SC-109

Authorization to Appear

Clerk stamps date here when form is filed.

Fill out       –       on this page, then file it with the small claims clerk at or 
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before the trial.

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Fill in court name and street address:
Superior Court of California, County of

This form is used to tell the court you are authorized to appear for a plaintiff 
or defendant in a small claims case. You may also use this form to ask the 
court for permission to help a plaintiff or defendant who cannot properly 
speak for himself or herself.

You cannot appear for a defendant or plaintiff if your only job is to represent 
him or her in small claims court. If you are a lawyer, you can appear only as 
authorized by section 116.530 of the Code of Civil Procedure. 

List the name, address, and position of the person 
appearing:
Name:
Address:
Job title or relationship to the defendant or plaintiff you want to appear 
for: 

Who are you appearing for?
     A defendant in this case (name):  
      A plaintiff in this case (name): 

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Fill in your case number and case name below:
Case Number:

Case Name:

Tell us about the defendant or plaintiff you are appearing for.
I am appearing for a (check one):
     Corporation and I am an employee, officer, or director of that corporation.
     Partnership and I am an employee, officer, director, or partner of that partnership.
     Other business (not a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship) and I am an employee, officer, or director
     of that business. 
     Government agency or other public entity and I am an employee, officer, or director of that agency or entity.
     Sole proprietorship and I am an employee of that business. I am qualified to testify about business records 
     made in the regular course of business at or near the time of the event. The content of the business records is the 
     only issue in this case. (Evidence Code, § 1271).
     Plaintiff who was assigned to out-of-state active duty in the U.S. armed forces for more than 6 months 
     after filing this claim. I am not being paid to appear. I have not appeared in small claims court for other people 
     more than 4 times in this calendar year.
     Defendant or plaintiff who is in a jail, a prison, or another detention facility now. I am not being paid to 
     appear. I have not appeared in small claims court for other people more than 4 times in this calendar year.
     Owner of rental property in California who employs me as a property agent. This claim is about the rental
     property I manage.
     Association created to manage a common interest development and I am an agent, management company
     representative, or bookkeeper for that association.
     Husband or wife and my spouse and I are both listed on this claim and agree that either spouse can appear for
     the other.
     Other (explain): 

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I declare under penalty of perjury under California state law that the information above is true and correct.
Date:

Type or print your name

Judicial Council of California, www.courtinfo.ca.gov
Revised January 1, 2007, Optional Form
Code of Civil Procedure, § 116.540

Sign your name

Authorization to Appear
(Small Claims)

SC-109, Page 1 of 1