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Massachusetts Statement of Small Claim and Notice

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STATEMENT OF SMALL CLAIM AND NOTICE

STATEMENT OF SMALL CLAIM
AND NOTICE

DOCKET NO. (For Court Use Only)

Trial Court of Massachusetts
Small Claims Session

Massachusetts Court System Massachusetts Court System
Odyssey File & Serve Ofile

NOTICE TO PLAINTIFF:

You may file your small claim only in the court for the area where either the plaintiff or the defendant lives or has a place of business or employment. A small claim against a landlord arising from the rental of an apartment may also be brought where the apartment is located. You may find it easier to enforce a decision in your favor if you bring your small claim where the defendant lives or works, but you are not required to do so.

COURT DIVISION WHERE THE PLAINTIFF IS FILING THIS CLAIM (Select Only One Court):

PLAINTIFF INFORMATION: The person filing the claim is the plaintiff.

Pltf. Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Phone No.:

PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY (if any)

Atty. Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Phone No.:

BBO NO:

DEFENDANT(S) INFORMATION:

The person or corporation being sued is the defendant. If you are suing a company which is not a corporation, you should name the owner(s) doing business as the named company as the defendant; the names of the owner(s) can be obtained from the City or Town Clerk where the company's offices are located. If you are suing a company which is a corporation, you must have the exact legal name. You can find this information from the Corporate Records Division of the Secretary of State's Office, One Ashburton Place, Room 1712, Boston, MA 02108.

Def. #1 Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Phone No.:

Def. #2 Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Phone No.:

PLAINTIFF'S CLAIM:

Fill in below the amount you are suing for and briefly explain your claim. State your claim clearly so the defendant can understand why he or she is being sued. Give the date of the event that is the basis of your claim. Fill in as "costs" the amount of the filing fee. The Plaintiff claims that the Defendant(s) OWE plus court costs for the following reasons:

SIGNATURE OF PLAINTIFF: X
DATE:

MEDIATION:

Mediation of this claim may be available if both parties agree to discuss the matter with a mediator, who will assist the parties in trying to resolve the dispute on mutually agreed to terms. The plaintiff must notify the court if he or she desires mediation; the defendant may consent to mediation on the trial date. The plaintiff is willing to attempt to settle this claim through mediation:

MILITARY AFFIDAVIT:

The plaintiff states under the pains and penalties of perjury that the:

SIGNATURE OF PLAINTIFF: X
DATE:

INSTRUCTIONS TO PLAINTIFF:

"By E-Filing this form, which includes the military affidavit, you certify that the above information is true and accurate. By completing this form, together with a payment of the filing fee, the form will be sent to the court electronically. If you do not know where to file your Small Claims case visit: www.mass.gov/courthouse-locator. If a claim arises out of plaintiff's trade or commerce, or fo assigned debt, you may be required to complete and file a "Verification of Defendant's Address" form."

Efile: 6/5/2018

www.mass.gov/courts

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What the Massachusetts Statement of Small Claim and Notice Is

The Massachusetts Statement of Small Claim and Notice is the formal court filing used to open a small claims matter in Massachusetts courts. It names the plaintiff and defendant, states the monetary amount requested, summarizes the factual basis for the claim, and provides required contact and service information. Filing the form initiates the clerk’s docketing, triggers service obligations, and schedules a hearing. Where allowed by court rule, electronic submission and electronic signatures are accepted consistent with the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state electronic transaction law.

Why this form matters for low-value disputes

The Statement of Small Claim and Notice streamlines recovery for lower-value disputes by avoiding formal civil pleadings and discovery burdens. It creates a court record, preserves timelines, and enables streamlined hearings and enforcement options appropriate to claim size.

Why this form matters for low-value disputes

Who typically files this notice

Individuals and small organizations commonly use this form to resolve straightforward monetary claims through the small claims process.

  • Tenant-landlord disputes for unpaid rent, security deposit recovery, or property damage claims handled in small claims court.
  • Consumers seeking refunds, repairs, or breach-of-contract recovery that fall within the court's monetary jurisdictional limits.
  • Independent contractors and tradespeople pursuing unpaid invoices for completed work, materials, or services rendered.

Who can sign and file

Individual Claimant

A natural person may file and must sign in their own name; if represented, an authorized agent or attorney may file on the claimant's behalf subject to local court rules and proof of authorization.

Business Claimant

A business may file through a named officer, manager, or authorized agent; corporate or LLC filings typically require the signer to identify their title and the entity name exactly as registered.

Essential parts you’ll find on the form

A complete Massachusetts Statement of Small Claim and Notice includes specific data and procedural items required by the clerk to process the case and notify the defendant.

Party Identification

Full legal names and accurate contact information for plaintiff and defendant are required; mismatched or incomplete names can complicate service and jurisdiction and may lead to dismissal.

Claim Amount

State the precise monetary amount demanded, including any statutory interest or fees if separately permitted; characterizing sums as estimates can create issues at judgment or enforcement.

Basis of Claim

Provide a concise factual statement explaining why the amount is owed, including dates, contract references, and material acts or omissions that give rise to the claim.

Service Details

Indicate how the defendant will be served (sheriff, constable, certified mail, or other method permitted by local rules) and include any addresses appropriate for service attempts.

Hearing Notice

The form typically triggers the court to schedule a hearing or direct the clerk to issue a notice; include any availability constraints only if the court form allows space for them.

Signature Block

The plaintiff or authorized filer must sign and date; include printed name, relationship to the party, and contact details; electronic signatures are acceptable where court rules allow.

