Form SC-100, Plaintiff’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court Instructions
This form contains 103 fields organized into 30 sections, giving it a Form Complexity Index of 65/100 (complex). Below is a complete list of every field, its type, and what information is expected.
| Field Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney-client fee dispute (Question 7) | ||
| Yes | Checkbox |
Check this box if your claim is about an attorney-client fee dispute.
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| No | Checkbox |
Check this box if your claim is not about an attorney-client fee dispute.
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| Attach SC-101 (arbitration completed) | Checkbox |
Check this box if your claim is an attorney-client fee dispute and you have already had arbitration, and you are attaching form SC-101. Fill only if 'Yes' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Yes
|
| Authorized Agent for Service of Process | ||
| Authorized Agent Name | Text |
Enter the full name of the person or agent authorized to accept service of process for the defendant entity.
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| Authorized Agent Job Title | Text |
Enter the authorized agent’s job title, if known.
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| Authorized Agent Street Address | Text |
Enter the street address for the authorized agent’s service-of-process address.
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| Authorized Agent City | Text |
Enter the city for the authorized agent’s service-of-process address.
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| Authorized Agent State | Text |
Enter the state for the authorized agent’s service-of-process address.
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| Authorized Agent ZIP Code | Text |
Enter the ZIP code for the authorized agent’s service-of-process address.
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| Case Header (Plaintiff Names and Case Number) | ||
| Plaintiff Name(s) | Text |
Enter the full name(s) of all plaintiff(s) bringing this small claims case.
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| Case Number | Text |
Enter the court-assigned case number for this matter.
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| Case Information | ||
| Case Number | Text |
Enter the court-assigned case number for this small claims case.
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| Case Name | Text |
Enter the case name (case title), typically the parties’ names as shown by the court.
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| Claim for more than $2,500 (Question 10) | ||
| Yes | Checkbox |
Check this box if your claim is for more than $2,500.
|
| No | Checkbox |
Check this box if your claim is for $2,500 or less.
|
| Clerk Date and Deputy Clerk | ||
| Clerk Filing Date | Date |
Enter the date the clerk filed the form.
|
| Deputy Clerk Name | Text |
Enter the name of the deputy clerk who completed this section.
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| Court Name and Address | ||
| Court Name and Street Address | Text |
Enter the full name of the court and the court’s street mailing address where the case is being filed.
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| Courthouse venue reason (Question 5) | ||
| Where defendant lives/does business; where damage/injury occurred; or where contract was made/performed/broken | Checkbox |
Check this box if this courthouse covers the area where the defendant lives or does business, where your property was damaged, where you were injured, or where the contract was made/signed/performed/broken (or where the defendant lived/did business when the contract was made).
|
| Buyer/lessee signed contract or lived (personal/family/household goods, services, or loans) | Checkbox |
Check this box if this claim is about an offer or contract for personal, family, or household goods, services, or loans, and this courthouse covers where the buyer/lessee signed the contract or lives now (or lived when the contract was made).
|
| Retail installment contract (e.g., credit card) | Checkbox |
Check this box if this claim is about a retail installment contract (such as a credit card) and this courthouse covers where the buyer signed the contract or lives now (or lived when the contract was made).
|
| Vehicle finance sale (signed/lived or vehicle permanently garaged) | Checkbox |
Check this box if this claim is about a vehicle finance sale and this courthouse covers where the buyer signed the contract or lives now (or lived when the contract was made), or where the vehicle is permanently garaged.
|
| Other courthouse venue reason (specify) | Text |
Enter the specific reason you are filing your claim at this courthouse if none of the listed venue options apply. Fill only if 'Other (specify)' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Other (specify)
|
| Other (specify) | Checkbox |
Check this box if you have another legal reason this courthouse is the correct location for your claim and you will specify that reason in the space provided.
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| Defendant Case Options | ||
| More than one defendant (attach form SC-100A) | Checkbox |
Check this box if your case is against more than one defendant and you will attach form SC-100A.
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| Defendant on active military duty | Checkbox |
Check this box if any defendant is on active military duty and you will write that defendant’s name in the space provided.
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| Defendant Contact Information | ||
| Defendant Name | Text |
Enter the full legal name of the defendant (person, business, or public entity being sued).
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| Defendant Phone Number | Text |
Enter the defendant's phone number.
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| Defendant Street Address | Text |
Enter the defendant's street address.
