California Filing Guides · Small Claims Filing

How to File Small Claims in California

From the claim form to the filed copy and proof of service. This guide explains the official steps without choosing the parties or claims for your case.

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As of October 2026 · Official court sources below.

Not legal advice. This guide explains forms and procedures; it does not tell you what to put in your case or calculate your legal deadline.

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1 · Identify the proper court

California Courts’ location guide explains that the proper county depends on the dispute and defendant. A large county may have several courthouses. The correct place is not automatically the one nearest the person filing. Use the official court instructions or a small-claims advisor to identify the proper location.

2 · Prepare the claim and required forms

SC-100 asks who is suing, who is being sued, the amount, the reason and why the county is proper. The official guide emphasizes the defendant’s proper legal name. It also identifies additional-party, fictitious-business-name and other attachments for particular circumstances. Check for local forms and review the complete packet before filing.

3 · File the papers and keep the returned claim

The statewide process separates completing forms from filing them. Filing methods and court fees are set by the court. If using Legal Hub Group, first confirm the live listing includes the court and the relevant new-case or existing-case option. A fee-waiver request is a separate court decision. Keep the court-returned claim and its court-date information.

4 · Arrange service and file its proof

California Courts says the filer cannot serve the claim personally; the server must be at least 18 and not part of the case. Its service guide explains personal and substituted service, the timing rules, and SC-104 as the proof form. The signed proof must be filed. E-filing the claim does not itself complete these steps.

Give the server the filed papers and correct recipient information.
Use the deadline for the actual method and county circumstances.
Retain the signed proof and the filed copy for the court date.

From papers to filing

Check, review and track the court’s answer

Legal Hub Group is a certified e-filing service provider for California courts. Use the live directory for court, case-type and new-case availability.

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Confirm the court, case type and whether you can start a new case or file into an existing one.

Check the papers

Upload the documents. Review the problems Lexary finds and the current official form and court instructions.

Review before submitting

Confirm the case details, document types and each fee. Arrange any separately required service.

Keep the court’s answer

Track acceptance or rejection and retain the returned copy and notices. Receipt alone is not acceptance.

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Questions

Common questions

Can I serve the claim myself?

No. The official guide requires another adult who is not part of the case.

Does POS-010 replace SC-104?

The official small-claims service instructions identify SC-104. POS-010 is a different proof of service of summons.

Can every county take my small-claims case through Legal Hub Group?

Use the live court list and check the case type and whether a new case can be opened. A guide about a court procedure is not a statement that the court is live on the platform.

Related forms

Courts

Guides & comparisons

Not legal advice. This page explains public filing information. It does not tell you what to put in your own case. Legal Hub Group is a certified e-filing service provider for California courts, not a law firm.

Information checked as of October 2026. Rules, form revisions and provider prices can change. The court decides whether to accept a filing.