Arizona Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $5,000 (statewide). Court: Arizona Small Claims Court (a division of Justice Court). Limitation period listed in our state data: 3 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 2/15 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 14 days.
County court coverage and fees
15 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 2, No 0, Not verified 13
Deposit return deadlines
- 14 business days after Termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, AND demand by the tenant.
From a letter to court
- Send an Arizona security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 14 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Arizona: 3 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
Listed numeric filing fees: $58.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Varies by county
Statewide filing fee: Small claims filing (Class C initial) $30.00; Small claims service by mail $8.00 (A.R.S. § 22-281; schedule effective December 28, 2024).
How papers are served:
- certified mail by clerk
Service fee: Small claims service by mail $8.00
Attorneys allowed: No
C Initial case filing fee Small claims filing $30.00 G Special fees Small claims service by mail $8.00
Free Arizona template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Arizona law (Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1321), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 14 business days after termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant.
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $5,000 (statewide) |
|---|---|
| Court | Arizona Small Claims Court (a division of Justice Court) |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 3 years |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes; itemized list required regardless of deposit or deduction amount; no dollar threshold in statute |
What you can recover
2x the amount wrongfully withheld, plus recovery of the property/money due, if the landlord fails to comply with the subsection D itemization/return duty (no separate statutory "bad faith" element required - the penalty attaches to noncompliance with the 14-day itemized-list duty itself). Bad faith required: No.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa County | Justice Courts of Maricopa County - Small Claims Division, Phoenix | $5,000 | County filing fee: $58 (complaint + summons filing fee, per court's own page); confirm at filing as this can change | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Pima County | Pima County Consolidated Justice Court - Small Claims Division, Tucson | $5,000 | County filing fee: ~$55-60 (official fee schedule lists $25 statutory + $10 automation + $20 operations = $55; e-filing portal lists $60) | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Pinal County | Pinal County Justice Courts - Small Claims, Florence (county seat; multiple precinct locations incl. Casa Grande, Apache Junction, Eloy, San Tan Valley) | $5,000 | County filing fee: Graduated: $30 for claims up to $1,500; $50 for $1,500-$5,000 | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Yavapai County | Yavapai County Justice Courts - Small Claims, Prescott (county seat; also Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Black Canyon City precincts) | $5,000 | Statewide filing fee: unknown - see court_url fee schedule page | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Mohave County | Mohave County Justice Courts - Small Claims (Under $5,000), Kingman (county seat; also Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City precincts) | $5,000 | County filing fee: Up to ~$40 depending on claim tier per county fee schedule; confirm current amount at mohavecourts.com/filing-fees | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Yuma County | Yuma County Justice Courts - Small Claims, Yuma | $5,000 | Statewide filing fee: unknown - see court_url / azcourthelp.org fee list | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Coconino County | Coconino County Justice Court - Small Claims, Flagstaff | $5,000 | Statewide filing fee: Graduated: $30 (up to $1,500), $50 ($1,500-$5,000), $75 (above $5,000 up to $12,500) | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Cochise County | Cochise County Justice Court - Small Claims, Bisbee (county seat; Sierra Vista is the county's largest city and has its own precinct) | $5,000 | Statewide filing fee: Graduated: $30 (up to $1,500), $50 ($1,500-$5,000), $75 (above $5,000 up to $12,500) | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Navajo County | Navajo County Justice Court - Small Claims, Holbrook (county seat; precincts also in Show Low, Winslow, Snowflake, Kayenta, Pinetop-Lakeside) | $5,000 | Statewide filing fee: unknown - see azcourthelp.org Navajo County fee list | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Apache County | Apache County Justice Court (St. Johns Justice Precinct) - Small Claims, St. Johns (county seat; Chinle is the county's largest community) | $5,000 | Statewide filing fee: unknown - see court_url civil fee schedule | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Gila County | Gila County Justice Courts (Globe Regional / Payson Regional Justice Court) - Small Claims, Globe (county seat; Payson is the county's largest city, separate precinct) | $5,000 | Statewide filing fee: unknown - fees increased July 1, 2025 per Resolution 25-05-01, exact amount not confirmed; see court_url | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Santa Cruz County | Santa Cruz County Justice Court, Precinct No. 1 - Small Claims, Nogales | $5,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: unknown - see court's Filing Fee Chart, call (520) 375-7762 | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Graham County | Graham County Justice Courts - Small Claims, Safford | $5,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| La Paz County | La Paz County Justice Courts - Small Claims, Parker | $5,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Greenlee County | Greenlee County Justice Court - Small Claims, Clifton | $5,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
Detailed guides for 15 counties
Statute says
"A landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, including prepaid rent in an amount or value of more than one and one-half month's rent... Within fourteen days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays or other legal holidays, after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant the landlord shall provide the tenant an itemized list of all deductions together with the amount due and payable to the tenant... If the landlord fails to comply with subsection D of this section, the tenant may recover the property and money due the tenant together with damages in an amount equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld."
What this means
Tenant resources
- Community Legal Services (statewide, incl. Maricopa/Yuma/other counties)legal aid, (602) 258-3434
- Southern Arizona Legal Aid (Tucson/Pima and southern AZ)legal aid, (520) 623-9465
- Tucson Tenants Uniontenant union in Tucson
- Phoenix Tenants Uniontenant union in Phoenix
- Arizona Attorney General - Consumer Information and Complaintsag consumer, (602) 542-5763 (Phoenix) / (520) 628-6648 (Tucson) / (800) 352-8431 (statewide)
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Arizona?
$5,000 (statewide)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 3 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
2x the amount wrongfully withheld, plus recovery of the property/money due, if the landlord fails to comply with the subsection D itemization/return duty (no separate statutory "bad faith" element required - the penalty attaches to noncompliance with the 14-day itemized-list duty itself). Bad faith required: No.
Which court handles the claim?
Arizona Small Claims Court (a division of Justice Court)
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: 14 business days after Termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, AND demand by the tenant. Typical response window after a demand letter: 14 days.