Question 1 of 8. Carries forward to the intake.
- Claim limit
- $12,500
- Filing fee
- $30–$75
- Court
- Small Claims Court
- File online
- No
Contra Costa County filing fees
Source: contracosta.courts.ca.gov (Small Claims Division filing locations, fetched 2026-08-30); leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (CCP §§116.220/116.221/116.230/116.232/116.370)
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| Under $1,500 | $30 |
| $1,500.01 – $5,000 | $50 |
| $5,000.01 – $12,500 | $75 |
Fees change. Confirm the current amount with the clerk at 925-608-1000 before you file.
Where to file
Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa — Small Claims
Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
925-608-1000
Confirm current clerk’s office hours with the filing location before you go.
- In person at the Martinez (725 Court Street), Pittsburg (1000 Center Drive), or Richmond (100 37th Street) courthouse
- By mail or courthouse drop box to the filing location (small claims cannot be e-filed)
Walk-in filing is available at 3 locations: Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553 (925-608-1000), Pittsburg Courthouse, 1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565, Richmond Courthouse, 100 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805.
The forms you need
Contra Costa County requires 3 forms to open a small claims case:
- SC-100 Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court
- SC-104 Proof of Service
- SC-140 Notice of Appeal (Small Claims)
We keep the current Contra Costa County versions of both. The forms are not the hard part — filling them out is. The Statement of Claim has to describe what happened in the language the court expects, and that is where most first-time filers get sent home to try again.
Serving the defendant
The plaintiff arranges and pays for service and may not serve the papers personally. Service is made by any adult 18 or older who is not a party, by the county sheriff or marshal for a fee, by a registered process server, or by the court clerk by certified mail where that option is offered.
- Personal service - an adult 18 or older who is not a party hands the forms to the defendant
- Substituted service - leave the forms with an adult at the defendant's home or usual mailing address (not a P.O. box) or workplace, then mail a copy
- Certified mail sent by the court clerk (offered only in some courts; a $15 clerk fee, and it often fails because the defendant can refuse to sign)
- Service by the county sheriff or marshal for a fee
- Service by a registered process server for a fee
Clerk certified mail is complete only if the defendant actually signs for it; a refused or unsigned certified-mail service does not count and will delay the case, so most filers use personal service by a sheriff or process server.
Why not just download the free form?
The forms are free. Why pay?
The forms are free. Knowing what to write in them is not. Most rejected filings are rejected on the claim narrative, not the paperwork.
Can't I just hire a lawyer?
Most attorneys will not take a $12,500 case, and the ones who will cost more than the claim.
What if I get it wrong?
You refile and pay the fee again. That is the actual cost of guessing.
What happens next
Your trial date is set when you file, so you leave the counter knowing when to come back. If the defendant loses, they have 30 days to move for a new trial and 30 days to appeal.
The Contra Costa County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both Contra Costa County forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- Filing checklist with this court's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your trial
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Contra Costa County?
Between $30 and $75, depending on your claim amount. Under $1,500: $30. $1,500.01 – $5,000: $50. $5,000.01 – $12,500: $75.
What is the small claims limit in Contra Costa County?
$12,500, individual limit; an entity or other non-natural person may claim only up to $6,250.
Where do I file a small claims case in Contra Costa County?
Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa — Small Claims, Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Martinez. Also at Pittsburg Courthouse, 1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565, Richmond Courthouse, 100 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Contra Costa County?
No. Small claims is designed for people to represent themselves.
Who serves the defendant?
The plaintiff arranges and pays for service and may not serve the papers personally. Service is made by any adult 18 or older who is not a party, by the county sheriff or marshal for a fee, by a registered process server, or by the court clerk by certified mail where that option is offered.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-30 · Sourced from contracosta.courts.ca.gov (Small Claims Division filing locations, fetched 2026-08-30); leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (CCP §§116.220/116.221/116.230/116.232/116.370) and Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 116.110-116.950 (The Small Claims Act). See how we verify.