Question 1 of 8. Your answers become the claim the court reads.
- Claim limit
- $12,500
- Filing fee
- $30–$75
- File online
- Yes
- First court date
- Trial
Filing in Los Angeles County, step by step
Every step below happens at Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles - Small Claims Division (Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Central District) or through the system it uses.
- 1. Check the amount is within the limit. Los Angeles County small claims handles claims up to $12,500 (the individual limit; a person may bring no more than two claims over $2,500 statewide per calendar year). Above that, the case belongs in a different division and the clerk will refuse it.
- 2. Name the defendant exactly. A judgment against a misspelled name or a trade name that is not the legal entity is difficult to collect. For a business, use the registered legal name.
- 3. Fill out the claim form. Los Angeles County uses 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). The blank forms are free. What you write in the statement of what happened is what gets the case accepted or sent back.
- 4. File it and pay. Los Angeles County accepts filings in person at the small claims hub courthouse that has venue for the case (clerk visits by appointment); by mail to that hub courthouse; electronically through a court-approved electronic filing service provider (self-represented litigants may e-file). The fee is $30–$75.
- 5. Serve the defendant. Filing does not notify the defendant — service does, and the case cannot proceed without it. Los Angeles County charges $15 per 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.
Where to file in Los Angeles County
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles - Small Claims Division (Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Central District)
111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-830-0800
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday (excluding court holidays); in-person clerk's office visits are by appointment
- In person at the small claims hub courthouse that has venue for the case (clerk visits by appointment)
- By mail to that hub courthouse
- Electronically through a court-approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (self-represented litigants may e-file)
Walk-in filing is available at 11 locations: Chatsworth (North Valley District), Compton (South Central District), Downey (Southeast District), Governor George Deukmejian - Long Beach (South District), Inglewood (Southwest District), Michael D. Antonovich - Antelope Valley/Lancaster (North District), Pasadena (Northeast District), Santa Monica (West District), Stanley Mosk - Downtown Los Angeles (Central District), Van Nuys East (Northwest District), West Covina (East District).
What happens after you file
Los Angeles County sets your court date when you file, so you leave the counter knowing it. The first appearance is trial. If the defendant loses, they have 30 days to move for a new trial and 30 days to appeal.
Why not just do it yourself?
The forms are free. Why pay anything?
The forms are free. Knowing what to write in them is not. Most rejected filings are rejected on the claim narrative, not the paperwork.
What happens if I get it wrong?
You refile and pay $30–$75 again. That is the actual cost of guessing.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. Small claims is designed for people representing themselves, and most attorneys will not take a case this size.
Common questions
Where do I file a small claims case in Los Angeles County?
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles - Small Claims Division (Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Central District), 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Open 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday (excluding court holidays); in-person clerk's office visits are by appointment.
Can I file small claims online in Los Angeles County?
Yes. Los Angeles County accepts filings through LA Superior Court electronic filing through court-approved Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs), and filers representing themselves may register.
How long does a small claims case take in Los Angeles County?
It depends on the court's calendar and on how quickly the defendant is served. Your first date is set at filing.
How much can I sue for in Los Angeles County?
Up to $12,500, the individual limit; a person may bring no more than two claims over $2,500 statewide per calendar year.
The Los Angeles County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Every form Los Angeles County requires, filled in with your claim
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles - Small Claims Division (Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Central District)'s address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your first court date
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-20 · Sourced from leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (CCP 116.220/116.221/116.230/116.232/116.745/116.760), selfhelp.courts.ca.gov, lacourt.ca.gov (LA small claims, filing fees, e-filing, venue rule), and the LA Superior Court 2026 Civil Fee Schedule (rev. 5/6/2026) and Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 116.110-116.950 (The Small Claims Act). See how we verify.