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Maryland · small claims

Small claims court Maryland

Small claims court in Maryland is the District Court’s small claims docket for money claims of $5,000 or less, heard under simplified rules of evidence and procedure. Either side may appeal to the Circuit Court within 30 days of the final judgment, and the appeal is a new trial.

Statute of Limitations by State editorial teamUpdated 5 sources

Maryland small claims limit, fees and rules

The District Court of Maryland has exclusive jurisdiction over small claims of $5,000 or less (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-405), which it hears with simplified rules of evidence and procedure. Claims between $5,000 and the District Court’s general civil limit are heard on its regular civil docket.[1][2]

Maryland small claims at a glance (checked November 2026)
RuleMaryland
Dollar limit$5,000$5,000 or less.
CourtDistrict Court of Maryland (small claims)
Filing feeSet by the court
LawyersAllowedParties may represent themselves or use a lawyer; small claims follow simplified rules of evidence and procedure.
AppealEither party may appeal to the Circuit Court by filing an order for appeal with the District Court clerk within 30 days of the final judgment; when the amount in controversy is $5,000 or less the appeal is tried de novo (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 12-401(e)-(f)).

Appealing a Maryland small claims judgment

A party who loses may file an order for appeal with the District Court clerk within 30 days of the final judgment. When the amount in controversy is $5,000 or less, the Circuit Court tries the case again from the start (de novo) rather than reviewing the record (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 12-401).

  • Lawyers: optional on both sides.
  • Fees: set by the District Court fee schedule; check the current amount before filing.

Deadline to file in Maryland

Small claims cases have the same filing deadline as any lawsuit: once the statute of limitations runs, the court will dismiss the claim if the defendant raises it.[3][4][5]

Maryland limitation periods for common small claims
ClaimDeadlineStatute
Unpaid loan or written contract3 yearsMd. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Oral agreement3 yearsMd. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Credit card or open account3 yearsMd. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§ 5-101, 5-1202
Property damage (e.g. fender bender)3 yearsMd. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101

See the full Maryland statute of limitations list for other claims, compare the small claims limit by state if the defendant is elsewhere, and read how to file a claim in small claims court for the general steps. Whether to bring counsel is covered on the small claims attorney page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the small claims limit in Maryland?
$5,000 in the District Court (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-405).
How long do you have to appeal a small claims case in Maryland?
30 days from the final judgment, by filing an order for appeal with the District Court clerk; small claims appeals are tried de novo in Circuit Court (§ 12-401).
Do you need a lawyer in Maryland small claims court?
No. Parties may represent themselves or hire a lawyer.

Sources

  1. Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-405: small claims jurisdiction and procedure · Maryland statutes / court rules (official), checked November 2026
  2. Maryland small claims: official court self-help · Maryland Judicial Branch, checked November 2026
  3. Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101: written contract limitation period · Annotated Code of Maryland (official), checked November 2026
  4. Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101: oral contract limitation period · Annotated Code of Maryland (official), checked November 2026
  5. Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101: property damage limitation period · Annotated Code of Maryland (official), checked November 2026