What it costs to file in California
The court charges this when you hand in the claim. It is separate from the amount you are claiming.
| Claim up to | Fee | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $30 | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230 |
| $5,000 | $50 | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230 |
| $12,500 | $75 | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230 |
Anyone with more than 12 claims in the past year pays $100.
If the fee is a hardship
The court has a fee waiver. Ask the clerk, or start with the form below.
More about California
Common questions
- What does it cost to file a small claims claim in California?
- $30 for a claim up to $1,500. $50 for a claim up to $5,000. $75 for a claim up to $12,500. That comes from Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230.
- What if you cannot afford the California filing fee?
- The court has a fee waiver for people who cannot pay. The rule is Cal. Gov. Code §68632, and the form is linked on this page.
- How much can you claim in small claims court in California?
- An individual can claim up to $12,500. A business can claim up to $6,250. A public agency can claim up to $6,250. That comes from Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.221, Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.220.
- Which court handles small claims in California?
- Small Claims Court. The small claims division of the Superior Court in each county.
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in California?
- The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §339. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open California's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.
Open the court's small claims pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2026-01-01.
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230 · effective 2008-01-01 · The filing fee is $30 for claims up to $1,500, $50 up to $5,000, and $75 above that. A party with more than 12 filings in the past year pays $100.
- Cal. Gov. Code §68632 · effective 2026-01-01 · You can ask the court to waive the fee if you receive certain public benefits, your income is at or under 200 percent of the poverty guideline, or paying would keep you from basic needs.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.