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| Defendant City | Text |
Enter the city for the defendant's street address.
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| Defendant State | Text |
Enter the state for the defendant's street address.
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| Defendant ZIP Code | Text |
Enter the ZIP code for the defendant's street address.
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| Defendant Mailing Address (if different) | ||
| Defendant Mailing Street Address | Text |
Enter the defendant's mailing street address if it is different from the street address listed above. Fill only if 'Defendant Street Address', 'Defendant City', 'Defendant State', 'Defendant ZIP Code' is different (any of these fields).
Depends on:
Defendant Street Address, Defendant City, Defendant State, Defendant ZIP Code
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| Defendant Mailing City | Text |
Enter the city for the defendant's mailing address if it is different from the street address listed above. Fill only if 'Defendant Street Address', 'Defendant City', 'Defendant State', 'Defendant ZIP Code' is different (any of these fields).
Depends on:
Defendant Street Address, Defendant City, Defendant State, Defendant ZIP Code
|
| Defendant Mailing State | Text |
Enter the state for the defendant's mailing address if it is different from the street address listed above. Fill only if 'Defendant Street Address', 'Defendant City', 'Defendant State', 'Defendant ZIP Code' is different (any of these fields).
Depends on:
Defendant Street Address, Defendant City, Defendant State, Defendant ZIP Code
|
| Defendant Mailing ZIP Code | Text |
Enter the ZIP code for the defendant's mailing address if it is different from the street address listed above. Fill only if 'Defendant Street Address', 'Defendant City', 'Defendant State', 'Defendant ZIP Code' is different (any of these fields).
Depends on:
Defendant Street Address, Defendant City, Defendant State, Defendant ZIP Code
|
| General | ||
| Button | ||
| Button | ||
| Button | ||
| I understand that by filing a claim in small claims court, I have no right to appeal this claim. | ||
| Plaintiff Signature Date | Date |
Enter the date the plaintiff signed the declaration acknowledging there is no right to appeal.
|
| Plaintiff Printed Name | Text |
Type or print the plaintiff’s full name to accompany the plaintiff’s signature on the no-appeal acknowledgment.
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| Second Plaintiff Signature Date | Date |
Enter the date the second plaintiff signed the declaration acknowledging there is no right to appeal. Fill only if 'More than one plaintiff (second plaintiff listed)' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Second Plaintiff Name
|
| Second Plaintiff Printed Name | Text |
Type or print the second plaintiff’s full name to accompany the second plaintiff’s signature on the no-appeal acknowledgment. Fill only if 'More than one plaintiff (second plaintiff listed)' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Second Plaintiff Name
|
| Item 3a - Amount Owed and Reason | ||
| Amount Owed | Number |
Enter the total dollar amount the plaintiff claims the defendant owes.
|
| Reason Amount Is Owed | Text |
Explain why the defendant owes the plaintiff money, including the key facts supporting the claim.
|
| Item 3b - Date of Event or Date Range | ||
| Date of Event | Date |
Enter the date when the event happened.
|
| Date Range Start | Date |
Enter the start date of the time period if there is no single specific event date. Fill only if 'Date of Event' is not provided (no specific date given).
Depends on:
Date of Event
|
| Date Range End | Date |
Enter the end date of the time period if there is no single specific event date. Fill only if 'Date of Event' is not provided (no specific date given).
Depends on:
Date of Event
|
| Item 3c - Calculation of Amount Owed (and Extra Space Checkbox) | ||
| Amount Owed Calculation Explanation | Text |
Describe how you calculated the amount the defendant owes you, excluding court costs and fees for service.
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| Need more space (Item 3) | Checkbox |
Check this box if you need additional space to explain how you calculated the money owed (Item 3), and you will attach an extra sheet or form MC-031 labeled “SC-100, Item 3.”
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| More than 12 other small claims in last 12 months (Question 9) | ||
| Yes | Checkbox |
Check this box if you have filed more than 12 other small claims within the last 12 months in California.
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| No | Checkbox |
Check this box if you have not filed more than 12 other small claims within the last 12 months in California.
|
| Page 5 | ||
| Small Claims Advisor contact information | Text |
Enter any contact details or notes for your county’s Small Claims Advisor (for example, phone number, address, or office hours).
|
| Page 6 | ||
| Notas | Text |
Escriba cualquier nota o información adicional relevante relacionada con esta página del formulario.
