San Luis Obispo County Small Claims Court

Court Information

Court name

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court — Small Claims (San Luis Obispo Branch)

Address

1050 Monterey Street, Room 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Phone

(805) 706-3600, option 4

Hours

Phone: Mon-Fri 8:30am-12:00pm; Counter: Mon-Thu 8:30am-12:00pm

Official website

https://www.slo.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

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court — Small Claims (Paso Robles Branch)

Address

901 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Phone

(805) 706-3600

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

Small claims cases may be filed at either branch of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court: the San Luis Obispo Branch (1050 Monterey Street, Room 220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408) or the Paso Robles Branch (901 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446). The court encourages filing through an approved e-filing service provider; self-represented parties who prefer not to e-file may use the courthouse drop boxes or mail. Bring a completed SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court) plus the filing fee, or form FW-001 to request a fee waiver.

Serving the Defendant

The court clerk can serve your claim on the defendant by certified mail for a fee — call the court about two weeks after filing to confirm the defendant received it, since an unconfirmed failed service can mean an unnecessary trip to court on your hearing date. You may also arrange personal service through the sheriff/marshal, a registered process server, or any adult who is not a party to the case. The defendant must be served at least 15 days before the hearing (20 days if the defendant lives outside San Luis Obispo County), and the Proof of Service (SC-104) must be filed with the court before the hearing.

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

Hearing Tips

The San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation (SLOLAF) provides a free Small Claims Advisor who can help in English and Spanish before your hearing.
If you don't speak English well, tell the clerk as soon as possible — interpreters are provided at no cost. Request one using form INT-300 (Request for Interpreter, Civil) at least 72 hours before your hearing; only Spanish interpreters are staff-employed, so other languages need extra lead time.
If the court is serving your claim by certified mail, call the court about two weeks after filing to verify it was delivered.
Bring all witnesses, receipts, and documents you need to prove your case. A witness can be asked to attend voluntarily, or you can request a Small Claims Subpoena (form SC-107) from the clerk to require attendance.

✓ Interpreters available ✓ Phone appearance allowed

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