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Small claims forms · Hawaii

Hawaii small claims court forms, filled in for you

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

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To sue (you're the plaintiff)

  • Statement of Claim and Notice (General Form), First Circuit (Oahu) (1DC06)

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • Use this form if you file in the First Circuit (Oahu) and the claim is not for a residential security deposit; for a deposit, use the Statement of Claim (Security Deposit) (1DC05) instead (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • Hawaii's small claims forms are published by each judicial circuit: First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai), Third Circuit (Hawaii Island), or Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • It is for claims of $5,000 or less, not counting interest and costs (the form; Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). File in the division where the defendant lives. If the defendant does not live in the circuit, file where the claim arose; if it arose outside the circuit, in any division where the defendant can be found. If defendants live in different divisions, file where the claim arose (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • Vera filled your name, the defendant's name in Part I and after "To:" in Part II, and the case number when your case has one. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address, telephone and email and the defendant's address and telephone in Part I, the amount, the date since when it is owed (the date you gave for when it happened), and why the defendant owes you the money, with how you added it up. Check each one (the form). The defendant's email is filled only if you gave it. Still yours: pick the division. Vera fills none of those. The form has room for one defendant. If you are suing a second defendant, Vera leaves them off: ask the clerk how to list them and their address before you file (the form).
    • Sign and date the Plaintiff's Declaration: you declare under penalty of perjury that what you stated is true (the form). Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • Part II is the Notice of Hearing: take or mail the form to the court, and court staff schedule the hearing, fill in the rest of Part II and return the form to you to serve (the form).
    • You may come to the hearing with or without an attorney (the form). The filing fee is $35.00, and a judge may waive it for financial hardship (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; Small Claims Q&A). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • After the hearing is set, you serve a full copy of the form on the defendant before the trial date: by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested (show the judge both receipts at the trial; the receipt must show delivery within the circuit where you filed); by a civil process server; by any person who is not a party and is over 18, who signs a return of service that you file before the trial date; or yourself, with the defendant's signed acknowledgment or a witness not related to or employed by you (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). The claim may not be personally delivered between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless it is served at a place open to the public or a judge permits it in writing (the form).
    • Mediation at court is mandatory in small claims cases on Oahu; it usually takes place at the first court date both sides attend (Small Claims Q&A).

  • Statement of Claim and Notice (General Form), Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai) (2DC06)

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • Use this form if you file in the Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai) and the claim is not for a residential security deposit; for a deposit, use the Statement of Claim (Security Deposit) (2DC05) instead (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • Hawaii's small claims forms are published by each judicial circuit: First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai), Third Circuit (Hawaii Island), or Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • It is for claims of $5,000 or less, not counting interest and costs (the form; Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). File in the division where the defendant lives. If the defendant does not live in the circuit, file where the claim arose; if it arose outside the circuit, in any division where the defendant can be found. If defendants live in different divisions, file where the claim arose (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • Vera filled your name, the defendant's name in Part I and after "To:" in Part II, and the case number when your case has one. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address, telephone and email and the defendant's address and telephone in Part I, the amount, the date since when it is owed (the date you gave for when it happened), and why the defendant owes you the money, with how you added it up. Check each one (the form). The defendant's email is filled only if you gave it. Still yours: pick the division. Vera fills none of those. The form has room for one defendant. If you are suing a second defendant, Vera leaves them off: ask the clerk how to list them and their address before you file (the form).
    • Sign and date the Plaintiff's Declaration: you declare under penalty of perjury that what you stated is true (the form). Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • Part II is the Notice of Hearing: take or mail the form to the court, and court staff schedule the hearing, fill in the rest of Part II and return the form to you to serve (the form). Mail or deliver anything for the court to 2145 Main Street, Room 106, Wailuku, even if your hearing is elsewhere (the form).
    • You may come to the hearing with or without an attorney (the form). The filing fee is $35.00, and a judge may waive it for financial hardship (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; Small Claims Q&A). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • After the hearing is set, you serve a full copy of the form on the defendant before the trial date: by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested (show the judge both receipts at the trial; the receipt must show delivery within the circuit where you filed); by a civil process server; by any person who is not a party and is over 18, who signs a return of service that you file before the trial date; or yourself, with the defendant's signed acknowledgment or a witness not related to or employed by you (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). The claim may not be personally delivered between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless it is served at a place open to the public or a judge permits it in writing (the form).

