Massachusetts · District Court, Boston Municipal Court, or Housing Court (small claims)

How to file a small-claims case in Massachusetts

You can sue for up to $7,000 in Massachusetts. Here is where to file, what the deadlines are, and how to keep your case organized.

Good to know: There is no standalone "small claims court" in Massachusetts. Small claims is a simplified procedure (the "small claims session") conducted within three existing court departments: the District Court (each division is informally named for its city/town), the Boston Municipal Court (BMC), and the Housing Court. Cases are usually heard by a clerk-magistrate rather than a judge. The official mass.gov page states it is "known popularly as the people's court."

Filing your Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial (also called the Statement of Claim and Notice form) in Massachusetts

1. Identify the correct court and parties. Determine where to file: in the District Court or BMC where at least one plaintiff or defendant lives, works, or has a place of business, or where the rental property is located; or the Housing Court if it is a landlord-tenant matter. Gather the precise legal name and correct address of each party (per the mass.gov how-to page).
2. Complete the Statement of Small Claim and Notice form. Fill out the Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial. The easiest method is the official online 'Small Claims Guide and File' guided interview, which generates the filled-in forms; you can then eFile or print them. The plaintiff is the party filing; the defendant is the party being sued.
3. File the claim and pay the entry fee. File online (eFile), in person, or by mail with the Clerk-Magistrate's office of the proper court. mass.gov notes: 'when the papers are sent by mail to the clerk, the action is not commenced until the papers are actually received.' Pay the entry fee, which varies by claim amount (plus a $7 fee if you eFile).
4. Receive docket number and trial date. The Clerk gives you a copy of your completed Statement of Claim and Notice showing the date and time of trial, plus a Docket Number, and the Clerk sends a copy of the Statement of Claim and Notice to the defendant.
5. Prepare for and attend the hearing. About a week before trial, confirm with the Clerk that the defendant received the notice and whether an answer was filed; assemble evidence (contracts, receipts, photos, witnesses). Attend the scheduled hearing before the clerk-magistrate.

Filing fees: Filing and service fees are set locally and vary; confirm the current amount with the court. A fee waiver is available if you cannot afford the costs.

Key Massachusetts deadlines

Answering a lawsuit: Massachusetts does not require the defendant to file a written answer before the hearing; the defendant may simply appear at the scheduled trial. An answer is optional, and an optional Counterclaim must be filed with the Clerk at least two days prior to the hearing.

Serving the defendant: The court (Clerk-Magistrate's office) serves the defendant: after the plaintiff files, the Clerk sends a copy of the Statement of Claim and Notice to the defendant. The defendant must actually be notified by the Post Office; if the Post Office cannot serve the defendant, no judgment can be entered. About a week before the hearing the plaintiff should call the Clerk to confirm the defendant received the notice.

Appeals: The defendant has the right to appeal within ten days after receipt of the magistrate's finding by filing, in the court where the case was decided, a claim of trial by jury (or trial by a single justice); the appeal must be accompanied by a $25 entry fee and a $100 bond, which the court may waive for insufficient funds if the appeal is not frivolous. A plaintiff's right to appeal is very limited. Confirmed against the controlling statute M.G.L. c. 218, § 23, which is current; no superseding change was found.

Massachusetts small-claims forms

Official Massachusetts forms, free from the court.

• Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial (sample only): The initial document the plaintiff files to start a small claims case; states the parties, claim amount, and reason for the claim, and shows the trial date.
• Statement of small claims and notice for eFiling (select District Court, BMC and Housing Court divisions): Fillable version of the initial claim form used when electronically filing in participating divisions.
• Verification of Defendant's Address by Plaintiff: Plaintiff verifies the defendant's correct address so the court can serve notice by mail.
• Defendant's Claim of Appeal: Form a defendant uses to appeal (claim a trial by jury) within ten days of the magistrate's finding.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and CaseBySelf is not a law firm. Rules, fees, and deadlines change and vary by court: verify with the specific court where you file. Source: Mass.gov - Small Claims (Trial Court self-help hub). Last reviewed 2026-06-23.