California Small Claims
Court Forms
Every form you need for California small claims court - SC-100, SC-104, SC-120, and more. Free downloads, instructions, and common mistakes to avoid.
To file a small claims case in California, you need two essential forms: the SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim) to start your case and the SC-104 (Proof of Service) after serving the defendant. All other forms are situational.
Always Required
SC-100 + SC-104
Sometimes Needed
SC-105, SC-120, SC-200
After Judgment
SC-130, SC-133, SC-134
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California Small Claims Forms at a Glance
8+
Official Forms
2
Required for Every Case
Free
All Downloads
1-3 hrs
DIY Completion Time
Complete Guide to Every Small Claims Form in California
Click on each form below for detailed instructions, tips, and free download links.
Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court
Who: All plaintiffs
When: To start your small claims case
This is the primary form you need to file a small claims case in California. It captures your information, the defendant's information, the amount you're claiming (up to $12,500 for individuals), and the reason for your claim.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- •Use the defendant's exact legal name (check CA Secretary of State for businesses)
- •Be specific about dates, amounts, and what happened
- •Include what you did to try to resolve the issue before filing
- •Type or print clearly in black ink
Proof of Service (Small Claims)
Who: The person who serves the defendant (not the plaintiff)
When: After serving the defendant, before the hearing
After someone serves your lawsuit papers on the defendant, that person must complete this form to prove service was properly accomplished. You cannot fill this out yourself - the server must do it.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- •The person who served the papers fills this out, not you
- •Must be filed with the court before your hearing date
- •Include exact date, time, and location of service
- •Server must sign under penalty of perjury
Declaration of Nonmilitary Status
Who: Plaintiffs when defendant doesn't respond or appear
When: If defendant fails to appear at hearing (default judgment)
If the defendant doesn't show up to the hearing, you may need to file this form declaring that the defendant is not on active military duty. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protects active military from default judgments.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- •Required before a default judgment can be entered
- •You must make reasonable efforts to determine military status
- •Use the DOD Manpower database to verify military status
- •If defendant IS active military, additional protections apply
Defendant's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court
Who: Defendants filing a counter-claim
When: When the defendant wants to sue back (counterclaim)
If you've been sued in small claims court and want to file your own claim against the plaintiff, use this form. It's essentially the defendant's version of SC-100 and allows you to present your own claim during the same hearing.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- •Must be filed at least 5 days before the hearing date
- •You must serve this on the plaintiff before the hearing
- •The counterclaim will be heard at the same time as the original claim
- •Can claim up to $12,500 (individuals) or $6,500 (businesses)
Satisfaction of Judgment (Small Claims)
Who: Plaintiffs who have been paid
When: After defendant pays the full judgment amount
Once the defendant pays the full judgment amount, you must file this form to officially acknowledge that the judgment has been satisfied. This clears the defendant's record and closes the case.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- •File this promptly after receiving full payment
- •You are legally required to file this within 14 days of payment
- •Failure to file can result in penalties
- •Both partial and full satisfaction can be acknowledged
Request to Postpone Small Claims Hearing
Who: Either party
When: When you need more time before the hearing
If you need to postpone (continue) your small claims hearing, file this form. The court may grant one postponement per side. You must have a valid reason such as illness, scheduling conflict, or need for more time to prepare.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- •File as soon as you know you need a postponement
- •Each side is generally allowed one postponement
- •Must show good cause (illness, emergency, etc.)
- •Notify the other party immediately
Dismissal and Request to Vacate Judgment
Who: Either party
When: To dismiss a case or ask to set aside a judgment
Use this form if you want to dismiss your case (plaintiff) or ask the court to set aside (vacate) a judgment. Defendants often use this if they missed the hearing for a valid reason and want a new hearing.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- •Defendants must file within 30 days of receiving notice of judgment
- •Must show valid reason for missing the hearing
- •Plaintiffs can dismiss voluntarily before hearing
- •A new hearing will be scheduled if judgment is vacated
Small Claims Subpoena for Personal Appearance and Production of Documents
Who: Either party needing witness testimony or documents
When: When you need a witness to appear or produce documents at hearing
If you need a witness to come to your hearing or a business to produce records, use this subpoena form. The person subpoenaed is legally required to appear or produce the requested documents.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- •Must be served on the witness at least 10 days before hearing
- •Include specific documents you need produced
- •Witness may be entitled to mileage and attendance fees
- •Cannot be used to harass - must be relevant to your case
Which Small Claims Forms Do You Need?
