California Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees, Forms, and Where to File

California small claims: sue for up to $12,500 (businesses $6,250) with form SC-100. Fees $30 to $75. Where to file, who can sue, and the basic steps.

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California small claims: your free guide.

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Quick answer: California small claims has a $12,500 limit for a person and $6,250 for a business. Filing costs $30 to $75 depending on the amount ($100 if you filed more than 12 claims in the last 12 months). You start with form SC-100, and you don't need a lawyer.

California small claims at a glance: a $12,500 claim limit ($6,250 for businesses), filing fees of $30 to $75 for most filers, and filing in the Small Claims Division of Superior Court.
California small claims at a glance.

Filing in California? See a filled-in sample first.

Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of California's SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

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How small claims works in California

California has one process statewide. Small claims is heard in the Small Claims Division of the Superior Court, with the same limits, fees, forms and procedure in all 58 counties. What changes locally is which courthouse you use, whether the court offers e-filing or clerk mail service, and how the county's free small claims advisor works.

Checked on 2026-10-08. Sources: SC-100-INFO (PDF); California Courts Self-Help: Before you start.

Jump to your county ↓

What is the small claims limit in California?

$12,500 for a person (including a sole proprietor) and $6,250 for a business or public entity.

  • Claims over $2,500: no more than 2 per calendar year, anywhere in the state.
  • Over the limit: you can sue for more and give up the extra, but you can't split one claim into several.
  • Money only: small claims is for money, except where a law specifically allows something else. Since October 1, 2025, landlords can no longer sue in small claims for COVID-19 rental debt over $12,500. The normal limit applies.

How much does it cost to file small claims in California?

$30 for claims of $1,500 or less, $50 over $1,500 up to $5,000, and $75 over $5,000. If you filed more than 12 small claims in the last 12 months, the fee is $100.

Amount claimedFiling fee
$1,500 or less$30
More than $1,500, up to $5,000$50
More than $5,000, up to $12,500$75

If you've filed more than 12 small claims in the last 12 months, the fee is $100.

Service costs extra, such as $15 for clerk certified mail where the court offers it. You can ask for a fee waiver.

Where do I file a small claim in California?

Usually the county where the defendant lives or does business.

  • It can also be where the damage or accident happened, where the contract was signed or carried out, or, for a corporation, where the contract was broken.
  • Big counties have several courthouses, so check the court's local rules or ask the clerk.
  • If you file in the wrong place, the case can be dismissed unless every defendant shows up and agrees.

California small claims forms

How to file in California: the basic steps

You fill out SC-100, file it with the clerk, pay the fee and have someone else serve the defendant.

  1. Make sure small claims fits your case, and ask for payment first, if you can.
  2. Get the defendant's correct name. For businesses, check the Secretary of State or county clerk.
  3. Fill out SC-100.
  4. File with the clerk in person or by mail (the original, 2 copies, the fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope). Some courts allow e-filing.
  5. Pay the fee or ask for a fee waiver.
  6. Have the defendant served. You can't do it yourself. File proof of service on SC-104.
  7. Go to the trial with your witnesses and documents.

Ready to do these steps yourself?

One wrong step costs time: if you file in the wrong place, the case can be dismissed unless every defendant shows up and agrees, and you can't serve the papers yourself. The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one, with a filled-in sample of SC-100 and every box explained, plus your California Playbook section: a made-up sample filing, start to finish, and a filing and trial checklist with a hearing outline.

You also get prep guides that work in any state: a document checklist, exhibit labels, a prep timeline and a hearing-day outline. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See what's inside →

Small claims court by California county

The ten largest counties, largest first (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 estimates). Every county uses the same limits, SC-100, fee table and service rules. County guides are coming soon.

  1. Los Angeles County: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Small Claims Division
  2. San Diego County: Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, Small Claims Division
  3. Orange County: Superior Court of California, County of Orange, Small Claims Division
  4. Riverside County: Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, Small Claims Division
  5. San Bernardino County: Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, Small Claims Division
  6. Santa Clara County: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, Small Claims Division
  7. Alameda County: Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, Small Claims Division
  8. Sacramento County: Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, Small Claims Division
  9. Contra Costa County: Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa, Small Claims Division
  10. Fresno County: Superior Court of California, County of Fresno, Small Claims Division

Every county has a free small claims advisor.

Know your court? Next, get your proof in order.

You can present your own case. The Playbook's exhibit-label guide and hearing-day outline help you put your documents in order and explain them clearly, step by step. General legal information, not advice about your case.

See how the Playbook works →

California small claims FAQ

What is the small claims limit in California?

$12,500 for a person (including a sole proprietor) and $6,250 for a business or public entity. You can file no more than 2 claims over $2,500 per calendar year anywhere in the state.

How much does it cost to file small claims in California?

$30 for claims of $1,500 or less, $50 over $1,500 up to $5,000, and $75 over $5,000. If you filed more than 12 small claims in the last 12 months, the fee is $100. Service costs extra, and you can ask for a fee waiver.

What form do I use for small claims in California?

SC-100, Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court, plus SC-100A if there are more parties.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims in California?

No. Lawyers generally can't take part at the small claims trial, though you can get advice before or after. Every county has a free small claims advisor.

Can I serve the papers myself in California small claims?

No. Someone else has to serve the defendant, and proof of service is filed on SC-104.

Start here: Ready to sue · Just got sued · Small claims court basics

Related guides: 10 things to do before you sue · How to save text messages as evidence · Sued in small claims? What to do next

Other states: pick your state on the map. Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit. Go deeper: preview the Playbook.

What's in the California Playbook section

  • Who can sue and how a business appears (SC-109, SC-103)
  • Timeline: service deadlines, the defendant's claim, and the 30-day wait after judgment
  • How much to ask for and how to back up your number
  • A made-up sample filing, start to finish
  • Checklist for filing and for trial, plus a hearing outline

You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.

This page covers the California rules. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of SC-100, your California Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. Every state and DC has a filled-in sample claim (for Mississippi, Oklahoma and Wyoming it's a sample layout we made, so you'd get the real form from the court clerk). One membership covers every state.

See the Playbook →

Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer — but if your situation is complicated, does not fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.

Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.