Small Claims Court Sacramento: Your Filing Guide for Sacramento County

If you've been stiffed by a contractor, had your security deposit wrongfully withheld, or suffered property damage that no one will take responsibility for, Sacramento County's small claims court is built for exactly this situation. No attorneys. No complex procedures. Just you, the facts, and a judge who's heard it all before.

Here's everything you need to know about filing small claims in Sacramento County.

What You Can Recover

California's small claims limits are set by state law and apply identically in Sacramento:

• Individuals: Up to $12,500 per claim (CCP § 116.221)
• Corporations and LLCs: Up to $6,250 per claim

Filing frequency note: You can file no more than two claims exceeding $2,500 anywhere in California within a single calendar year. Claims of $2,500 or less carry no frequency restriction.

Before filing, California law (CCP § 116.320) requires you to have already demanded payment from the defendant. Send a demand letter via certified mail — this creates a paper trail and is required when you fill out Form SC-100.

Sacramento County Courthouse

Carol Miller Justice Center 301 Bicentennial Circle Sacramento, CA 95826

This is the primary courthouse for Sacramento County small claims filings. It is located in the eastern part of Sacramento near Highway 50.

Which courthouse is correct for your case? Under California venue rules (CCP § 116.370), you must file where: - The defendant lives or has their principal place of business - The incident occurred (accident, property damage) - The contract was to be performed

Sacramento County Superior Court's website (saccourt.ca.gov) has up-to-date location information and hours. Confirm before you go — courthouse operations and hours can change.

Filing Fees in Sacramento County

State-mandated fees apply in Sacramento:

Frequent filer surcharge: If you have filed more than 12 claims anywhere in California in the past 12 months, the fee is $100 per claim.

Fee waiver: File Form FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees) if you receive Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, or have a qualifying low income. You will not be denied access to court because of inability to pay.

The Sacramento Small Claims Advisory Clinic

Sacramento County's advisory service is provided free of charge under CCP § 116.940.

Advisory phone line: (916) 875-7846

Hours: Generally Monday through Thursday, approximately 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call to confirm current hours — the advisory clinic schedule can change seasonally.

The advisory staff can help you: - Determine which courthouse serves your zip code - Review how to fill out Form SC-100 correctly - Explain service of process options - Identify common mistakes that delay or dismiss cases

They cannot appear in court for you or advise you on whether your specific legal theory will prevail. What they can do is make sure your paperwork doesn't get rejected before the judge ever sees it.

Sacramento's Mediation Program

Sacramento County has a notably strong on-site mediation program for small claims disputes. A trained mediator meets with both parties on the day of the scheduled hearing — before the judge hears the case — to facilitate a negotiated resolution.

If both parties agree to mediate and reach a settlement, the case is resolved that day without going before the judge. This is faster, less formal, and often results in a payment arrangement that both sides can actually live with.

If mediation fails or either party declines, the case proceeds to the regular hearing before the judge.

Ask the clerk about Sacramento's mediation program when you file. It's free and worth considering, particularly for disputes where the relationship between the parties (landlord-tenant, business-customer) makes a negotiated outcome preferable to an adversarial ruling.

How to File Your Small Claims Case

Step 1: Complete Form SC-100. Download it at courts.ca.gov or pick one up at the courthouse. Fill in your information, the defendant's correct legal name, the amount you're claiming, and a brief explanation of why.

Naming the defendant correctly is critical — especially for businesses. Use the California Secretary of State's business search (bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov) to find the exact registered legal name and the Agent for Service of Process. Suing "Bob's Painting" when the registered entity is "Robert D. Smith dba Bob's Painting" can result in a worthless judgment.

Step 2: File at the courthouse and pay the filing fee. The clerk will stamp your SC-100, assign a hearing date, and return copies to you.

Step 3: Serve the defendant. You cannot serve papers yourself. Options: - Personal service: A non-party adult hands papers directly to the defendant (15 days before the hearing minimum if defendant is in Sacramento County) - Substituted service: Papers left with a responsible adult at defendant's home or workplace, then mailed (25-day minimum lead time in-county) - Clerk's certified mail: $15 fee, valid only if defendant personally signs the return receipt

After service, your server completes Form SC-104 (Proof of Service). File this with the clerk at least 5 days before the hearing.

What to Bring to Your Hearing

Sacramento County judges hear small claims on a tight schedule — typically 15 to 20 minutes per case. Come organized.

Prepare three copies of all evidence: - Contracts, leases, invoices - Text messages and emails (printed with dates visible) - Photos (labeled and in a logical order) - A one-page summary of events with dates and dollar amounts

State your case clearly and concisely. Judges in Sacramento, like all California small claims judges, are comfortable asking questions — answer them directly and let your evidence fill in the details.

After the Hearing

If you win, you receive a Notice of Entry of Judgment (Form SC-130). The defendant has 30 days to pay or appeal before you can enforce the judgment. If they don't pay voluntarily:

• Bank levy — use Form EJ-130 (Writ of Execution) and the Sacramento County Sheriff
• Wage garnishment — Form WG-001 (Earnings Withholding Order)
• Real estate lien — File Form EJ-001 (Abstract of Judgment) with the County Recorder
• Judgment Debtor's Exam — File Form SC-134 ($60 fee) to compel the defendant to disclose their assets in court

Judgments accrue 10% annual interest from the date of entry.

Get the Complete Guide

Sacramento's process follows the same state framework as every California county, but the specifics — demand letter requirements, evidence standards, what happens when defendants countersue or fail to appear — are worth understanding before you walk in. The California Small Claims Court Filing Guide covers it all in a step-by-step format you can print and reference throughout the process.

Get the California Small Claims Court Filing Guide