Rule 15.010.Small Claims Forms

Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 12, 2026

In one sentenceUTCR 15.010 requires every judicial district that accepts small claims filings to accept the standard small claims documents, when the proper fee is tendered, as long as each substantially follows the corresponding form published on the Oregon Judicial Department website.

Full Text of Rule 15.010

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(1) The following small claims documents shall be accepted, when the proper fee is tendered, by all judicial districts that accept small claims filings:

(a) Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim substantially in the form of the corresponding document made available to the public on www.courts.oregon.gov/forms, to commence a small claims action pursuant to ORS 46.425 and 46.445 or ORS 30.642 to 30.650. In an action by an inmate, the inmate must include the inmate’s identification number in the caption.

(b) Motion for Default Judgment and Defendant Status Declaration substantially in the form of the corresponding document made available to the public on www.courts.oregon.gov/forms, to request a default judgment pursuant to ORS 46.475(2).

(c) Declaration of Noncompliance and Request for Judgment substantially in the form of the corresponding document made available to the public on www.courts.oregon.gov/forms, to request a judgment for failure to comply with a Small Claims Agreement.

(d) Small Claims Judgment and Money Award substantially in the form of the corresponding document made available to the public on www.courts.oregon.gov/forms, as a form for use to enter judgment in a small claims action under ORS 46.475(2), 46.485, and 46.488.

(e) Defendant’s Response substantially in the form of the corresponding document made available to the public on www.courts.oregon.gov/forms, as a form for use to respond to a claim and notice of claim in a small claims action pursuant to ORS 46.455.

(f) Small Claims Agreement substantially in the form of the corresponding document made available to the public on www.courts.oregon.gov/forms, as a form for use when the parties agree to resolve a small claims action.

(2) Forms in these formats may be made mandatory by Supplementary Local Rule (SLR). SLR 15.011 is reserved for making such formats mandatory in the judicial district.

End

Plain-English Summary

Small claims practice runs on forms, and this rule makes the core set portable across the state. A judicial district that accepts small claims filings must accept each listed document when the filer tenders the proper fee, so long as the document is substantially in the form of the corresponding one made available to the public on www.courts.oregon.gov/forms. No district gets to demand a homegrown version of the same paper.

The list tracks a case from beginning to end. The Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim commences the action. The Defendant's Response answers it. The Small Claims Agreement records a resolution the parties reach, and the Declaration of Noncompliance and Request for Judgment is what a party files when the other side does not honor that agreement. The Motion for Default Judgment and Defendant Status Declaration covers a defendant who never responds, and the Small Claims Judgment and Money Award is the judgment form itself.

One extra requirement applies to filings by people in custody. In an action brought by an inmate, the inmate must include the inmate's identification number in the caption.

Substantially in the form is the statewide floor, and a district can raise it. A Supplementary Local Rule can make these formats mandatory, and SLR 15.011 is reserved for a district that chooses to do so. Check the local rules before assuming a close-enough document will clear the counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a court refuse my small claims paperwork?

Not if the document is substantially in the form of the corresponding published form and you tender the proper fee. Every judicial district that accepts small claims filings must accept the listed documents on those terms. A district can, however, make the formats mandatory by Supplementary Local Rule.

Where do I get the Oregon small claims forms?

They are made available to the public on the Oregon Judicial Department forms page at www.courts.oregon.gov/forms. The rule measures what a court must accept against those published documents.

Which form do I use when the defendant never responds?

The Motion for Default Judgment and Defendant Status Declaration. It is the form the rule identifies for requesting a default judgment in a small claims action.

What do I file if the other side breaks our small claims agreement?

The Declaration of Noncompliance and Request for Judgment. The rule lists it as the form for requesting a judgment based on a failure to comply with a Small Claims Agreement.

Is there anything extra required for a small claims case filed by an inmate?

Yes. In an action by an inmate, the inmate must include the inmate's identification number in the caption of the Small Claim and Notice of Small Claim.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Oregon Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR 15.010). Prescribed by the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court (UTCR 1.020). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 12, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: Oregon small claims formssmall claims judgment and money awarddefendant's response small claims Oregonsmall claims agreement formmotion for default judgment small claimsUTCR 15.010