Step-by-step: filling and filing the notice

Follow these steps in order to prepare and submit a clean, processable small claims filing in Massachusetts.

  • 01
    Prepare: Gather contracts, invoices, photos, and contact information before starting the form.
  • 02
    Complete: Enter accurate party details, a clear claim description, and the exact amount sought.
  • 03
    File: Submit to the appropriate county clerk either in person, by mail, or electronically if allowed.
  • 04
    Serve: Arrange for service by an authorized server, sheriff, or permitted alternative and file proof of service.

Configuring an online filing or e-submission workflow

If you use an electronic workflow, configure fields and notifications to match court requirements and service steps.

Field Configuration
Case Type Selection Choose 'Small Claim' and select the correct county or division.
Amount Field Use a numeric currency field with validation and no commas.
Attachment Handling Allow PDF attachments and set size limits to meet court electronic filing rules.
Service Tracking Enable upload and storage of proof-of-service documents with timestamps.

Where to file and how the notice is routed

After filing, the clerk processes the claim, schedules any hearing, and provides instructions for service and proof.

  • File with Clerk: Submit the completed statement to the county or district clerk for the jurisdiction where the defendant resides.
  • Clerk Review: The clerk checks for completeness, assigns a case number, and issues a hearing date or next steps.
  • Service to Defendant: Serve the defendant by an allowed method and file a proof of service with the clerk.
  • Hearing and Judgment: Appear at the scheduled hearing or follow court procedures for default judgment if proper service was completed.

Digital signing and technical requirements

Electronic submission requires compliance with court e-filing rules, valid e-signatures, and accepted file formats.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX are commonly accepted by e-filing systems.
  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, or MFA are typical signer verification options.
  • Integrations: Platforms often integrate with courts, cloud storage, and case management systems.

Key timing considerations to keep on your calendar

Several time limits affect filing, service, and enforcement; track these dates carefully to preserve your claim.

Filing Window:

File promptly after dispute arises; statute of limitations varies by cause of action.

Service Deadline:

Serve the defendant within the time the court requires after filing to avoid dismissal.

Hearing Date:

Note the scheduled hearing and any deadlines for submitting evidence or witness lists.

Proof of Service:

File proof of service promptly after the defendant is served to confirm jurisdiction.

Post-Judgment:

Enforcement deadlines and appeals timelines differ; verify local rules for judgment collection.

Milestones from filing to judgment

A typical case follows a short sequence of procedural milestones from filing through resolution.

01

Prepare and File

Complete the statement, gather evidence, and submit to the correct clerk's office.

02

Service of Process

Deliver notice to the defendant using an approved service method and document the attempt.

03

Court Hearing

Attend the hearing or follow instructions for default proceedings if the defendant does not appear.

04

Judgment and Enforcement

If successful, obtain judgment entry and pursue available enforcement mechanisms under law.

Common eSignature pricing and capability comparison

E-signature platforms vary by pricing model, available enterprise features, and compliance support; signNow appears first for comparison consistency.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Security and compliance considerations for electronic copies

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP addresses, action log
HIPAA BAA: BAA required for PHI handling
Legal Basis: ESIGN Act and UETA recognized
File Types: PDF and DOCX supported
Access Control: Role-based permissions and MFA

Consequences of incomplete or incorrect filings

Improper Service: Case dismissal risk
Wrong Jurisdiction: Transfer or dismissal possible
Missing Documents: Delays and rejected filings
Incorrect Amount: Judgment may be limited
Late Filing: Statute of limitations loss
Unauthorized Signature: Invalidation or default risk

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

  • Using abbreviated party names or nicknames that do not match government or business records can prevent proper service and delay case processing.
  • Failing to attach or organize supporting documentation such as invoices, receipts, or contracts increases the chance the court will view the claim as speculative or unsupported.
  • Attempting to serve the defendant using an unapproved method or at an incorrect address frequently leads to dismissal for insufficient service of process.
  • Rounding or guessing the claim amount rather than stating the exact dollar amount causes enforceability and collection complications later.

Practical filing examples

Two common scenarios illustrate how claim narratives and exhibits are assembled for small claims filings.

Landlord–Tenant Example

A landlord files for unpaid rent and cleaning costs with dated invoices and move-out photos to support damages.

  • Claim supported by lease and invoice totals.
  • The landlord attaches lease excerpts, itemized charges, photos, and a signed move-out condition report to substantiate the requested amount at hearing.

Contractor Example

A tradesperson files to recover an outstanding invoice after delivering materials and completing work.

  • Include signed contract and change orders.
  • The claimant attaches the original signed contract, delivery receipts, photographs of completed work, and a dated invoice showing amounts and attempts to collect before filing.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Follow these best practices to reduce rejection risk and speed resolution.

Verify Names and Addresses
Confirm the defendant’s legal name and a serviceable address through official records or recent correspondence to ensure successful personal or certified-mail service attempts.
Organize Evidence Clearly
Number exhibits, include a table of contents, and attach only relevant documentation; courts prefer concise, clearly labeled evidence bundles for quick review.
Keep Copies and Proofs
Retain duplicates of the filed form, attachments, and proof-of-service documents in both paper and searchable electronic formats for enforcement and appeals.
Confirm Local Procedures
Local clerks may have unique filing fees, cover sheets, or electronic submission rules—confirm procedures before investing time in a full filing packet.

Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting

Answers to common procedural and technical questions about using the Massachusetts Statement of Small Claim and Notice.


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