San Joaquin County Small Claims Court

San Joaquin County small claims cases can only be filed at the Stockton or Lodi branch -- there is no other filing location in the county. The Small Claims Department's own counter is at the Lodi Courthouse, Dept. L-1, 217 W. Elm Street (2nd Floor), Lodi, CA 95240 (mail to 315 W. Elm Street, Lodi, CA 95240); the Civil Department counter at the Stockton Courthouse, 180 E. Weber Ave., 2nd Floor, Stockton, CA 95202, also accepts small claims filings. You may also e-file through the court's portal at appfile.sjcourts.org. Bring a completed Plaintiff's Claim (SC-100) -- filled out completely and, if handwritten, in legible blue or black ink -- plus the filing fee, or a Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001) if you cannot afford it, along with the original plus one copy for each defendant and one for yourself.

The defendant must be served with the claim before the hearing; allowed methods are personal service, substituted service, or certified mail, and service must generally occur at least 15 days before the hearing (20 days if the defendant is outside San Joaquin County). The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Civil Division (7000 North Michael Canlis Boulevard, French Camp, CA 95231; (209) 468-4475, Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm) can serve your claim, or you may have anyone 18 or older who is not a party to the case serve it. After service, file a completed Proof of Service (SC-104) with the court -- the San Joaquin court's own guidance warns that failing to file proof of service at least five days before the hearing may result in your case not being heard.

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