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Small Claims

The Small Claims division of the Salt Lake County Justice Court is designated to settle monetary legal issues and problems arising from contractual, service disputes and other claims.

  • The maximum amount you may sue for in a small claims action is $11,000.
  • Small Claims court is less formal and you do not need an attorney to represent you.
  • The filing fees are due at the time you file the affidavit.
  • A small claims court allows an individual or business to be compensated by a party who has not performed according to an agreement or who had committed some wrongdoing.
  • Small Claims cases are governed by Utah Code title 78, chapter 6. The rules for Small Claims can be found in the Utah Court Rules annotated, Utah Rules of Small Claims Procedure.
  • Small Claims Court is Usually held Thursdays at 9:00 am

Services

Links

How to File a Small Claims

Small Claims Information

Online Court Assistance Program - Document Preparation (OCAP)

How to Collect on a Small Claims

How to Collect a Judgement

Small Claims Fees

Fees must be paid to the order of: Salt Lake County Justice Court at the time a document is filed or a service is provided. If you cannot afford the fee, you can file an affidavit of impecuniosity. The court clerk will accept the filing or provide the service without charging the fee, but you will be required to provide financial information from which the court will later decide whether to waive all or part of the fee.

Entities other than the court also charge fees, which are not waived by the affidavit of impecuniosity. For example, the county sheriff, constable or private process server will charge a fee to serve papers. The county recorder will charge a fee to record a judgment. There may be others, but the most common small claims fees are as follows.

Claim Fee
Affidavit or (Inter pleader Affidavit)
Claim of $2,000 or less		 $60
Affidavit or (Inter pleader Affidavit)
Claim of Greater than $2,000 and less than $7,500		 $100
Affidavit or (inter pleader Affidavit)
Claim of Greater then $7,500 and less than $11,000		 $185
Counter Affidavit
Claim of $2000 or less		 $50
Counter Affidavit
Greater than $2,000 and less than $7,500		 $70
Counter Affidavit
Greater than $7,500 and less than $11,000		 $120
Trial de novo - Appeal
Note: An additional $10 fee is payable to the justice court at the time the small claims notice of appeal is filed.		 $225 to District Court
Abstract of Judgment $50 to District Court
Writ of Garnishment $50 to the court
$10 to the garnishee
Writ of Continuing Garnishment (wage) $50 to the court
$25 to the garnishee
Writ of Execution $50
Regular Copies $.25 per page
Certified Copies $4 for the certificate
$.50 per page

Non-Court Fees

  • Witness Fee
    • $18.50 for first day / $49 for subsequent days
    • Mileage at Current Federal rate over 50 miles one way.
  • Service of Process Fee / County Recorder Fee
    • Amount determined by statute or by the provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

A small claims case must be filed in the justice court where the defendant resides or where the claim arose (where the events happened).

You where summoned for a Supplemental Hearing and you chose not to show.

A default Judgment will be ordered.

It would be up to you, however, an attorney is not necessary.

No. That is why you will need to make sure that you file in the proper Jurisdiction.

No. You are acting as your own attorney.