How Much Does Small Claims Court Cost?

how much does small claims court cost

How Much Does Small Claims Court Cost?

There are numerous fees that have to be paid when you are a filing your small claims case in California. Some of these fees may be waived if your income doesn’t meet a certain level. You are able to request a fee waiver from the court when you file your small claims SC-100 Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to go to Small Claims Court.

 The filing fee is the first fee that you would pay to the court clerk when you file your SC-100 Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to go to Small Claims Court. The next fee that needs to be paid  is to a process server or the Sheriff Department Civil Division to serve your documents to the defendant in your case. The process server fees can vary between $50 and $150.

 The following is a list of the small claims court fees that must be paid.

  • Filing claim for $1,500 or less CCP 116.230(b)(1) $30
  • Filing claim for more than $1,500 but less than or equal to $5,000 CCP 116.230(b)(2) $50
  • Filing claim for more than $5,000 but less than or equal to $10,000 (claim by natural persons only, with certain exceptions) CCP 116.230(b)(3), CCP 116.221 $75
  • Filing claim by person who has filed more than 12 small claims in California within the previous 12 months CCP 116.230(c) $100
  • Amendment raising amount of claim from $1,500 or less to more than $1500 but not exceeding $5,000 CCP 116.230(d)(1) $20
  • Amendment raising amount of claim from more than $1,500 but not exceeding $5,000 to more than $5,000 but not exceeding $10,000 (claim by natural persons only) CCP 116.230(d)(2), CCP 116.221 $25
  • Amendment raising amount of claim from $1,500 or less to more than $5,000 but not exceeding $10,000 (claim by natural persons only) CCP 116.230(d)(3), CCP 116.221 $45
  • Service by clerk for certified mail, to each defendant CCP 116.232 $15
  • Transfer of case out of small claims court (defendant’s claim exceeding jurisdictional limit) (no receiving court filing or transfer fee) CCP 116.390 No fee
  • Request for postponement of hearing, if defendant has been served CCP 116.570 $10
  • Notice of appeal of small claims case CCP 116.760 $75
  • Motion to vacate CCP 116.745 $20
  • Fee for payment of judgment to court CCP 116.860 $20
  • Application for order of examination of judgment debtor GC 70617(a)(6), CCP 116.820 $60
  • Writ of execution GC 70626(a)(1), CCP 116.820 $25 96 Abstract of judgment GC 70626(a)(2), CCP 116.820 $25