Small Claims Fee Limit in South Dakota

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Published July 14, 2026 • By DocketMath Team

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Quoted from the source law itself. Not legal advice; confirm how it applies to your matter.

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South Dakota small-claims-fee-limit: max claim amount is 12000.

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Authority and key facts

Citation: S.D. Codified Laws § 15-39-45.1 (Small Claims Procedure — Jurisdictional amount of claim)

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Verified April 26, 2026

  • Max Claim Amount: 12000

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Small Claims Fee Limit in South Dakota

South Dakota’s small claims court limit is $12,000, meaning a claim cannot exceed that amount to be filed in small claims. This jurisdictional cap is set by S.D. Codified Laws § 15-39-45.1, which governs the maximum dollar amount a party may seek in a small claims action. Any claim above $12,000 must be brought in a higher court. The statute provides the exact rule and any exceptions, which are detailed in the official source. The worked example below illustrates how the cap applies to a specific claim. Use the calculator to estimate whether your own claim falls within this limit.

Governing authority

In South Dakota, the small claims fee limit rule is set by S.D. Codified Laws § 15-39-45.1 (Small Claims Procedure — Jurisdictional amount of claim). The verified packet cites S.D. Codified Laws § 15-39-45.1 (Small Claims Procedure — Jurisdictional amount of claim) (https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-39-45.1).

South Dakota small claims fee limit: the verified value is $12,000 under S.D. Codified Laws § 15-39-45.1 (Small Claims Procedure — Jurisdictional amount of claim). The verified packet cites S.D. Codified Laws § 15-39-45.1 (Small Claims Procedure — Jurisdictional amount of claim) (https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/15-39-45.1).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the small claims fee limit calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.