How to File a Small Claims Lawsuit in New Hampshire (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · New Hampshire · Last updated May 12, 2026
New Hampshire routes small claims through the District Division of the Circuit Court under RSA 503:1, with a $10,000 ceiling. E-filing via TurboCourt is mandatory statewide and post-judgment interest sits at a flat 10%. A uniform 3-year SOL applies to both contracts and tort, among the shorter combos in New England.
What is small claims court in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire small claims is heard in the Circuit Court District Division under RSA Chapter 503. The jurisdictional cap is $10,000, with claims over $5,000 subject to mandatory mediation under RSA 503:9. All filings go through TurboCourt e-filing. Filing fees are $105 or $160 depending on claim size.
How much does it cost to file New Hampshire small claims?
New Hampshire charges $105 for claims up to $5,000 and $160 for claims of $5,001-$10,000 under the Circuit Court civil fee schedule. Mandatory TurboCourt e-filing applies statewide. Sheriff service typically adds $25-$50 when certified mail fails. Fee waivers are available under RSA 524:14 for low-income filers below 200% of federal poverty.
Do I need a lawyer for New Hampshire small claims?
No. New Hampshire small claims is designed for self-represented parties, but attorneys are permitted under RSA 503:3. Corporations may appear through any officer or non-attorney employee. The Circuit Court District Division publishes plain-English forms at courts.nh.gov, and the mandatory TurboCourt e-filing system walks filers through each step of the process.
How long do I have to sue someone in New Hampshire small claims?
New Hampshire's general 3-year SOL under RSA 508:4 covers most personal actions, including contracts, property damage, and personal injury. Contracts under seal carry a 20-year SOL under RSA 508:5, one of the longest specialty SOLs anywhere. Debt collection on most contracts must be filed within three years of the breach or last payment.
New Hampshire small claims at a glance
New Hampshire mandates electronic filing for small claims through the TurboCourt platform at every Circuit Court District Division location, making it one of the most fully digitized small claims systems in the United States. Any small claim exceeding $5,000 is subject to mandatory mediation under RSA 503:9 before the case proceeds to a contested hearing. The 3-year statute of limitations under RSA 508:4 applies broadly to most contract and tort claims, but contracts under seal carry a 20-year period under RSA 508:5, one of the longest specialty SOLs anywhere. The 10% statutory post-judgment interest under RSA 524:1-a is among the higher rates in New England. Appeals from small claims go to the Superior Court within 30 days (RSA 503:14).
Filing cost example: $6,800 consumer goods dispute
Suppose a Manchester consumer is owed $6,800 by a retailer for defective goods under a written purchase agreement. The general 3-year SOL under RSA 508:4 applies. Filing through TurboCourt at the Manchester District Division costs $160 (the $5,001-$10,000 tier). Because the claim exceeds $5,000, mandatory mediation under RSA 503:9 applies before any contested hearing. If mediation fails, the hearing is typically 60-90 days after filing. If the consumer wins, post-judgment interest accrues at 10% under RSA 524:1-a. After one year unpaid, the amount grows to roughly $7,480 before adding filing and service costs.
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Relevant Documents
Billing Dispute Letter
A formal letter to the company or service provider detailing the nature of the billing dispute, including specific charges being contested, reasons for the dispute, and requested resolution. This document establishes a paper trail of your dispute attempt.
Promissory Note
This document is your written promise to repay the loan according to specific terms. It's often simpler than the full loan agreement but creates a legally binding obligation to repay the borrowed funds.
Wage Withholding Order
This document directs an employer to withhold child support or spousal support payments from a spouse's paycheck.
Local Courthouses
9th Circuit Manchester District Division
35 Amherst St, Manchester, NH 03101
6th Circuit Nashua District Division
30 Spring St, Nashua, NH 03060
6th Circuit Concord District Division
32 Clinton St, Concord, NH 03301
7th Circuit Dover District Division
25 St Thomas St, Dover, NH 03820
4th Circuit Laconia District Division
26 Academy St, Laconia, NH 03246
Relevant Laws
RSA Chapter 503 (Litigation of Small Claims)
Governs New Hampshire small claims jurisdiction, the $10,000 limit, mandatory mediation over $5,000, filing, service, and appeals.
RSA 508:4 and § 508:5 (Statute of Limitations)
Sets the 3-year general SOL for most personal actions (§ 508:4) and the 20-year SOL for contracts under seal (§ 508:5).
New Hampshire Circuit Court District Division Small Claims
Official New Hampshire Judicial Branch portal for small claims forms, fee schedules, and the TurboCourt e-filing system.
RSA 524:1-a (Post-Judgment Interest)
Sets the 10% per year post-judgment interest rate on small claims and other civil judgments in New Hampshire.
RSA 512 (Trustee Process and Garnishment)
Governs trustee process and wage garnishment procedures for enforcing money judgments against New Hampshire debtors.
