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Small Claims Court Complaint in California

Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: April 2026

Start with the official California form

The canonical, court-accepted version of this form is published by the Superior Court (Small Claims Division). Search your county or district court's website for the current Small Claims Court Complaint form before relying on any template. Forms are revised periodically — always confirm you have the current revision before filing.

Verify with your local court clerk before filing: local rules sometimes add cover-sheet, formatting, or service requirements beyond what the state-issued form shows.

California Requirements

  • Claim limit: $10,000 for individuals, $5,000 for businesses
  • No attorney representation allowed at trial
  • Plaintiff must be at least 18 years old (guardian ad litem for minors)
  • Defendant must be served at least 15 days before the hearing (or 20 days if out of county)
  • Only the defendant may appeal a small claims judgment
Filing Location

Superior Court (Small Claims Division)

Filing Fee

$30–$75 (based on claim amount)

Statute Reference

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 116.110–116.950

How to Complete This Form

  1. 1Confirm that your dispute falls within your state's small claims court jurisdictional limit.
  2. 2Attempt to resolve the dispute directly with the other party before filing.
  3. 3Obtain a small claims complaint form from your local court or court website.
  4. 4Complete the form with the names and addresses of all parties and a clear description of your claim.
  5. 5File the complaint with the court clerk and pay the filing fee.
  6. 6Arrange for the defendant to be served with the complaint according to your court's rules.
  7. 7Gather all evidence (contracts, receipts, photos, correspondence) and attend the hearing.
Educational Example

Editorial Template (Not the Official Court Form)

This is an educational template showing the typical structure of a Small Claims Court Complaint in California. It is not a court-validated form and should not be used in place of the official form issued by the Superior Court (Small Claims Division). Use this template only to understand what information you will need to assemble before completing the official form. Submitting this template instead of the official form may result in rejection by the court clerk.

Small Claims Court Complaint in Other States

TexasFloridaNew YorkIllinoisPennsylvaniaOhioGeorgiaNorth CarolinaMichiganAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareHawaiiIdahoIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNorth DakotaOklahomaOregonRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Other Forms in California

Quitclaim DeedPower of AttorneyLast Will and TestamentLiving Will / Advance DirectiveLLC Operating AgreementResidential Lease AgreementEviction NoticeDivorce PetitionName Change PetitionWarranty DeedBill of SalePrenuptial AgreementRental ApplicationDemand LetterAffidavit of ServicePromissory NoteNon-Disclosure AgreementNon-Compete AgreementChild Support Modification Petition

When to Talk to a Lawyer

  • Your claim involves complex legal issues such as breach of contract with multiple parties or disputed damages.
  • The defendant has filed a counterclaim or you need to enforce a judgment after winning your case.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.