Small Claims Complaint

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PREPARATION GUIDE — NOT THE OFFICIAL COURT FORM

Alabama requires the use of official court form SM-1 (Statement of Claim/Complaint) for small claims
complaints. This template provides the substantive legal content to help you prepare —
but you must transfer your content to the official form before filing. The official form
is available at https://eforms.alacourt.gov/small-claims/.
Do not file this document directly with the court.

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF [COUNTY NAME], ALABAMA

SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

Case No.: ______________________

COMPLAINT (SMALL CLAIMS – MONETARY DAMAGES)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Parties & Service Information
2. Jurisdiction & Venue
3. Factual Allegations
4. Cause(s) of Action
5. Damages Sought
6. Prayer for Relief
7. Verification
8. Certificate of Service
9. Notice of Appeal Rights

1. PARTIES & SERVICE INFORMATION

1.1 Plaintiff.
    a. Legal Name: [PLAINTIFF NAME]
    b. Address: [PLAINTIFF STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP]
    c. Phone / E-Mail: [CONTACT INFORMATION]

1.2 Defendant.
    a. Legal Name: [DEFENDANT NAME]
    b. Address for Service: [DEFENDANT STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP]
    c. Method of Service Requested: [☐ Certified Mail | ☐ Sheriff | ☐ Process Server]

2. JURISDICTION & VENUE

2.1 This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under Ala. Code § 12-12-30 because the amount in controversy is $[CLAIM AMOUNT], which does not exceed $6,000, exclusive of interest and costs.

2.2 Venue is proper in [COUNTY NAME] because the Defendant [resides / has its principal place of business / the transaction occurred] in this county.

3. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

3.1 On or about [DATE], Plaintiff and Defendant entered into [describe transaction—e.g., a written contract for goods, an oral agreement for services, etc.].

3.2 Plaintiff fully performed all obligations, specifically:
    a. [Delivered goods/rendered services];
    b. [Any other performance].

3.3 Defendant failed to [pay the agreed price / reimburse Plaintiff / otherwise perform] despite due demand made on [DATE OF LAST DEMAND].

3.4 As a direct and proximate result, Plaintiff has suffered monetary damages in the principal sum of $[PRINCIPAL DAMAGES], plus prejudgment interest and court costs.

4. CAUSE(S) OF ACTION

COUNT I – Breach of Contract

4.1 Plaintiff incorporates Paragraphs 3.1 through 3.4 as if fully set forth herein.
4.2 A valid and enforceable contract existed between the parties.
4.3 Plaintiff performed; Defendant materially breached by failing to pay.
4.4 Plaintiff is entitled to damages in the amount stated in Section 5.

5. DAMAGES SOUGHT

5.1 Principal Amount: $[PRINCIPAL DAMAGES]
5.2 Accrued Pre-Judgment Interest (if contractually or statutorily allowed): $[INTEREST AMOUNT]
5.3 Court Costs: $[FILING FEE + SERVICE COSTS]
5.4 Total Claim Not to Exceed $6,000 (exclusive of interest and costs).

6. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant for:
a. The principal sum of $[PRINCIPAL DAMAGES];
b. Pre-judgment interest as allowed by law or contract;
c. All court costs herein incurred; and
d. Such further and different relief as the Court deems just and proper.

7. VERIFICATION

I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], being first duly sworn, depose and say that I am the Plaintiff in the foregoing action; that I have read the above Complaint and know the contents thereof; and that the same is true and correct of my own knowledge, except as to those matters stated on information and belief, and as to such matters, I believe them to be true.

    ______________________________
    [PLAINTIFF NAME]

STATE OF ALABAMA )
COUNTY OF ______ )

Subscribed and sworn before me on this ____ day of __________, 20___.

    ______________________________
    Notary Public
    My Commission Expires: __________

8. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Complaint was served on the Defendant at the address stated above by [method of service] on the ____ day of __________, 20___.

    ______________________________
    [PLAINTIFF NAME]

9. NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS

Pursuant to Ala. Code § 12-12-30 and applicable Small Claims Rules, any party may appeal a final judgment of this Court to the Circuit Court for a trial de novo by filing a written notice of appeal and paying the required costs within fourteen (14) days after entry of judgment.