Merced County Small Claims Court

Court Information

Court name

Merced County Superior Court -- Small Claims Division (Old Merced Courthouse)

Address

627 W. 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340

Phone

(209) 725-4111

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00am-3:00pm

Official website

https://www.merced.courts.ca.gov/self-help/small-claims

Typical hearing wait

7 weeks

Other Courthouses in This County

This county hears small claims cases at more than one courthouse. Confirm the correct location on your Notice of Hearing before you file or appear.

Court name

Merced County Superior Court -- Los Banos Division (Robert M. Falasco Justice Center)

Address

1159 G Street, Los Banos, CA 93635

Phone

(209) 725-4124

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

Merced County Superior Court hears small claims cases at two locations: the Civil Division at the Old Merced Courthouse (627 W. 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340) and the Robert M. Falasco Justice Center in Los Banos (1159 G Street, Los Banos, CA 93635). Cases may also be e-filed through the court's Odyssey eFileCA portal (Tyler Technologies). Bring a completed Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court (Form SC-100) and the filing fee based on your claim amount, or a Fee Waiver request (Form FW-001) if you cannot afford it. Note that the Small Claims Advisor's in-person office is at the Ogletree Jr. Courthouse (2260 N Street, Merced) -- a different building from where cases are filed.

Serving the Defendant

California law requires the defendant to be personally served, served by substituted service, or served by certified mail at least 15 days before the hearing if they live in the same county, or 20 days before the hearing if served outside the county.

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

Hearing Tips

Neither side may have a lawyer represent them at the small claims hearing, though you may consult a lawyer before or after your court date.
A free Small Claims Advisor can help you prepare your case -- call (209) 725-4168 (Mon-Fri, 8:00am-12:00pm) or email smallclaims.advisor@mercedcourt.org.
Small Claims Night Court is held the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00pm for filers who request an evening hearing when they file -- note that interpreter services are not available during Night Court hours.
Remote hearing appearances by phone or video are coordinated through Zoom rather than Court Call.
You can e-file your claim through the court's Odyssey eFileCA system.

✓ Interpreters available ✓ Phone appearance allowed

Know Your Rights Under California Law

California Civil Code § 1950.5 requires landlords to return your deposit or provide an itemized statement within 21 days of move-out. If they fail to do so, you may be entitled to your deposit back plus up to 2× the deposit amount in statutory damages.

Read the full California Security Deposit Law guide →

Let us handle the legal work for you

Accessible Justice files your claim, prepares your documents, and guides you through the process — no upfront cost.

Start my security deposit case →