SC-100

Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER  
to Go to Small Claims Court

Notice to the person being sued:
• You are the defendant if your name is listed in  2 on page 2 of this form or 

on form SC-100A. The person suing you is the plaintiff, listed in 1
on page 2.

• You and the plaintiff must go to court on the trial date listed below. If you  
do not go to court, you may lose the case. If you lose, the court can order 
that your wages, money, or property be taken to pay this claim.

• Bring witnesses, receipts, and any evidence you need to prove your case.
• Read this form and all pages attached to understand the claim against you 

and to protect your rights.

Aviso al Demandado:
• Usted es el Demandado si su nombre figura en  2 de la página 2 de este

formulario, o en el formulario SC-100A. La persona que lo demanda es el  
Demandante, la que figura en 1 de la página 2. 

• Usted y el Demandante tienen que presentarse en la corte en la fecha del   
juicio indicada a continuación. Si no se presenta, puede perder el caso. Si  
pierde el caso, la corte podría ordenar que le quiten de su sueldo, dinero u  
otros bienes para pagar este reclamo.

Clerk stamps date here when form is filed.

Fill in court name and street address:

Superior Court of California, County of

Court fills in case number when form is filed.

Case Number:

• Lleve testigos, recibos y cualquier otra prueba que necesite para probar su caso.

Case Name:

• Lea este formulario y todas las páginas adjuntas para entender la demanda  

en su contra y para proteger sus derechos.

The people in      and      must attend court: (Clerk fills out section below.)

1

2

Order to Go to Court

Date

Time

Department Name and address of court, if different from above

Trial 
Date

1.

2.

3.
Date:

Clerk, by

, Deputy

Instructions for the person suing:
Do not use this form to recover COVID-19 rental debt, which is unpaid rent or other financial obligations under a 
tenancy due between March 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021. (See Code of Civil Procedure, §1179.02.) To recover 
COVID-19 rental debt, use form
• You are the plaintiff. The person you are suing is the defendant.
• Before you fill out this form, read form                                                                         to know your rights. You can get 

form SC-100-INFO at any courthouse or county law library, or go to 

• Fill out pages 2, 3, and 4 of this form. Make copies of all the pages of this form and any attachments—one for each 
party named in this case and an extra copy for yourself. Take or mail the original and the copies to the court clerk’s 
office and pay the filing fee. The clerk will write the date of your trial in the box above. Your court may allow 
electronic filing. Check your local court website for information: 

• You must have someone at least 18—not you or anyone else listed in this case—give each defendant a court-stamped 
copy of all pages of this form and any pages this form tells you to attach. There are special rules for “serving,” or 
delivering, this form to public entities, associations, and some businesses. See forms    

• Go to court on your trial date listed above. Bring witnesses, receipts, and any evidence you need to prove your case.

Judicial Council of California,   
Rev. November 1, 2021, Mandatory Form 
Code of Civil Procedure, §§ 116.110 et seq., 
116.220(c), 116.340(g)

Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER 
to Go to Small Claims Court

SC-100, Page 1 of 6

Plaintiff (list names):

Case Number:

1 The plaintiff (the person, business, or public entity that is suing) is:

Phone: 

Name:

Street address:

Street

Mailing address (if different): 

Email address (if available):

Street

Street address: 

Street

Mailing address (if different): 

Email address (if available):

Street

If more than one plaintiff, list next plaintiff here:
Name:

Phone: 

State

Zip

State

Zip

State

Zip

State

Zip

Check here if more than two plaintiffs and attach form 
Check here if either plaintiff listed above is doing business under a fictitious name and attach form 
Check here if any plaintiff is a “licensee” or “deferred deposit originator” (payday lender) under Financial 
Code sections 23000 et seq.

2 The defendant (the person, business, or public entity being sued) is:

Name:

Street address: 

Street

Mailing address (if different):

Street

Phone: 

State

Zip

State

Zip

If the defendant is a corporation, limited liability company, or public entity, list the person 
or agent authorized for service of process here:
Name:

Job title, if known:

Address: 

Street

Check here if your case is against more than one defendant and attach form 

Check here if any defendant is on active military duty and write defendant’s name here:

City

State

Zip

3 The plaintiff claims the defendant owes $  

. (Explain below and on next page.)

