How to file small claims in California

Sue for up to $12,500 in the Small Claims Court (a division of the Superior Court); filing fee around $75.

California lets individuals sue for up to $12,500 in Small Claims Court, with no lawyers at the hearing and no appeal if you filed and lost — so come prepared.

• Dollar limit: $12,500 — $12,500 for individuals; businesses and other entities are capped at $6,250. You may file no more than two claims over $2,500 statewide per year.
• Filing fee: $75 — Tiered: about $30 (≤$1,500), $50 ($1,500–$5,000), $75 (>$5,000); reduced for frequent filers. Fee-waiver available.
• Where to file: Small Claims Court (a division of the Superior Court)
• Lawyers at the hearing: not allowed — you represent yourself

1. Confirm your claim is at or under the dollar limit and within the statute of limitations for your claim type.
2. Send a written demand letter first — most courts expect it, and it often gets you paid without filing.
3. Get the correct filing form (often a "Statement of Claim" or "Plaintiff's Claim") from the Small Claims Court clerk or the court's website.
4. File the form with the Small Claims Court for the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, and pay the filing fee.
5. Arrange service of process so the defendant is officially notified (by the sheriff, certified mail, or a process server, per local rules).
6. Gather your evidence — contract, texts, photos, receipts, the demand letter — and bring organized copies to your hearing.
7. Show up on your court date and present your case; if you win, ask the judge how to collect the judgment.
8. California bars lawyers from representing you at the small-claims hearing, and a plaintiff who loses cannot appeal — so prepare your evidence fully the first time.

What are you suing for?

• Suing for unpaid loan in California: 4 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in California: 4 years to file
• Suing for property damage in California: 3 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in California: 4 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in California: 2 years to file

Source: Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 116.221. Reviewed 2026-06-17.

Nearby states: Oregon ($10,000) · Nevada ($10,000) · Arizona ($3,500).

General legal information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by county and court; consult a licensed attorney or your court clerk.

Updated July 2026