- SC-100 - Your claim form
- SC-104 - Proof of service
- SC-200 - If you need witnesses
- SC-120 - Counter-claim
- SC-133 - Request postponement
- SC-134 - Vacate judgment
- SC-130 - Satisfaction of judgment
- SC-105 - Military status declaration
- SC-134 - Set aside judgment
Frequently Asked Questions About California Small Claims Forms
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Related California Small Claims Resources
SC-100 Form Guide
Line-by-line instructions for the most important California small claims form.
Read GuideCalifornia Filing Guide
Complete 12-step process for filing a small claims case in California.
Read GuideCalifornia Small Claims Guide
Complete overview of California small claims court - limits, fees, and timeline.
Read GuideRequired California Small Claims Forms
The primary form for filing a small claims case in California is the SC-100, officially titled "Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court." This is a mandatory Judicial Council form that every plaintiff must complete and file with the court clerk. The SC-100 requires your full legal name and address, the defendant's name and address, the amount you are claiming, and a brief description of your claim including the date and location of the incident. You must also indicate the basis for filing in your chosen court location and whether you have made a demand for payment before filing. The form must be filled out completely - courts will reject forms with missing fields or illegible handwriting.
In addition to the SC-100, several other forms may be relevant to your case. Form SC-104 (Small Claims Case Questionnaire) is used in some counties to provide the court with additional details about your dispute. If you are suing a business, you may need to attach proof of the entity's legal name obtained from the California Secretary of State. Form SC-103 provides instructions for amending your claim if you discover errors after filing. For service of process, you will need to complete a Proof of Service form (SC-104B or equivalent) confirming that the defendant was properly notified of the lawsuit.
How to Complete Your Forms Properly
Accuracy is critical when completing California small claims forms. Use the defendant's exact legal name - for individuals, this means their full first and last name; for businesses, use the registered business name as it appears with the California Secretary of State or on the county fictitious business name filing. When describing your claim, be factual and specific: state what happened, when it happened, and the dollar amount of your loss with a clear explanation of how you calculated that amount. Avoid emotional language or legal jargon. Common mistakes include listing the wrong defendant name, choosing an incorrect filing location, and failing to itemize how the claimed amount was calculated. PettyLawsuit handles all form preparation for you, ensuring every field is completed correctly and your claim description is clear and legally sound.
Understanding Each California Small Claims Form
California small claims court uses a series of Judicial Council forms that must be completed at various stages of your case. The SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court) is the primary filing document and serves as both your complaint and the court's order setting a hearing date. You must provide the defendant's name and address, a clear description of your claim, and the amount of money you are seeking. The SC-104 (Proof of Service) must be filed after the defendant has been served, documenting who served the papers, when service occurred, and the method of service used. Without a properly completed proof of service on file, the court cannot proceed with your hearing.
If the defendant wants to file a claim against you in response, they will use the SC-120 (Defendant's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court), commonly known as a counterclaim. The SC-150 (Declaration of Nonmilitary Status) may be required if the defendant does not appear at the hearing - the court needs to verify that the defendant is not on active military duty before entering a default judgment. After the hearing, if you win, the court issues an SC-130 (Notice of Entry of Judgment), and the defendant may receive an SC-131 (Request to Correct or Vacate a Judgment) if they believe there was a procedural error.
For judgment enforcement, the EJ-130 (Writ of Execution) is used to authorize the sheriff or marshal to collect on your judgment through bank levies, wage garnishments, or property seizures. The SC-105 (Notice of Motion to Vacate Judgment and Declaration) is used if a party wants to ask the court to set aside a default judgment. Each form has specific requirements for completion, and submitting incorrect or incomplete forms is one of the most common reasons for delays in small claims cases. PettyLawsuit generates all necessary forms automatically based on your case details, ensuring compliance with current Judicial Council requirements and reducing the risk of rejection by court clerks.