  • Statement of Claim and Notice (General Form), Third Circuit (Hawaii Island) (3DC06)

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • Use this form if you file in the Third Circuit (Hawaii Island) and the claim is not for a residential security deposit; for a deposit, use the Statement of Claim (Security Deposit) (3DC05) instead (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • Hawaii's small claims forms are published by each judicial circuit: First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai), Third Circuit (Hawaii Island), or Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • It is for claims of $5,000 or less, not counting interest and costs (the form; Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). File in the division where the defendant lives. If the defendant does not live in the circuit, file where the claim arose; if it arose outside the circuit, in any division where the defendant can be found. If defendants live in different divisions, file where the claim arose (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • Vera filled your name, the defendant's name in Part I and after "To:" in Part II, and the case number when your case has one. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address, telephone and email and the defendant's address and telephone in Part I, the amount, the date since when it is owed (the date you gave for when it happened), and why the defendant owes you the money, with how you added it up. Check each one (the form). The defendant's email is filled only if you gave it. Still yours: pick the division. Vera fills none of those. The form has room for one defendant. If you are suing a second defendant, Vera leaves them off: ask the clerk how to list them and their address before you file (the form).
    • Sign and date the Plaintiff's Declaration: you declare under penalty of perjury that what you stated is true (the form). Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • Part II is the Notice of Hearing: take or mail the form to the court, and court staff schedule the hearing, fill in the rest of Part II and return the form to you to serve (the form).
    • You may come to the hearing with or without an attorney (the form). The filing fee is $35.00, and a judge may waive it for financial hardship (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; Small Claims Q&A). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • After the hearing is set, you serve a full copy of the form on the defendant before the trial date: by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested (show the judge both receipts at the trial; the receipt must show delivery within the circuit where you filed); by a civil process server; by any person who is not a party and is over 18, who signs a return of service that you file before the trial date; or yourself, with the defendant's signed acknowledgment or a witness not related to or employed by you (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). The claim may not be personally delivered between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless it is served at a place open to the public or a judge permits it in writing (the form).

  • Statement of Claim and Notice (General Form), Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (5DC06)

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • Use this form if you file in the Fifth Circuit (Kauai) and the claim is not for a residential security deposit; for a deposit, use the Statement of Claim (Security Deposit) (5DC05) instead (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • Hawaii's small claims forms are published by each judicial circuit: First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai), Third Circuit (Hawaii Island), or Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • It is for claims of $5,000 or less, not counting interest and costs (the form; Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). File in the division where the defendant lives. If the defendant does not live in the circuit, file where the claim arose; if it arose outside the circuit, in any division where the defendant can be found. If defendants live in different divisions, file where the claim arose (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • Vera filled you as Plaintiff, the defendant as Defendant, your name in the Filing Party box and beside your signature, and the defendant's name after "to" on the notice. Leave the Civil No. for the court. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address and phone in the Filing Party box, your address after "I am a resident and/or do business at", the date since when the money is owed (the date you gave for when it happened), the amount, why it is owed and how you added it up, where the defendant resides or does business, and the amount as the principal of the judgment you ask for. Check each one (the form). The form has room for one defendant. If you are suing a second defendant, Vera leaves them off: ask the clerk how to list them and their address before you file (the form). If your words are longer than the five lines, the last line says "(continued on the attached sheet)" and a sheet added at the end has them in full: file it with the form.
    • Sign and date the Declaration: you declare under penalty of perjury that what you stated is true (the form). Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • Page 2 is the court's notice: the clerk fills in the Monday trial date (8:45 a.m., District Court of the Fifth Circuit, Pu‘uhonua Kaulike, Courtroom #2, 3970 Ka‘ana Street, Lihue) and signs it (the form).
    • You may come to the hearing with or without an attorney (the form). The filing fee is $35.00, and a judge may waive it for financial hardship (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; Small Claims Q&A). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • After the hearing is set, you serve a full copy of the form on the defendant before the trial date: by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested (show the judge both receipts at the trial; the receipt must show delivery within the circuit where you filed); by a civil process server; by any person who is not a party and is over 18, who signs a return of service that you file before the trial date; or yourself, with the defendant's signed acknowledgment or a witness not related to or employed by you (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). The claim may not be personally delivered between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless it is served at a place open to the public or a judge permits it in writing (the form).

