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Small claims forms · Maine

Maine small claims court forms, filled in for you

Answer a few questions once. Vera fills in the Maine 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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Sign online where the court accepts it. E-filing: Regions on the new e-filing system. Forms sworn before a notary or the clerk are still signed by hand.

To sue (you're the plaintiff)

  • Statement of Claim (Small Claims) (SC-001)Sign online

    The court's own form (mjbportal.courts.maine.gov)

    What to know
    • This is the Maine Judicial Branch's form. Small claims is a session of the District Court for claims of $10,000 or less (as of January 1, 2026), not counting interest and costs. It cannot be used for title to real estate, a personal injury case against a city or town, or collecting a consumer debt under Title 32, Chapter 109-A (14 M.R.S. § 7482; the court's Small Claims page; A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part A.2).
    • File in the District Court where the facts or events happened, where the defendant lives or has its principal place of business, or, for a corporation or other entity, where its registered agent is located (A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part B.2; 14 M.R.S. § 7483).
    • You may represent yourself or hire a lawyer. "A corporation or other legal entity can be represented by an employee or other principal even if not a lawyer" (the court's Small Claims page). A spouse, family member or friend who is not a party cannot assist you at the hearing (A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part A.5).
    • Vera filled you as Plaintiff, the other side on the first Defendant line, a second defendant you named in Court forms on the second, the Docket No. only if your case already has one, and your Printed Name. Add the town where the court sits under "Location (Town)" (the form).
    • From your answers in Court forms, Vera filled your claim with the dates you gave (when it happened, and when you asked the defendant to pay), the amount, and on page 2 your mailing address, telephone and email and the defendant's mailing address, telephone and email. Check each one (the form).
    • Page 2 has one Defendant's address block, and Vera put the first defendant there. If you named a second defendant, ask the clerk how to give the court their address and have them served (the form).
    • Still yours: any request to repair or return property, refund money, or amend or cancel an agreement, the attorney Yes/No box, the defendant's email if you did not give it, and the court's address on page 2 (the form). Attach a copy of any contract, invoice, bill or statement of account that shows the amount, and keep the originals for the hearing (A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part B.1). Vera never signs or dates a form.
    • There is no summons: serve the defendant before you file, by certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested; by the sheriff's office in the county where the defendant lives or has its principal place of business (give it the original and one copy; the deputy completes the return of service on page 3); or by first-class mail with two Acknowledgment of Service forms (SC-005) and a stamped envelope addressed to you (A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part B.4; M.R.S.C.P. 4(a)).
    • Within 20 days after service is completed, mail or deliver to the District Court the original Statement of Claim with its attachments, the evidence of service (the signed acknowledgment, the signed return receipt, or the sheriff's return), any receipts for service, and the filing fee (A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part B.5; M.R.S.C.P. 4(e)). If you file fewer than three small claims cases a month, you may instead file the Statement with an Affidavit and Request for Service (SC-006) and have the clerk arrange service (M.R.S.C.P. 4(b)).
    • Entry of a Small Claims Action is $70.00, mediation included (Administrative Order JB-05-26, effective March 9, 2026). If you cannot afford it, you can ask the court to waive it with an Application to Proceed without Payment of Fees (CV-067) (A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026)).
    • The clerk mails both parties the hearing date and time at the addresses on the Statement of Claim, at least 10 days before the hearing; tell the clerk in writing if an address changes. If the plaintiff fails to appear, the case will be dismissed (M.R.S.C.P. 4(f), (g); the form, page 2).
    • When the claim is for a residential security deposit: the landlord must return it, or give a written statement itemizing the reasons for keeping any part, within the time in a written rental agreement (not more than 30 days) or 21 days after a tenancy at will ends; you must give the landlord notice of your intent to sue at least 7 days before starting the case; wrongful retention makes the landlord liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs (14 M.R.S. §§ 6033, 6034).

  • Acknowledgment of Service (SC-005)

    Only if you serve the defendant by first-class mail and ask them to acknowledge receiving the Statement of Claim.

    The court's own form (mjbportal.courts.maine.gov)

    What to know
    • Mail the defendant a copy of the Statement of Claim and its attachments, two copies of this form, and a stamped envelope addressed to you. Service is complete when the defendant signs and returns one; if none comes back within 20 days after mailing, serve another way (A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part B.4; M.R.S.C.P. 4(a)(1)).
    • Vera filled you as Plaintiff, the other side on the first Defendant line, a second defendant you named in Court forms on the second, and the Docket No. only if your case already has one. Add the town under "Location (Town)" and check the Statement of Claim boxes; Vera marks no box. The date, signature, printed name and title below are the defendant's (the form).
    • File the signed acknowledgment with the Statement of Claim within 20 days after service (M.R.S.C.P. 4(e); A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part B.5).

  • Affidavit and Request for Service (SC-006)

    Only if you file fewer than three small claims cases a month and want the clerk to arrange service.

    The court's own form (mjbportal.courts.maine.gov)

    What to know
    • File it with the Statement of Claim and pay $15.00 for each defendant to be served (M.R.S.C.P. 4(b); Administrative Order JB-05-26, effective March 9, 2026). The court's guide says this is not the most efficient method, and that arranging service yourself speeds up the hearing (A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part B.4).
    • The clerk tries first-class mail with an acknowledgment. If it is not signed and returned within 20 days, you will be notified and must serve another way at your own cost; the clerk arranges service by the sheriff only if the court approved your request to waive service costs (the form; A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part B.4).
    • Vera filled you as Plaintiff, the other side as Defendant, the Docket No. only if your case already has one, and the Printed Name of Affiant. Add the town under "Location (Town)", your name after "I,", and the box for the Statement of Claim. From your answers in Court forms, Vera filled the defendant's service address and your mailing address: check that the service address is complete. "If I do not provide the complete service address, the clerk will not arrange for service" (the form).
    • Sign it under oath before a notary, attorney or clerk (the form). Vera never signs or dates a form.

If you were sued (you're the defendant)

  • You do not have to file a written answer; you may file one at any time up to the hearing. If you file none, all facts in the statement of claim are taken as denied and any defense may be offered at the hearing (M.R.S.C.P. 3(b)).
  • Do not ignore the case: go to the hearing on the date in the clerk's Notice of Hearing. If you do not appear, a default judgment may be entered against you (the court's Small Claims page; SC-001, page 2).
  • If you have a claim of your own against the plaintiff, you must file a separate case; ask the clerk to schedule both cases for the same hearing date (A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part B.7).
  • Bring the original and two copies of any documents you want the judge to consider (A Guide to Small Claims Cases (2026), Part B.9).

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.