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Government form, explained · Alberta

CTS1461: Alberta's Civil Claim form

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.

What it is, and the limit

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.

Where to get it, and how to file

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.

The filing fee

  • •Claims up to and including $7,500: $100
  • •Claims over $7,500 up to $100,000: $200

Service and dispute deadlines

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.

Common mistakes

  • ✗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

Common Questions

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.

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 →

Official sources

Last updated: July 2026

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