Small claims limit in Minnesota: $20,000

The rule in Minnesota

The small claims limit in Minnesota is $20,000. The rule is Minn. Stat. § 491A.01, subd. 3a; the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, § 491A.01 puts it this way: “(1) $20,000; or (2) $4,000, if the claim involves a consumer credit transaction”. The court that hears these cases: Conciliation court.

Among the 51 jurisdictions with a verified figure on this site, Minnesota ranks 3rd from the top. That is $10,000 above the median of $10,000. It is 8 times Kentucky's $2,500 floor and 80% of the $25,000 top figure. Texas, Utah and West Virginia use the same $20,000 figure.

Next door, Iowa allows $6,500, North Dakota allows $15,000, South Dakota allows $12,000 and Wisconsin allows $10,000. A claim of $20,000 that fits in Minnesota would be $13,500 over the line in Iowa.

Worked check against the $20,000 figure: a $10,000 claim uses 50% of the limit and leaves $10,000 of room; a claim of exactly $20,000 still fits, because the rule caps the amount rather than excluding it; a claim of $20,001 is $1 over.

The source checked for Minnesota does not publish a statewide filing fee, so this page shows none; the clerk of the court where the case is filed posts the current amount.

A claim that involves a consumer credit transaction is capped at $4,000.

Deposit disputes are a common small claims case. Minnesota sets no cap on deposits (deposit rules), so a deposit larger than $20,000 could not be claimed in full in small claims; the landlord's return deadline there is 21 days.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, § 491A.01 · Minn. Stat. § 491A.01, subd. 3a · last checked October 20, 2026.

Where the case goes

A claim within the limit is filed with the Conciliation court. The linked source is the place to confirm forms, the filing fee and where to file before starting; the guides on filing a small claims case and serving the papers explain the usual steps in general terms.