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Josephine County resolves money disputes up to $10,000 in the small-claims court: simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
This page sets out the ceiling on claims, what the court charges, the courthouse that covers Josephine 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.
There is more than one hub courthouse in Josephine County. Which one takes a case turns on the defendant's address or the location of the dispute, matched by ZIP code.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Check the filing location first. The court's small-claims page lists where papers are taken today, and Squabble confirms it for your case as part of filing.
About 88,276 people live in Josephine County. Josephine County covers 12 ZIP codes, including the Cave Junction, Grants Pass and Kerby areas.
Filings here are on paper, brought to the counter or posted. Squabble assembles the packet so it is complete when it arrives.
The small claims list is heard in person, at the courthouse itself.
Bring copies of your evidence for the judge and the other side; some courts also accept electronic submission ahead of the hearing.
Residents of Josephine County, Oregon, which has a population of 88,276, can file small claims cases through the Oregon Small Claims Court at the Josephine County Circuit Court, located at 510 NW 5th Street in Grants Pass, 97526. The court handles claims up to $10,000. Its counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and it is closed on Sunday. The court can be reached at (541) 476-2309, and information is posted at https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/josephine/pages/default.aspx. A second location, Josephine County Courts, is at 500 NW 6th St in Grants Pass, 97526, and keeps the same hours and phone number. The county covers communities including Cave Junction, Kerby, Merlin, Murphy, Selma, Wilderville, Williams, and Wolf Creek, along with ZIP codes such as 97497, 97523, 97527, and 97532. Josephine County lies near Curry County, Jackson County, and Coos County. Electronic filing is not available.
More than one location takes small claims here. The court matches a case to a location by address.
Josephine County covers these 10 towns and cities:
Cave Junction, Grants Pass, Kerby, Merlin, Murphy, O Brien, Selma, Wilderville, Williams, Wolf Creek.
ZIP codes:
With about 88,276 residents, Josephine County ranks 13th by population among the 36 counties of Oregon. Josephine County Circuit Court in Grants Pass lies around 12 miles from the Jackson County courthouse in Medford and 33 miles from the Coos County courthouse in Coquille.
If the other side lives just over the county line, the case may belong next door:
Everyday disputes over money belong in the small claims division, where the rules are simplified, and the sum in question has an upper bound.
Maximum claim
The county where it happened and the county where they live are both generally available.
Splitting a single claim across multiple filings to dodge the ceiling is not permitted.
Judgments take the form of money owed; other kinds of relief are heard elsewhere.
In Oregon's small claims department of the circuit court, no attorney may appear on behalf of a party without the consent of the judge. Parties generally present their own cases, and a judge may allow attorney participation in a particular case.
Under-18s are represented by a guardian the court appoints.
Over the limit? Claims over the cap can go two ways: cut to the limit and stay, or move to regular civil court at full value. Cutting it normally waives the excess.
They are the same across all 12 Josephine County ZIP codes, from 97497 onward. These are the limits for Josephine County, population about 88,276.
Where money is owed and the sum is no more than $10,000, this is the right court. The following disputes are the common ones.
Josephine County has about 88,276 residents. Josephine County takes in Cave Junction, Grants Pass and Kerby and the rest of the county.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Set out the claim on the court's form, identify the correct courthouse, and pay the fee.
Formal notice reaches the other party, who then has a window to respond or resolve it.
A brief, informal hearing, in person or, where the court offers it, by video. The judge rules at the hearing or sends the decision after.
Josephine County Circuit Court lists (541) 476-2309 as its number. Josephine County Circuit Court publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page.
Once the case is on file, the law requires the other side to be told about it formally. That step is service of process, and the papers cannot normally come from your own hand. Oregon courts usually take delivery by personal delivery by an approved server, email service where the court allows it, delivery arranged by the court or the sheriff or constable.
Who may serve depends on the court: law enforcement, a paid process server, the clerk by certified mail, or a disinterested adult. Costs and rules are local.
Courts set their own cut-off for how many days before the hearing notice must land. The clerk gives you that date along with the hearing date. No hearing until defendant files answer (14 days after service). No response = file for default judgment.
A completed proof of service records who delivered the papers and when, and it is filed with the court beforehand.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
A Josephine County address carries one of its 12 ZIP codes, 97497, 97523 and 97526 among them. Addresses in Josephine County include places such as Cave Junction, Grants Pass and Kerby.
Claims do not stay open indefinitely. Time runs from the events themselves, and a filing made afterwards may be shut out.
| Type of claim | Deadline to file |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral contract | 6 years |
| Property damage | 6 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
The same periods apply in Josephine County as in nearby Curry County and Jackson County, which are in the same state. They do not change from one Josephine County ZIP code to another, 97497 included.
Money owed under a contract in Oregon generally accrues interest at 9% per year before judgment (Or. Rev. Stat. §82.010).
A running total including interest can be worked out with the Squabble interest calculator.
It is the same rate across all 12 Josephine County ZIP codes. The rate above is the one for Josephine County, population about 88,276.
Two checks first: the amount must fall within the ceiling, and the claim must still be in time.
Name the correct party, describe what happened, and show how the amount is calculated.
File at the Josephine County hub courthouse for your dispute's ZIP code, or on paper, by mail or at the counter, and pay the $35–$55 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.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares the documents, runs a Triple-Check™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your case for you.
Start for FREE →Claim form starts the case · Proof of service shows the defendant was notified · Fee waiver if you qualify. Exact form names vary by court; Squabble prepares the right ones for your courthouse.
Josephine County takes in filings from 12 ZIP codes, 97497 first in the list. Josephine County has a population of about 88,276.
Small claims hearings are short and informal, and the judge asks questions directly. Most people present their own case.
Josephine County hearings are held at one of its 2 listed courthouses, depending on where the case is filed. Cave Junction, Grants Pass and Kerby are among the Josephine County places a hearing can draw parties from.
The ruling establishes the debt. Recovery is a further step, supported by enforcement measures that are set by each state.
Wage garnishment, where the state permits it, sends part of the debtor's pay toward the judgment.
A court-ordered levy allows funds to be taken from the debtor's bank account.
Recording the judgment locally can place a lien against real property in the debtor's name.
You may also apply for an order compelling the debtor to attend and disclose income and assets on oath. Interest generally continues at the rate the state sets until the debt is met.
Cave Junction, Grants Pass and Kerby are among the Josephine County places a judgment debtor may live in. A Josephine 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 Josephine County case for you.
