Small Claims Court helps individuals or corporations resolve disputes when the amount of the claim is $5,000 or less. All defendants must have an address in New York City.

Learn about the types of cases handled by Small Claims Court.

Get Small Claims Court information, including locations and hours of operation.

Judgment Collection and Orders of Seizure

If you were awarded a judgment by NYC Small Claims Court, but have not been paid after 30 days, you can ask the Department of Finance (DOF) Sheriff’s Office to help collect the funds that are owed to you. The Sheriff can also carry out Orders of Seizure to collect funds or property.

When judgments are "executed" by the Sheriff, the defendant will be charged additional fees and must pay them along with the original debt.

The Sheriff will not collect judgments from a Small Claims Court outside New York City unless it was docketed in the New York State Supreme Court.

Learn more about the DOF Sheriff's Office.