SC-100 Form: How to Fill Out and File Your California Small Claims Case

What Is the SC-100 Form?

The SC-100 ("Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court") is the official California court form you must file to start a small claims case. It is the document that tells the court:

• Who you are (the plaintiff)
• Who you are suing (the defendant)
• How much money you are claiming
• Why you believe you are owed that money

Every small claims case in California — whether it is a security deposit dispute, a landlord repair claim, an unpaid debt, or a consumer fraud — begins with the SC-100.

Key facts at a glance

How to Fill Out the SC-100 Form — Step by Step

Step 1: Get the current version of the form

Download the SC-100 from the California Courts self-help website or pick up a paper copy at your local courthouse clerk's office. The current version is dated January 1, 2026 — always verify the date printed in the footer of your form before filing. Outdated versions may be rejected by the clerk.

Step 2: Fill in your information (Plaintiff)

In Section 1, enter:

• Your full legal name (for individuals) or the business name and DBA (for a company)
• Your mailing address — this is where the court will mail hearing notices
• Your phone number (daytime)
• Whether you are an individual, a sole proprietor, a partnership, or a corporation

Step 3: Enter the defendant's information

In Section 2, enter the defendant's full legal name and address. This matters enormously:

• If you are suing an individual, use their full personal name, not a nickname.
• If you are suing a business, find their official registered name in the California Secretary of State database. Using the wrong name can get your case dismissed.
• The address must be one where the defendant can be served.

If you are unsure of the defendant's legal name, look at your lease, any demand letters you received, or search the California Secretary of State's business entity database at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov.

Step 4: State the reason you are filing (claim description)

In Section 4, briefly explain why you are owed money. Be specific:

• For a security deposit case: "Defendant failed to return my $3,200 security deposit within 21 days of my October 31, 2025 move-out, as required by California Civil Code § 1950.5."
• For a landlord repair case: "Defendant failed to repair the broken heating system for 4 months, causing me $800 in hotel costs."

The court wants facts, dates, and a dollar amount — not emotions. Courts have seen thousands of these forms; clarity wins.

Step 5: Enter the amount you are claiming

State the exact amount you are claiming, including:

• The original deposit or loss
• Any statutory multiplier (e.g., up to 2× the deposit under Civil Code § 1950.5(m) for bad-faith withholding)
• Court costs you want reimbursed (filing fee, process server fee)

Example for a bad-faith security deposit case:

• Deposit wrongfully kept: $3,200
• Bad-faith statutory damages (2×): $6,400
• Filing fee: $75
• Total claim: $9,675

Step 6: Select the correct court

Section 3 asks which courthouse you want to file in. You must file in a court that has jurisdiction over your case. For most landlord-tenant disputes, the correct court is in the county where the rental property is located.

Within a county that has multiple courthouses, choose the one that serves the city or zip code of the property.

Step 7: Sign and date the form

Under penalty of perjury, you certify that the facts are true. Sign your name exactly as it appears in Section 1. An unsigned SC-100 will not be accepted.

How to File the SC-100

Once the form is complete, you have three options for filing:

Option 1: File in person at the courthouse clerk's office

Bring:

1. The completed SC-100 (print 2 copies — one for the court, one for yourself)
2. Any exhibits you want to attach (receipts, photos, text messages — optional at filing, required at hearing)
3. Payment for the filing fee

The clerk will stamp your copy, assign a case number, and give you a hearing date. The first available hearing date is typically 30–70 days out.

Option 2: File by mail

Mail your completed SC-100 and a check or money order for the filing fee to the court's civil division. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return your stamped copy. Confirm the mailing address and check payable-to name with your specific courthouse first.

Option 3: File online (available at select courts)

Several Bay Area courts allow online e-filing for small claims. Check your courthouse's website or call the clerk's office to confirm online filing is available and get the link.

Filing Fees for the SC-100

Fees vary by claim amount:

† $100 applies only to plaintiffs who filed more than 12 small-claims cases in the prior 12 months.

Fee waiver available: If you cannot afford the filing fee, complete form FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees) at the same time as the SC-100. You may qualify if your income is below 125% of the federal poverty line or you receive CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, or similar benefits.

What Happens After You File?

