Small Claims

The 47th District Court will be implementing mandatory E-Filing on all civil case types beginning November 13, 2025. MiFILE resources are available on the State Court Administrative Office website at: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/mifile-systems/mifile-resources/

What is Small Claims

Small Claims is a dispute resolution option in the district court for resolving disputes involving small amounts of money (see the chart below for amount limits and filing fees). The Small Claims process is designed to expedite the resolution of the dispute. To proceed under Small Claims rules, the parties must waive the right to a jury trial, the right to attorney representation, and the right to appeal beyond district court.

The information below has been prepared by the 47th District Court as a general overview of the Small Claims process. It is not intended to take the place of professional legal advice.

The proper court in which to file a Small Claims action is the court where the other party lives, does business or where incident occurred.

To file, make sure you are bringing the claim against the proper party and you have the defendant’s proper name and address. You must have the correct address for the service of the claim.

 

Small Claims Filing Fees

 

Amount of Claim                       Filing Fee

Up to $600                                       $30.00

$601 - $1,750                                $50.00

$1,750.01 - $7,000                    $70.00

 

 

Service Upon the Defendant

 

Certified mailing (must be done by the court):

$20 fee if you are suing an individual

$12 fee if you are suing a business

 

**You will need to complete an affidavit and claim for small claims DC 84 and have your signature notarized before e-filing your case. **

 

** After you e-file your case (click here for e-file procedures) and receive an official case number, the certified mail fee must be paid at the court or on the court website here **

 

Process Server Information

If you decide to use a process server, you are responsible for arranging the service of your paperwork upon the defendant.  You must contact the court for a hearing date prior to arranging service with the court officer.  The 47th District Court bonded court officers can be found here and are also listed below:

 

Walter D. Johnson

Johnson Process Service

2278 Rosewood Ct.

Flushing, Michigan 48433

(810) 423-3756

 

Aaron Johnson

15139 Roach Dr.

Linden, Michigan 48451

(810) 845-1846

 

Bradley Tippett

Tippett Processing, LLC

1420 E. Mason St.

Dansville, Michigan 48819

(810) 515-4242

 

Leonard Rancilio, Sr.

Rancilio & Associates

15655 E. Eleven Mile Rd.

Roseville, Michigan 48066

(586) 792-3810

 

Scott L. Hope

Allen-Hope & Associates

4020 Somers Dr.

Burton, Michigan 48529

(810) 239-7788

 

Removal to General Civil

Either party may request to have a Small Claims case changed to General Civil by completing and filing the “Demand and Order for Removal” form (DC 86).  There is no fee for moving a Small Claims case to General Civil.