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Riverside County Small Claims Court

Everything California tenants need to file a security deposit claim — address, fees, deadlines, and hearing tips.

Court Information

Court name
Riverside County Superior Court — Small Claims Division (Moreno Valley Courthouse)
Address
13800 Heacock Street Bldg. D #201, Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Phone
(951) 777-3147
Hours
Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:00pm
Official website
https://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/self-help/small-claims
Typical hearing wait
8 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
Banning Justice Center
Address
311 E. Ramsey Street, Banning, CA 92220
Phone
(951) 777-3147
Covers
Evictions, Small Claims, Criminal, Traffic
Court name
Blythe Courthouse
Address
265 N. Broadway, Blythe, CA 92225
Phone
(760) 393-2617
Covers
Evictions, Small Claims, Civil, Family Law, Criminal, Traffic
Court name
Corona Courthouse
Address
505 S. Buena Vista Ave. #201, Corona, CA 92882
Phone
(951) 777-3147
Covers
Small Claims, Unlawful Detainers, Civil, Traffic -- NOTE: the court's own page also separately describes this location as 'open for traffic only' in its courtroom-accommodations section, an unresolved conflict on the official site; confirm current small-claims availability directly with the court before relying on this branch.
Court name
Menifee Justice Center
Address
27401 Menifee Center Drive, Menifee, CA 92584
Phone
(951) 777-3147
Covers
Civil, Evictions, Family Law, Small Claims
Court name
Palm Springs Courthouse
Address
3255 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone
(760) 393-2617
Covers
Evictions, Small Claims, Civil, Probate

Filing Fees

Max claim: $12,500  ·  Required forms: SC-100, SC-104

Claim amountFiling 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

To start a case, file a Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court (Form SC-100) with the Riverside County Superior Court, along with the filing fee or a fee-waiver request (Form FW-001). Filing fees are $30 for claims up to $1,500, $50 for claims of $1,501–$5,000, and $75 for claims of $5,001–$12,500. You may file in person, by mail (with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a check made out to "Riverside Superior Court"), or online through Civil eFiling. Small claims cases in Riverside County are heard at several courthouses — Banning, Blythe, Corona, Menifee, Moreno Valley, and Palm Springs — depending on where the case arose or the parties are located, so use the court's online locator to confirm the correct filing location before you file.

Serving the Defendant

Have the defendant served with your claim at least 15 days before the hearing (20 days if they live outside Riverside County). Service may be made by personal delivery, substituted service, or certified mail; the defendant may not serve the papers themselves. File a 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

✓ 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.

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