Madera County Small Claims Court

Court Information

Court name

Madera County Superior Court -- Small Claims Division (Civil Division, Main Courthouse)

Address

200 South G Street, Madera, CA 93637

Phone

(559) 416-5525

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00am-3:00pm (drop box available until 4:00pm; no cash accepted in drop box)

Official website

https://www.madera.courts.ca.gov/divisions/small-claims-court

Typical hearing wait

7 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 claim at the Madera Superior Court Civil Division, Main Courthouse, 200 South G Street, Madera, CA 93637 (clerk's window open 8:00 AM-3:00 PM; a drop box is available until 4:00 PM, though cash cannot be left in it). Bring a completed Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Defendant (Form SC-100) and the filing fee, or Form FW-001 if you cannot afford it. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can also eFile through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider 24/7.

Serving the Defendant

After filing, have someone 18 or older who is not a party to the case personally serve the defendant with the claim, or use substituted service or certified mail. Service must be completed at least 15 days before the hearing (20 days if the defendant lives outside the county). File the completed Proof of Service (Form SC-104) with the court before your hearing date.

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

Hearing Tips

Small claims cases are calendared for hearing at 9:00 AM on Fridays, in Department 44 or 45 at the Main Courthouse.
Court interpreters are provided free of charge, but you must request one in advance -- ask as soon as you know you'll need one.
The court offers remote Zoom appearances for civil matters; contact the clerk well in advance to request one and to confirm the notice deadline for your small claims hearing.
Bring your completed Proof of Service (Form SC-104) confirming the defendant was properly served.

✓ Interpreters available ✓ Phone appearance allowed

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