Filing Fee Tiers: Oregon small claims court uses a two-tier filing fee structure based on claim amount. Claims under $2,500 have a filing fee of $52, while claims from $2,500 to $10,000 have a filing fee of $95. These fees are set by the Oregon Judicial Department and are uniform across all 36 counties.
Eligibility Check: Oregon small claims court has a $10,000 maximum claim limit (ORS 46.405). Our calculator automatically checks whether your claim amount qualifies. If your claim exceeds $10,000, you would need to file in circuit court or voluntarily reduce your claim to fit within the small claims limit.
Case Readiness Score: The 7-item readiness checklist is based on common requirements cited by the Oregon Judicial Department and legal aid organizations. Each item represents a critical preparation step that Oregon judges and court staff recommend completing before filing. A score of 7/7 means you have addressed all standard preparation items.
Data Sources: Filing fees and procedures are based on Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 46 (Small Claims) and the Oregon Judicial Department fee schedule for 2026. County-specific procedures may vary slightly.
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Prepare My Documents →Oregon small claims court handles cases up to $10,000. For amounts over $10,000, you must file in circuit court.
File a claim form at your county courthouse, pay the filing fee, and the court will schedule a hearing. You must serve the defendant at least 14 days before the hearing.
Bring contracts, receipts, photos, text messages, emails, and any written communication. Witnesses can also testify on your behalf.
No. Oregon law (ORS 46.415) does not allow attorneys to represent parties in small claims court. You must represent yourself.
The court issues a judgment. If the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily, you can garnish wages, place liens on property, or use other collection methods.