1. You receive a hearing date. The court assigns a date, usually 30–70 days out.
2. You must serve the defendant. You cannot serve papers yourself — an adult who is not a party to the case must serve the defendant at least 15 days before the hearing (20 days if the defendant is outside the county). Allowed methods are personal service, substituted service, or certified mail — but certified mail may only be sent by the court clerk, not by you, Accessible Justice, or any other third party (CCP § 116.340). Accessible Justice can arrange third-party service of process on your behalf for an additional fee — via a registered process server, not certified mail — note that service is not guaranteed if the defendant is evasive or cannot be located.
3. Prepare your evidence. Organize your photos, receipts, text messages, emails, lease, and any written communications.
4. Attend the hearing. Present your case in 5–10 minutes. Judges are experienced at small claims — be concise and factual.
5. Receive the judgment. The judge typically rules that day or within a few days by mail.

Common SC-100 Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrong defendant name — Using "my landlord" instead of the legal name of the LLC or individual will get your case dismissed at service.
• Wrong court — Filing in the wrong county or courthouse wastes time and filing fees.
• Missing the statute of limitations — Most landlord-tenant claims must be filed within 4 years for written contracts (CCP § 337) or 2 years for oral agreements (CCP § 339). Security deposit claims specifically: 3 years from when the deposit was due (CCP § 338, statutory liability).
• Vague claim description — "My landlord owes me money" is not a claim. State exactly what happened, when, and how much.
• Claiming more than the cap — Small claims is capped at $12,500. If your claim exceeds that, you must either reduce it or file in limited civil court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SC-100 form used for?

The SC-100 is the official California form to start a small claims lawsuit. You file it with your county courthouse to get a hearing date and notify the defendant that you are suing them.

How much does it cost to file the SC-100?

Filing fees range from $30 to $100 depending on your claim amount. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for a fee waiver using form FW-001.

Can I sue my landlord using the SC-100?

Yes. The SC-100 is the correct form for suing a landlord for an unreturned security deposit, failure to repair, wrongful entry, or other landlord-tenant disputes up to $12,500.

How long do I have to file the SC-100 after a security deposit dispute?

You generally have 3 years from the date the deposit should have been returned (CCP § 338 — statutory liability; Civil Code § 1950.5(h) requires return within 21 days of move-out). If your claim is also framed as breach of a written lease, CCP § 337 gives you 4 years — consult an attorney if you are close to either deadline. Do not delay — the statute of limitations is a hard deadline.

Do I need a lawyer to fill out the SC-100?

No. Small claims court is specifically designed for self-representation — attorneys are not allowed to appear at the hearing (CCP § 116.530). However, getting help preparing the form, gathering evidence, and structuring your argument is allowed and often makes the difference between winning and losing.

What if I do not know the defendant's address?

You must be able to serve the defendant, which requires a physical address. For a landlord, check your lease, rent receipts, the California Secretary of State database, or your county's property tax records. If you have a P.O. box only, you may need additional research.

Can I amend the SC-100 after filing?

Yes, but you must file an amended SC-100 and pay an additional filing fee. Do this as early as possible — amending close to the hearing date can cause a continuance.

Let Accessible Justice Handle Your SC-100 — Attorney-Reviewed

Filing the SC-100 correctly requires knowing the defendant's exact legal name, the right court, the right claim amount, and the right statute of limitations. Mistakes at this stage can sink an otherwise valid case.

Accessible Justice does all of this for you:

• We fill out the SC-100 using the information you provide — accurate defendant name, correct court, properly calculated claim amount including any statutory multipliers.
• A licensed California attorney reviews your case before any form is filed.
• We handle filing and can arrange third-party service of process on your behalf for an additional fee (service is not guaranteed if the defendant cannot be located).
• We help you prepare your evidence and hearing presentation.
• Attorney packages, when you want more support — we file your case, serve your case, and charge a percentage of recovery only if you win.

A wrong defendant name, a missed deadline, or a vague claim description can sink an otherwise valid case — before the judge ever hears a word. We make sure that does not happen to you.

This is general legal information, not legal advice for your specific situation. Accessible Justice's attorney reviews your case before any action is taken.

This is general legal information, not legal advice for your specific situation. Accessible Justice's attorney reviews your case before any action is taken.