Access and Fairness
Small Claims Courts
Small Claims Resources
State Links

California courts offer extensive self-help resources, many of which are targeted at an audience of small claims litigants. Moreover, many counties have a small claims advisor, who provides consultation via telephone. Below is a listing of general statewide resources, as well as links to individual superior court small claims divisions by county. EZLegalFile is an interactive site that helps litigants fill out the necessary forms.

Self-Help Center: Small Claims. Guide to procedures, mediation, collection, links, forms, etc.

California Department of Consumer Affairs

Amador County Superior Court, Small Claims Division: introduction, how to file, jurisdiction, court clerk’s role, what to expect, links, and information for defendants.

Calaveras County Superior Court, Small Claims Information: (click on “small claims” on the menu to the left). Contacts, self-help, forms.

Contra Costa Superior Court, Small Claims Court: general information, contacts, how to obtain forms.

Fresno Small Claims information: contacts, resources, lawyer and mediation referral, forms, etc. from the statewide Self-Help Center.

Glenn County Small Claims Information: overview, how to file a claim, monetary limits, small claims advisor, court clerk’s role, links to self-help sites, what to expect, information for defendants, FAQ.

Humboldt County Small Claims Advisory Services: contacts, lawyer referral, law library.

Inyo Superior Court, Small Claims Division: overview, filing a claim, hearings, information for defendants and plaintiffs, monetary limits, court clerk’s role, what to expect, contacts.

Kern County Superior Court, Small Claims: introduction, interpreter information, special accommodations, night court, filing a claim, fees, forms, legal advice, resources.

Lake County Small Claims Information: hours, contacts, links.

Los Angeles County Superior Court, Small Claims: overview, filing, rules, contact for small claims court advisor.

Mendocino County Superior Court, Small Claims: clerk information, forms and filing, fees, assistance, calendar, local rules, contacts, hours.

Modoc County Superior Court, Small Claims Court: basic information about case types, contacts, location, etc.

Mono County Superior Court, Small Claims: process, advisor, EZLegal File link.

Napa Small Claims Court: jurisdictional amounts; contact information; procedure; links; service of process.

Nevada County Superior Court Small Claims Information: requirements, fees, procedures, fictitious business name instructions, suing a business or corporation, suing government agencies, attorney-client fee disputes, methods of service, suing multiple defendants, how to request a continuance, list of things to consider before filing or defending a suit.

Placer County Superior Court, Civil and Small Claims: introduction, contacts, filing information, service of process, resources.

Plumas County Small Claims information: hours, advisor contact, mediation, law library, court website.

Riverside County Small Claims information: forms, contacts, overview, advisor contact.

Sacramento County Superior Court, Small Claims: process, location and hours, mediation, e-filing, Sacramento Small Claims Advisory Clinic, links, exhibits.

San Benito County Small Claims information: hours, contacts, website.

San Bernardino County Small Claims information: contacts, hours, advisors, law library.

San Diego Superior Court, Small Claims Court: overview, filing a claim, post-judgment proceedings and appeals.

San Francisco Superior Court, Small Claims Division: contacts, jurisdiction, forms, interpreter information, advisor contact, links.

San Joaquin County Superior Court, Small Claims: overview, filing, rules, fee waiver information, advisor, e-filing, resources, post-judgment information.

San Mateo County Superior Court, Small Claims: allows parties to complete forms online. Also includes local forms, information, mediation, how to prepare claim, how to file, how to serve, how to change a date, how to appeal, collection, advisory workshops, glossary, and other resources.

Santa Clara Superior Court, Small Claims: fees, self-service, case info, links to state resources.

Stanislaus County Superior Court, Small Claims: overview, statutes, basic procedure, fee schedule, state resources.

Yolo County Superior Court, Small Claims: contact, location, FAQ, handbook, fees, and forms.

Alachua County (Eighth Circuit): Small claims court information includes overview, definitions of legal terms, procedure, how to fill out forms, mediation information, collection, and help on how to use the pro se site.

Brevard County small claims forms.

Charlotte County: Summary Claims information includes jurisdiction, documents that litigants must bring to court, contacts. 

Citrus County: forms. (Click on “courts” and “small claims.”)

Clay County: small claims overview, evaluating a claim; filing, procedures.

