- Claim limit
- $12,500
- Court
- Small Claims Court
- File online
- Varies by court
- Appeal window
- 30 days
What each California court charges to file
Source: Each county clerk's published fee schedule
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | $30–$75 |
| San Diego County | $30–$75 |
| Orange County | $30–$75 |
| Riverside County | $30–$75 |
| San Bernardino County | $30–$75 |
| Santa Clara County | $30–$75 |
| Alameda County | $30–$75 |
| San Francisco County | $30–$75 |
| San Mateo County | $30–$75 |
| Contra Costa County | $30–$75 |
| Fresno County | $30–$75 |
| Stanislaus County | $30–$75 |
| Sonoma County | $30–$75 |
| Solano County | $30–$75 |
| Monterey County | $30–$75 |
| Tulare County | $30–$75 |
| Santa Barbara County | $30–$75 |
| Kern County | $30–$75 |
| Sacramento County | $30–$75 |
Fees change. Confirm the current amount with your clerk before you file — each county page carries that court’s own tier table and phone number.
The costs that are not the filing fee
The counter fee is the first charge, not the only one:
- Service of each defendant — $15 in the California counties we cover.
- Issuing the summons, where the court charges for it separately.
- A card surcharge, where the clerk takes payment by card.
- Re-filing, if the first attempt is rejected — the fee is charged again.
Court costs are normally included in the judgment you ask for, so they are recoverable if you win and you can collect.
A fee waiver exists for filers below an income threshold. Ask your clerk for the application; we cannot tell you whether you qualify.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file small claims in California?
$30–$75 across the California counties we cover, depending on the county and how much you are suing for, plus service.
Why does the fee differ by county in California?
Filing fees are charged by the clerk of court, and the schedule — including how it steps up with the size of the claim — is set locally.
Do I get the California filing fee back if I win?
Court costs are normally included in the judgment you ask for. Actually getting them back still depends on collecting from the defendant.
What if I cannot afford the fee?
Courts have a fee-waiver application for filers below an income threshold. Ask the clerk for the form.
Pick your county for its exact fee schedule
Small claims is filed at the county level. Pick your county for its court, fee, and forms — or start your claim and we'll ask where you'd sue.
- Los Angeles County Small Claims Court
- San Diego County Small Claims Court
- Orange County Small Claims Court
- Riverside County Small Claims Court
- San Bernardino County Small Claims Court
- Santa Clara County Small Claims Court
- Alameda County Small Claims Court
- San Francisco County Small Claims Court
- San Mateo County Small Claims Court
- Contra Costa County Small Claims Court
- Fresno County Small Claims Court
- Stanislaus County Small Claims Court
- Sonoma County Small Claims Court
- Solano County Small Claims Court
- Monterey County Small Claims Court
- Tulare County Small Claims Court
- Santa Barbara County Small Claims Court
- Kern County Small Claims Court
- Sacramento County Small Claims Court
Your small claims filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Your court's own forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with your 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 2026-08-20 · Sourced from California judiciary self-help resources and each county's clerk of court and Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 116.110-116.950 (The Small Claims Act). See how we verify.