What to bring to small claims court: a printable checklist
Key takeaways
Three copies of every document: one for you, the judge and the other side.
Proof of service matters as much as proof of the debt.
One page with your math: principal, fees your terms allow, interest, costs.
Arrive 30 minutes early, or test the video link the day before.
Loading the checklist. If it does not appear, the list in the sections below covers the same items.
How should I organize my documents?
In the order the story happened. A judge reads fast and follows dates. Put the agreement first, then the work, then the bills, then your attempts to collect.
- The contract, quote or order the customer accepted.
- Proof you did the work: photos, sign-offs, delivery receipts.
- Every invoice, oldest first, with a payment history.
- Reminders, their replies and your demand letter with its delivery receipt.
- Court papers: your filed claim, proof of service and the hearing notice.
- One summary page showing how you reached the total.
Tab each section and make three sets. If you still need the demand letter, the free demand letter builder writes one in a few minutes.
What does the judge want to hear?
Four things: what you agreed, what you delivered, what is unpaid, and what you did to collect. Say each in a sentence or two and hand up the document that proves it. If the customer says the work was poor, answer with the sign-off or the photos, not with frustration.
| Say this | Hand up |
|---|---|
| "We agreed to do the work for $4,000." | Signed quote |
| "We finished on March 3 and they signed off." | Sign-off or photos |
| "They paid nothing on the invoice." | Invoice and payment history |
| "We asked three times and sent a demand letter." | Emails, letter, delivery receipt |
What if they were never served?
Then the hearing usually cannot go ahead against them. Check the court file for the return of service a few days before the date. If it is missing, call the clerk. Our guide on serving small claims papers on a business explains registered agents, and if they were served and skip the hearing, see default judgment in small claims.
Last updated October 2026. Easy Small Claims is not a law firm and this page is general information, not legal advice.
Questions, answered
What should I bring to small claims court?
Bring the contract or quote, every invoice, proof the work was delivered, your reminders and demand letter, proof the other side was served, and the hearing notice. Add a one-page calculation of what you are owed and photo ID. Bring three copies of each document so the judge and the other side get their own.
How do I present my case in small claims court?
Keep it short and in order: what you agreed, what you delivered, what you billed, what they paid, and what you did to collect. Hand up each document as you mention it. Answer the judge's questions directly and let the other side finish before you reply. Two minutes of plain facts beats twenty minutes of story.
Who can appear in small claims court for a business?
It depends on the state and the court. Many courts let an owner, officer or employee appear for a business, and some ask for written authorization. Check your court's self-help page or call the clerk before the hearing date. If you are unsure, our guide on whether you need a lawyer for small claims is a good next read.
What happens if the other side does not show up?
If they were properly served and do not appear, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment. Bring your proof of service and your documents anyway, because the judge may still want to see how you got to the amount. If you are the one who misses the hearing, the case can be dismissed.
A small business owner himself, Nitin has been on the wrong end of an unpaid invoice and knows how easy it is to give up on one. He built Easy Small Claims so owners can get that money back. He is also a practicing barrister.