Sebastian County, Arkansas: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is Sebastian County District Court - Small Claims Division in Fort Smith. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $5,000. Arkansas return time: 60 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $848. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listed	Sebastian County District Court - Small Claims Division
City	Fort Smith
Statewide filing fee	Current court fee schedule
E-filing	Yes, see filing page
Small claims limit	$5,000
State deposit return deadline	60 calendar days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession by the tenant. Applies when: subchapter applies (see notes: generally landlords with six or more units, or any landlord using paid third-party management; five-or-fewer self-managed individual owners exempt under § 18-16-303). 180 calendar days after from the date the refund payment was mailed. Applies when: letter with payment returned and landlord unable to locate tenant after reasonable effort; payment then becomes landlord property.
Time limit to sue	5 years
Deposit statute	Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-16-303 to 18-16-306

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Details

Limits: $5,000 (District Court small claims division statewide only).

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Details of the return rules

Arkansas statutory deadlines
When it applies	Deadline	Starts from
subchapter applies (see notes: generally landlords with six or more units, or any landlord using paid third-party management; five-or-fewer self-managed individual owners exempt under § 18-16-303)	60 days	after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession by the tenant

Arkansas return rule: 60 calendar days (subchapter applies (see notes: generally landlords with six or more units, or any landlord using paid third-party management; five-or-fewer self-managed individual owners exempt under § 18-16-303)). Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: Sebastian County District Court - Small Claims Division. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.

Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.

Who do you name in the claim?

Find and compare the legal names

Find and compare the legal names in these records:

The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
The owner of record in the property records of Sebastian County.
The Arkansas business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Arkansas Secretary of State (check the link; report an error if it is wrong)

A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.

What to bring to the clerk

Your lease.
Deposit receipt or payment record.
The demand letter and proof of delivery.
Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.

Check the Arkansas filing procedure before you go.

Court forms

Service methods: constable or sheriff.

Procedure source (medium confidence): 2 Filing fee - for initiating a cause of action in the small claims division of district court $50.00 Ark. Code Ann. § 16-17-705 3 Technology fees - For initiating a cause of action in the civil or small claims division of district court $15.00

Is it worth filing here?

Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Sebastian County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms	Deposit owed	Statutory amount	Total illustration	Limit check
1	$601	$1,202	$1,803	Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim
2	$848	$1,696	$2,544	Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim
3	$1,084	$2,168	$3,252	Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim
4	$1,355	$2,710	$4,065	Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.

How does Sebastian County compare with other Arkansas counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $848: rank 5 of 5 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 38.8% of households rent in Sebastian County.

Sebastian County two-bedroom rent $848, rank 5 of 5 counties

Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
County	Median gross rent
Benton County	$1,088
Pulaski County	$1,010
Washington County	$977
Faulkner County	$926
Sebastian County	$848

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 5 of 5 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Sebastian County

Barling
Bonanza
Central City
Fort Smith
Greenwood
Hackett
Hartford
Huntington
Lavaca
Mansfield
Midland

These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file

Free legal help

Legal Aid of Arkansas: free civil legal services for low-income Arkansans, including help with evictions; statewide fair housing helpline at 1-870-338-9834 for housing discrimination

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Sebastian County?

The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page

Where do I file a deposit claim in Sebastian County?

Sebastian County District Court - Small Claims Division is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page

Who should I name in the claim?

Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

What should I bring to the clerk?

Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.