File small claims
court online.
In minutes.
Skip the courthouse. Skip the lawyer. As an authorized Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP), we handle the demand letter, certified mail, and court forms - all from your phone.
How to eFile small claims court
File small claims online from your couch. No courthouse visit required.
You tell us what happened
Describe your dispute in plain English. Our AI organizes the facts, calculates damages, and builds your case.
We write & send your demand
AI generates a professional demand letter. We find the defendant's legal info and send it via USPS Certified Mail.
They pay up (or we arm you)
70% of cases settle after the demand letter. If not, we prepare your court forms and guide you through filing.
eFiling small claims
vs. the courthouse
Filing small claims court in person takes hours of research, confusing forms, and days off work. eFile online and we compress that into 5 minutes from your phone. Whether you're suing Uber, Amazon, or a car dealership - we handle it all.
Filing Small Claims In Person
Take time off work to visit courthouse
Figure out which forms you need
Hand-write or type legal documents
Research defendant's legal info yourself
Visit post office for certified mail
Total: $100-500+ and 4-8 hours
eFile with PettyLawsuit
eFile small claims from your couch in 5 minutes
Court forms auto-generated for your state
AI writes professional demand letter
We look up defendant's legal info instantly
Certified mail sent and tracked online
Total: $29 and 5 minutes to file online
What you can eFile in small claims court
File online for anything from broken contracts to bad landlords.
Breach of Contract
Broken agreements, unpaid work, violated terms.
Security Deposits
Landlord won't return your deposit.
Property Damage
Someone damaged your car, home, or belongings.
Unpaid Debts
Someone owes you money and won't pay.
Bad Service
Contractors or vendors who didn't deliver.
Consumer Fraud
Scams, bait-and-switch, deceptive practices.
Why eFiling small claims works
Built for speed, backed by real law. Learn how to sue a business or eFile now and get results.
Fast eFiling
eFile your small claims case in one coffee break. 5 minutes, not 5 hours.
Court-Ready EFSP
Authorized Electronic Filing Service Provider. Real laws cited. USPS Certified Mail. Court forms included.
70% Win Rate
Most disputes settle after the demand letter. No court hearing needed.
eFile small claims by state
Every state has different small claims court rules, limits, and eFiling options. As an authorized EFSP, we handle the details so you don't have to.
Texas
$20,000TX small claims (Justice Court) accepts online filings statewide.
New York
$10,000NYC and major counties support eFiling for small claims.
Florida
$8,000FL small claims eFiling available through county clerk portals.
Illinois
$10,000IL Cook County and others accept electronic small claims filings.
All 50 States
VariesWe generate the right forms and process for your state and county.
How to file small claims court online
5 steps to eFile your case - from "I've been wronged" to "they paid up."
Describe What Happened
Answer a few questions about your dispute in plain language. Our AI organizes your facts and calculates exact damages.
We Find the Defendant
Enter the business name - we pull their legal name, registered agent, and service address from official state records.
AI Writes Your Demand Letter
A professional demand letter is generated with your specific damages, legal citations, and a clear deadline to respond.
Certified Mail Sent
Your demand letter ships via USPS Certified Mail with tracking and proof of delivery - the same standard law firms use.
We Follow Up Aggressively
Automated phone calls, emails, and follow-up letters pressure the defendant to settle. We don't stop until they respond.
Small claims court eFiling FAQ
Everything you need to know about filing small claims court online
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about filing small claims court cases with PettyLawsuit
Quick Answer
PettyLawsuit helps you file small claims court cases in 5 minutes for $29. No lawyer needed. We handle demand letters, business lookups, and court documents automatically.
Quick Answer
Yes. PettyLawsuit lets you file small claims court online in about 5 minutes for $29. We handle business lookup, demand letter, certified mail, and court forms - all from your phone. eFiling is available in all 50 states.
Quick Answer
PettyLawsuit charges $29 for everything - business lookup, AI demand letter, USPS certified mail, and small claims court form generation. Court filing fees (if needed) are separate, typically $30-$100.
Related guides
eFile Small Claims in California
CA eFiling guide with SC-100 form
How to Sue a Business
Step-by-step guide to suing any business
Small Claims Court Guide
State limits, process & strategies
Demand Letters
How demand letters resolve disputes
California Small Claims
CA-specific limits, forms & process
Small Claims Court 101
Complete beginner's guide
Stop waiting.
eFile now.
File small claims court online. 5 minutes. $29. No lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file small claims court online without a lawyer?
Yes. Small claims court is designed for self-representation, and eFiling makes it even easier. PettyLawsuit handles everything - business lookup, demand letter, certified mail, court forms - so you don't need legal training. Over 90% of small claims court filers represent themselves successfully.
How long does it take to eFile small claims?
About 5 minutes. You describe your dispute, we find the defendant's legal information, generate your demand letter, and send it via certified mail. The entire small claims court eFiling process is guided step-by-step with no confusing legal jargon.
What does it cost to eFile a small claims case?
PettyLawsuit costs $29 to eFile. This includes business lookup, AI-generated demand letter, certified mail with tracking, follow-up communications, and small claims court form generation. Court filing fees (if needed) are separate and range from $30-$100 depending on your state.
What types of small claims cases can I file online?
You can eFile disputes against businesses or individuals for breach of contract, property damage, unpaid debts, defective products, poor service, security deposit disputes, billing errors, and more. Any civil dispute under your state's small claims court limit qualifies for online filing.
What happens after I eFile my small claims case?
We send your demand letter via USPS certified mail with tracking. About 70% of disputes settle at this stage - the defendant pays without ever going to small claims court. If they don't respond within 14-30 days, we prepare your court filing documents.
Is eFiling small claims online as legitimate as filing in person?
Absolutely. Your demand letter is sent via USPS certified mail - the same legal standard used by law firms. Your small claims court forms are generated from official state templates. Everything is court-admissible and legally binding whether you file online or in person.
Do I still have to go to small claims court after eFiling?
Most cases settle before court. If the defendant doesn't respond to your demand letter, you'll need to attend a brief small claims court hearing (typically 15-30 minutes). We prepare all your court documents so you walk in ready. Many judges appreciate well-organized eFiled cases.
What states allow small claims court eFiling?
PettyLawsuit lets you file small claims online in all 50 states. We automatically generate the correct court forms and follow the specific eFiling procedures for your state and county. Whether you're in California, Texas, New York, Florida, or anywhere else - you can eFile from home.
How do I eFile small claims in California?
California small claims court allows eFiling in most counties. The limit is $12,500 for individuals. PettyLawsuit auto-fills the SC-100 form (Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court), generates your demand letter, and sends it via certified mail. You can eFile your California small claims case online in about 5 minutes.
Can I eFile small claims court from a different state?
You typically file small claims in the state and county where the defendant is located or where the dispute occurred. PettyLawsuit identifies the correct jurisdiction, generates state-specific forms, and handles certified mail to the defendant's address - all online regardless of where you are.
What is an EFSP and why does it matter?
An EFSP (Electronic Filing Service Provider) is a court-authorized platform that can electronically file legal documents on your behalf. PettyLawsuit is an authorized EFSP, which means your documents are submitted directly through official court eFiling systems - not just printed and mailed. This ensures faster processing, official confirmation, and compliance with your court's electronic filing requirements.