Question 1 of 8. We fill in the forms above with your answers.
The San Mateo County forms you need
San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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
- No
Where to file these forms
Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo — Small Claims Division
400 County Center, 1st Floor, Room A, Redwood City, CA 94063
650-261-5100 option 6
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., by appointment only
- In person by appointment at 400 County Center, 1st Floor, Room A, Redwood City
- By mail to the Small Claims Division, 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063
Walk-in filing is available at 2 locations: Hall of Justice & Records, 400 County Center, 1st Floor, Room A, Redwood City, CA 94063 (650-261-5100 option 6) — small claims filing, Northern Branch, South San Francisco — some small claims hearings.
Common questions
What forms do I need for small claims in San Mateo County?
San Mateo 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 San Mateo — Small Claims Division.
Where do I file small claims forms in San Mateo County?
Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo — Small Claims Division, 400 County Center, 1st Floor, Room A, Redwood City.
How much does it cost to file in San Mateo County?
The filing fee is $30–$75, plus $15 per defendant for service. Fees change — confirm with the clerk at 650-261-5100 option 6.
The San Mateo County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both San Mateo County 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 San Mateo — Small Claims Division'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 2026-08-29 · Sourced from sanmateo.courts.ca.gov (Small Claims Division, fetched 2026-08-29); leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (CCP §§116.220/116.221/116.230/116.232) and Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 116.110-116.950 (The Small Claims Act). See how we verify.