Court Information
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.
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 completed Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court (SC-100) at the Placer County Superior Court's Civil Division. Small claims cases up to $12,500 can be filed at any of three courthouses: the Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse (Main Courthouse), 10820 Justice Center Drive, Roseville; the Historic Courthouse, 101 Maple Street, Auburn; or the Tahoe Courthouse, 2501 N. Lake Blvd, Tahoe City. At the Gibson Courthouse, take a 'Civil' number ticket from the 1st-floor kiosk before filing (no ticket is needed at the Auburn or Tahoe locations). Bring the sliding-scale filing fee ($30-$75 depending on your claim amount), or file a Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001) if you cannot afford it; the court also offers eFiling for a separate third-party service fee.
Serving the Defendant
After filing, someone who is 18 or older and not a party to the case -- not you -- must personally serve a copy of the filed SC-100 on each defendant. Under California law (CCP 116.340), service must be completed at least 15 days before the hearing if served in person, or 20 days before the hearing if served by an alternate method such as mail. The person who served the papers must complete a Proof of Service (SC-104), which you then file with the court before your hearing.
Allowed methods: Personal service, Substituted service, Certified mail
Deadline: Serve at least 15 days before the hearing date.
Hearing Tips
- Bring two stamped, business-size envelopes when you file -- one addressed to yourself and one addressed to the defendant.
- You cannot serve the defendant's copy of the claim yourself; it must be served by someone else who is 18 or older.
- If you are suing a business or corporation, look up its 'Agent for Service of Process' on the California Secretary of State's website (sos.ca.gov) before you serve.
- If you need a court interpreter, notify the court at least five court days before your hearing or trial.
- Small claims litigants can appear by phone or video at no charge; ask about scheduling a remote appearance for your hearing.
✓ 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.
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