Small Claims Court San Francisco: Your Filing Guide for SF County

San Francisco is a city where rent is high, contractors are plentiful, and disputes over money are common. Small claims court is the mechanism the California legislature built specifically for people who don't have (or don't want to spend) money on attorneys. In SF County, individuals can sue for up to $12,500 and the process — while bureaucratic — is manageable once you understand the specific local procedures.

This guide covers the San Francisco courthouse location, filing hours, the multilingual access resources SF offers, service of process options, and what to expect on the day of your hearing.

Claim Limits and What You Can Sue For

California law (CCP § 116.221) sets the small claims limit for individuals at $12,500. Corporations and LLCs are limited to $6,250. San Francisco residents most commonly use small claims court for:

• Security deposit disputes (Civil Code § 1950.5 requires landlords to return deposits within 21 days; bad-faith withholding can result in up to three times the deposit amount in damages)
• Property damage — including vehicle accidents where insurance doesn't cover everything
• Contractor disputes — work left incomplete, substandard, or paid for but never started
• Unpaid personal loans or freelance invoices

You cannot sue for injunctive relief (to force someone to do something), defamation, or class actions in small claims. The court handles money recovery and limited equitable relief only.

San Francisco Courthouse Location

Civic Center Courthouse 400 McAllister Street San Francisco, CA 94102

Small claims cases in San Francisco are handled at the Civic Center Courthouse. The Self-Help Center — formally the Access Center — is located in Room 509 of the same building. This is where advisory services and court access resources are available.

The courthouse is accessible via BART (Civic Center/UN Plaza station is directly across the street) and several Muni lines. Parking in the Civic Center area is limited and expensive — public transit is strongly recommended.

Filing Hours and How to Submit

Clerk's office hours at Civic Center vary. As a general guideline, the clerk's office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, but San Francisco courts have experienced schedule changes in recent years. Confirm current hours at sftc.org or by calling the courthouse before you go.

To file in person, bring: - Completed Form SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court) — available at courts.ca.gov or the clerk's office - Your filing fee (confirm accepted payment methods with the courthouse) - Additional forms if applicable (Form SC-103 if you're a business with a fictitious name)

Filing fees (set by state law): - Claims up to $1,500: $30 - $1,500.01 – $5,000: $50 - $5,000.01 – $12,500: $75

E-filing: San Francisco County allows e-filing for self-represented individuals (permissive, not mandatory). The state Odyssey eFileCA system or other approved providers may be used. Check sftc.org for current e-filing instructions.

Fee waiver: File Form FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees) if you receive public benefits or have low income. You can file this alongside your SC-100.

San Francisco's Multilingual Access Resources

San Francisco's court system places particular emphasis on multilingual access — which reflects the city's linguistic diversity. The Civic Center Access Center (Room 509) offers resources in multiple languages, including Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

Access Center contact: (415) 551-0605

San Francisco's advisory service provides procedural guidance free of charge, as required by CCP § 116.940. Staff can explain how to fill out forms, clarify service of process requirements, and help you understand the general framework of a small claims hearing. They cannot represent you or predict case outcomes.

If you are a non-English speaker or prefer to work in a language other than English, contact the Access Center in advance to ask about interpreter availability for your hearing. California courts are required to provide interpreters upon request in civil cases, though scheduling one takes advance notice.

Service of Process in San Francisco

After filing, the defendant must be legally notified before your hearing date. California law prohibits you from serving papers yourself.

Methods:

Personal service — A non-party adult (18+) delivers the papers directly to the defendant. This must happen at least 15 days before the hearing if the defendant is in San Francisco County, or 20 days if they are in a different county.

Substituted service — If personal service fails after 2-3 attempts, papers can be left with a responsible adult at the defendant's home or workplace, then mailed to the same address. Service is complete 10 days after mailing, so the delivery+mailing must occur at least 25 days before the hearing (in-county) or 30 days (out-of-county).

Clerk's certified mail — The court clerk mails the claim via certified mail for a $15 fee. This is only valid if the defendant personally signs the return receipt. A signature from a household member, a building manager, or anyone other than the defendant does not count.

Form SC-104 (Proof of Service) must be completed by the server and filed with the court clerk at least 5 days before the hearing date.

Naming the Defendant Correctly

San Francisco has a high concentration of startups, LLCs, and small businesses operating under trade names. One of the most common reasons SF small claims cases run into problems is naming the defendant incorrectly.

• Sole proprietorship: "Maria Soto dba Soto Design Studio" — not just "Soto Design Studio"
• LLC: "Acme Web Solutions LLC" — find the exact registered name at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov
• Corporation: Serve the Agent for Service of Process, not just the business address

If you name the wrong entity, a judgment you win might be uncollectable — the named party doesn't legally owe you anything.

Preparing for Your Hearing

Small claims hearings in San Francisco follow the same structure as the rest of California: plaintiff presents first, defendant responds, the judge asks questions, and a decision is usually mailed within a few days ("taken under submission").

Come with three copies of all evidence: - Lease or contract (highlighting relevant clauses) - Receipts, invoices, or bank statements showing money paid - Written communications (texts, emails) printed with dates visible - Photographs, labeled and in order - A brief, written timeline of events

SF judges are experienced — they move through cases efficiently. A clear, fact-based presentation with solid documentation wins cases far more often than emotional arguments.

If You Win and They Don't Pay

A judgment is not a check. If the defendant ignores the judgment after the 30-day waiting period, you must take enforcement action through the San Francisco Sheriff's Office:

• Bank levy: File for a Writ of Execution (Form EJ-130), then work with the Sheriff to levy the defendant's bank account
• Wage garnishment: File an Earnings Withholding Order (Form WG-001); the Sheriff serves the employer
• Real estate lien: File an Abstract of Judgment (Form EJ-001) with the City and County Recorder

The judgment accrues 10% annual interest from the date of entry. You can also file Form SC-134 ($60) to compel the defendant to appear in court and disclose their assets under oath.

The Complete Process in One Document

San Francisco's small claims process is manageable, but understanding all the details — demand letters, evidence prep, how to handle a countersuit, and how to enforce a judgment — makes the difference between winning on paper and actually getting paid. The California Small Claims Court Filing Guide covers all of it in a printable, step-by-step format.

Get the California Small Claims Court Filing Guide