How to File Small Claims in Nevada: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Nevada, go to the justice court in your township. Fill out an Affidavit of Complaint. Pay between $66 and $196 based on your claim size. Then have the other side served. Nevada caps small claims at $10,000 (NRS 73.010).

But here is the part most people miss. Many Nevada courts, including Clark County and Henderson, make you send a demand letter by certified mail before you can file. Skip that step and the clerk turns you away.

Hearings happen 30 to 60 days after filing. Nevada also has one of the shortest appeal windows in the country. Just five days. Miss it and the ruling is final.

This guide covers every step. From the demand letter to getting your money.

Nevada Small Claims Court Basics

Nevada small claims cases go through justice courts, not district courts. These courts are set up by township, not county. Clark County alone has five: Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, and Searchlight.

If you want to know how to sue someone in Nevada for $10,000 or less, this is the court you use. Key facts before you file:

• Claim limit: The Nevada small claims court limit is $10,000 (NRS 73.010). If your claim is more, you can drop the extra and still file. But you cannot split one dispute into two cases to get around the cap.
• Money only: Small claims covers money disputes. You cannot ask a judge to make someone do something, like finish a job or return property.
• Attorneys allowed: Nevada lets both sides bring lawyers. Most people still go on their own.
• Free for defendants: The person being sued pays no fee to respond (NRS 4.060(d)).
• Businesses can file: LLCs, corporations, and partnerships can file through an officer or employee (NRS 73.030). No lawyer needed.

The Demand Letter Rule (Do Not Skip This)

This is where Nevada stands out. Clark County, Henderson, and other justice courts make you send a demand letter by certified mail before you can file.

The rules are strict:

1. Write a letter with the exact amount owed and why.
2. Say you will file in small claims if the issue is not fixed in 10 business days.
3. Send it by certified mail with return receipt.
4. Wait at least 15 days after mailing before you file.
5. Keep a copy of the letter and the mail receipt. Attach both to your court filing.

If the other side is a business, send the letter to its Registered Agent or an officer. You can look up agents at the Nevada Secretary of State site (nvsos.gov).

Here is why this matters. The demand letter often fixes the problem without court. The person or business gets a formal notice, sees you are serious, and pays. About 70% of disputes handled through demand letters and follow-up calls settle before a hearing ever happens.

Need help with the demand letter? PettyLawsuit sends certified demand notices right away. If the other side ignores it, we follow up with phone calls and emails.

How to File: Step by Step

Your demand letter deadline passed. The other side has not paid. Now follow these steps.

Step 1: Find the Right Court

File in the justice court for the township where:

• The other person lives or works, OR
• The deal or harm took place

Wrong township? Your case can get thrown out. Not sure which one covers your area? Call the court clerk first.

Step 2: Fill Out the Affidavit of Complaint

Get the form from the clerk or your court's website. It asks for:

• Your name and address
• The other party's name and address
• The amount you want
• A short reason why they owe you

Type it out. Bring two extra copies (three total). Attach your demand letter and mail receipt.

Step 3: Pay the Filing Fee

The Nevada small claims filing fee depends on your claim amount (NRS 4.060):

Pay by cash, check, money order, or card. Cards have a 5% + $0.50 charge on top. E-filing adds $2.50.

Cannot pay the fee? Ask for a fee waiver. File a form called an Affidavit to Proceed in Forma Pauperis. If your income is below 200% of the poverty line, the court may drop the cost. Most rulings come within a week.

Step 4: Serve the Other Side

The clerk stamps your form and sets a hearing date. Now you must hand off copies to the other party. This is called service of process.

Ways to serve:

• Constable: Nevada uses constables (not sheriffs) in most areas. Costs about $40 to $60.
• Sheriff: Works in some areas.
• Private process server: Runs $30 to $75.
• Any adult 18+: Anyone not part of the case can hand the papers over in person.

If the constable cannot find the person, you can ask for service by publication (NRS 14.040). This adds four to six weeks.

Step 5: File Proof of Service

Turn in your proof of service at least 30 days before the hearing. Miss this and the court pulls your case off the schedule.

Step 6: Get Your Evidence Ready

Print all proof on 8.5 x 11 paper. Bring three copies of each item.

Strong evidence includes:

• Contracts or written deals
• Texts and emails (printed)
• Photos of damage
• Receipts and bills
• The demand letter and mail receipt

Save video or audio to a USB drive. Courts will not look at files on your phone.

Step 7: Go to the Hearing

Show up on time. The judge asks both sides to share their case. Keep it short. Stick to facts. Most hearings run 15 to 30 minutes.

If the other side does not show up, you win by default.

What Can You Sue For in Nevada Small Claims?

Nevada small claims is for money disputes only. You cannot ask the court to force someone to act. But the range of money claims is wide:

• Unpaid rent or security deposits: Landlord kept your deposit? Sue for it back.
• Bad contractor work: Paid for a job that was never done or done poorly? You can recover what you paid.
• Car repair overcharges: Mechanic billed way more than the quote? That is a breach of the deal.
• Unpaid loans: Lent money to a friend who will not pay it back? Small claims handles that.
• Property damage: A tree fell on your fence? A guest broke your TV? File a claim.
• Unpaid wages: Boss owes you money and will not pay? Small claims is one path. The Nevada Labor Commissioner handles some wage claims too.
• Consumer complaints: Bought a product that broke and the seller will not refund you? This fits.

