Claim limits change. California caps how much you can sue for in small claims court, and the cap differs depending on whether you're an individual or a business, and how many claims you've filed that year. Check the current limit on your SC-100 form instructions or at courts.ca.gov before filing — don't rely on a number you saw elsewhere, since these figures are adjusted periodically.
What this form actually does
SC-100 is both your claim and, once filed, the court's order for the other side to appear. It's written for people without lawyers: no legal citations, no formal pleading rules — just a plain description of who owes you what, and why. Small claims court skips most formal discovery and moves to a hearing relatively quickly compared to regular civil court.
Before you file
- Confirm you're within the claim limit. If your claim is worth more, you can still sue for up to the limit and waive the rest, or file in regular civil court instead.
- Get the defendant's correct legal name and address. If you're suing a business, check whether it's a corporation, LLC, or sole proprietorship — this changes who you name and how they're served. The Secretary of State's business search can help confirm a registered agent for service.
- Try to resolve it first. Many courts want you to state whether you asked the other side to pay before suing — have a written demand ready if you sent one.
- Confirm you're filing in the right county. Generally where the defendant lives or does business, where the harm occurred, or where a contract was signed or performed — small claims venue rules are specific, so check them rather than assuming.
Filling it out, section by section
- Plaintiff and defendant information. Full legal names and current addresses — accuracy here affects whether service succeeds.
- Why the defendant owes you money. Use plain, factual language: what happened, when, and how you calculated the amount. Attach extra pages if needed.
- Amount claimed. State the exact dollar figure and briefly explain how you arrived at it (unpaid invoice, repair cost, security deposit, etc.).
- Prior demand. Note whether you asked the defendant to pay before filing, and how.
- Venue justification. Check the box matching why you're filing in this particular county.
- Sign and file. Sign under penalty of perjury, pay the filing fee (or file a fee waiver), and the clerk will set a hearing date and issue your copies for service.
After you file
You must have the defendant served with the filed claim by an approved method — you cannot serve it yourself. The court will not go forward without proof the defendant was properly notified. Keep the proof of service and bring copies of all your evidence (receipts, photos, contracts, texts) to the hearing, organized in the order you plan to reference them.
Common mistakes
- Naming the wrong legal entity (an individual's name instead of the LLC that actually owes the debt, or vice versa).
- Filing in a county with no real connection to the dispute.
- Vague damage descriptions with no supporting math or documentation.
- Forgetting that you, not the court, are responsible for arranging service on the defendant.