Sacramento County Small Claims Court (California): How to File in Superior Court

Sacramento County small claims: the $12,500 limit, the Carol Miller Justice Center, fees, the Friday drop-box rule, night court and free help. Checked 2026-10-27.

Navy cover with a drawn generic courthouse and the words Sacramento County Small Claims, One courthouse for the whole county
Where and how to file small claims in Sacramento County, California.

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Quick answer: In Sacramento County, small claims are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, for claims up to $12,500 (businesses and other entities $6,250). All small claims must be filed at the Carol Miller Justice Center, 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento. Filing costs $30 to $75 depending on the amount. A free advisory clinic can help. Small Claims Division: 916-875-7746.

Drawn generic courthouse beside a pinned info board for Sacramento County small claims at the Carol Miller Justice Center, 301 Bicentennial Circle, counter hours not listed online so call 916-875-7746, and e-filing marked Yes, also by drop box.
Sacramento County, California small claims at a glance, checked 2026-10-27.

This independent guide covers small claims cases in Sacramento County, California, including Sacramento, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Folsom, Rancho Cordova and Galt. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.

Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento website and the California Statewide Civil Fee Schedule. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our California small claims guide.

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Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of the California Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (SC-100), 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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Which court hears small claims in Sacramento County?

  • Court: the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento. Small claims cases must be filed at the Carol Miller Justice Center.
  • Limit: $12,500 for a natural person (CCP 116.221); $6,250 for others (CCP 116.220(a)(1)). No more than two claims over $2,500 anywhere in California each calendar year (CCP 116.231(a)).
  • Service: the court's advisory clinic says a defendant cannot be served by just mail.
  • Rescheduling: a court date can be changed only with a written request, a good reason and a court order.
  • Collecting: the court does not collect a money judgment for the winner.

Which courthouse do I file in?

  • One courthouse for the whole county. The court says small claims must be filed at the Carol Miller Justice Center, 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento.
  • That applies wherever in the county you live, including Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Galt, Isleton and unincorporated areas. You don't need to look up a precinct.
  • Which court you sue in is determined by where the defendant or the dispute is, so check that your case belongs in Sacramento County. The statewide venue rules are in our California guide.
  • Drop box: the court has secure drop boxes for small claims papers. On Fridays, items placed in the drop box are filed the following Monday. To submit something on a Friday, go to the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse.

Addresses, phone numbers and hours

From the court's Small Claims page and Advisory Clinic page. Small claims counter hours weren't on the pages we checked; call 916-875-7746 before you go.

Carol Miller Justice Center

Address: 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento, CA 95826

Phone: 916-875-7746

Small claims here:

  • Small Claims Division: 916-875-7746
  • Small Claims/Unlawful Detainer Department kiosks, 2nd floor, room 200
  • Advisory Clinic, Room 300: 916-875-7846

How much does small claims cost in Sacramento County?

From the California Statewide Civil Fee Schedule (effective January 1, 2026):

  • Claim of $1,500 or less: $30
  • More than $1,500, up to $5,000: $50
  • More than $5,000, up to $12,500 (individuals only, with certain exceptions): $75
  • If you filed more than 12 small claims in California in the past 12 months: $100
  • Clerk mails the claim to each defendant: $15 per defendant
  • Request to postpone the hearing (once the defendant has been served): $10
  • Notice of appeal: $75
  • Motion to vacate: $20

Fees can change; confirm with the Small Claims Division at 916-875-7746 before you file.

Can I e-file in Sacramento County?

The court's Small Claims page lists "Small Claims E-Filing" among its online services, along with remote appearances. See the Small Claims page for the link, or call 916-875-7746.

Sacramento County small claims forms

The claim form is California's statewide Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100). The free Advisory Clinic can help you with forms and procedure. Evidence is generally not filed with the court; bring it to your hearing.

