so a damage claim and a debt claim can share this docket when the amount fits. The phrase 'or as provided in this chapter' means other sections in chapter 482 can add detail. Read the chapter if your case is unusual. The Revisor marks the end of the effective text. Use that text rather than an annotation. Annotations are not the amount. Five thousand dollars exclusive of interest or costs is the sentence to write on your claim. If you need interest, ask for it as interest.

Associate circuit judges commonly hear these cases under the local assignment. You may speak for yourself. Bring the contract, photos, and a calculation. Service is required. A hearing set before the other side is served does not produce a judgment you can keep. Ask the circuit clerk which form starts a small claim and which county is proper. Venue statutes are outside section 482.305. The clerk can point you to them. This directory does not state a fee. The circuit clerk's schedule is the source, and it can include a different charge for service.

A judgment for $5,000 or less is still a circuit-court judgment for collection purposes. Garnishment and execution follow the civil rules that apply to these judgments. Ask the clerk which form to file after the judgment, and after any appeal time the rules state. If the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000, file a regular civil case. Do not file two small claims on the same debt to stay under the cap. The statute measures the amount in controversy in the case. Chapter 482 is short enough to read before you go to the counter.

Official resources in Missouri

Section 482.305, RSMo

Statute stating the $5,000 small-claims amount, exclusive of interest or costs.

Missouri Revisor of Statutes

Official statutes, including chapter 482.

Missouri Revisor, chapter 482

Chapter on small claims courts, surrounding section 482.305.

Key facts for Missouri

What to do next

  1. Keep the amount in controversy at or under $5,000 before interest and costs.
  2. Read the rest of chapter 482 if the dispute is unusual.
  3. Ask the circuit clerk for the local small-claims form and venue rule.
  4. Do not split one debt into two small claims.

Looking for your city or county in Missouri?

We haven't found official court-level pages for Missouri we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:

  1. General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Missouri, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
  2. Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.
    Missouri Revisor of Statutes
    Website →
    Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.
    Your city or county office: Local governments →
    Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Missouri page on USA.gov can point you to the right office.
  3. Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.

Helpful guides

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