Monterey County Small Claims Court

Court Information

Court name

Monterey County Superior Court -- Civil Division / Self-Help Center (Monterey Courthouse)

Address

1200 Aguajito Road, 2nd Floor, Monterey, CA 93940

Phone

(831) 647-5800

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm (Clerk's Office)

Official website

https://www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/divisions/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

Monterey County Superior Court -- Small Claims Division (Marina Courthouse)

Address

3180 Del Monte Blvd., Marina, CA 93933

Phone

(831) 883-5300

Covers

Small claims trials, Child Support, Juvenile Traffic, Traffic (Courtrooms 20-21)

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 Plaintiff's Claim (Form SC-100), plus the filing fee or a fee-waiver request (Form FW-001) if you cannot afford it, at the Civil Division / Self-Help Center at the Monterey Courthouse, 1200 Aguajito Road, 2nd Floor, Monterey, CA 93940, by mail, or online through the court's eFileCA / File-at-Home system. Small claims trials themselves are held at a different location -- the Marina Courthouse, 3180 Del Monte Blvd., Marina, CA 93933 (Department 20), on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Call the Civil Filing Division at (831) 647-5800 with questions about your case.

Serving the Defendant

Have someone who is 18 or older and not a party to the case serve each defendant -- personally, by substituted service, or by certified mail arranged through the court clerk. Service must be completed at least 15 days before the trial if the defendant lives in Monterey County, or at least 20 days before trial if they live elsewhere. File a completed Proof of Service (Form SC-104) with the court at least 2 days before the Court Trial.

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

Hearing Tips

Arrive at the courthouse at least 15 minutes before your scheduled Court Trial time.
Bring organized exhibits (photographs, contracts, bills, receipts) with copies for each defendant and the court, and confirm that any witnesses will appear to testify.
The court does not provide an interpreter for small claims trials -- if you're not comfortable in English, bring your own interpreter (an adult who is not a party to the case), or ask the clerk whether a court-approved interpreter happens to be available.
You may appear remotely by video or audio-only/phone through Zoom; file Form RA-010 at least 10 days before your hearing, and the court will decide whether a remote appearance is appropriate for your case.
Prepare to tell your claim's story briefly, clearly, and in chronological order -- exchange documents with the other party before your case is called.

✓ Interpreters available ✓ Phone appearance allowed

Know Your Rights Under California Law

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Read the full California Security Deposit Law guide →

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