Small Claims Court Guide

Step 1 — Calculate Your Damages

Use the TCPA Guide calculator. Each illegal call = $500 base, up to $1,500 if willful. Document every call.

Step 2 — Gather Evidence

• Phone records showing the calls (request from your carrier if needed)
• Voicemails or call recordings (check your state's one-party consent rules)
• Screenshots of the number and any caller ID info
• Identify the caller — use our caller trace tool

Step 3 — File the Complaint

• Find your county's small claims court (see table below)
• Name the correct defendant — identify the company behind the number
• Pay the filing fee ($30–$200 depending on state)
• Serve the defendant — court clerk usually handles this

Step 4 — What to Say in Court

"Your Honor, I received [X] auto-dialed calls from the defendant to my cell phone without my prior express written consent, in violation of 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A). TCPA provides statutory damages of $500 per violation, totaling $[amount]. I am asking the court to award these statutory damages."

• Bring your phone records printed out
• Bring a timeline of all calls received
• Print the TCPA statute: 47 U.S.C. § 227
• Cite any FTC or FCC complaints filed

State Small Claims Courts

State	Court	Filing Fee	Max Claim
California	Superior Court, Small Claims Division	$30–$75	$12,500
Texas	Justice Court / JP Court	$46–$100	$20,000
Florida	County Court	$55–$300	$8,000
New York	Small Claims Court	$15–$20	$10,000
Illinois	Circuit Court, Small Claims	$65–$264	$10,000
Pennsylvania	Magisterial District Court	$34–$114	$12,000
Ohio	Municipal Court, Small Claims	$30–$75	$6,000
Georgia	Magistrate Court	$50–$100	$15,000
Michigan	District Court, Small Claims	$30–$70	$6,500
Washington	District Court, Small Claims	$14–$54	$10,000

Fees and limits change — verify with your local court before filing.