  • Statement of Claim and Notice for Security Deposit Disputes, First Circuit (Oahu) (1DC05)

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • Use this form instead of the general Statement of Claim (1DC06) if you file in the First Circuit (Oahu) to get back the security deposit from a residential lease; your landlord is the Defendant (the form).
    • Hawaii's small claims forms are published by each judicial circuit: First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai), Third Circuit (Hawaii Island), or Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • All claims by a tenant for the return of a residential security deposit are heard in Small Claims Court, and there is no dollar limit for them (Small Claims Q&A). File in the division where the landlord lives, or where the property is if the landlord lives out of state (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • If the claim is for a residential security deposit and the judge finds the landlord wrongfully and willfully kept all or part of it, the judge may order the landlord to pay you three times the security deposit (the form, quoting Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44(h)).
    • Vera filled your name, the landlord's name in Part I and after "To:" in Part II, and the case number when your case has one. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address, telephone and email and the landlord's address and telephone in Part I, the amount, and why the landlord owes you the money, with how you added it up. Check each one (the form). The landlord's email is filled only if you gave it. Still yours: pick the division, the date you moved out. Vera fills none of those. The form has room for one defendant. If you are suing a second defendant, Vera leaves them off: ask the clerk how to list them and their address before you file (the form).
    • Sign and date the Plaintiff's Declaration: you declare under penalty of perjury that what you stated is true (the form). Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • Part II is the Notice of Hearing: take or mail the form to the court, and court staff schedule the hearing, fill in the rest of Part II and return the form to you to serve (the form).
    • An attorney may not represent either party in a security deposit case, unless the attorney is the landlord or the tenant (the form; Small Claims Q&A). The filing fee is $35.00, and a judge may waive it for financial hardship (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; Small Claims Q&A). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • After the hearing is set, you serve a full copy of the form on the defendant before the trial date: by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested (show the judge both receipts at the trial; in a security deposit case the receipt may show delivery at any place); by a civil process server; by any person who is not a party and is over 18, who signs a return of service that you file before the trial date; or yourself, with the defendant's signed acknowledgment or a witness not related to or employed by you (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). The claim may not be personally delivered between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless it is served at a place open to the public or a judge permits it in writing (the form).
    • Mediation at court is mandatory in small claims cases on Oahu; it usually takes place at the first court date both sides attend (Small Claims Q&A).

  • Statement of Claim and Notice for Security Deposit Disputes, Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai) (2DC05)

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • Use this form instead of the general Statement of Claim (2DC06) if you file in the Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai) to get back the security deposit from a residential lease; your landlord is the Defendant (the form).
    • Hawaii's small claims forms are published by each judicial circuit: First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai), Third Circuit (Hawaii Island), or Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • All claims by a tenant for the return of a residential security deposit are heard in Small Claims Court, and there is no dollar limit for them (Small Claims Q&A). File in the division where the landlord lives, or where the property is if the landlord lives out of state (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • If the claim is for a residential security deposit and the judge finds the landlord wrongfully and willfully kept all or part of it, the judge may order the landlord to pay you three times the security deposit (the form, quoting Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44(h)).
    • Vera filled your name, the landlord's name in Part I and after "To:" in Part II, and the case number when your case has one. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address, telephone and email and the landlord's address and telephone in Part I, the amount, and why the landlord owes you the money, with how you added it up. Check each one (the form). The landlord's email is filled only if you gave it. Still yours: pick the division, the date you moved out and where you lived ("I lived at"). Vera fills none of those. The form has room for one defendant. If you are suing a second defendant, Vera leaves them off: ask the clerk how to list them and their address before you file (the form).
    • Sign and date the Plaintiff's Declaration: you declare under penalty of perjury that what you stated is true (the form). Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • Part II is the Notice of Hearing: take or mail the form to the court, and court staff schedule the hearing, fill in the rest of Part II and return the form to you to serve (the form). Mail or deliver anything for the court to 2145 Main Street, Room 106, Wailuku, even if your hearing is elsewhere (the form).
    • An attorney may not represent either party in a security deposit case, unless the attorney is the landlord or the tenant (the form; Small Claims Q&A). The filing fee is $35.00, and a judge may waive it for financial hardship (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; Small Claims Q&A). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • After the hearing is set, you serve a full copy of the form on the defendant before the trial date: by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested (show the judge both receipts at the trial; in a security deposit case the receipt may show delivery at any place); by a civil process server; by any person who is not a party and is over 18, who signs a return of service that you file before the trial date; or yourself, with the defendant's signed acknowledgment or a witness not related to or employed by you (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). The claim may not be personally delivered between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless it is served at a place open to the public or a judge permits it in writing (the form).

