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Money disputes up to $5,000 are settled in the Orange County small-claims court, which runs on simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
This page sets out the ceiling on claims, what the court charges, the courthouse that covers Orange County, how notice reaches the other party, the time limits, and the filing steps. Squabble can prepare and lodge the paperwork when you decide to go ahead.
Orange County hears small claims at several hub courthouses. The right one depends on where the defendant lives or where your dispute happened. The court matches your ZIP code to a courthouse.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Unsure where to file? The court publishes a locator that turns a ZIP code into a courthouse, and Squabble handles that step for you. Coverage is updated periodically, so verify before filing.
2 courthouses serve Orange County, Newburgh City Court among them. Orange County covers 57 ZIP codes, including the Arden, Bellvale and Blooming Grove areas.
You can open a small claims case here online, without travelling to the courthouse to hand the papers in.
The small claims list is heard in person, at the courthouse itself.
Evidence is copied for the judge and for the opposing side; electronic submission ahead of time is accepted at some courts.
Orange County, New York, has a population of 411,767 and handles small claims through its City, Town and Village Courts, where the claim limit is $5,000. Two of the county's courthouses are Newburgh City Court, located at 300 Broadway in Newburgh, 12550, and Middletown City Court, located at 2 James Street in Middletown, 10940. Newburgh City Court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and is closed Saturday and Sunday, and can be reached at (845) 483-8100. Middletown City Court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM and is closed Saturday and Sunday, and can be reached at (845) 476-3630. The county includes communities such as Goshen, Chester, Monroe, Cornwall, Montgomery, Harriman, and Highland Falls, along with ZIP codes including 10924, 10918, 10950, and 10930. Electronic filing is available. Orange County lies near Rockland County, Sullivan County, and Putnam County. Court information is also posted at nycourts.gov for both the Newburgh and Middletown locations.
More than one location takes small claims here. The court matches a case to a location by address.
Orange County covers these 50 towns and cities:
Arden, Bellvale, Blooming Grove, Bullville, Campbell Hall, Central Valley, Chester, Circleville, Cornwall, Cornwall On Hudson, Cuddebackville, Florida, Fort Montgomery, Goshen, Greenwood Lake, Harriman, Highland Falls, Highland Mills, Howells, Huguenot, Johnson, Maybrook, Middletown, Monroe, Montgomery, Mountainville, New Hampton, New Milford, New Windsor, Newburgh, Otisville, Pine Island, Port Jervis, Rock Tavern, Salisbury Mills, Slate Hill, Southfields, Sparrow Bush, Sterling Forest, Sugar Loaf, Thompson Ridge, Tuxedo Park, Unionville, Vails Gate, Walden, Warwick, Washingtonville, West Point, Westbrookville, Westtown.
Orange County is the 12th most populous of New York's 62 counties, with about 411,767 residents. Newburgh City Court in Newburgh lies around 12 miles from the Rockland County courthouse in New City and 17 miles from the Sullivan County courthouse in South Fallsburg.
If the other side lives just over the county line, the case may belong next door:
This is the part of the court built for ordinary money arguments. The procedure is stripped back, and there is a ceiling on the amount at stake.
Maximum claim
Where the dispute arose does not set venue in this state; where they live does.
One dispute cannot be broken into several cases to slip under the cap.
The court decides who pays whom and how much. Anything beyond money goes to a higher court.
An attorney may appear at the hearing in New York, though nobody has to have one. The process assumes you will speak for yourself.
A claim involving a minor is brought by a court-appointed guardian.
Over the limit? You can lower your claim to fit and stay in small claims, or file the full amount in regular civil court. Lowering usually means giving up the excess, so weigh it carefully.
Orange County is under the same limits as nearby Rockland County and Sullivan County. These are the limits for Orange County, population about 411,767.
This court handles money claims to a ceiling of $5,000. Below are the kinds of case filed most often.
Orange County takes in Arden, Bellvale and Blooming Grove and the rest of the county. Orange County has about 411,767 residents.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Fill in the claim, pick the courthouse that covers the dispute, and pay what the court charges.
Papers are delivered to the defendant, who may answer them or settle the matter first.
The hearing itself is short and informal. Some courts allow video. The ruling comes then or later in writing.
Newburgh City Court lists (845) 483-8100 as its number. Newburgh City Court publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page.
Filing is only half of it. The defendant has to receive formal notice, a step called service of process, and in most cases you cannot hand over the papers yourself. personal delivery by an approved server, the sheriff or constable, delivery arranged by the court, email service where the court allows it or certified mail is what courts in New York normally accept.
Courts accept service by a sheriff or constable, a professional server, the clerk via certified mail, or an adult who is not party to the case. Permitted methods and charges change by county.
Every court fixes a minimum number of days between service and the hearing. The clerk will tell you what it is for your case. Service 8 days before hearing. Court handles Proof of service since they do service.
Whoever serves the papers completes a proof of service, which is filed with the court before the hearing.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
Rockland County and Sullivan County are the counties nearest to Orange County. Addresses in Orange County include places such as Arden, Bellvale and Blooming Grove.
There is a cut-off for bringing a case, counted from when the dispute began. Miss it and the claim can be barred entirely.
| Kind of claim | Filing deadline |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral contract | 6 years |
| Property damage | 3 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years |
The same periods apply in Orange County as in nearby Rockland County and Sullivan County, which are in the same state. They do not change from one Orange County ZIP code to another, 10910 included.
Money owed under a contract in New York generally accrues interest at 9% per year before judgment (N.Y. CPLR §5001-5004).
A running total including interest can be worked out with the Squabble interest calculator.
Orange County is under the same state rate as nearby Rockland County and Sullivan County. The rate above is the one for Orange County, population about 411,767.
Make sure the claim is under the maximum and that the limitation period has not expired.
Use the other side's correct legal name, describe the dispute, and show how the money adds up.
File at the Orange County hub courthouse for your dispute's ZIP code, or e-file, and pay the $15–$20 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
Service comes after the date is set. File the server's proof once the papers have been delivered.
Sort the documents and exhibits in advance so they can be handed up in order.
Appear in person or, where available, remotely, present your case, and receive the court's decision.
Go through the events with Eleanor. The documents are prepared, Triple-Checked™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and filed for you.
Start for FREE →A claim form opens the case, a proof of service records that notice was given, and a fee waiver applies where you qualify. Titles differ between courts, and Squabble uses the ones your courthouse expects.
Orange County takes in filings from 57 ZIP codes, 10910 first in the list. An Orange County filing goes to one of 2 courthouses, Newburgh City Court among them.
The hearing is brief and informal. The judge asks the questions, and most people speak for themselves.
Arden, Bellvale and Blooming Grove are among the Orange County places a hearing can draw parties from. Orange County has about 411,767 residents.
A judgment says what is owed. Getting hold of the money is the next stage, and the enforcement options open to you depend on the state.
Wage garnishment, where the state permits it, sends part of the debtor's pay toward the judgment.
With a bank levy, the court reaches funds held in the debtor's account directly.
Recording the judgment with the county can place a lien on the debtor's real property.
Courts can also summon the debtor to answer questions about income and property under oath. Until the balance is paid, interest usually continues to run at the statutory rate.
Rockland County and Sullivan County are the counties nearest to Orange County. An Orange County judgment comes from one of its 2 listed courthouses.
Checked August 2026. Because courts revise fees, limits and procedures, confirm the current position before filing.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Orange County case for you.
