SMALL CLAIMS COURT FORMS
Free downloadable forms for California Small Claims Court
IMPORTANT NOTICE
- • These forms are provided for informational purposes only
- • Lawzuit is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice
- • Forms are official California Judicial Council forms
- • We recommend consulting with a licensed attorney or legal document assistant for help completing these forms
- • Visit our Legal Document Assistant Directory for professional assistance
Small Claims Demand Letter Template
Use this template to send a formal demand letter to the opposing party before filing your small claims case. California law requires you to demand payment before filing in most cases.
SC-100: Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court
The primary form to initiate a small claims case in California. Complete this form to file your claim and notify the defendant of the court date.
MC-031: Attached Declaration
Use this form when you need additional space to provide details, evidence, or explanations for your small claims case. Attach to SC-100 or other court forms as needed.
NEED HELP WITH THESE FORMS?
Completing small claims court forms correctly is crucial to your case. If you need assistance, we offer several options:
FILING INSTRUCTIONS
- 1. Send a Demand Letter - Before filing, send a demand letter to the person or business you want to sue. This is required in most cases and may resolve your dispute without going to court.
- 2. Complete Form SC-100 - Fill out the Plaintiff's Claim form with details about your case, including the amount you're claiming and why.
- 3. Attach MC-031 if Needed - If you need more space to explain your case, complete the Attached Declaration form.
- 4. File with the Court - Take your completed forms to the small claims court clerk's office in the county where the defendant lives or does business. Pay the filing fee ($30-$75).
- 5. Serve the Defendant - After filing, you must serve the defendant with a copy of the claim. You cannot serve the papers yourself.
Tip: For detailed instructions on how to file a small claims case, visit our Small Claims Guide or use our AI-assisted form completion service.