Inyo County Small Claims Court

File your small claims case (Form SC-100) at either Inyo County Superior Court location: the Bishop Courthouse, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, CA 93514, or the Independence Courthouse, 168 North Edwards Street, Independence, CA 93526 (both share phone (760) 872-3038). Submit the original plus at least 2 copies, assembled and stapled in the upper left corner; if filing by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your documents. Electronic filing through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) is also available for small claims cases. Bring the filing fee ($30 for claims up to $1,500, $50 for $1,501-$5,000, or $75 for $5,001-$12,500) -- plus an additional $15 per defendant if you want the court clerk to serve by certified mail -- or a completed Request to Waive Court Fees (Form FW-001).

The defendant must be served with the Claim and Order (Form SC-100) by personal service, substituted service, or certified mail arranged through the court clerk ($15 fee per defendant), at least 15 days before the trial date if they live in Inyo County, or at least 20 days before the trial date if they live outside the county; substituted service or certified mail requires 10 additional days before that deadline. You cannot serve the papers yourself -- use a non-party who is at least 18 years old, a professional process server, or the sheriff's department. File the completed Proof of Service (Form SC-104) with the court at least 5 days before the hearing, or the case may be dropped from the calendar.

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