Regional Variances
Statute of Limitations for Common Claims in New Hampshire
Written contract
3 years (RSA 508:4); 20 years if under seal (RSA 508:5)
Oral contract
3 years (RSA 508:4)
Property damage
3 years (RSA 508:4)
Personal injury
3 years (RSA 508:4)
Debt collection
3 years for most contracts (RSA 508:4)
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Send demand letter (required for RSA 358-A)
30 days before filing days after startingSend by certified mail with return receipt. Required for Consumer Protection Act claims; recommended otherwise.
Verify claim is within $10,000 New Hampshire cap
Before filing days after startingRSA 503:1 caps small claims at $10,000. Claims over $5,000 are subject to mandatory mediation under RSA 503:9.
Gather evidence and witness contacts
Before filing days after startingPull contracts, invoices, photos, communications. Make three copies of every document for hearing day.
Register on TurboCourt and file electronically
Within applicable SOL days after startingNew Hampshire mandates TurboCourt e-filing for all Circuit Court District Division small claims. Pay $105 or $160 online.
Confirm clerk mail service
Before hearing days after startingClerk mail under Dist. Div. Civ. R. 4.4. If unsuccessful, arrange sheriff or certified-mail service for the defendant.
Attend mediation (over $5,000) or hearing
60-90 days after filing days after startingMandatory mediation under RSA 503:9 for claims over $5,000 precedes any contested hearing. Bring evidence and three copies.
Watch 30-day appeal window
Within 30 days of judgment days after startingRSA 503:14 allows appeals to Superior Court within 30 days. After that, judgment is final and collection begins.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Send demand letter (required for RSA 358-A) | Send by certified mail with return receipt. Required for Consumer Protection Act claims; recommended otherwise. | demand-letter | 30 days before filing |
| Verify claim is within $10,000 New Hampshire cap | RSA 503:1 caps small claims at $10,000. Claims over $5,000 are subject to mandatory mediation under RSA 503:9. | - | Before filing |
| Gather evidence and witness contacts | Pull contracts, invoices, photos, communications. Make three copies of every document for hearing day. | - | Before filing |
| Register on TurboCourt and file electronically | New Hampshire mandates TurboCourt e-filing for all Circuit Court District Division small claims. Pay $105 or $160 online. | - | Within applicable SOL |
| Confirm clerk mail service | Clerk mail under Dist. Div. Civ. R. 4.4. If unsuccessful, arrange sheriff or certified-mail service for the defendant. | - | Before hearing |
| Attend mediation (over $5,000) or hearing | Mandatory mediation under RSA 503:9 for claims over $5,000 precedes any contested hearing. Bring evidence and three copies. | - | 60-90 days after filing |
| Watch 30-day appeal window | RSA 503:14 allows appeals to Superior Court within 30 days. After that, judgment is final and collection begins. | - | Within 30 days of judgment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Every Circuit Court District Division requires small claims to be filed through TurboCourt at turbocourt.com. The platform guides filers through the complaint with a step-by-step interview, performs basic data validation, accepts payment online, and submits the filing to the appropriate court. Paper filings are not accepted except in narrow exceptions for indigent filers.
After the 30-day appeal window passes, the prevailing party may pursue trustee process under RSA 512, wage attachment, or execution and judgment lien under RSA 524. New Hampshire post-judgment interest accrues at 10% per year under RSA 524:1-a, one of the higher fixed statutory rates in New England, compounded annually until paid in full.
RSA 508:5 preserves the common-law distinction between regular contracts and contracts under seal, which historically carried longer enforcement periods because of the formality of sealing. New Hampshire is one of only a handful of states retaining the 20-year sealed-instrument SOL, useful for promissory notes and other formal obligations bearing a seal or wax impression.
If clerk mail and certified mail fail, the plaintiff arranges sheriff service for an additional fee under Dist. Div. Civ. R. 4.4. If sheriff service also fails after diligent effort, the plaintiff may move for service by publication under RSA 510:8 supported by an affidavit of diligent search. Publication runs once a week for three weeks.
Yes. New Hampshire accepts a Motion to Waive Filing Fees under RSA 524:14 from filers below 200% of federal poverty guidelines or receiving public benefits. The motion is filed through TurboCourt with the small claims complaint and pauses the $105-$160 fee pending judicial review. Most courts decide indigency motions within 14 days.
Yes. Under New Hampshire common law and RSA 508:16, partial payment or written acknowledgment by the debtor restarts the statute of limitations as of the date of payment or acknowledgment. With New Hampshire's relatively short 3-year general SOL, partial payment revival is a common SOL trap for creditors trying to enforce older debts.
Other New Hampshire guides
How to Dispute a Bill in New Hampshire (2026)
How to Respond to a Lawsuit in New Hampshire: Answer a Summons (2026)
How to Break a Lease in New Hampshire Legally (2026)
New Hampshire Notice to Vacate: 2026 Landlord Rules & Good-Cause Eviction
How to Hire a New Employee in New Hampshire (2026)
How to File for Divorce in New Hampshire (2026)
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