California Small Claims Court
Owed money in California? Here's the dollar limit, the court that hears it, what filing costs — and a free demand letter to send first, which resolves many disputes without a case. Free, no signup.
Maintained by the SealForms editorial team · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
California small claims · as of 2026
- Maximum claim
- $12,500 (individuals) / $6,250 (entities)
- Court
- Small Claims Court (small claims division of the Superior Court)
- Filing fee
- $30 (claims up to $1,500) / $50 ($1,500.01-$5,000) / $75 (over $5,000); $100 flat for frequent filers with more than 12 claims in the prior 12 months (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230)
- Lawyers at the hearing
- not allowed at the hearing (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.530) - parties may consult a lawyer before or after, but must present the case themselves
Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§116.220, 116.221 · verify ↗. Limits and fees change — confirm with the Small Claims Court (small claims division of the Superior Court) clerk before filing.
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Demand for Payment
__________
From: __________
To: __________
This letter is a formal demand for payment of $______, owed to me for the following: __________ .
I have already attempted to resolve this: __________ . The amount remains unpaid.
If I do not receive full payment within ____ days of the date of this letter, I intend to file a claim against you in the California Small Claims Court (small claims division of the Superior Court) without further notice. A judgment could add court costs and interest to the amount you owe, and may affect your credit.
I would prefer to resolve this without going to court. You can contact me at the address above to arrange payment.
Generated with SealFormsStep one before filing in California · 2026
How to file in California — the short version
- Demand first. Send the letter above by a trackable method and keep proof — judges expect it, and it often gets you paid without a case.
- File with the Small Claims Court (small claims division of the Superior Court) where the defendant lives or the dispute happened. Fee: $30 (claims up to $1,500) / $50 ($1,500.01-$5,000) / $75 (over $5,000); $100 flat for frequent filers with more than 12 claims in the prior 12 months (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230).
- Serve the defendant the way California rules require (clerk, sheriff, certified mail, or process server — ask the clerk). Bad service is the #1 way cases get thrown out.
- Bring evidence: contracts, invoices, photos, messages, this demand letter and its delivery proof, and any witnesses.
- Collect. If you win and they don't pay, ask the clerk about garnishment, levy, and liens.
Check the current California small claims rules before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I sue for in California small claims court?
The limit is $12,500 (individuals) / $6,250 (entities) (as of 2026). SB 71, effective January 1, 2024: natural persons may sue for up to $12,500 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.221); corporations, LLCs and other entities are capped at $6,250. Any plaintiff may file only two claims over $2,500 per calendar year (§116.231). Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§116.220, 116.221. If you're owed more, you can sue in the regular civil court instead — or waive the excess and stay in small claims, which is usually faster and cheaper.
Where do I file?
In California, small claims cases are heard by the Small Claims Court (small claims division of the Superior Court), generally in the county (or district) where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Filing fee: $30 (claims up to $1,500) / $50 ($1,500.01-$5,000) / $75 (over $5,000); $100 flat for frequent filers with more than 12 claims in the prior 12 months (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230). Check the exact venue rule when you file — filing in the wrong place gets cases dismissed.
Can I bring a lawyer?
In California: not allowed at the hearing (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.530) - parties may consult a lawyer before or after, but must present the case themselves. Either way, small claims procedure is deliberately informal — you present your story, your documents, and your witnesses directly to the judge.
Do I have to send a demand letter first?
Send one even where it isn't strictly required: many judges expect proof that you asked for the money in writing before filing, some statutes require it, and in practice a firm dated letter with a deadline resolves a large share of disputes without a case. Use the free generator on this page and send it in a way you can prove (certified mail or another trackable method).
What happens if I win but they don't pay?
A judgment isn't a check — if the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily, you enforce it: wage garnishment, bank levy, or property liens, depending on California law. The court clerk can point you to the forms. Judgments also accrue interest and stay enforceable for years, so a stubborn debtor doesn't run out the clock quickly.
How does California compare? See the small claims limits in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute.
How California compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for California: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§116.220, 116.221 ↗.
- Small claims limit
Small claims limit: $12,500 — above the national median of $10,000 across the 51 states with a statutory rule.
Ranked #9 of 51 states — higher means larger disputes can use the small claims process.
No other state uses exactly this figure.
Small claims limit in neighboring states — Arizona ($5,000), Nevada ($10,000), Oregon ($10,000). California's $12,500 is the longest among its neighbors.
Small claims guide in other states
More California legal forms
Different state? See small claims rules by state →