The Santa Clara County forms you need
Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara — Small Claims Division (Downtown Superior Court)
191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
408-882-2352
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Friday (building access 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday)
- In person at the Downtown Superior Court (San Jose)
- By mail to the Downtown Superior Court
- Electronically through a court-approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (optional for small claims; mandatory e-filing applies only to attorney-represented Civil, Family, and Probate matters)
Common questions
What forms do I need for small claims in Santa Clara County?
Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara — Small Claims Division (Downtown Superior Court).
Where do I file small claims forms in Santa Clara County?
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara — Small Claims Division (Downtown Superior Court), 191 North First Street, San Jose. You may also be able to file online.
How much does it cost to file in Santa Clara County?
The filing fee is $30–$75, plus $15 per defendant for service. Fees change — confirm with the clerk at 408-882-2352.
The Santa Clara County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara — Small Claims Division (Downtown Superior Court)'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 2026-08-23 · Sourced from santaclara.courts.ca.gov (Small Claims Division, courthouse locations, local court fees, e-filing, payment methods, Small Claims Advisor), 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.