The small claims writ and notice of suit shall be on a form prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator. The plaintiff, or representative, shall state the nature and amount of the claim on the writ in concise, untechnical form and, if the claim seeks collection of a consumer debt, shall state the basis upon which the plaintiff claims that the statute of limitations has not expired. The writ is to be signed by either the plaintiff, or representative, under oath. The oath shall provide that the signer has read the claim, and that to the best of the signer’s knowledge, information and belief there is good ground to support it. If the claim is more than a convenient length for entry on the writ in full, the plaintiff, or representative, shall attach additional pages as needed. The plaintiff, or representative, shall also state on the writ the plaintiff’s and the defendant’s place of residence or other address. At the time of filing any writ, the plaintiff, or attorney shall verify the defendant’s address. Such verification shall include confirmation by at least one of the following methods made during the six months prior to the filing of the writ: (1) municipal record verification (e.g., from a street list or tax records); (2) verification from the Department of Motor Vehicles; (3) receipt of correspondence from the defendant with that return address; (4) other verification, specifically described by the plaintiff, from the defendant that the address is current; (5) the mailing by first class mail, at least four weeks prior to the filing of the small claims action, of a letter to the defendant at such address, which letter has not been returned by the United States Postal Service. The plaintiff shall state under oath in the writ which method of verification was employed within the last six months, the date of verification, and that the method confirmed the accuracy of the address submitted. No default judgment shall enter in the absence of such verification or if it is apparent that the defendant did not reside at the address at the time of service.
Section 24-9.—Preparation of Writ
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentencePractice Book Section 24-9 governs how a small claims writ and notice of suit must be prepared, including the claim description, an oath, addresses for both parties, and mandatory verification of the defendant's address before filing.
Full Text of Section 24-9
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 557.) (Amended June 26, 2000, to take effect Jan. 1, 2001; amended June 21, 2010, to take effect Jan. 1, 2011.)
Plain-English Summary
The small claims writ and notice of suit must be on the form prescribed by the Office of the Chief Court Administrator. The plaintiff or representative states the nature and amount of the claim in concise, untechnical language and, for a claim seeking collection of a consumer debt, must state the basis for believing the statute of limitations has not expired. The writ must be signed under oath by the plaintiff or representative, swearing that the signer has read the claim and believes, to the best of the signer's knowledge, information, and belief, that there is good ground to support it. If the claim needs more room than the form allows, the plaintiff or representative attaches additional pages. The writ must also state the plaintiff's and defendant's place of residence or other address.
At filing, the plaintiff or attorney must verify the defendant's address using at least one of five listed methods completed within the six months before filing: municipal record verification, Department of Motor Vehicles verification, correspondence received from the defendant at that address, other specifically described verification from the defendant confirming the address is current, or a first-class letter mailed to the defendant at least four weeks before filing that was not returned by the Postal Service. The plaintiff must state under oath which method was used, the date of verification, and that it confirmed the address. No default judgment can enter without this verification, or if it is apparent the defendant did not live at that address when served.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information goes on a small claims writ in Connecticut?
Section 24-9 requires the nature and amount of the claim in concise, untechnical language, both parties' addresses, and the plaintiff's or representative's signature under oath affirming there is good ground to support the claim.
How do I verify a defendant's address for a small claims case?
Section 24-9 lists five acceptable verification methods completed within six months of filing: municipal records, Department of Motor Vehicles records, correspondence from the defendant, other specific confirmation from the defendant, or an unreturned first-class letter mailed at least four weeks before filing.
What happens if I don't verify the defendant's address?
Section 24-9 states that no default judgment can enter without address verification, or if it is apparent the defendant did not live at that address at the time of service.
Do I have to explain the statute of limitations on a consumer debt claim?
Yes. Section 24-9 requires a plaintiff collecting a consumer debt to state the basis for believing the statute of limitations has not expired.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 24-9). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: how to fill out a small claims writ CTsmall claims address verification requirementsmall claims consumer debt statute of limitationssmall claims default judgment addresspreparing a small claims writ Connecticut