How to File a Small Claim in Los Angeles County, California

Which court hears the case

Small claims court in California is a division of the Superior Court. In Los Angeles County, the court is the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The California Courts self-help pages describe small claims as a cheaper and faster process, with a court date typically about 1 to 2 months after filing. A party may ask a lawyer for advice before going to court but cannot have a lawyer with them in court. A plaintiff who started the case cannot appeal if the plaintiff loses; the judge's decision is final for the plaintiff.

The limits, and a conflict stated plainly

The Judicial Council information sheet SC-100-INFO, revised January 1, 2024, states: a claim cannot be for more than $6,250 if the filer is a business or public entity, or more than $12,500 if the filer is a natural person, including a sole proprietor. A claim for more than the limit may be filed in the civil division, or filed in small claims with the right to the amount over the limit given up. A filer cannot file more than two cases in small claims court for more than $2,500 each during a calendar year. The California Courts self-help small claims page states the same limits in the same terms: generally up to $12,500, or up to $6,250 for a business.

Many secondary pages still state $10,000 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses. Those are the pre-2024 limits. They conflict with the current Judicial Council sheet and the current self-help page, and they are not carried here as current figures. This guide states the $12,500 and $6,250 limits only, as the current primary sources state them. An exception applies in an action against a defendant who is a guarantor, under Code of Civil Procedure section 116.220(c); the exception's terms were not opened for this guide and are not stated here.

The form

The case starts with Form SC-100, the Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court. SC-100-INFO is the information sheet written for the person who sues; it explains the rules and directs filers to get small claims forms at the California Courts Self-Help Center website, a county law library, or the court. The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs states that court forms are available at California Courts Forms, by selecting "Small Claims," and at the court clerk's office. No other form number is stated in this guide, because no other form's current identity was verified on the primary pages opened.

Filing fees, and a boundary conflict

The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs fee page, last changed June 16, 2026, lists these filing fees for a Plaintiff's Claim and a Defendant's Claim, based on the amount sued for: $0 to $1,500, $30; $1,500.01 to $5,000, $50; $5,000.01 to $12,500, $75, with a note that only individuals, not businesses, can sue for that amount; and frequent filer, $100, where the filer filed more than 12 cases in a 12-month period. The California Courts self-help page states the same range in summary: the filing fee for a small claims case is between $30 and $100, with a fee waiver available for a filer who cannot afford the fee.

One boundary conflict is disclosed, not resolved. The Code of Civil Procedure section 116.230 text located for this guide states the $50 tier as applying where the amount of the demand is more than $1,500 but less than or equal to $6,250, and the $75 tier above $6,250. The county fee page states the $50/$75 boundary at $5,000 instead. This guide carries the county fee table as published and flags the $5,000-versus-$6,250 boundary as a conflict. Confirm the fee for a claim between $5,000 and $6,250 with the clerk before filing. Do not average the two boundaries.

The fee page also lists sheriff service of a Plaintiff's Claim at $50, and states that checks for court fees are payable to "Los Angeles Superior Court" and checks for sheriff service to the "Los Angeles County Sheriff Department" or "LASD." A filer who cannot afford the fees may file a Request to Waive Court Fees form with the clerk's office.

Filing routes and courthouse: what was not verified

No Los Angeles Superior Court small claims page was opened for this guide, so no courthouse list, court-locator tool, or electronic filing route is stated here as verified. The secondary pages located state that cases are filed at the courthouse serving the area where the defendant lives or does business or where the incident occurred, and that some courthouses offer e-filing, but those statements were not verified on a court page this run and are not carried as verified facts. File Form SC-100 with the clerk of the Superior Court, confirm the correct courthouse with the court before filing, and ask the clerk whether electronic filing is available for the case. Do not treat any e-filing claim on a secondary page as a verified court route.

What this guide does not state

No advice is given on whether to file, what to claim, or what a case is worth. Service deadlines, proof-of-service form numbers, hearing procedure, and mediation rules were not verified on the primary pages opened and are not stated here. Confirm service requirements with the clerk when filing.

For small claims filing in other counties, see the Small-Claims Courts by County directory. To compare courts, limits, forms, and fees by county, use the Small-Claims Court Finder.

Source

Sources: Judicial Council of California, SC-100-INFO, Information for the Small Claims Plaintiff, revised January 1, 2024 (limits, SC-100 form, two-case rule, guarantor exception reference); California Courts Self-Help Center, "Small claims in California" page ($12,500/$6,250 limits, $30-$100 fee range, no lawyer in court, no plaintiff appeal); Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, "Small Claims Court Fees" page, last change June 16, 2026 (fee tiers, sheriff service fee, fee waiver, forms availability); Code of Civil Procedure section 116.230 text via California Legislative Information (fee-tier boundary wording). Facts verified 2026-11-03. Open flags: the $10,000/$5,000 secondary figures are superseded and not carried; the $50/$75 fee boundary conflicts between the county page ($5,000) and the section 116.230 text ($6,250); no LACourt small claims page, courthouse list, or e-filing route was verified this run.

This page explains how the process works and what the official rules say. It is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute about your specific situation, talk to the court.