If your claim is about making someone do something (like finish a paint job), you need regular civil court. Small claims is money only.

Counterclaims in Nevada Small Claims

If someone sues you, you can fight back with a counterclaim. File it at least five days before the hearing (JCRCP 73).

Your counterclaim must stay under the $10,000 cap. If it goes over, the whole case moves out of small claims and into regular civil or district court (NRS 73.040). That means more fees, longer waits, and likely needing a lawyer.

There is no fee to file a counterclaim. Fill out the form and file it with the clerk on time.

Mediation in Nevada

Some Nevada courts offer mediation to settle without a trial. In Clark County, mediation used to be required for small claims. Now it is voluntary.

Mediation puts both sides in a room with a neutral person who helps find a deal. It is free in some courts and low-cost in others. If you reach a deal, it becomes binding. If not, your case still goes to hearing.

Even if the court does not push mediation, think about it. Settling gives you control over the outcome. A judge might rule against you. With mediation, you and the other side agree on terms that work.

Statute of Limitations in Nevada

File within these deadlines or you lose the right to sue (NRS 11.190):

The clock starts when the breach or harm happens. Not when you find out. Do not wait. Send your demand letter early so you have time to file if it fails.

Security Deposit Disputes in Nevada

Security deposits are one of the most common small claims cases in the state. Here is what Nevada law says (NRS 118A.242):

• Return deadline: 30 days after the tenant moves out and gives back keys.
• Deposit cap: 3 months' rent max.
• Written list: The landlord must give a written list of any costs taken out.
• Penalty: If the landlord does not return the deposit or give a list in 30 days, you can sue for the full amount held back.

The law is clear and the deadlines are strict. If your landlord kept your money without good reason, you have a strong case.

Not sure where to start? A demand letter to your landlord is step one. And in Nevada, it is a must before you can file in court.

The 5-Day Appeal Window

Nevada has one of the shortest appeal windows in the country. If you lose and want to appeal, you have just five days to file a notice of appeal (NRS 73.040).

The appeal goes to district court for a fresh trial. The fee is $47 plus a $25 filing charge.

Five days is not much time. Lose and need to appeal? Act fast. Win? That tight window works in your favor. Once five days pass, the ruling is locked in.

E-Filing in Nevada

Some Nevada courts let you file online through the Odyssey eFileNV system. Las Vegas, Henderson, and some Reno courts offer this for small claims.

It costs $2.50 extra. Saves you a trip. But smaller rural courts still need paper filings at the window.

Check your court's website before you drive there.

Collecting Your Judgment

Winning is half the fight. If the other side will not pay, you have tools:

• Wage garnishment: File a writ under NRS 31.249. Nevada shields 82% of take-home pay (or 50 times the minimum wage). You can take the rest.
• Bank levy: File a writ under NRS Chapter 21 to grab funds from their bank.
• Property lien: Record the judgment with the county recorder. This puts a lien on any property they own in that county.
• Interest: Your judgment grows at the prime rate plus 2% (NRS 17.130). The Nevada Supreme Court updates the rate every January 1 and July 1. In 2026, it is about 10.5%. One of the highest in the country.

The $25 writ fee (NRS 4.060(f)) gets added to what they owe you.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting the demand letter. In Clark County and Henderson, no letter means no filing. The clerk rejects your papers.

Wrong township. Las Vegas and Henderson are different courts, even though both sit in Clark County. File where the other person lives or works, or where the issue happened.

Late proof of service. You must turn this in 30 days before the hearing. Miss it and your case gets pulled.

Missing the 5-day appeal window. Five calendar days. Not business days. Calendar days.

Not checking assets first. Before you file, find out if the other side has a job, bank account, or property. If they have nothing, even a win may be hard to collect on.

Nevada Justice Court Locations

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file small claims in Nevada?

Fees range from $66 for claims under $1,000 to $196 for claims up to $10,000. Add about $40 to $60 for constable service. E-filing costs an extra $2.50.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Nevada?

No. Most people go without one. Nevada does allow lawyers in small claims, but for a case under $10,000, the lawyer often costs more than the claim.

How long does small claims court take in Nevada?

From filing to hearing, expect 30 to 60 days. Add 15 days for the demand letter wait. Total time from demand letter to ruling: about 45 to 75 days.

Can I file small claims online in Nevada?

Yes, in some courts. Las Vegas and Henderson offer e-filing through Odyssey eFileNV. Smaller rural courts need in-person filing.

What happens if the other side does not show up?

You win by default. The judge may ask you to show your proof, then rule in your favor.

Can I sue someone from another state in Nevada?

Yes, if they did business in Nevada or caused harm here. Nevada's long-arm statute (NRS 14.065) covers people linked to deals in the state.

Is a demand letter required before filing in Nevada?

In Clark County and Henderson courts, yes. You must send it by certified mail and attach proof to your filing. Other courts may not require it, but it is still smart to send one.

What is the statute of limitations for small claims in Nevada?

Written contracts: 6 years. Oral contracts: 4 years. Property damage: 3 years. Personal injury: 2 years. All set by NRS 11.190.