Oregon Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $10,000 (statewide small claims department only). Court: Small Claims Department of Circuit Court or Justice Court. Limitation period listed in our state data: 6 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 5/36 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 31 days.
County court coverage and fees
36 listed counties ยท E-filing: Yes 5, No 0, Not verified 31
Deposit return deadlines
- 31 calendar days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession to the landlord.
- 31 calendar days after the earliest of waiver of abandoned-property process, removal of the dwelling/home from the space, storage/disposition under ORS 90.425/90.675, or sale under those statutes. security deposit or prepaid rent secures a tenancy for a space for a manufactured dwelling or floating home the tenant owns and occupies, and the dwelling or home is abandoned.
From a letter to court
- Send an Oregon 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 31 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Oregon: 6 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Varies by county
Free Oregon 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 Oregon law (ORS 90.300), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 31 calendar days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession to the landlord.
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) |
|---|---|
| Court | Small Claims Department of Circuit Court or Justice Court |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 6 years |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
What you can recover
tenant may recover twice the amount withheld without a written accounting, or twice the amount withheld in bad faith. Bad faith required: No.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multnomah County | Multnomah County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Portland | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | Statewide filing fee: $57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500 through $10,000 | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Washington County | Washington County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Hillsboro | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | Statewide filing fee: $57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500 through $10,000 | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Clackamas County | Clackamas County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Oregon City | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | Statewide filing fee: $57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500 through $10,000 | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Lane County | Lane County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Eugene | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | Statewide filing fee: $57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500 through $10,000 | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Marion County | Marion County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Salem | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | Statewide filing fee: $57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500 through $10,000 | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Baker County | Baker County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Baker City | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Benton County | Benton County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Corvallis | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Clatsop County | Clatsop County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Astoria | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Columbia County | Columbia County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Saint Helens | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Coos County | Coos County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Coquille | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Crook County | Crook County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Prineville | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Curry County | Curry County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Gold Beach | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Deschutes County | Deschutes County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Bend | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Douglas County | Douglas County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Roseburg | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Gilliam County | Gilliam County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Condon | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Grant County | Grant County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Canyon City | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Harney County | Harney County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Burns | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Hood River County | Hood River County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Hood River | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Jackson County | Jackson County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Medford | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Jefferson County | Jefferson County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Madras | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Josephine County | Josephine County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Grants Pass | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Klamath County | Klamath County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Klamath Falls | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Lake County | Lake County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Lakeview | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Lincoln County | Lincoln County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Newport | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Linn County | Linn County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Albany | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Malheur County | Malheur County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Vale | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Morrow County | Morrow County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Heppner | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Polk County | Polk County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Dallas | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Sherman County | Sherman County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Moro | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Tillamook County | Tillamook County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Tillamook | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Umatilla County | Umatilla County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Pendleton | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Union County | Union County Circuit Court - Small Claims, La Grande | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Wallowa County | Wallowa County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Enterprise | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Wasco County | Wasco County Circuit Court - Small Claims, The Dalles | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Wheeler County | Wheeler County Circuit Court - Small Claims, Fossil | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 |
| Yamhill County | Yamhill County Circuit Court - Small Claims, McMinnville | $10,000 (statewide small claims department only) | 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 36 counties
- Multnomah County
- Washington County
- Clackamas County
- Lane County
- Marion County
- Baker County
- Benton County
- Clatsop County
- Columbia County
- Coos County
- Crook County
- Curry County
- Deschutes County
- Douglas County
- Gilliam County
- Grant County
- Harney County
- Hood River County
- Jackson County
- Jefferson County
- Josephine County
- Klamath County
- Lake County
- Lincoln County
- Linn County
- Malheur County
- Morrow County
- Polk County
- Sherman County
- Tillamook County
- Umatilla County
- Union County
- Wallowa County
- Wasco County
- Wheeler County
- Yamhill County
Statute says
If the landlord fails to comply with subsection (13) of this section or if the landlord in bad faith fails to return all or any portion of any prepaid rent or security deposit due to the tenant under this chapter or the rental agreement, the tenant may recover the money due in an amount equal to twice the amount: (a) Withheld without a written accounting under subsection (12) of this section; or (b) Withheld in bad faith.
What this means
Tenant resources
- Oregon Law Center - get legal helplegal aid
- Legal Aid Services of Oregonlegal aid
- Community Alliance of Tenants - Renters Rights Hotlinehotline in Portland
- Oregon Law Help - getting a security deposit backlegal aid
- Oregon Judicial Department - Small Claims Formscourt self help
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Oregon?
$10,000 (statewide small claims department only)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 6 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
tenant may recover twice the amount withheld without a written accounting, or twice the amount withheld in bad faith. Bad faith required: No.
Which court handles the claim?
Small Claims Department of Circuit Court or Justice Court
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: 31 calendar days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession to the landlord. Typical response window after a demand letter: 31 days.