Form SC-120 at a glance
What it is: SC-120 is the Defendant's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court.
Who signs: Defendant types or prints name here. Defendant signs here.
What to bring and attach to Form SC-120
Bring witnesses, receipts, and any evidence you need to prove your case.
A filled-in Form SC-120 example: a defendant asks for money owed for repair work
How to fill out Form SC-120, box by box
Fill in court name and street address, case number and case name
Fill in court name and street address.
Fill in case number and case name.
The plaintiff (the person, business, or public entity that sued first)
The plaintiff (the person, business, or public entity that sued first) is: Name, Phone, Street address, City, State and Zip, with a Mailing address (if different): Street City State Zip. If more than one plaintiff, list next plaintiff here: Name, Phone, Street address, City, State and Zip, with a Mailing address (if different): Street City State Zip.
Check here if more than 2 plaintiffs and attach form SC-120A.
Check here if any plaintiff is on active military duty and write his or her name here.
The defendant (the person, business, or public entity suing now)
The defendant (the person, business, or public entity suing now) is: Name, Phone, Street address, City, State and Zip, with a Mailing address (if different): Street City State Zip. If more than one defendant, list next defendant here: Name, Phone, Street address, City, State and Zip, with a Mailing address (if different): Street City State Zip.
Check here if more than 2 defendants and attach form SC-120A.
"Check here if either defendant listed above is doing business under a fictitious name." If so, attach form SC-103.
The Defendant claims the Plaintiff owes
The Defendant claims the Plaintiff owes $.
a. Why does the plaintiff owe the defendant money?
b. When did this happen? (Date): If no specific date, give the time period: Date started: Through:
c. 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-120, Item 3" at the top.
You may ask the Plaintiff to pay you before you sue
4. You may ask the Plaintiff (in person, in writing, or by phone) to pay you before you sue. Have you done this? Yes No
Is your claim about an attorney-client fee dispute?
5. 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.
Are you suing a public entity?
6. Are you suing a public entity? Yes No If yes, you must file a written claim with the public 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?
7. 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.
Defendant signs here
"I declare, under penalty of perjury under California State law, that the information above and on any attachments to this form is true and correct."
Date: Defendant types or prints name here. Defendant signs here. Date: Second defendant types or prints name here. Second defendant signs here.
More rules for Form SC-120
8. I understand that by filing a claim in small claims court, I have no right to appeal this claim.
9. If I do not have enough money to pay for filing fees or service, I can ask the court to waive those fees.
10. I have not filed, and understand that I cannot file, more than two small claims cases for more than $2,500 in California during this calendar year. (checked November 2, 2026)
You must go to court on the trial date. If you do not go to court, you may lose the case.
Before you go
You must have someone at least 18, not you or anyone else listed in this case, give each plaintiff a court-stamped copy of all 3 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. Go to court on your trial date. Bring witnesses, receipts, and any evidence you need to prove your case.
Common questions about Form SC-120
Where do I file it?
Before you fill out this form, read form SC-100-INFO, Information for the Plaintiff, to know your rights. Fill out pages 2 and 3 of this form. Then make copies of all pages of this form. (Make 1 copy for each party named in this case and an extra copy for yourself.) Take or mail the original and these copies to the court clerk's office and pay the filing fee.
Where to get help with Form SC-120
Assistive listening systems, computer-assisted, real-time captioning, or sign language interpreter services are available if you ask at least five days before the trial. Contact the clerk's office or go to courts.ca.gov/rules-forms/find-your-court-forms for Request for Accommodations by Persons With Disabilities and Response (form MC-410).
Need help? Your county's Small Claims Advisor can help for free. Or visit selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/small-claims-advisor.
Sources
[1] Form SC-120 (Revised July 1, 2025), Defendant's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court, Judicial Council of California (the Official source link on this page).
