Bates County, Missouri: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is Bates County Circuit Court - Small Claims Division in Butler. 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. Missouri return time: 30 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $783. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listed	Bates County Circuit Court - Small Claims Division
City	Butler
Statewide filing fee	Current court fee schedule
Small claims limit	$5,000 (statewide small claims only)
State deposit return deadline	30 calendar days after the date of termination of the tenancy. 30 calendar days after the end of the tenancy. Applies when: when carpet-cleaning costs are withheld under a lease clause allowing carpet cleaning charges; landlord must provide a receipt for actual carpet cleaning costs within 30 days of end of tenancy.
Time limit to sue	5 years
Deposit statute	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300

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 (statewide small claims only).

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Details of the return rules

Missouri statutory deadlines
When it applies	Deadline	Starts from
Deposit return	30 days	after the date of termination of the tenancy

Missouri return rule: 30 calendar days. Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: Bates County Circuit 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 Bates County.
The Missouri business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Missouri 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 Bates 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	$500	$500	$1,000	Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim
2	$783	$783	$1,566	Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim
3	$951	$951	$1,902	Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim
4	$987	$987	$1,974	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 Bates County compare with other Missouri counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $783: rank 42 of 115 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 27.7% of households rent in Bates County.

Bates County two-bedroom rent $783, rank 42 of 115 counties

Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
County	Median gross rent
Stone County	$795
Camden County	$789
Bates County	$783
Laclede County	$783
Saline County	$778
Nodaway County	$775

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 115 of 115 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Bates County

Adrian
Amoret
Amsterdam
Butler
Drexel
Foster
Hume
Merwin
Passaic
Rich Hill
Rockville

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 Western Missouri: Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income tenants, including housing law and eviction defense.

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Bates County?

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

Where do I file a deposit claim in Bates County?

Bates County Circuit 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.