  • Statement of Claim and Notice for Security Deposit Disputes, Third Circuit (Hawaii Island) (3DC05)

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • Use this form instead of the general Statement of Claim (3DC06) if you file in the Third Circuit (Hawaii Island) to get back the security deposit from a residential lease; your landlord is the Defendant (the form).
    • Hawaii's small claims forms are published by each judicial circuit: First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai), Third Circuit (Hawaii Island), or Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • All claims by a tenant for the return of a residential security deposit are heard in Small Claims Court, and there is no dollar limit for them (Small Claims Q&A). File in the division where the landlord lives, or where the property is if the landlord lives out of state (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • If the claim is for a residential security deposit and the judge finds the landlord wrongfully and willfully kept all or part of it, the judge may order the landlord to pay you three times the security deposit (the form, quoting Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44(h)).
    • Vera filled your name, the landlord's name in Part I and after "To:" in Part II, and the case number when your case has one. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address, telephone and email and the landlord's address and telephone in Part I, the amount, and why the landlord owes you the money, with how you added it up. Check each one (the form). The landlord's email is filled only if you gave it. Still yours: pick the division, the date you moved out. Vera fills none of those. The form has room for one defendant. If you are suing a second defendant, Vera leaves them off: ask the clerk how to list them and their address before you file (the form).
    • Sign and date the Plaintiff's Declaration: you declare under penalty of perjury that what you stated is true (the form). Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • Part II is the Notice of Hearing: take or mail the form to the court, and court staff schedule the hearing, fill in the rest of Part II and return the form to you to serve (the form).
    • An attorney may not represent either party in a security deposit case, unless the attorney is the landlord or the tenant (the form; Small Claims Q&A). The filing fee is $35.00, and a judge may waive it for financial hardship (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; Small Claims Q&A). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • After the hearing is set, you serve a full copy of the form on the defendant before the trial date: by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested (show the judge both receipts at the trial; in a security deposit case the receipt may show delivery at any place); by a civil process server; by any person who is not a party and is over 18, who signs a return of service that you file before the trial date; or yourself, with the defendant's signed acknowledgment or a witness not related to or employed by you (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). The claim may not be personally delivered between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless it is served at a place open to the public or a judge permits it in writing (the form).

  • Statement of Claim and Notice for Security Deposit Disputes, Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (5DC05)

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • Use this form instead of the general Statement of Claim (5DC06) if you file in the Fifth Circuit (Kauai) to get back the security deposit from a residential lease; your landlord is the Defendant (the form).
    • Hawaii's small claims forms are published by each judicial circuit: First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai), Third Circuit (Hawaii Island), or Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms).
    • All claims by a tenant for the return of a residential security deposit are heard in Small Claims Court, and there is no dollar limit for them (Small Claims Q&A). File in the division where the landlord lives, or where the property is if the landlord lives out of state (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • If the claim is for a residential security deposit and the judge finds the landlord wrongfully and willfully kept all or part of it, the judge may order the landlord to pay you three times the security deposit (the form, quoting Hawaii Revised Statutes § 521-44(h)).
    • Vera filled you as Plaintiff, the landlord as Defendant, your name in the Filing Party box and beside your signature, and the landlord's name after "to" on the notice. Leave the Civil No. for the court. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address and phone in the Filing Party box, your city and state after "I am a resident of", the date since when the money is owed (the date you gave for when it happened), the amount, why it is owed and how you added it up, where the landlord resides or does business, and the amount as the principal of the judgment you ask for. Check each one (the form). The form has room for one defendant. If you are suing a second defendant, Vera leaves them off: ask the clerk how to list them and their address before you file (the form). If your words are longer than the five lines, the last line says "(continued on the attached sheet)" and a sheet added at the end has them in full: file it with the form.
    • Sign and date the Declaration: you declare under penalty of perjury that what you stated is true (the form). Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • Page 2 is the court's notice: the clerk fills in the Monday trial date (8:45 a.m., District Court of the Fifth Circuit, Pu‘uhonua Kaulike, Courtroom #2, 3970 Ka‘ana Street, Lihue) and signs it (the form).
    • An attorney may not represent either party in a security deposit case, unless the attorney is the landlord or the tenant (the form; Small Claims Q&A). The filing fee is $35.00, and a judge may waive it for financial hardship (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; Small Claims Q&A). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • After the hearing is set, you serve a full copy of the form on the defendant before the trial date: by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested (show the judge both receipts at the trial; in a security deposit case the receipt may show delivery at any place); by a civil process server; by any person who is not a party and is over 18, who signs a return of service that you file before the trial date; or yourself, with the defendant's signed acknowledgment or a witness not related to or employed by you (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). The claim may not be personally delivered between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless it is served at a place open to the public or a judge permits it in writing (the form).

