Sacramento
Small Claims Court
Everything you need to file a small claims court Sacramento case at the Carol Miller Justice Center. Professional help filing your Sacramento small claims court case. We handle the paperwork, filing, and service for just $29 plus court fees.
Sacramento Small Claims Court Information
Court Location
Carol Miller Justice Center301 Bicentennial Circle, Room 200
Sacramento, CA 95826
Clerk on 2nd floor, courtrooms on 3rd
Court Hours
Contact Info
Remote Night Court: Sacramento holds Remote Night Court on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:00 to 6:15 PM over Zoom, so you can attend a hearing without missing work during the day.
Sacramento Small Claims Court Filing Fees
California charges a tiered filing fee based on how much you are claiming.
Court Filing Fees by Claim Amount
Set by California statewide fee schedule
DIY Filing Costs
If you do everything yourself
Our Full Service
We handle everything for you
Fees were last verified July 2026. Court fees change over time, so always confirm the current amount with the court before you file. Ask the clerk about a fee waiver if you cannot afford the cost.
Sacramento Small Claims Court Limits
Individuals
$12,500
Individuals and sole proprietors can sue for up to $12,500 under California SB 71, effective January 1, 2024.
Businesses
$6,250
Corporations, LLCs, and other businesses are capped at $6,250 per claim in small claims court.
Yearly Cap
2 claims
A business cannot file more than two claims over $2,500 in the same calendar year.
How to File in Sacramento Small Claims Court
Complete Form SC-100 (Day 1)
Fill out Form SC-100, the Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court. List who you are suing, the amount, and why they owe you. With our service, this takes about 5 minutes.
File and Pay the Fee (Days 1-2)
File your SC-100 with the clerk at the Carol Miller Justice Center or online. Pay the tiered filing fee of $30, $50, or $75 based on your claim amount. Ask about a fee waiver if needed.
Serve the Defendant (Before the Hearing)
The defendant must be served by personal service, substituted service, or certified mail sent by the clerk. Many filers hire the Sacramento County Sheriff. File proof of service before your date.
Attend Your Hearing (Your Court Date)
Present your case to the judge with your evidence organized. You can attend in person during weekday hours, or use Remote Night Court on the second Wednesday of the month over Zoom.
Sacramento Court Forms & Official Links
Key Forms
- • SC-100 Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court
- • SC-104 Proof of Service
- • SC-105 Request to Postpone Trial
- • FW-001 Request to Waive Court Fees (if you qualify)
Official Resources
- Sacramento Superior Court Small Claims
- California Courts Small Claims Self-Help
- Free Small Claims Advisory Clinic: 916-875-7846
- Mediation services: 916-875-7843
Service of Process in Sacramento
After you file Form SC-100, California law requires that the defendant be officially notified, which is called service of process. You cannot serve the papers yourself. In Sacramento you can use personal service by an adult who is not part of the case, substituted service at the defendant's home or work, or certified mail with a return receipt sent by the court clerk.
Many filers hire the Sacramento County Sheriff to serve the papers, which usually costs about $40 to $60 per defendant. Whatever method you choose, service must be completed and proof of service must be filed with the court before your hearing date. If the defendant is not served in time, the court can postpone your case. Our full service coordinates service for you so nothing gets missed.
Important: Service deadlines depend on where the defendant lives. Confirm the required timing with the clerk or the free Small Claims Advisory Clinic at 916-875-7846 before your court date.
Sacramento Small Claims Court FAQs
How much can I sue for in Sacramento small claims court?
Individuals and sole proprietors can sue for up to $12,500. Businesses, corporations, and LLCs are capped at $6,250. Under California SB 71, effective January 1, 2024, these limits apply statewide. A business also cannot file more than two claims over $2,500 in a single calendar year.
Where is Sacramento small claims court located?
The Small Claims Division sits at the Carol Miller Justice Center, 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento, CA 95826. The clerk's office is in Room 200 on the second floor, and courtrooms are on the third floor. You can call the small claims clerk at 916-875-7746 with filing questions.
What are the filing fees for Sacramento small claims court?
Filing fees depend on your claim amount. You pay $30 for claims up to $1,500, $50 for claims from $1,500.01 to $5,000, and $75 for claims from $5,000.01 to $12,500. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the court clerk before you file.
Why is Sacramento small claims court closed on Fridays?
The Carol Miller Justice Center is open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on Fridays and all court holidays. Plan your filing and any in-person visits for those four weekdays. Remote Night Court offers an evening option once each month.
What is Remote Night Court in Sacramento?
Remote Night Court lets you attend your small claims hearing by video after regular business hours. Sacramento holds it on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:00 to 6:15 PM over Zoom. This helps people who cannot miss work for a daytime hearing.
How do I serve the defendant in Sacramento?
After filing your SC-100, the defendant must be served. You can use personal service, substituted service, or certified mail sent by the clerk. Many people hire the Sacramento County Sheriff, which usually costs about $40 to $60. You must file proof of service before your hearing.
Do I need a lawyer for Sacramento small claims court?
No. Lawyers cannot represent you at the small claims hearing itself, so the process is built for regular people. Sacramento offers a free Small Claims Advisory Clinic at 916-875-7846 for filing questions and a mediation line at 916-875-7843 to help settle disputes early.
What form do I need to file in Sacramento small claims court?
You start your case with Form SC-100, the Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court. List the person or business you are suing, the amount, and why they owe you. File it with the clerk at the Carol Miller Justice Center, in person or online.
About Small Claims Court Sacramento
The Sacramento small claims court is part of the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, and its Small Claims Division sits at the Carol Miller Justice Center at 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento, CA 95826. The clerk's office is in Room 200 on the second floor, while the courtrooms are on the third floor. Small claims court is designed for regular people to resolve money disputes quickly without hiring a lawyer. You can sue for up to $12,500 as an individual or sole proprietor, or up to $6,250 if you are a business, corporation, or LLC. These limits took effect January 1, 2024 under California SB 71.
One thing that surprises many people is the court schedule. The Carol Miller Justice Center is open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on Fridays and court holidays, so plan your visit for one of those four weekdays. If a daytime hearing does not fit your schedule, Sacramento offers Remote Night Court on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:00 to 6:15 PM over Zoom. This evening option makes it easier for people who cannot take time off work to still have their day in court.
Sacramento also provides strong free support for self-represented filers. The Small Claims Advisory Clinic at 916-875-7846 can answer questions about how to fill out Form SC-100, how to serve the defendant, and how to prepare for your hearing. The court also offers mediation at 916-875-7843, which can help both sides settle before trial. When you use PettyLawsuit, we prepare your SC-100, file it with the Sacramento Superior Court, and coordinate service of process for a flat $29 plus court fees.
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PettyLawsuit is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We are a self-help filing service that prepares and submits your documents based on the information you give us. Court fees, forms, and procedures were last verified July 2026 and can change at any time. Always confirm the current requirements with the Sacramento Superior Court before you file.