California Small Claims Court Help
California small claims court handles disputes up to $12,500 for individuals and $6,250 for businesses. Attorneys are banned from representing parties (except on appeal). Filing fees range from $30 to $75. Cases are heard within 30 to 70 days.
California Small Claims Limits
- Individuals: $12,500 maximum
- Businesses: $6,250 maximum
- Filing limit: You can file up to 2 cases over $2,500 per year
California Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| $0 to $1,500 | $30 |
| $1,501 to $5,000 | $50 |
| $5,001 to $12,500 | $75 |
How to File in California
- Fill out form SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court).
- File at the courthouse in the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute occurred.
- Pay the filing fee.
- Have the defendant served (you cannot serve them yourself in California).
- Attend your hearing. No lawyers allowed.
California SC-100 Form
The SC-100 is California's main small claims form. You need the defendant's full legal name and address, a description of your claim, the amount you are suing for, and your signature. PettyLawsuit auto-fills the SC-100 for you based on your case details.
All 58 California Counties
Each county has its own courthouse and scheduling. Common counties: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Orange, Sacramento, Alameda, Santa Clara, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Contra Costa. Check your county's court website for specific hours and procedures.
PettyLawsuit helps you file in any California county for $29. We auto-fill SC-100, look up the defendant's business information, and send demand letters via certified mail.