Nebraska ยท Small Claims Court (a division of the county court)
How to file a small-claims case in Nebraska
You can sue for up to $7,500 in Nebraska. Here is where to file, what the deadlines are, and how to keep your case organized.
Good to know: Nebraska small claims is not a separate court but a division of the county court, with hearings before a county judge. Cases are filed with the clerk of the county court in the proper county.
Filing your Plaintiff's Claim and Notice to Defendant (Form CC 4:1) in Nebraska
- Confirm your claim qualifies and pick the county. Small claims covers money owed, property damage, or return of personal property, capped at $7,500. File where the defendant lives or does business, or where the claim arose.
- Complete the claim form (CC 4:1). Fill out the Plaintiff's Claim and Notice to Defendant with the parties' names and addresses, a short description with dates, the dollar amount, and why it is owed.
- File and pay the fee. Submit the form to the clerk of the county court in person or by mail and pay the statutory docket fee plus surcharges. The clerk sets a hearing date.
- Arrange service on the defendant. Serve the defendant by certified mail with restricted delivery or personal service by the sheriff or constable. Service costs are paid by you and added to any judgment.
- Appear at the hearing. Both parties must appear at the date and time on the notice; no written answer is required. If the defendant does not appear, the court may enter a default.
Filing fees: The small claims docket fee is set by statute (a $6.25 base under Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2804) plus statutory surcharges; service costs are paid separately and added to any judgment. Confirm the current total with the clerk.
Key Nebraska deadlines
| Case type | Deadline to file |
|---|---|
| Written contract (Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-205) | 5 years |
| Oral contract / debt (Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-206) | 4 years |
| Property damage (Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-207) | 4 years |
| Personal injury (Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-207) | 4 years |
Answering a lawsuit: No written answer is required. The defendant must appear in person on the hearing date shown on the notice; failing to appear may result in a default judgment.
Serving the defendant: The defendant is served by personal service through the sheriff or constable, or by certified mail with restricted delivery. Service costs are paid by the plaintiff and added to any judgment.
Appeals: An appeal goes to the district court within 30 days of judgment: file a Notice of Appeal (CC 9:2) with the county court clerk, pay the docket fee, request the transcript, and post a $50 appeal bond (CC 9:3).
Nebraska small-claims forms
Official Nebraska forms, free from the court.
- CC 4:1 - Plaintiff's Claim and Notice to Defendant (Small Claims): The initial document the plaintiff files to start a small claims case and notify the defendant of the claim and hearing.
- CC 4:5 - Small Claims Certified Mail Return: Used to document service of the claim on the defendant by certified mail with restricted delivery.
- CC 4:6 - Praecipe (Request) for Subpoena: Used by a party to request a subpoena compelling a witness to appear at the small claims hearing.
- CC 9:2 - Notice of Appeal: Filed with the clerk of the county court within 30 days to appeal a small claims judgment to district court.
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: Nebraska Judicial Branch: Filing a Small Claims Case. Last reviewed 2026-06-24.