Question 1 of 8. We fill in the forms above with your answers.
The Kern County forms you need
Kern 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 Kern County versions. The forms are not the hard part — filling them out is. The 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.
- Claim limit
- $12,500
- Filing fee
- $30–$75
- Court
- Small Claims Court
- File online
- Yes
Where to file these forms
Superior Court of California, County of Kern — Civil and Small Claims Division (Metropolitan Division/Justice Building)
1215 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
661-610-6518
Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.-noon
- In person at the small claims courthouse that has venue for the case
- By mail (original plus one copy per defendant, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope)
- Electronically through a court-approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (self-represented litigants may e-file though not required)
Walk-in filing is available at 6 locations: Metropolitan Justice Building — 1215 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661-610-6000), Delano — 1122 Jefferson St, Delano, CA 93215 (661-610-7300), Lamont — 12022 Main St, Lamont, CA 93241 (661-610-7100), Mojave — 1773 State Highway 58 Business, Mojave, CA 93501 (661-610-7400), Ridgecrest — 132 E Coso Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 (661-610-7450), Shafter — 325 Central Valley Hwy, Shafter, CA 93263 (661-610-7200).
Common questions
What forms do I need for small claims in Kern County?
Kern County requires: 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). File them at Superior Court of California, County of Kern — Civil and Small Claims Division (Metropolitan Division/Justice Building).
Where do I file small claims forms in Kern County?
Superior Court of California, County of Kern — Civil and Small Claims Division (Metropolitan Division/Justice Building), 1215 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield. You may also be able to file online.
How much does it cost to file in Kern County?
The filing fee is $30–$75, plus $15 per defendant for service. Fees change — confirm the current amount with the clerk at 661-610-6518 before you file.
The Kern County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Your Kern County filing forms, completed with your claim in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with Superior Court of California, County of Kern — Civil and Small Claims Division (Metropolitan Division/Justice Building)'s address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your hearing
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-24 · Sourced from kern.courts.ca.gov (Civil and Small Claims division page, court locations, self-help center, e-filing, payment options, Civil Fee Schedule eff. 1/1/2023), leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (CCP 116.220/116.221/116.230/116.232/116.745/116.760), en.wikipedia.org (2020 Census population) and Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 116.110-116.950 (The Small Claims Act). See how we verify.