(Note: A claim for COVID-19 rental debt cannot be made on this form. Use form 

a. Why does the defendant owe the plaintiff money? 

City

City

City

City

City

City

Rev. November 1, 2021

Plaintiff’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court

SC-100, Page 2 of 6

Plaintiff (list names):

Case Number:

3

b. When did this happen? (Date):

If no specific date, give the time period:                                    

Date started:

Through:

c. How did you calculate the money owed to you? (Do not include court costs or fees for service.)

Check here if you need more space. Attach one sheet of paper or form                and write “SC-100, Item 3” at 
the top.

4 You must ask the defendant (in person, in writing, or by phone) to pay you before you 

sue. If your claim is for possession of property, you must ask the defendant to give you 
the property. Have you done this? 

Yes

No

If no, explain why not:

5 Why are you filing your claim at this courthouse?  
This courthouse covers the area (check the one that applies):

a.   

(1) Where the defendant lives or does business.  
(2) Where the plaintiff’s property was damaged.   
(3) Where the plaintiff was injured.

(4) Where a contract (written or spoken) was made, 
signed, performed, or broken by the defendant or 
where the defendant lived or did business when the 
defendant made the contract.

b.    Where the buyer or lessee signed the contract, lives now, or lived when the contract was made, if this claim, 

is about an offer or contract for personal, family, or household goods, services, or loans. (Code Civ. Proc.,  
§ 395(b).) 
Where the buyer signed the contract, lives now, or lived when the contract was made, if this claim is about a 
retail installment contract (like a credit card). (Civ. Code, § 1812.10.) 
Where the buyer signed the contract, lives now, or lived when the contract was made, or where the vehicle is 
permanently garaged, if this claim is about a vehicle finance sale. (Civ. Code, § 2984.4.)
Other (specify):

c.

d.

e.

6 List the zip code of the place checked in      above (if you know):

5

7

Is your claim about an attorney-client fee dispute? 
If yes, and if you have had arbitration, fill out form SC-101, attach it to this form, and check here:

Yes

No

8 Are you suing a public entity?

Yes

No

If yes, you must file a written claim with the entity first. 
If the public entity denies your claim or does not answer within the time allowed by law, you can file this form.

A claim was filed on (date): 

Rev. November 1, 2021

Plaintiff’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court

SC-100, Page 3 of 6

Plaintiff (list names):

Case Number:

9 Have you filed more than 12 other small claims within the last 12 months in California? 

Yes

No

 If yes, the filing fee for this case will be higher.

10 Is your claim for more than $2,500?

Yes

No

If you answer yes, you also confirm that you have not filed, and you understand that you may not file, more than two 
small claims cases for more than $2,500 in California during this calendar year.

11 I understand that by filing a claim in small claims court, I have no right to appeal this 

claim. 

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the information above and on any 
attachments to this form is true and correct.

 Plaintiff types or prints name here                    

 Plaintiff signs here

Date: 

Date: 

Second plaintiff types or prints name here 

Second plaintiff signs here

Requests for Accommodations  
Assistive listening systems, computer-assisted real-time captioning, or sign language interpreter  
services are available if you ask at least five days before the trial. For these and other accommodations, 
contact the clerk’s office for form                                                                           (Civ. Code, § 54.8.)

