Oregon’s small claims court is a department of the circuit court built for people without lawyers. It hears claims up to $10,000, and anything of $750 or less has to be filed there [1][2]. The hearing is informal, a judge decides, and the decision is final: there’s no appeal [1].
At a glance
| Who files | Claim of $2,500 or less | Claim over $2,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Plaintiff, to start the case | $57 | $102 |
| Defendant, to deny the claim and ask for a hearing | $57 | $102 |
| Judgment creditor, to record a judgment lien | $18 | $18 |
Which court to use
The amount you’re asking for decides it [1][2]:
- $750 or less: small claims only, unless the law you’re suing under allows lawyer fees, which can open the regular civil court.
- More than $750, up to $10,000: your choice of small claims or general civil court. Lawyers can represent you in general civil court.
- More than $10,000: not small claims at all.
You can file in a county where a defendant lives or can be found, where the damage or injury happened, or, for a contract, where the defendant was supposed to perform [1].
Before you file
Try to collect first. You must make a good-faith effort to collect from the defendant before filing, and your claim form includes a sworn statement that you tried [1].
Itemize what you’re owed. Guesses and round numbers aren’t enough. List each cost separately: drywall repair, plumbing, roof repair, repainting, not one lump sum for “damage to my house.” Written professional estimates can help for repair claims [1].
Get the names exactly right. Use full legal names. For a company, use the entity’s full name and serve its registered agent , which you can look up with the Oregon Corporation Division [1].
If you can’t afford the fee, you can apply to have it deferred or waived [1].
Serving the defendant
After you file, it’s your job to have each defendant officially notified [1]. Oregon allows:
- Personal service by a sheriff, a private process server, or any competent adult Oregon resident who isn’t a party, a party’s lawyer or a party’s employee.
- Substituted service: leaving the papers at the defendant’s home with someone 14 or older who lives there, then mailing a copy first class.
- Office service: leaving the papers at the defendant’s office during business hours, then mailing a copy first class.
- Certified mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery. If the defendant doesn’t sign the green card personally, it doesn’t count.
File the certificate of service with the court. If proof of service isn’t filed within 63 days of filing your claim, the case may be dismissed [1].
What the defendant can do
The defendant has 30 days after being served to respond, under the Oregon Judicial Department’s instructions revised in January 2026 [1]. Some older guides still say 14 days, so go by the date on the papers you receive.
- Pay the claim, including your fees and costs [1].
- Deny the claim and ask for a hearing, and file a counterclaim related to the same transaction or event [1].
- Demand a jury trial, but only if the claim or counterclaim is more than $750 [1]. If that happens, the plaintiff must file a formal complaint within 20 days after the court’s notice, or the case is dismissed [1].
If the defendant doesn’t respond in 30 days, you can ask for a default judgment [1]. You’ll need to state whether the defendant is in active military service, since federal law limits defaults against service members [1].
Mediation and the hearing
Some courts send contested cases to mediation first. In Multnomah County, a denial or counterclaim triggers a mediation session for both sides [1]. A mediated agreement is enforceable, and it doesn’t show up on a credit report unless it’s broken and a judgment is entered [1].
If there’s no agreement, the case goes to trial. The plaintiff presents first, then the defendant, through sworn testimony, documents and witnesses [1]. Bring originals and copies of receipts, contracts, photos and estimates, including copies for the other side [1].
No appeal
There is no appeal from a small claims judgment in Oregon. The judge’s decision is final [1]. That makes preparation, and the choice between small claims and regular civil court, more important up front.
Collecting what you win
Winning doesn’t mean the court collects for you. As the judgment creditor , you’re responsible for collecting [1]. If the debtor won’t pay, you can ask the court to issue a writ of garnishment against wages or a bank account, or ask for a hearing to question the debtor about assets [1]. Recording a judgment lien costs $18 [3].
Once you’re paid in full, you must file a notarized satisfaction of judgment and send a copy to the other side [1].
Limits in other states
Moving a dispute across state lines? Compare the small claims limits in every state on BestAmerica.
Sources
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What is the small claims limit in Oregon?
$10,000, counting the value of any property you ask for. Claims of $750 or less must be filed in small claims. Claims over $750 and up to $10,000 can go to small claims or to the regular civil court.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Oregon?
Under the circuit court fee schedule in effect January 1, 2026, the plaintiff pays $57 for a claim of $2,500 or less and $102 for a claim over $2,500. A defendant who denies the claim and asks for a hearing pays the same amount. You can ask the court to defer or waive fees.
Can I appeal an Oregon small claims judgment?
No. The Oregon Judicial Department's instructions say there is no appeal from a small claims judgment and the judge's decision is final.
Can I bring a lawyer to small claims court in Oregon?
You can talk to a lawyer at any time, but lawyers can't take part in a small claims hearing without the judge's permission.