Skip to the main content
Guidepost
GOVERNMENT FORM, EXPLAINED · ALBERTA

CTS1461: Alberta's Civil Claim form

This page is the free guide. No sign-in. Read on.

CTS1461, the Civil Claim, commences a civil action in Alberta's Court of Justice. To commence a Civil Claim on your own you must be 18 years old.

  1. 1

    What it is, and the limit

    Open this section ↓

    The Civil Claim covers smaller disputes without a full trial. Official guidance states: "you can sue for an amount up to $100,000 plus interest and costs." A claim worth more than that can have the excess abandoned to stay in this process.

    ↑ Close this section
  2. 2

    Where to get it, and how to file

    Download the current CTS1461 from cfr.forms.gov.ab.ca.Open this section ↓

    Download the current CTS1461 from cfr.forms.gov.ab.ca. File "at any Court of Justice Courthouse in Alberta." No official Court of Justice civil e-filing service is published on albertacourts.ca; confirm current filing options with the courthouse before assuming one exists.

    Practical tip: this PDF is XFA-dynamic. It needs Adobe Reader to open and fill in correctly, a browser's built-in PDF viewer may not display or save it properly.

    ↑ Close this section
  3. 3

    The filing fee

    Claims up to and including $7,500: $100Open this section ↓
    • •Claims up to and including $7,500: $100
    • •Claims over $7,500 up to $100,000: $200
    ↑ Close this section
  4. 4

    Service and dispute deadlines

    Serve on each defendant within one year after the date that the Civil Claim is filed.Open this section ↓

    Serve on each defendant within one year after the date that the Civil Claim is filed. A defendant served in Alberta then has 20 days to dispute the claim; a defendant served outside Alberta has 30 days.

    ↑ Close this section
  5. 5

    Common mistakes

    Trying to open or fill the CTS1461 PDF in a browser viewer instead of Adobe ReaderOpen this section ↓
    • ✗Trying to open or fill the CTS1461 PDF in a browser viewer instead of Adobe Reader
    • ✗Missing the one-year window to serve each defendant after the claim is filed
    • ✗Assuming an online e-filing option exists when albertacourts.ca does not publish one for this form
    ↑ Close this section
  6. 6

    Common Questions

    What is Alberta's Civil Claim form?Open this section ↓

    What is Alberta's Civil Claim form?

    CTS1461 is the Civil Claim, the form that starts a small civil action in Alberta's Court of Justice. To commence a Civil Claim on your own you must be 18 years old.

    How much can I sue for with a Civil Claim?

    You can sue for an amount up to $100,000 plus interest and costs. If your claim is worth more, the excess can be abandoned to stay in this process, or the matter can go to a higher court instead.

    How much does it cost to file a Civil Claim?

    $100 for claims up to and including $7,500, or $200 for claims over $7,500 up to $100,000.

    Can I file a Civil Claim online in Alberta?

    File at any Court of Justice courthouse in Alberta. No official Court of Justice civil e-filing service is published on albertacourts.ca, so plan on filing at the courthouse rather than assuming an online option exists.

    ↑ Close this section

Filing a claim in Alberta?

The full guide covers the whole process: demand letters, service, the hearing, and collecting once you win.

Small claims in Alberta →Small claims filing package: $14 →

Official sources

Facts checked October 2026

Guidepost is not a law firm. This is general information, not legal advice, verify current requirements with the court. Full disclaimer.