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| Plaintiff Additional Declarations/Attachments Checkboxes | ||
| More than two plaintiffs (attach form SC-100A) | Checkbox |
Check this box if there are more than two plaintiffs and you will attach form SC-100A.
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| Plaintiff doing business under fictitious name (attach form SC-103) | Checkbox |
Check this box if either plaintiff listed above is doing business under a fictitious name and you will attach form SC-103.
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| Plaintiff is a licensee or deferred deposit originator (payday lender) | Checkbox |
Check this box if any plaintiff is a “licensee” or “deferred deposit originator” (payday lender) under Financial Code sections 23000 et seq.
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| Plaintiff names and case number | ||
| Plaintiff name(s) | Text |
Enter the full name of each plaintiff bringing this small claims case.
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| Case number | Text |
Enter the court-assigned case number for this matter.
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| Primary Plaintiff Contact Information | ||
| Plaintiff name | Text |
Enter the full legal name of the primary plaintiff (person, business, or public entity bringing the lawsuit).
|
| Plaintiff phone number | Text |
Enter the primary phone number for the plaintiff.
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| Plaintiff street address | Text |
Enter the plaintiff’s street address.
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| Plaintiff city | Text |
Enter the city for the plaintiff’s street address.
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| Plaintiff state | Text |
Enter the state for the plaintiff’s street address.
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| Plaintiff ZIP code | Text |
Enter the ZIP code for the plaintiff’s street address.
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| Plaintiff mailing street address | Text |
Enter the plaintiff’s mailing street address if it is different from the street address. Fill only if 'Plaintiff street address', 'Plaintiff city', 'Plaintiff state', 'Plaintiff ZIP code' is different (any).
Depends on:
Plaintiff street address, Plaintiff city, Plaintiff state, Plaintiff ZIP code
|
| Plaintiff mailing city | Text |
Enter the city for the plaintiff’s mailing address. Fill only if 'Plaintiff street address', 'Plaintiff city', 'Plaintiff state', 'Plaintiff ZIP code' is different (any).
Depends on:
Plaintiff street address, Plaintiff city, Plaintiff state, Plaintiff ZIP code
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| Plaintiff mailing state | Text |
Enter the state for the plaintiff’s mailing address. Fill only if 'Plaintiff street address', 'Plaintiff city', 'Plaintiff state', 'Plaintiff ZIP code' is different (any).
Depends on:
Plaintiff street address, Plaintiff city, Plaintiff state, Plaintiff ZIP code
|
| Plaintiff mailing ZIP code | Text |
Enter the ZIP code for the plaintiff’s mailing address. Fill only if 'Plaintiff street address', 'Plaintiff city', 'Plaintiff state', 'Plaintiff ZIP code' is different (any).
Depends on:
Plaintiff street address, Plaintiff city, Plaintiff state, Plaintiff ZIP code
|
| Plaintiff email address | Text |
Enter the plaintiff’s email address, if available.
|
| Rev. January 1, 2026 | ||
| Plaintiff Name(s) | Text |
Enter the full name of the plaintiff (or list all plaintiffs if there is more than one).
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| Case Number | Text |
Enter the court-assigned case number for this matter.
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| Second Plaintiff Contact Information | ||
| Second Plaintiff Name | Text |
Enter the full name of the second plaintiff (the next plaintiff listed).
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| Second Plaintiff Phone | Text |
Enter the phone number for the second plaintiff.
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| Second Plaintiff Street Address | Text |
Enter the second plaintiff’s street address.
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| Second Plaintiff City | Text |
Enter the city for the second plaintiff’s street address.
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| Second Plaintiff State | Text |
Enter the state for the second plaintiff’s street address.
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| Second Plaintiff ZIP Code | Text |
Enter the ZIP code for the second plaintiff’s street address.
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| Second Plaintiff Mailing Street Address | Text |
Enter the second plaintiff’s mailing street address if it is different from the street address. Fill only if 'Second Plaintiff Street Address', 'Second Plaintiff City', 'Second Plaintiff State', 'Second Plaintiff ZIP Code' is different (any).
Depends on:
Second Plaintiff Street Address, Second Plaintiff City, Second Plaintiff State, Second Plaintiff ZIP Code
|
| Second Plaintiff Mailing City | Text |
Enter the city for the second plaintiff’s mailing address. Fill only if 'Second Plaintiff Street Address', 'Second Plaintiff City', 'Second Plaintiff State', 'Second Plaintiff ZIP Code' is different (any).
