California Small Claims Court Guide
Here's how small claims court works in California — what you can sue for, what it costs, where to file, and what actually happens on your hearing date.
California quick facts
- Dollar limit
- $12,500Businesses and other entities are capped at $6,250 per claim, and there are limits on how many claims over $2,500 you can file per year.
- Typical filing fee
- $30 – $100Fees vary by county and by how much you're claiming. Service costs are usually extra.
- Where to file
- Superior Court (Small Claims Division)File in the county where the defendant lives or does business — or, in many cases, where the deal was made or the damage happened.
- How long you have to file
- Written contracts: 4 years. Oral contracts: 2 years. Property damage: 3 years.These deadlines are general. The clock usually starts on the day you were harmed or the day payment was due.
How the process works in California
- Send a demand letter first. Before you file, put your demand in writing: what happened, how much you're owed, and a deadline to pay. Many disputes settle here, and judges in California like to see that you tried to resolve it.
- File your claim. Fill out the claim form at the Superior Court (Small Claims Division) in the right county, name the defendant exactly as they're legally known (get the business's registered name if you're suing a company), and pay the filing fee — typically $30 – $100. Keep your claim at or under $12,500; if you're owed more, you can waive the extra to stay in small claims.
- Serve the defendant. The court won't just take your word that they know about the case. Depending on the county, service is done by certified mail through the clerk, by the sheriff, or by a private process server. Do it well before your hearing date and file the proof of service with the court — cases get thrown out over bad service more than anything else.
- Show up prepared for the hearing. Bring three copies of everything: contracts, texts, photos, invoices, receipts, bank records. Hearings are short — often 15 minutes — so lead with what you're owed and why, in a couple of sentences, then walk the judge through your evidence in order. Lawyers usually aren't required, and in some California courts they're limited.
- Collect — or appeal. Only the defendant can appeal a small claims judgment. The appeal is a brand-new trial in the superior court, and it must be filed within 30 days of the clerk mailing the judgment. Winning also isn't the same as getting paid — if they don't pay voluntarily, you may need to ask the court about garnishment or a lien.
Find your local courthouse
Court locations, hours, and contact information change — always confirm directly with your state's official court locator before filing.
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