If you were sued (you're the defendant)

  • Counterclaim; Certificate of Service; Declaration, First Circuit (Oahu) (1DC14)

    Only if you claim money from the plaintiff and the case is in the First Circuit (Oahu).

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • You do not answer the Statement of Claim in writing: you may admit or deny the claim at the trial. Come to the hearing at the date, time and place on the Notice of Hearing; if you do not, the court may order you to pay what the claim asks, a default judgment (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; the Statement of Claim).
    • Use this form only if you claim money from the plaintiff and the case is in the First Circuit (Oahu), as the Statement of Claim says. It is the District Court's counterclaim form, listed under Pleadings on the circuit's District Court Forms page (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms); the clerk furnishes the counterclaim forms on request (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • A counterclaim in the Small Claims Division may be for up to $40,000, plus interest and costs. If it is for more than $5,000, either party may ask for a jury trial before the small claims trial begins, and the case may go to the Circuit Court (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit; the Statement of Claim).
    • Vera filled the plaintiff and you as Defendant in the caption, your name in the Filing Party box and beside the signature under the Certificate of Service, and the Civil No. when your case has one. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address and phone in the Filing Party box and, if you said you are suing the plaintiff back, the date "On or about" which the plaintiff owed you the money (the date you gave for when it happened), what the plaintiff owes you for (item 1) and the amount of judgment you ask for (item 2). Check them, and add the date if you did not give it (the form). Pick the division: Vera does not fill it.
    • Serve a copy on the plaintiff by hand-delivery or mail and complete the Certificate of Service with the date, the method and the address; if there is not enough time before the trial to mail it, hand a copy to the plaintiff at the trial (the form; Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). Sign the counterclaim and the Declaration and date them. Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • There is a filing fee of $10.00 for a counterclaim (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • You may come with or without an attorney, except in a security deposit case, where an attorney may not represent either party (the Statement of Claim; Small Claims Q&A).

  • Counterclaim; Certificate of Service; Declaration, Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai) (2DC14)

    Only if you claim money from the plaintiff and the case is in the Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai).

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • You do not answer the Statement of Claim in writing: you may admit or deny the claim at the trial. Come to the hearing at the date, time and place on the Notice of Hearing; if you do not, the court may order you to pay what the claim asks, a default judgment (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; the Statement of Claim).
    • Use this form only if you claim money from the plaintiff and the case is in the Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai and Lanai), as the Statement of Claim says. It is the District Court's counterclaim form, listed under Pleadings on the circuit's District Court Forms page (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms); the clerk furnishes the counterclaim forms on request (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • A counterclaim in the Small Claims Division may be for up to $40,000, plus interest and costs. If it is for more than $5,000, either party may ask for a jury trial before the small claims trial begins, and the case may go to the Circuit Court (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit; the Statement of Claim).
    • Vera filled the plaintiff and you as Defendant in the caption, your name in the Filing Party box and beside the signature under the Certificate of Service, and the Civil No. when your case has one. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address and phone in the Filing Party box and, if you said you are suing the plaintiff back, the date "On or about" which the plaintiff owed you the money (the date you gave for when it happened), what the plaintiff owes you for (item 1) and the amount of judgment you ask for (item 2). Check them, and add the date if you did not give it (the form). Pick the division: Vera does not fill it.
    • Serve a copy on the plaintiff by hand-delivery or mail and complete the Certificate of Service with the date, the method and the address; if there is not enough time before the trial to mail it, hand a copy to the plaintiff at the trial (the form; Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). Sign the counterclaim and the Declaration and date them. Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • There is a filing fee of $10.00 for a counterclaim (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • You may come with or without an attorney, except in a security deposit case, where an attorney may not represent either party (the Statement of Claim; Small Claims Q&A).