Depends on:
Second Plaintiff Street Address, Second Plaintiff City, Second Plaintiff State, Second Plaintiff ZIP Code
|
| Second Plaintiff Mailing State | Text |
Enter the state for the second plaintiff’s mailing address. Fill only if 'Second Plaintiff Street Address', 'Second Plaintiff City', 'Second Plaintiff State', 'Second Plaintiff ZIP Code' is different (any).
Depends on:
Second Plaintiff Street Address, Second Plaintiff City, Second Plaintiff State, Second Plaintiff ZIP Code
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| Second Plaintiff Mailing ZIP Code | Text |
Enter the ZIP code for the second plaintiff’s mailing address. Fill only if 'Second Plaintiff Street Address', 'Second Plaintiff City', 'Second Plaintiff State', 'Second Plaintiff ZIP Code' is different (any).
Depends on:
Second Plaintiff Street Address, Second Plaintiff City, Second Plaintiff State, Second Plaintiff ZIP Code
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| Second Plaintiff Email Address | Text |
Enter the second plaintiff’s email address, if available.
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| Suing a public entity and claim filing date (Question 8) | ||
| Yes — suing a public entity | Checkbox |
Check this box if the defendant you are suing is a public entity (such as a city, county, state agency, or other government entity).
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| No — not suing a public entity | Checkbox |
Check this box if the defendant you are suing is not a public entity.
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| Claim was filed (enter date) | Checkbox |
Check this box if you filed a written claim with the public entity before filing this case, and enter the date the claim was filed.
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| Public Entity Claim Filing Date | Date |
Enter the date you filed a written claim with the public entity you are suing. Fill only if 'Yes — suing a public entity' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
Yes — suing a public entity
|
| Trial Date Schedule (First Row) | ||
| Trial Date (Row 1) | Date |
Enter the scheduled trial date for the first listed court appearance.
|
| Trial Time (Row 1) | Time |
Enter the scheduled time for the first listed trial date.
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| Department (Row 1) | Text |
Enter the court department number or identifier for the first listed trial date.
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| Court Name and Address (Row 1) | Text |
Enter the name and mailing address of the court for the first listed trial date if it is different from the court listed above. Fill only if 'Court Name and Street Address' is different from above.
Depends on:
Court Name and Street Address
|
| Trial Date Schedule (Second Row) | ||
| Trial Date (Row 2) | Date |
Enter the scheduled trial date for the second listed court appearance.
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| Trial Time (Row 2) | Time |
Enter the scheduled time for the second listed court appearance.
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| Department (Row 2) | Text |
Enter the courtroom department number or designation for the second listed court appearance.
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| Court Name and Address (Row 2) | Text |
Enter the name and address of the court for the second listed court appearance if it is different from the court listed above. Fill only if 'Court Name and Street Address' is different from above.
Depends on:
Court Name and Street Address
|
| Trial Date Schedule (Third Row) | ||
| Trial Date (Row 3) | Date |
Enter the trial date for the third listed court appearance.
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| Trial Time (Row 3) | Time |
Enter the time the trial is scheduled to begin for the third listed court appearance.
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| Department (Row 3) | Text |
Enter the court department (department number or designation) for the third listed court appearance.
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| Court Name and Address (if different) (Row 3) | Text |
Enter the name and street address of the court for the third listed court appearance if it is different from the court listed above. Fill only if 'Court Name and Street Address' is different from above.
Depends on:
Court Name and Street Address
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| 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? | ||
| Explanation if you did not ask defendant to pay/return property | Text |
Explain why you did not ask the defendant to pay you (or return the property, if applicable) before filing this lawsuit. Fill only if 'No' is 'Yes'.
Depends on:
No
|
| Yes | Checkbox |
Check this box if you have asked the defendant to pay you (or to return the property, if your claim is for possession) before filing this lawsuit.
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| No | Checkbox |
Check this box if you have not asked the defendant to pay you (or to return the property, if your claim is for possession) before filing this lawsuit.
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| Zip code for place checked in Question 5 (Question 6) | ||
| Zip Code (Place Checked in Question 5) | Text |
Enter the ZIP code for the location you selected in Question 5.
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