How to file in Sacramento County, step by step

Illustrated winding road with six numbered stations for Sacramento County, California small claims: check your claim fits the limit, fill out form SC-100, file at the Carol Miller Justice Center, have the defendant served but not by mail alone, keep your evidence for court, and go to your hearing.
The steps to file a small claims case in Sacramento County, California.
  1. Make sure your claim is $12,500 or less ($6,250 for a business or other entity).
  2. Fill out the Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100). The free Advisory Clinic can help.
  3. File at the Carol Miller Justice Center (in person, by drop box or by e-filing) and pay $30 to $75.
  4. Have the defendant served. A defendant cannot be served by just mail.
  5. Keep your evidence for the hearing; it's generally not filed with the court.
  6. Go to your hearing with your evidence. Statewide rules are in our California guide.

Ready to fill in your own form?

The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one: a filled-in sample of the California Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (SC-100) with every box explained, plus your California Playbook section with a made-up sample filing, a hearing outline, California printables, a California day-of plan, and a step-by-step checklist for collecting your judgment.

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.

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How to look up a Sacramento County small claims case

  • The court says small claims cases have moved to a new case system. To check your case, use "View Case Information Online" on the court's Small Claims page or call 916-875-7746.

What does it cost to collect a judgment?

Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically: the court does not collect a money judgment for the winner. Ask the Advisory Clinic about collection, and see our California guide for the statewide steps.

Fee waivers and venue changes

  • Fee waiver: ask the Small Claims Division or the Advisory Clinic how to request one.
  • Missed the hearing? A motion to vacate costs $20.
  • Postponement: it takes a written request, a good reason and a court order. The fee is $10.

Coach's Tips for Sacramento County

  • Friday filings wait until Monday. Friday drop-box filings don't get filed until Monday. If a deadline falls on Friday, use the Ridgeway courthouse instead.
  • Use the free Advisory Clinic. It's walk-in, first-come, first-served, Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding court holidays), in Room 300. Or call 916-875-7846; an attorney will return your call within two business days.
  • Night court. Night court is on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. (the 2nd Thursday if that Wednesday is a court holiday), with mediation, an advisory clinic workshop and Zoom video hearings.

Sacramento County small claims checklist

  • My claim is $12,500 or less ($6,250 for a business).
  • I filled out the Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100).
  • I know I'm filing at the Carol Miller Justice Center.
  • I know the filing fee for my claim amount, or I asked about a fee waiver.
  • I have a plan to serve the defendant (not by just mail).
  • I know the Friday drop-box rule.
  • My evidence is organized and copied for court.

Sacramento County small claims FAQ

What is the small claims limit in Sacramento County?

$12,500 for a natural person and $6,250 for businesses and other entities. No more than two claims over $2,500 anywhere in California each calendar year.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Sacramento County?

$30 for claims of $1,500 or less, $50 up to $5,000, and $75 up to $12,500, under the statewide fee schedule. It's $100 if you filed more than 12 small claims in California in the past 12 months.

Which Sacramento County courthouse do I file in?

All small claims are filed at the Carol Miller Justice Center, 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento.

Where is small claims court in Sacramento?

At the Carol Miller Justice Center, 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento, CA 95826. The Small Claims Division phone is 916-875-7746.

Where do I get Sacramento County small claims forms?

The claim form is California's Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100). The court's free Advisory Clinic in Room 300 of the Carol Miller Justice Center can help.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Sacramento County?

No. The court's Advisory Clinic is free, and you can walk in Monday through Thursday or call; an attorney will return your call within two business days.

Is Sacramento County small claims court part of the Superior Court?

Yes. It's the Small Claims Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento.

What is the Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100)?

It's the claim form you file to start a small claims case: California's statewide Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100).

Sources

Checked 2026-10-27.

Nearby counties

More for California: California small claims guide · Ready to sue · Just got sued · How to serve small claims papers · What to say on hearing day

Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).

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

This page covers where and how to file in Sacramento County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the California Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (SC-100), your California Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See the Playbook →

Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer. But if your situation is complicated, doesn't 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.