Rev. November 1, 2021

Plaintiff’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court

SC-100, Page 4 of 6

SC-100

Information for the defendant (the person being sued)

"Small claims court" is a special court where claims for 
$10,000 or less are decided. Individuals, including "natural 
persons" and sole proprietors, may claim up to $10,000. 
Corporations, partnerships, public entities, and other businesses 
are limited to claims of $5,000. (See below for exceptions.*) The 
process is quick and cheap. The rules are simple and informal. 
You are the defendant—the person being sued. The person who is 
suing you is the plaintiff.
Do I need a lawyer? You may talk to a lawyer before or after 
the case. But you may not have a lawyer represent you in court 
(unless this is an appeal from a small claims case).
How do I get ready for court? You don’t have to file any 
papers before your trial, unless you think this is the wrong court for 
your case. But bring to your trial any witnesses, receipts, and 
evidence that support your case. And read “Be Prepared for Your 
Trial” at 
What if I need an accommodation? If you have a 
disability or are hearing impaired, fill out form  
                                          Give the form to your court clerk or the 
ADA/Access Coordinator.
What if I don’t speak English well? Ask the court clerk 
as soon as possible for a court-provided interpreter. You may use 
form                                                                or a local court form 
to request an interpreter. If a court interpreter is unavailable for 
your trial, it may be necessary to reschedule your trial. You cannot 
bring your own interpreter for the trial unless the interpreter has 
been approved by the court as a certified, registered, or 
provisionally qualified interpreter. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 
2.893, and form              .)
Where can I get the court forms I need? Go to any 
courthouse or your county law library, or print forms at 

What happens at the trial? The judge will listen to both 
sides. The judge may make a decision at your trial or mail the 
decision to you later.
What if I lose the case? If you lose, you may appeal. You’ll 
have to pay a fee. (Plaintiffs cannot appeal their own claims.)
• If you were at the trial, file form                                             You 
must file within 30 days after the clerk hands or mails you the 
judge's decision (judgment) on form               or form  

• If you were not at the trial, fill out and file form  

                                                                        to ask the judge to 
cancel the judgment (decision). If the judge does not give you a 
new trial, you have 10 days to appeal the decision. File form 

For more information on appeals, see 

• Prove this is the wrong court. Send a letter to the court 
before your trial explaining why you think this is the wrong court. 
Ask the court to dismiss the claim. You must serve (give) a copy 
of your letter (by mail or in person) to all parties. (Your letter to 
the court must say you have done so.)

• Go to the trial and try to win your case. Bring 

witnesses, receipts, and any evidence you need to prove your 
case. To have the court order a witness to go to the trial, fill out 
form                                                        
and have it served on the witness.

• Sue the person who is suing you. If you have a claim 
against the plaintiff, and the claim is appropriate for small claims 
court as described on this form, you may file Defendant's Claim 
(form             ) and bring the claim in this action. If your claim is 
for more than allowed in small claims court, you may still file it in 
small claims court if you give up the amount over the small 
claims value amount, or you may file a claim for the full value of 
the claim in the appropriate court. If your claim is for more than 
allowed in small claims court and relates to the same contract, 
transaction, matter, or event that is the subject of the plaintiff's 
claim, you may file your claim in the appropriate court and file a 
motion to transfer the plaintiff's claim to that court to resolve 
both matters together. You can see a description of the amounts 
allowed in the paragraph above, titled “Small Claims Court.”

• Agree with the plaintiff's claim and pay the 

money. Or, if you can’t pay the money now, go to your trial 
and say you want to make payments.

• Let the case "default." If you don’t settle and do not go to 
the trial (default), the judge may give the plaintiff what he or she 
is asking for plus court costs. If this happens, the plaintiff can 
legally take your money, wages, and property to pay the 
judgment.

What if I need more time? 
You can change the trial date if:
• You cannot go to court on the scheduled date (you will have to 

pay a fee to postpone the trial), or

• You did not get served (receive this order to go to court) at least 

15 days before the trial (or 20 days if you live outside the 
county).

Ask the Small Claims Clerk about the rules and fees for 
postponing a trial. Or fill out form              (or write a letter) and 
mail it to the court and to all other people listed on your court 
papers before the deadline. Enclose a check for your court fees, 
unless a fee waiver was granted. 

? Need help? 

Your county’s Small Claims Advisor can help for free.

Do I have options? Yes. If you are being sued you can:
• Settle your case before the trial. If you and the  

plaintiff agree on how to settle the case before the trial, the 
plaintiff must file form                                                    or a 
written and signed settlement agreement with the clerk. Ask the 
Small Claims Advisor for help.

