Santa Clara County Small Claims Court (San Jose, CA): How to File

Santa Clara County small claims: the court, limit, fees, where to file and case lookup. Checked 2026-10-27.

Drawn courthouse with columns beside the words Santa Clara Small Claims.
One courthouse for the whole county.

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Quick answer: In Santa Clara County, all small claims are filed and heard at the Downtown Superior Court (DTS), 191 North First Street, San Jose. A person can claim up to $12,500; businesses up to $6,250. Filing costs $30 to $75. Small Claims: (408) 882-2352.

Illustrated courthouse with an info board for the Superior Court: where: 191 North First St., Downtown court, San Jose; hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Building, Mon to Fri; e-filing: yes, optional if self-represented.
Where to file a small claims case in Santa Clara.

This independent guide covers small claims cases in Santa Clara County, California, including San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Milpitas, Cupertino, Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Los Gatos. 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 Santa Clara website and the Code of Civil Procedure. 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. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

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Santa Clara County small claims court: Downtown Superior Court, San Jose

  • Court: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, Small Claims Division.
  • Limit: $12,500 or less for an individual (a sole proprietor counts as an individual); $6,250 for a corporation, partnership or other entity (CCP 116.221, 116.220).
  • No more than two claims over $2,500 anywhere in California in a calendar year (CCP 116.231).
  • Lawyers: attorneys are not allowed, but you may ask a lawyer for advice before you go.

Which courthouse do I file in?

  • One courthouse. "Small Claims cases in Santa Clara County are heard in the Downtown Superior Court (DTS)." Filings are no longer accepted in Palo Alto or South County (Standing Order filed Oct. 3, 2014).
  • Every city, from Palo Alto to Gilroy, files at DTS in San Jose. No locator is needed.
  • For which county to file in, use the SC-100 form's venue question.

Addresses, phone numbers and hours

From the court's DTS location page. Building hours Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Downtown Superior Court (DTS)

Address: 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113

Phone: (408) 882-2352 (Small Claims)

Small claims: Phone hours Mon to Thu 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Fri 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Email sssclaimsinfo@scscourt.org. A drop box for civil documents is in the lobby.

How much does small claims cost in Santa Clara County?

From the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule (effective January 1, 2026), linked from the court's Local Court Fees page:

  • $1,500 or less: $30
  • More than $1,500 to $5,000: $50
  • More than $5,000 to $12,500: $75
  • More than 12 claims in California in the previous 12 months: $100
  • Clerk mails the claim: $15 per defendant
  • Notice of appeal: $75
  • Motion to vacate: $20
  • Request for postponement (after service): $10
  • Make checks payable to: Court Clerk. Returned check fee: $50.
  • Fees can change; confirm with the Small Claims clerk at (408) 882-2352 before you file.

Can I e-file in Santa Clara County?

Yes. The court says "E-filing in Small Claims cases is available." through an electronic filing service provider (EFSP). Self-represented parties may e-file, but it is not mandatory. E-filings must be received by 5 p.m. Provider fees (subject to change): e-file fee up to $5.00, payment service fee 3%, eCheck $1.00. You can also file at DTS or use the lobby drop box.

Santa Clara County small claims forms: the Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100)

You start the case with the Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (SC-100). See the court's Small Claims Division page.

How to file in Santa Clara County, step by step

Winding road with 6 numbered stops: 1, Check your claim fits the limit; 2, Fill out form SC-100; 3, File at DTS in San Jose; 4, Have the defendant served; 5, Go to your hearing; 6, Defendant lost? You may appeal.
The Santa Clara small claims process, from start to finish.
  1. Make sure your claim is within the limit ($12,500 for an individual, $6,250 for others).
  2. Fill out the SC-100.
  3. File at Downtown Superior Court in San Jose and pay the fee.
  4. Have the defendant served (the clerk can mail it for $15 per defendant).
  5. Try free, confidential mediation if you want.
  6. Go to your hearing with your evidence.
  7. Defendant lost? You may appeal. The fee for a notice of appeal is $75; the deadline is 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 Santa Clara County small claims case

  • Use the court's Case Information Portal. It includes civil, small claims, probate and some family cases.
  • "Case Documents (Filings, etc.) are not generally available online".

What does it cost to collect a judgment?

Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. Collection fees: order of examination $60, writ of execution $40, abstract of judgment $40 (Statewide Civil Fee Schedule).

Fee waivers and venue changes

  • Can't afford the fees? Ask the clerk about a fee waiver.
  • Free help: the Small Claims Advisor takes calls at (408) 882-2929 every Tuesday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Mediation: free and confidential.

Coach's Tips for Santa Clara County

  • Ask early for an interpreter. If none is available on your hearing day, your case may be continued to another date.
  • Every city files in San Jose. Palo Alto and South County don't take small claims.
  • Call the advisor on Tuesday. (408) 882-2929, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Santa Clara County small claims checklist

  • My claim is within the limit.
  • My SC-100 is filled out.
  • I'll file at DTS, 191 North First Street, San Jose.
  • I budgeted the fee and service.
  • I've asked about an interpreter if I need one.
  • My evidence is organized.

Santa Clara County small claims FAQ

What is the small claims limit in Santa Clara County?

$12,500 or less for an individual, and $6,250 for a corporation, partnership or other entity.

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

$30 for $1,500 or less, $50 for more than $1,500 to $5,000, and $75 for more than $5,000 to $12,500. It's $100 if you filed more than 12 claims in California in the previous 12 months.

How many small claims over $2,500 can I file in a year?

No more than two anywhere in California in a calendar year (CCP 116.231).

Where is small claims court in Santa Clara County?

Small claims cases in Santa Clara County are heard at the Downtown Superior Court (DTS), 191 North First Street, San Jose.

Can I file small claims in Palo Alto or the South County Courthouse?

No. A 2014 standing order directs small claims filings to the Downtown Superior Courthouse, and filings are no longer accepted in Palo Alto or South County.

What form starts a small claims case in Santa Clara County?

You file the Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (form SC-100).

Is there free help for small claims in Santa Clara County?

Yes. The court has a Small Claims Advisor with live phone hours and a webform, and you can try free, confidential mediation.

Who decides a Santa Clara County small claims case?

A judge. Each side presents its story and evidence, and the judge will usually decide at the end of the trial.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-27.

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 Santa Clara 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. $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.