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Created May 2026 · Reviewed and verified October 2026 Nassau County, NY District Court

Nassau County, NY Small Claims Court (2026)

Sue for up to $5,000 at Nassau County District Court — no attorney required. Court address in Hempstead, one of the lowest filing fees in New York, and step-by-step guide.

$5,000
Claim limit
$15-$20
Filing fee (all-in)
30-60 days
Hearing wait
6 yrs
Written contract SOL
LegalCostCalculator Editorial Team Data sourced from official government websites  ·  Created  ·  Reviewed and verified

Not legal advice. Court fees and procedures are sourced from the Nassau County District Court and New York State statutes (UDCA § 1801 et seq.; CPLR). Verify current hearing schedules and fees at nycourts.gov before filing. See our data methodology

Nassau County District Court — Small Claims Part (First District)

Address (Main)

99 Main St.
Hempstead, NY 11550

Contact & Hours

Phone: (516) 493-3300
Mon—Fri: 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Closed court holidays

Filing Fee

Claims ≤$1,000: $15
Claims >$1,000: $20
Service included — no extra fee

Service of Process

Court clerk mails summons to defendant
(certified mail + first-class mail)
Included in filing fee — no separate cost

Nassau County District Court — Small Claims (nycourts.gov)
Nassau County small claims: day or night sessions, court serves the defendant for you

Like NYC Small Claims Court, Nassau County District Court mails the summons to the defendant after you file — there's no process server cost. Like NYC, you can ask for a day or night session. The court is in Hempstead, Long Island, not Manhattan. If the defendant lives in Nassau County but you live in a different borough or county, you still file in Nassau.

How to File Small Claims in Nassau County, NY

1
Confirm your claim qualifies and the correct district
Nassau County District Court small claims handle money disputes up to $5,000. The defendant must have a Nassau County street address. Call the Small Claims Department at (516) 493-4125 with questions before going.
2
Go to 99 Main St., Hempstead during filing hours
Visit or mail your claim to the Small Claims Department, Nassau County District Court, 99 Main St., Hempstead, NY 11550. If you file by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Bring the defendant's full legal name and address. For businesses, bring the exact registered entity name from the NY Department of State (dos.ny.gov).
3
Pay the filing fee ($15 or $20)
Pay $15 if your claim is $1,000 or less; $20 if it's over $1,000. The court clerk mails the summons to the defendant by certified mail and first-class mail at no extra charge. No process server required.
4
Wait for your hearing notice
The court will mail you a notice with your hearing date, typically 30-60 days from filing. Mark the date and plan to arrive early for security.
5
Prepare your evidence
Three copies of all supporting documents: contracts, texts, invoices, photos, bank records. Organize your presentation to be clear in 5-10 minutes: what was agreed, what happened, and the specific dollar amount you're claiming.
6
Attend your hearing in Hempstead
Arrive at 99 Main St. 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Bring your case documents, claim notice, and a photo ID. When called, state your name and case number. If you reach a settlement before the session, the clerk can enter it as a consent judgment.

New York Statute of Limitations

Claim Type Time Limit NY Law
Written contracts6 yearsCPLR § 213(2)
Oral contracts6 yearsCPLR § 213(1)
Property damage3 yearsCPLR § 214(4)
Personal injury3 yearsCPLR § 214(5)
Security deposits6 yearsGOL § 7-108

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the small claims limit in Nassau County, NY?
The small claims limit in Nassau County, NY is $5,000 — the cap for the Nassau and Suffolk district courts under the Uniform District Court Act (UDCA) § 1801 (New York City's limit is $10,000). Claims above $5,000 must go to the District Court's regular civil part or to Supreme Court, where attorney representation is strongly recommended.
Where do I file small claims in Nassau County?
File at the Nassau County District Court — Small Claims Part, located at 99 Main St., Hempstead, NY 11550. The clerk's office handles small claims filing Mon—Fri, 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Phone: (516) 493-3300. Nassau County also has branch courthouses in First District (Hempstead), Third District (Mineola), and Fourth District (Long Beach) — file in the district where the defendant lives or the dispute occurred.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Nassau County?
Nassau County District Court small claims filing fees: $15 for claims up to $1,000 and $20 for claims over $1,000. The court mails the notice of claim to the defendant, so there is no separate process server fee for first service. If you file by mail, pay by money order, certified bank check or attorney check (no personal or business checks). Source: Nassau District Court small claims instructions (rev. February 2023), verified October 2026.
Is Nassau County small claims court different from NYC small claims?
Yes — Nassau County uses the Nassau County District Court under the Uniform District Court Act (UDCA), which is a separate court system from NYC's Civil Court. Key differences: when you file you choose a day or night session, the court is in Hempstead on Long Island (not Manhattan), and procedures fall under the UDCA rather than the NYC Civil Court Act. The filing fees are the same ($15 and $20), but the claim limit is lower: $5,000 in Nassau versus $10,000 in NYC.
How long does a small claims case take in Nassau County?
Nassau County small claims cases are typically scheduled 30-60 days after filing. You'll receive your hearing date at the time of filing. When you file, mark on top of the claim form whether you want day or night court.
Can a business sue in Nassau County small claims court?
Only in its own track. Sole proprietors sue in small claims like any individual, but a corporation, partnership or association cannot (UDCA § 1809). If it has its principal office in New York, it files a commercial claim instead, capped at the same $5,000 (UDCA § 1801-A), with a limit of five commercial claims per month statewide. For larger or contested business disputes, consider the District Court's regular civil part.
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