SC-100: California Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court

Before you fill out this form, read form SC-100-INFO, Information for the Plaintiff, to know your rights. You can get form SC-100-INFO at any courthouse or county law library, or go to courts.ca.gov/rules-forms/find-your-court-forms. Fill out pages 2, 3, and 4 of this form. Make copies of all the pages of this form and any attachments, one for each party named in this case and an extra copy for yourself. Take or mail the original and the copies to the court clerk's office and pay the filing fee. The clerk will write the date of your trial in the Trial Date box. Your court may allow electronic filing. Check your local court website for information: courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm. You must have someone at least 18, not you or anyone else listed in this case, give each defendant a court-stamped copy of all pages of this form and any pages this form tells you to attach. There are special rules for “serving,” or delivering, this form to public entities, associations, and some businesses. See forms SC-104, SC-104B, and SC-104C.

In 1, enter the plaintiff (the person, business, or public entity that is suing): Name, Phone, Street address, City, State, Zip, Mailing address (if different) and Email address (if available).

If more than one plaintiff, list next plaintiff here: Name, Phone, Street address, Mailing address (if different) and Email address (if available).

Check here if more than two plaintiffs and attach form SC-100A.

Check here if either plaintiff listed in 1 is doing business under a fictitious name and attach form SC-103.

Check here if any plaintiff is a “licensee” or “deferred deposit originator” (payday lender) under Financial Code sections 23000 et seq.

In 2, enter the defendant (the person, business, or public entity being sued): Name, Phone, Street address, City, State, Zip and Mailing address (if different).

You must sue using the defendant's exact legal name.

If the defendant is a business or a corporation and you do not know the exact legal name, check with the state or local licensing agency, the county clerk's office, or the Office of the Secretary of State, Corporate Status Unit, at www.sos.ca.gov/business.

If the defendant is a corporation, limited liability company, or public entity, list the person or agent authorized for service of process here: Name, Job title, if known, and Address.

Check here if your case is against more than one defendant and attach form SC-100A.

Check here if any defendant is on active military duty and write defendant's name here.⁠^[2]

In 3, the plaintiff claims the defendant owes $ . (Explain on next page.)

“Small claims court” is a special court where claims for $12,500 or less are decided. Individuals, including “natural persons” and sole proprietors, may claim up to $12,500. Corporations, partnerships, public entities, and other businesses are limited to claims of $6,250. (checked November 1, 2026)

Why does the defendant owe the plaintiff money?

When did this happen? (Date): If no specific date, give the time period: Date started: Through:

How did you calculate the money owed to you? (Do not include court costs or fees for service.)

Check here if you need more space. Attach one sheet of paper or form MC-031 and write “SC-100, Item 3” at the top.

You must ask the defendant (in person, in writing, or by phone) to pay you before you sue.

If your claim is for possession of property, you must ask the defendant to give you the property.

Have you done this? Yes No If no, explain why not:

A person who sues in small claims court must first make a demand, if possible.

This means that you have asked the defendant to pay, and the defendant has refused.⁠^[2]

Why are you filing your claim at this courthouse? This courthouse covers the area (check the one that applies):

(1) Where the defendant lives or does business.

(2) Where the plaintiff's property was damaged.

(3) Where the plaintiff was injured.

(4) Where a contract (written or spoken) was made, signed, performed, or broken by the defendant or where the defendant lived or did business when the defendant made the contract.

Where the buyer or lessee signed the contract, lives now, or lived when the contract was made, if this claim is about an offer or contract for personal, family, or household goods, services, or loans. (Code Civ. Proc., § 395(b).)

Where the buyer signed the contract, lives now, or lived when the contract was made, if this claim is about a retail installment contract (like a credit card). (Civ. Code, § 1812.10.)

Where the buyer signed the contract, lives now, or lived when the contract was made, or where the vehicle is permanently garaged, if this claim is about a vehicle finance sale. (Civ. Code, § 2984.4.)

Other (specify):

List the zip code of the place checked in 5 (if you know):

Is your claim about an attorney-client fee dispute? Yes No If yes, and if you have had arbitration, fill out form SC-101, attach it to this form, and check here:

8 Are you suing a public entity? Yes No If yes, you must file a written claim with the entity first.

A claim was filed on (date): If the public entity denies your claim or does not answer within the time allowed by law, you can file this form.

Have you filed more than 12 other small claims within the last 12 months in California? Yes No If yes, the filing fee for this case will be higher.

10 Is your claim for more than $2,500? Yes No If you answer yes, you also confirm that you have not filed, and you understand that you may not file, more than two small claims cases for more than $2,500 in California during this calendar year. (checked November 1, 2026)

11 I understand that by filing a claim in small claims court, I have no right to appeal this claim.

Information for the defendant (the person being sued): If you lose, you may appeal. You'll have to pay a fee. (Plaintiffs cannot appeal their own claims.) If you were at the trial, file form SC-140, Notice of Appeal. You must file within 30 days after the clerk hands or mails you the judge's decision (judgment) on form SC-200 or form SC-130, Notice of Entry of Judgment.

“I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the information above and on any attachments to this form is true and correct.”

Second plaintiff types or prints name here and Second plaintiff signs here, with the Date.