Lake County Small Claims Court

Court Information

Court name

Superior Court of California, County of Lake — Small Claims Division (Clearlake Branch)

Address

7000-A South Center Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422

Phone

(707) 994-6598

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm

Official website

https://lake.courts.ca.gov/divisions/small-claims-information

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 at the Clearlake Branch, 7000-A South Center Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422, or e-file through one of the court's approved Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs). Bring the completed Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Defendant (form SC-100) and the filing fee, or a fee-waiver request (form FW-001) if you cannot afford it.

Serving the Defendant

Someone who is not a party to the case must serve the defendant with the SC-100 at least 15 days before the trial date (20 days if the defendant lives or does business outside Lake County), per CCP 116.340(b). The court clerk can serve the defendant by mail for a $15 fee; for personal service use form SC-104, and for substituted service also use form SC-104A.

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

Hearing Tips

Small claims hearings at the Clearlake Branch are in-person only — the court's remote-appearance calendar lists "Small Claims (In-Person)", so Zoom/phone appearance is not available for this calendar.
A free Small Claims Legal Advisor is available at (707) 994-4612 for help preparing your case (court clerks cannot give legal advice).
If you need an interpreter, notify the court in advance using form INT-300 or tell the judge at your hearing; call the court at least a few days before your court date to confirm arrangements.
The Self-Help Center offers walk-in assistance Monday and Wednesday, and appointment-only help Tuesday and Thursday (closed Friday); call (707) 994-4612 to reserve a spot.
If you haven't been able to serve the defendant yet, you can request a new trial date in writing or in person at the small claims counter, at least 3 court days before the scheduled trial date, at no fee.

✓ Interpreters available

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