  • Counterclaim; Certificate of Service; Declaration, Third Circuit (Hawaii Island) (3DC14)

    Only if you claim money from the plaintiff and the case is in the Third Circuit (Hawaii Island).

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • You do not answer the Statement of Claim in writing: you may admit or deny the claim at the trial. Come to the hearing at the date, time and place on the Notice of Hearing; if you do not, the court may order you to pay what the claim asks, a default judgment (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; the Statement of Claim).
    • Use this form only if you claim money from the plaintiff and the case is in the Third Circuit (Hawaii Island), as the Statement of Claim says. It is the District Court's counterclaim form, listed under Pleadings on the circuit's District Court Forms page (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms); the clerk furnishes the counterclaim forms on request (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • A counterclaim in the Small Claims Division may be for up to $40,000, plus interest and costs. If it is for more than $5,000, either party may ask for a jury trial before the small claims trial begins, and the case may go to the Circuit Court (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit; the Statement of Claim).
    • Vera filled the plaintiff and you as Defendant in the caption, your name in the Filing Party box and beside the signature under the Certificate of Service, and the Civil No. when your case has one. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address and phone in the Filing Party box and, if you said you are suing the plaintiff back, the date "On or about" which the plaintiff owed you the money (the date you gave for when it happened), what the plaintiff owes you for (item 1) and the amount of judgment you ask for (item 2). Check them, and add the date if you did not give it (the form). Pick the division: Vera does not fill it.
    • Serve a copy on the plaintiff by hand-delivery or mail and complete the Certificate of Service with the date, the method and the address; if there is not enough time before the trial to mail it, hand a copy to the plaintiff at the trial (the form; Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). Sign the counterclaim and the Declaration and date them. Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • There is a filing fee of $10.00 for a counterclaim (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • You may come with or without an attorney, except in a security deposit case, where an attorney may not represent either party (the Statement of Claim; Small Claims Q&A).

  • Counterclaim; Certificate of Service; Declaration, Fifth Circuit (Kauai) (5DC14)

    Only if you claim money from the plaintiff and the case is in the Fifth Circuit (Kauai).

    The court's own form (www.courts.state.hi.us)

    What to know
    • You do not answer the Statement of Claim in writing: you may admit or deny the claim at the trial. Come to the hearing at the date, time and place on the Notice of Hearing; if you do not, the court may order you to pay what the claim asks, a default judgment (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits; the Statement of Claim).
    • Use this form only if you claim money from the plaintiff and the case is in the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), as the Statement of Claim says. It is the District Court's counterclaim form, listed under Pleadings on the circuit's District Court Forms page (courts.state.hi.us, each circuit's District Court Forms); the clerk furnishes the counterclaim forms on request (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit).
    • A counterclaim in the Small Claims Division may be for up to $40,000, plus interest and costs. If it is for more than $5,000, either party may ask for a jury trial before the small claims trial begins, and the case may go to the Circuit Court (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit; the Statement of Claim).
    • Vera filled the plaintiff and you as Defendant in the caption, your name in the Filing Party box and beside the signature under the Certificate of Service, and the Civil No. when your case has one. From your answers in Court forms it filled your address and phone in the Filing Party box and, if you said you are suing the plaintiff back, the date "On or about" which the plaintiff owed you the money (the date you gave for when it happened), what the plaintiff owes you for (item 1) and the amount of judgment you ask for (item 2). Check them, and add the date if you did not give it (the form).
    • Serve a copy on the plaintiff by hand-delivery or mail and complete the Certificate of Service with the date, the method and the address; if there is not enough time before the trial to mail it, hand a copy to the plaintiff at the trial (the form; Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First Circuit). Sign the counterclaim and the Declaration and date them. Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • There is a filing fee of $10.00 for a counterclaim (Your Guide to the Small Claims Court, First and Third Circuits). File the original with one copy for each plaintiff and one for each defendant (the District Court Forms page).
    • You may come with or without an attorney, except in a security deposit case, where an attorney may not represent either party (the Statement of Claim; Small Claims Q&A).

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.