Humboldt County Small Claims Court

Court Information

Court name

Humboldt County Superior Court -- Civil Division (Small Claims & Unlawful Detainers)

Address

421 I Street, Eureka, CA 95501

Phone

(707) 445-7256

Hours

Mon-Fri 9:00am-2:00pm

Official website

https://www.humboldt.courts.ca.gov/divisions/small-claims-unlawful-detainers

Typical hearing wait

8 weeks

Filing Fees

Max claim: $12,500 · Required forms: SC-100, SC-104

Claim amount	Filing fee
$1 – $1,500	$30
$1,501 – $5,000	$50
$5,001 – $12,500	$75

Fee waiver available if you qualify (form FW-001).

How to File

File your small claims case (SC-100) with the Civil Division of the Humboldt County Superior Court at 421 I Street, Eureka, CA 95501 (Mon-Fri, 9:00am-2:00pm). Filing fees are $30 for claims up to $1,500, $50 up to $5,000, and $75 up to $12,500; low-income filers may request a fee waiver (FW-001). Bring your completed SC-100 and required copies; a free Small Claims Clinic is held every Tuesday 3-5pm in Room 305 of the Eureka courthouse for help with paperwork.

Serving the Defendant

After filing, the defendant must be served with your claim (SC-100) at least 15 days before the hearing if they live in Humboldt County, or 20 days if they live outside the county. Service may be done by personal delivery, substituted service, or certified mail -- but not by the plaintiff. After service is complete, file proof of service (SC-104) with the Humboldt County Superior Court before your hearing.

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

Hearing Tips

A free Small Claims Clinic is held every Tuesday from 3-5pm in Room 305 of the Eureka courthouse for one-on-one help preparing your paperwork.
Personal appearance is required at your small claims trial because it is an evidentiary hearing; to request a remote (phone or video) appearance instead, you must file Judicial Council form RA-010 in advance, and the other party may object.
If you need a foreign-language interpreter, request one at least 10 court days before your hearing using the court's Request for Interpreter Form; the court provides and pays for the interpreter.
Trial exhibits can only be picked up from the Civil Division at 421 I Street after your case is concluded and the appeal period has expired; unclaimed exhibits are destroyed 60 days after the case's final determination.

✓ Interpreters available ✓ Phone appearance allowed

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