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 eFiling

Small 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 in Person or Online

EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS ON SMALL CLAIMS:

Resolving Small Claims Cases [5-Parts Video]

SMALL CLAIMS ADVISORS:

The Small Claims Advisors can help you with procedural matters for Small Claims.

SUPERIOR COURT OF ORANGE COUNTY SMALL CLAIMS COURT STAFF:

The Small Claims court staff can assist you in person with forms, filing documents, and procedural matters from Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm at three court locations.

SUPERIOR COURT OF ORANGE COUNTY SELF-HELP CENTERS:

Self-Help Center staff is available from Monday-Thursday 8:00am to 4:00pm and Friday 8:00am - 3:00pm to provide procedural guidance and information regarding forms for Small Claims matters at the following locations:

• Central Justice Center: First Floor, Room G-100
  • 700 Civic Center Dr. West, Santa Ana, CA 92701
• Harbor Justice Center - Newport Beach Facility: Room 150
  • 4601 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA 92660
• 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

SUPERIOR COURT OF ORANGE COUNTY WEBSITE:

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.

Small Claims Courthouse Location

As of May 26, 2020, and until further notice, all Small Claims related services will only be provided at Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. An in-person appointment is required for counter services related to small claims matters. To schedule an appointment, visit the civil clerk’s office appointment page on the court’s website.

SUBMISSION OF ALL SMALL CLAIMS RELATED FILINGS

All filings for small claims matters can be submitted by any of these ways:

• By email to CivilSRL@occourts.org (for self-represented litigants only). Provide a phone number for the court to contact.
• By electronic filing using the Civil eFile website https://occourts.org/online-services/efiling/.
• By drop-box located by the front entrance of the Central Justice Center. Provide a phone number for the court to contact.
• In-person by appointment only. Visit the court’s website to schedule an appointment:
  https://www.occourts.org/media-relations/CourtCalendarAppointments.html.
• By US Mail to 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

If filings fees are due, the parties will be contacted by phone regarding payment.

Small Claims Forms and Law

FORMS:

Small Claims forms are available online, in person, or can be requested by mail from any of the above locations.

LAWS:

• Code of Civil Procedure (Small Claims Sections 116.210-116.950)
• California Rules of Court for Small Claims (Rule 3.2100-3.2120)
• Superior Court of Orange County Local Rules of Court (Rule 341-348)

Copy and Record Search Requests

Find information on how to view records and request copies of documents.

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 Small Claims Advisory
• OC District Attorney Real Estate Fraud Report Form 
• OCDA Economic Crimes
• OCDA 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:

• Orange County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• State Bar of California Lawyer Referral Service