A landlord kept your deposit, a contractor walked off the job, a dry cleaner ruined your coat. In Oregon you can sue for up to $10,000 in the Small Claims Department of the Circuit Court, without hiring a lawyer. Check your case below, then follow six steps.
Answer a few questions. The result updates as you type.
You must make a good faith effort to collect before you file, and your claim form must say you did. A demand letter is the usual way. A short, dated demand letter is the best proof. Use the generator below and keep a copy.
File in the circuit court of the county where the defendant lives, where the injury or problem happened, or where the contract was to be carried out. Don't file in city or municipal court.
Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim. After the defendant asks for a hearing, some courts first schedule mediation and then a trial; timing varies by county.
$57 for claims of $2,500 or less and $102 for claims over $2,500. The defendant pays the same amount to ask for a hearing. Service costs extra. If you can't afford it, ask for a fee waiver: Fee Deferral or Waiver Application and Declaration.
Use the sheriff, a process server, or an adult Oregon resident who isn't part of the case. You can also use certified mail with restricted delivery, but only if the defendant signs the green card. If you sue a state agency, also serve the Attorney General. After being served, the defendant has 30 days to pay, ask for a hearing, or ask for a jury trial.
Bring receipts, photos, texts, the contract and your demand letter, with three copies of each. The court doesn't collect for you. If they don't pay, you can use a writ of garnishment on wages or a bank account, or ask the court to order the debtor to come in and answer questions about their assets.
Want every detail? The full filing guide walks you through all 7 stages, from finding the defendant's legal name to collecting your money, with a checklist.
Open the filing guideFill in the details, then download the letter as a PDF or Word file, or copy the text. Send it by certified mail or email so you can prove the date.
Miss this date and the court will dismiss your case, however strong it is. Fraud deadlines start when the fraud is discovered.
| Type of claim | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Broken written contract (lease, invoice, signed agreement) | 6 years |
| Broken verbal agreement | 6 years |
| Damaged property | 6 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
| Fraud | 2 years |
| Libel or slander | 1 year |
| Claims against a government agency | To sue an Oregon state agency, city or county for injury or damage, you usually must give it written notice within 180 days. |
Not at the hearing, unless the judge allows it. You can get advice from a lawyer at any time.
You can sue for up to $10,000, including the value of any property. Claims of $750 or less must be filed in small claims. Businesses have the same limit. Otherwise, you can give up the amount above the limit, or file a regular civil case where the rules are stricter.
Neither side can appeal. The judge's decision is final.
Ask the court for an interpreter before your hearing; Oregon courts provide them free of charge.