Start free

Small claims forms · Connecticut

Connecticut small claims court forms, filled in for you

Answer a few questions once. Vera fills in the Connecticut court's own forms from your answers, walks you through anything left, and gives you one packet to file, with how to file it.

Fill in my forms — start free

To sue (you're the plaintiff)

  • Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (JD-CV-40)

    The court's own form (www.jud.ct.gov)

    What to know
    • This is the Connecticut Judicial Branch's form. The Small Claims Session of the Superior Court hears claims for money damages only, up to $5,000, or up to $15,000 for a home improvement contract or a new home construction contract; it does not hear libel and slander cases (JD-CV-40 instructions; C.G.S. § 51-15(d)).
    • For a residential security deposit: the landlord must return the deposit with accrued interest, or the balance with a written statement itemizing the damages deducted, not later than 21 days after the tenancy ends or 15 days after receiving the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later, and a landlord who violates this is liable for twice the amount of the deposit (C.G.S. § 47a-21(d)(2)). The court may award the tenant twice the deposit even if the total is more than $5,000 (JD-CV-40 instructions; C.G.S. § 51-15(d)). The instructions list case type code H11 "Housing - Return of Security Deposit" and a box for double damages (JD-CV-40 instructions, sections 2 and 10).
    • Vera leaves the Address of Court blank. A landlord or tenant enters the town where the rental property is located. Otherwise an individual enters the town where you live, where the defendant lives or has a business, or where the transaction or injury occurred; against a business, the town where the defendant lives or does business, or where the transaction or injury occurred. An out-of-state individual must own property in Connecticut to be sued in small claims (JD-CV-40 instructions, section 1).
    • The form asks for each name as last, first, middle initial. Check both names and correct them if they differ from how the court has them. Vera filled both names and your name under the signature. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address, telephone and e-mail, the defendant's address, telephone and e-mail, the defendant's type (Individual for a person, Business Organization for a corporation, LLC, partnership or other business; none for a sole proprietor or a government agency: mark DBA if the defendant is a person doing business under another name), the amount claimed, "Plus pre-judgment interest" if you ask for interest, and the reasons, followed by the interest you gave (the form: "You MUST explain how much you want for each item in section 11"). When you started this as a landlord/tenant security deposit case, it entered case type code H11 "Housing - Return of Security Deposit" and marked "Yes" to a claim between a landlord and a tenant. Check each one. Still yours: the case type code for any other claim (the list is on page 1), the landlord/tenant answer in item 3 for any other claim ("Yes" if the claim is between a landlord and a tenant, such as unpaid rent) and the rental property's town (items 3 and 4), your own type, the defendant's type if Vera left it, the double damages box for a withheld security deposit (explain it in item 11), the consumer-debt explanation in item 8 if it applies, and the address check in item 9 (the form).
    • The form has room for one plaintiff and one defendant; for more, attach the Continuation of Parties (JD-CV-67) and mark its box (the form). If you are suing a second defendant, Vera does not fill it in here: list them on JD-CV-67, mark the box, and deliver papers to and file a Statement of Service (JD-CV-123) for each defendant (the form; JD-CV-40 instructions). An attorney who files for you completes item 6 (JD-CV-40 instructions).
    • Sign in front of the person who takes your oath (a clerk, notary or Commissioner of the Superior Court), who also signs (JD-CV-40 instructions, section 12). Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • Serve before you file: deliver a copy of the completed form and the Instructions to Defendant (JD-CV-121) to each defendant, through a state marshal or yourself; How to Serve (Deliver to Defendant) a Small Claim Writ and Notice of Suit (JD-CV-122) explains how (JD-CV-40 instructions). The ways are priority mail with delivery confirmation, certified mail with a return receipt or electronic delivery confirmation, a nationally recognized courier with delivery confirmation, or a proper officer (JD-CV-123).
    • Then file the original, copies of your supporting documents and a Statement of Service (JD-CV-123) for each defendant, and pay the entry fee of $95 (JD-CV-40 instructions; C.G.S. § 52-259(b)). If an individual defendant does not file an answer, you must file a military affidavit before the case can be reviewed for a default judgment (JD-CV-40 instructions).
    • The court sends the defendant an Answer form with an Answer Date. If the defendant files an Answer, the court schedules a hearing and sends a notice of when and where (JD-CV-121).

  • Instructions to Defendant (Notice to Person Being Sued) (JD-CV-121)

    The court's own form (www.jud.ct.gov)

    What to know
    • Deliver a copy to each defendant with the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (JD-CV-40), before you file (JD-CV-40 instructions).
    • It has no blanks, so Vera fills nothing. It tells the defendant that the court will send an Answer form to return by the Answer Date printed on it (the form).

  • Statement of Service (Delivery) – Small Claims (JD-CV-123)

    After the defendant has been served: one for each defendant.

    The court's own form (www.jud.ct.gov)

    What to know
    • Fill out one for each defendant and file it with the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (JD-CV-40) (the form; JD-CV-40 instructions). Vera filled the defendant's name as you typed it and your printed name; with more than one defendant, change the name on each copy.
    • Mark the one way the papers were delivered, enter what you paid, and attach the proof: the delivery confirmation, the signed return receipt or electronic delivery confirmation, the courier's tracking showing delivery, or, for a proper officer, the officer's return of service. Keep the receipts for what you paid (the form).
    • The plaintiff or the plaintiff's representative signs it. Vera never signs or dates a form.

If you were sued (you're the defendant)

  • The papers served on you are the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit (JD-CV-40) and the Instructions to Defendant (JD-CV-121). "Do not file a response until you receive an Answer form": the court sends it, you should receive it within six weeks, and it names the court house and the Answer Date; if it does not come, call the clerk's office (JD-CV-121).
  • "The Answer section must be completed." Admit or deny all or part of the claim, sign it, send a copy to the plaintiff (or the plaintiff's attorney or representative), and send the original by mail, fax or hand delivery; the court must receive it on or before the Answer Date (JD-CV-121).
  • A Counterclaim goes in the Counterclaim section of the same form, with a filing fee of $95; it must reach the court by the Answer Date and cannot be faxed (JD-CV-121; C.G.S. § 52-259(b)).
  • If you owe the full amount but need time, say so on the Answer; if you do not ask for a specific amount, the court orders $35 each week. A judgment against a business, or against a landlord for return of a security deposit, is ordered paid in a lump sum. "Do not send payment(s) to the Court" (JD-CV-121).
  • If you do not file an Answer, a default judgment may be entered after the Answer Date. If you do, the court sends a notice of the hearing; do not come to court on the Answer Date (JD-CV-121).
  • Bring your witnesses and evidence to the hearing. "A small claims judgment cannot be appealed" (JD-CV-121).

Checked against the court's own forms and rules. Courts change forms; check with the clerk before you file. This page is general information, not legal advice.