El Dorado County Small Claims Court

File your small claims case (form SC-100) at the Cameron Park Branch (2927 Meder Road, Cameron Park, CA 95682) if your dispute or the defendant is on the West Slope, or at the South Lake Tahoe Branch (1354 Johnson Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150) for Tahoe-area matters; claims must be $12,500 or less and connected to El Dorado County. Bring the original plus 2 copies, stapled in the upper left corner (include a self-addressed stamped envelope if filing by mail), and pay the filing fee based on your claim amount or file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. Electronic filing is also available 24/7 through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP).

Serve the defendant by personal service, substituted service at their home or business, certified mail arranged through the court clerk (additional $15 fee per defendant), or a registered process server. Service must be completed at least 15 days before the hearing if the defendant is in El Dorado County, or 20 days if outside the county, with 10 additional days if using substituted or certified mail service. File proof of service (form SC-104) with the court at least 5 days before the hearing.

Allowed methods: Personal service, Substituted service, Certified mail
Deadline: Serve at least 15 days before the hearing date.