SMALL CLAIMS: General Information
Did you know that 22% of parties who initiate or respond to a Small Claims Case choose to e-file their documents? If you want to save time and money, you, too can e-file. Small Claims Smart FormsSmall Claims at a Glance
You can use the Small Claims court if you have a dispute with a person, company or government agency involving money. An individual (including a sole proprietorship) cannot ask for more than $10,000.00. Corporations, partnerships, and other entitles cannot ask for more than $5,000.00. You can file as many claims as you want for up to $2,500.00 each during a calendar year. But you can only file 2 claims in a calendar year that ask for more than $2,500.00.
The Self-Help Small Claims section explains:- How to find alternatives to filing a claim
- How to file and serve a claim
- What happens if you are sued
- How to pay the claim
- Consequences of failing to pay the claim
- How to get ready for trial
- What happens after the trial
- How to collect a judgment
- How to file an appeal
Assistance by Phone, in Person or Online
Resolving Small Claims Cases
[5-Parts Video]
The Small Claims Advisors can help you with procedural matters for Small Claims.
The Small Claims court staff can assist you in person or by phone with forms, filing documents, and procedural matters from Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm at three court locations.
- Central Justice Center: First Floor, Room 100-A
- 700 Civic Center Dr. West, Santa Ana, CA 92701
- Harbor Justice Center - Laguna Hills Facility: Second Floor, Room 202
- 23141 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
- Lamoreaux Justice Center: First Floor, Room 101
- 341 The City Dr. South, Orange, CA 92868
- North Justice Center: Upper Level, Room 360
- 1275 North Berkeley Ave., Fullerton, CA 92838
- West Justice Center: First Floor *
- 8141 13th St., Westminster, CA 92683
* The West Justice Center Self-Help Center is open to the public on a part-time basis on Tuesdays and Thursdays as a computer lab to provide assistance for on-line document preparation and workshops for procedural information to self-represented litigants.
The court provides a variety of online services. View your case, access and fill out forms, check the court’s calendar and eFile your claim or countersuit.
Drop boxes or door slots are located at each of the courthouses below, with 24/7 access, for filing papers. Properly completed documents along with the fees for filing (if any) placed in drop boxes before 4:00pm on an open court day will be considered received on the same date.
Small Claims Courthouse Locations, Hours, and Venue
You can go to any of the courts below to for procedural assistance between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday; however, you must file your small claims case and associated documents at the proper courthouse. This is called "venue". Please see the chart below to determine which courthouse you need to file your documents.
Justice Center |
Phone Number |
Examples of "venue" include where the defendant lives or does business; where the plaintiff’s property was damaged; where the plaintiff was injured; where the contract was made, signed, performed, or broken. |
Central Justice Center |
(657) 622-6878 |
Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Orange, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Tustin, Villa Park, and Westminster |
Harbor Justice Center - Laguna Hills Facility |
(657) 622-5700 |
Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano |
North Justice Center |
(657) 622-5600 |
Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Placentia, Stanton, and Yorba Linda |
Small Claims Forms and Law
Small Claims forms are available online, in person, or can be requested by mail from any of the above locations.
Copy and Record Search Requests
Additional Resources
There are a variety of resources which provide you with information about Small Claims court.
These are just a few:- Resolving Small Claims Cases [5-Parts Video]
- California Department of Consumer Affairs
- California Courts Self-Help Center
- Law Help California
- State Bar of California
- Legal Aid Society of Orange County-Small Claims Advisory Program
- Orange County District Attorney Real Estate Fraud Report Form
- Orange County District Attorney-Economic Crimes
- Orange County District Attorney-Bad Check Program
Legal Help
You may consult an attorney for legal advice on your Small Claims case, but an attorney cannot represent you in Small Claims court, except after a judgment has been entered.
For legal advice, you may contact the following lawyer referral services: