Twin Falls County, Idaho: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is Fifth Judicial District Magistrate Division - Small Claims in Twin Falls. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: $69. Claims up to $15,000. Idaho return time: 21 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $955. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listedFifth Judicial District Magistrate Division - Small Claims
CityTwin Falls
Address427 Shoshone Street North, Twin Falls, ID 83303-0126
Phone(208) 736-4004
Statewide filing fee$69.
E-filingYes, see filing page
Small claims limit$15,000
State deposit return deadline
  • 21 calendar days after surrender of the premises by the tenant. Applies when: default when no return time is fixed by agreement.
  • 30 calendar days after surrender of the premises by the tenant. Applies when: outer maximum; agreement may set a time other than 21 days but may not exceed 30 days.
  • 3 business days after landlord receives tenant's written three-day demand under § 6-320. Applies when: pre-suit cure: tenant must give 3 days written notice listing the failure (return of security deposit) and demand performance before filing under § 6-320; Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded from the 3-day count per practice guides.
Time limit to sue5 years
Deposit statuteIdaho Code §§ 6-321, 6-320

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 (Magistrate Division small claims; $5,000 limit (Idaho Code 1-2301) only).

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Details of the return rules
Idaho statutory deadlines
When it appliesDeadlineStarts from
My lease doesn't say how long the landlord has to return the deposit21 daysafter surrender of the premises by the tenant
My lease sets its own return time (the law caps it at 30 days)30 daysafter surrender of the premises by the tenant

Idaho return rule: 21 calendar days (default when no return time is fixed by agreement). Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: Fifth Judicial District Magistrate Division - Small Claims. 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:

  1. The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
  2. The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
  3. The owner of record in the property records of Twin Falls County.
  4. The Idaho business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Idaho Secretary of State

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.

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 Twin Falls County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.

BedroomsDeposit owedStatutory amountTotal illustrationLimit check
1$669Formula requires case factsCheck the formulaCheck the applicable limit and remedy
2$955Formula requires case factsCheck the formulaCheck the applicable limit and remedy
3$1,197Formula requires case factsCheck the formulaCheck the applicable limit and remedy
4$1,584Formula requires case factsCheck the formulaCheck the applicable limit and remedy

At 1 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $69 is about 10% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.

At 2 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $69 is about 7% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.

At 3 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $69 is about 6% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.

At 4 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $69 is about 4% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.

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 Twin Falls County compare with other Idaho counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $955: rank 12 of 43 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 30.4% of households rent in Twin Falls County.

Twin Falls County two-bedroom rent $955, rank 12 of 43 counties
Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
CountyMedian gross rent
Valley County$983
Bonneville County$979
Twin Falls County$955
Madison County$942
Jefferson County$922
Shoshone County$911

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 43 of 44 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Twin Falls County

  • Buhl
  • Castleford
  • Filer
  • Hansen
  • Hollister
  • Kimberly
  • Murtaugh
  • Twin Falls

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

  • Idaho Legal Aid Services: free civil legal help for eligible Idaho tenants through a Housing Legal Advice Line covering evictions, repairs, security deposits, and housing discrimination
  • Idaho Housing and Finance Association: HUD-approved housing counseling for renters, including rent advice, lease-agreement help, utility solutions, and referrals to Idaho Legal Aid for landlord-tenant issues
  • NeighborWorks Boise: HUD-approved housing counseling including rental housing counseling and rental workshops, plus financial coaching with HUD-certified counselors

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Twin Falls County?

Statewide filing fee: $69..

Where do I file a deposit claim in Twin Falls County?

Fifth Judicial District Magistrate Division - Small Claims 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.

What's next?