Or go to 

* Exceptions: Different limits apply in an action against a defendant who is a guarantor. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 116.220(c).) Limits do not apply in an action to 
recover COVID-19 rental debt. (See Code Civ. Proc., §§ 116.223 & 1179.02; form SC-500.)

Rev. November 1, 2021

Plaintiff’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court

SC-100, Page 5 of 6

SC-100

Información para el demandado (la persona demandada)

La “Corte de reclamos menores” es una corte especial donde se 
deciden casos por $10,000 o menos. Los individuos, o sea las 
“personas físicas” y los propietarios por cuenta propia, pueden 
reclamar hasta $10,000. Las corporaciones, asociaciones, entidades 
públicas y otras empresas solo pueden reclamar hasta $5,000. (Vea 
abajo para las excepciones.*) El proceso es rápido y económico. Las 
reglas son sencillas e informales. Usted es el Demandado—la 
persona que se está demandando. La persona que lo está 
demandando es el Demandante. 

¿Necesito un abogado? Puede hablar con un abogado antes o 
después del caso. Pero no puede tener a un abogado que lo 
represente ante la corte (a menos que se trate de una apelación de un 
caso de reclamos menores). 
¿Cómo me preparo para ir a la corte? No tiene que presentar 
ningún documento antes del juicio, a menos que piense que ésta es la 
corte equivocada para su caso. Pero lleve al juicio cualquier testigos, 
recibos y pruebas que apoyan su caso. Y lea “Esté preparado para su 
juicio” en www.courts.ca.gov/reclamosmenores/preparese. 
¿Qué hago si necesito una modificación? Si tiene una 
discapacidad o tiene impedimentos de audición, llene el formulario 
MC-410, Solicitud de modificaciones para discapacidad. Entregue el 
formulario al secretario de la corte o al Coordinador de Acceso/ADA 
de su corte.
¿Qué pasa si no hablo bien inglés? Solicite un intérprete al 
secretario de la corte lo más pronto posible. Puede usar el formulario 
INT-300 o un formulario de su corte local. Si no está disponible un 
intérprete de la corte para su juicio, es posible que se tenga que 
cambiar la fecha de su juicio. No puede llevar su propio intérprete 
para el juicio a menos que el intérprete haya sido aprobado por la 
corte como un intérprete certificado, registrado, o provisionalmente 
calificado. (Vea la regla 2.893 de las Reglas de la Corte de California, 
y el formulario INT-140.) 
¿Dónde puedo obtener los formularios de la corte que necesito? 
Vaya a cualquier edificio de la corte, la biblioteca legal de su condado, 
o imprima los formularios en www.courts.ca.gov/smallclaims/forms 
(página está en inglés). 
¿Qué pasa en el juicio? El juez escuchará a ambas partes. El juez 
puede tomar su decisión durante la audiencia o enviársela por correo 
después.
¿Qué pasa si pierdo el caso? Si pierde, puede apelar. Tendrá que 
pagar una cuota. (El Demandante no puede apelar su propio reclamo.)
• Si estuvo presente en el juicio, llene el formulario SC-140, Aviso de 
apelación (Notice of Appeal). Tiene que presentarlo dentro de 30 
días después de que el secretario le entregue o envíe la decisión 
(fallo) del juez en el formulario SC-200 o SC-130, Aviso de 
publicación del fallo (Notice of Entry of Judgment). 

• Si no estuvo en el juicio, llene y presente el formulario SC-135, 

Aviso de petición para anular el fallo y Declaración para pedirle al 
juez que anule el fallo (decisión). Si la corte no le otorga un nuevo 
juicio, tiene 10 días para apelar la decisión. Presente el formulario 
SC-140.

Para obtener más información sobre las apelaciones, vea             
www.courts.ca.gov/reclamosmenores/apelaciones.
¿Tengo otras opciones? Sí. Si lo están demandando, puede:
• Resolver su caso antes del juicio. Si usted y el Demandante se 
ponen de acuerdo en cómo resolver el caso antes del juicio, el 
Demandante tiene que presentar el formulario CIV-110 Solicitud de 
desestimación (Request for Dismissal) o un acuerdo de resolución 
escrito y firmado al secretario de la corte. Pídale al Asesor de 
Reclamos Menores que lo ayude.

