Small Claims Form Packets
Small Claims Form Packets
| Form number | Form name | Download |
|---|---|---|
| SC-100-INFO | Information for the Plaintiff (Small Claims) | View SC-100-INFO |
| SC-100 | Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court | View SC-100 |
| SC-100A | Other Plaintiffs or Defendants (Attachment to SC-100) | View SC-100A |
| SC-103 | Fictitious Business Names (Small Claims) | View SC-103 |
| SC-109 | Authorization to Appear on Behalf of Party | View SC-109 |
| SC-104B | What is Proof of Service? (Small Claims) | View SC-104B |
| SC-104 | Proof of Service (Small Claims) | View SC-104 |
| Sup. Ct. 378 | Request for Certified Mail (Small Claims) | Download Sup. Ct. 378 (PDF) |
| SC-500 | Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court — COVID-19 Rental Debt | View SC-500 |
| SC-500A | Other Plaintiffs or Defendants (COVID-19 Rental Debt) | View SC-500A |
| SC-500-INFO | COVID-19 Rental Debt in Small Claims Court | View SC-500-INFO |
General information
Small Claims cases can only be filed in the Stockton or Lodi branch.
Important: Please read both pages of SC-100-INFO (Information for the Plaintiff) before filing.
Resources
- California Courts small claims overview: www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-smallclaims.htm
- California Department of Consumer Affairs small claims publication: www.dca.ca.gov/publications/small_claims/
- San Joaquin Superior Court small claims resources: www.sjcourts.org/small-claims/
- Help naming the defendant: Steps to Filing a Small Claims Case (see “Figure Out How to Name the Defendant”).
- Small Claims Advisory line (San Joaquin County): (209) 473-6463
- Self-Help Center information and hours: www.sjcourts.org/self-help-pro-per-clinic/
- eFiling portal: appfile.sjcourts.org (video tutorials available).
Required to file your claim
- A completed SC-100 (Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court).
- Complete all sections.
- If handwritten, write legibly in blue or black ink.
- Each plaintiff must date and sign the form.
- If requesting service by Certified Mail by the Clerk:
- File local form Sup. Ct. 378 (Request for Certified Mail).
- Include the $15 fee.
- If you are not eFiling, submit:
- The original, plus a copy for each defendant, and one copy for yourself.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with adequate postage if you want copies returned by mail. If no SASE is provided, copies may be placed in the pick-up cabinet at the Security Desk in Stockton. Documents not picked up within 30 days may be destroyed.
- Pay the required filing fee. Current fees: www.sjcourts.org/forms-filing/court-fee-schedule/.
If you cannot afford to pay court fees and costs, you may ask the Court to waive all or part of your fees by completing a Fee Waiver Application (FW-001). See the Fee Waiver Form Packet.
Interpreter needs
All court proceedings are in English. If you need an interpreter, you may request one by filing Judicial Council form INT-300: selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/INT-300.
Service of claim
The Sheriff’s Office can serve your claim on the defendant(s). Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Phone: (209) 468-4475. Location: 7000 North Michael Canlis Boulevard, French Camp, CA 95231. Service information: www.sjsheriff.org/civil-division/.
If someone other than the Sheriff serves your claim, the server must be 18 or older and not a party to the case. File your Proof of Service on time. Failure to file Proof of Service at least five (5) days before the hearing may result in your case not being heard.
Check your case status
To check the status of your case or view filed documents, visit: cms.sjcourts.org.