Form to File Claim

Form

Please check the Court’s website to make sure that the form you use is up to date, available here.

How to File Your Claim

  • Download the Ithaca City Court Small Claims/Commercial Claims Application, or pick one up at the Clerk's Office

  • Your name, address, phone, and email

  • Their correct legal name and an address within Tompkins County. No P.O. Boxes for either party

  • Briefly explain what happened, when, and the dollar amount you're owed. Do not include the filing fee in that amount

  • $15 (claims up to $1,000) or $20 ($1,001–$5,000). Call ahead to ask about accepted payment methods; many courts don't take personal checks or credit cards.

  • File with the Clerk’s Office at Ithaca’s City Court of Small Claims/Commercial Claims. Located at 118 E. Clinton Street, Ithaca, NY

  • The Clerk sets a date at least 30 days out and mails a Summons with the hearing date to both sides

Reminder: Do not bring exhibits/evidence to the Clerk when filing. Save your evidence for the hearing.

Serving the Defendant

    • You don't personally serve the defendant—the Court Clerk mails the notice for you. Service is often included with the filing fee.

    • The Clerk sends two copies: one by regular first-class mail, one by certified mail.

    • If the regular-mail copy is not returned as undeliverable within 21 days (30 days for consumer transaction cases), the defendant is considered served — even if the certified copy was never picked up.

    • If both copies come back undeliverable, the Clerk will tell you how to arrange personal service (a process server, sheriff, or anyone 18+ who isn't involved in the case).

    • Deadline: if the defendant still isn't served within 4 months of filing, the case is dismissed. You can start a new case later once you find them.

    • Important: there is no trial if the defendant was never served.