• Probar que es la corte equivocada. Envíe una carta a la corte 

•

antes del juicio explicando por qué cree que es la corte 
equivocada. Pídale a la corte que despida el reclamo.Tiene que 
entregar (dar) una copia de su carta (por correo o en persona) a 
todas las partes. (Su carta a la corte tiene que decir que hizo la 
entrega.) 
Ir al juicio y tratar de ganar el caso. Lleve testigos, recibos y 
cualquier prueba que necesite para probar su caso. Si desea que 
la corte emita una orden de comparecencia para que los testigos 
vayan al juicio, llene el formulario SC-107, Citatorio de reclamos 
menores (Small Claims Subpoena) y entrégueselo legalmente al 
testigo.

• Demandar a la persona que lo demandó. Si tiene un reclamo 
contra el Demandante, y el reclamo se puede presentar en la 
corte de reclamos menores, tal como se describe en este 
formulario, puede presentar el formulario SC-120, Reclamo del 
demandado (Defendant’s Claim) y presentarlo en este mismo 
caso. Si su reclamo excede el límite permitido en la corte de 
reclamos menores, puede igualmente presentarlo en la corte de 
reclamos menores si está dispuesto a limitar su reclamo al 
máximo permitido, o puede presentar un reclamo por el monto 
total en la corte apropiada. Si su reclamo excede el límite 
permitido en la corte de reclamos menores y está relacionado con 
el mismo contrato, transacción, asunto o acontecimiento que el 
reclamo del Demandante, puede presentar su reclamo en la corte 
apropiada y presentar una moción para transferir el reclamo del 
Demandante a dicha corte, para poder resolver los dos reclamos 
juntos. Puede ver una descripción de los montos permitidos en el 
párrafo anterior titulado “Corte de reclamos menores”.

• Aceptar el reclamo del Demandante y pagar el dinero. O, si no 
puede pagar en ese momento, vaya al juicio y diga que quiere 
hacer los pagos a plazos. 

• No ir al juicio y aceptar el fallo por falta de comparecencia. Si 
no llega a un acuerdo con el Demandante y no va al juicio (fallo 
por falta de comparecencia), el juez le puede otorgar al 
Demandante lo que está reclamando más los costos de la corte. 
En ese caso, el Demandante legalmente puede tomar su dinero, 
su sueldo o sus bienes para cobrar el fallo.

¿Qué hago si necesito más tiempo? Puede cambiar la fecha del 
juicio si:
•   No puede ir a la corte en la fecha programada (tendrá que pagar 

una cuota para aplazar el juicio), o    

•   No le entregaron los documentos legalmente (no recibió la orden 
para ir a la corte) por lo menos 15 días antes del juicio (ó 20 días 
si vive fuera del condado).

Pregúntele al secretario de reclamos menores sobre las reglas y  las 
cuotas para aplazar un juicio. O llene el formulario SC-150 (o escriba 
una carta) y envíelo antes del plazo a la corte y a todas las otras 
personas que figuran en sus papeles de la corte. Adjunte un cheque 
para pagar los costos de la corte, a menos que le hayan dado una 
exención. 

? ¿Necesita ayuda? El Asesor de Reclamos Menores de su 

condado le puede ayudar sin cargo.

O visite www.courts.ca.gov/reclamosmenores/asesores.

* Excepciones: Existen diferentes límites en un reclamo contra un garante. (Vea el  Código de 
Procedimiento Civil, sección 116.220 (c).) Los límites no se aplican a las acciones para reclamar 
una deuda de alquiler del COVID-19. (Vea el Código de Procedimiento Civil, secciones 116.223 
y 1179.02; y el formulario SC-500.) 

Rev. November 1, 2021

Reclamo del Demandante y ORDEN Para Ir a la Corte de 
Reclamos Menores

SC-100, Page 6 of 6