Collier County: small claims FAQ, online calculator.

Escambia County: Small claims commonly asked questions.

Flagler County: Small claims procedures, jurisdiction, collections, filing, etc.

Gilchrist County: Information about small claims procedures

Hernando County: County Civil Department. Includes jurisdiction, hours, contact, worksheet, statement of responsibility, statement of claim.

Lake County: Small claims FAQ, fees, office location and phone number, handbook, “how-to” for various steps in the procedure of a small claims case.

Lee County: Small claims forms.

Levy County: Small claims court information includes jurisdiction/overview, when and where to file, pretrial hearing, trial, how to collect a judgment, worksheet, and FAQ.

Manatee County: Small claims information includes forms, fees, overview, and contacts.

Marion County: Summary claims (small claims) page includes information about filing, service, pretrial, mediation, judgments, and settlement.

Martin County: Small claims page includes information about filing fees, court costs, how to file, FAQ about procedures, and links to forms.

Miami-Dade: Small claims court information includes overview/jurisdiction, telephone numbers, and procedure.

Monroe County: Small claims FAQ, contacts.

Okaloosa County: Small claims FAQ includes schedule of service charges and information about mediation, as well as basic procedure in a small claims case.

Osceola County: Small claims information includes FAQ.

Palm Beach County: Small claims information includes filing fees, overview, locations, hours, etc.

Pasco County: Small claims information includes overview/jurisdiction, the role of the clerk, requirements to file, all necessary forms and documents, filing fees, costs, how to pay fees and costs, how to collect a judgment, contacts, and directions.

Pinellas County: Small claims information includes FAQ on procedure, how to collect a judgment, schedule of fees, and contacts.

Polk County: Small Claims Court FAQ.

St. John’s County: Small claims information includes downloadable guide, forms, instructions, and affidavits.

Seminole County: FAQ about civil cases includes information about small claims (scroll down to reach section).

Volusia County: Small claims page includes overview, procedure, definitions, role of the clerk, contacts, collections, forms, filing requirements, schedule of service charges, and other information.

Walton County: Small claims page includes jurisdiction, filing fees, location, instructions for filing, procedure, suggestions for collecting money judgments, and satisfaction of judgment.

Small claims cases are heard in Magistrate Courts. Magistrate Court forms (although these are not all small claims) are available by county.

Chatham County Magistrate Court: Handy guide to small claims court, including how to collect judgment, settlement, and “important things to remember.”

“Small Claims in Idaho” online video available in English or Spanish.

Sixth Judicial District Court: offers forms and instructions for small claims.

Gives general information about the small claims process.

Offers forms and general information.

Gives rules on small claims court.

Offers explanation of the process.

Explanation of how small claims court works.

Explaining rules and procedures of representing yourself in small claims cases.

Gives forms.

Small claims forms.  Scroll to the bottom of the web page.

Explaining how to use the Baton Rouge Small Claims Court and answering frequently asked questions.

Gives self-help explanations of small claims court process.

Explains procedure and offers additional resources on the topic.

Gives basic information about conciliation court (small claims).

Explains what Conciliation Court is and the fees paid in Stearns County.

Attorney General Consumer Protection Division's users' guide to Conciliation Courts.

Justice Court handles all civil jurisdiction up to $2,500.

Briefly explains small claims court process in Hinds County.

DeSoto County Justice Court handles all misdemeanors and small claims cases.

The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers' Section publishes the Missouri Small Claims Handbook.

Web page providing general information on small claims courts by the Nebraska Judicial Branch.

Self-help website by the Nebraska Judicial Branch providing instructions and an “on-line assistant” guiding through the process.

Clark County Court's (including Las Vegas) website giving general information on the courts as well as FAQs and providing forms.

This site provides detailed information on the small claims courts in Clark County, discussing filing forms and fees.

Explains what claims can typically be filed as well as other FAQs.

This is a real property tax small claims handbook providing general information both in English and Spanish.

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court provides a brochure, "Collection of a Judgment."

See also "New Mexico Small Claims" by Sherrie Bennett.

Providing basic information, including fees, amount in dispute must be $4,000 or less, as well as how to file a claim.

Gives general information on the court as well as a link to the state’s Legal Aid for more information.

The amount in dispute must be $5,000 or less, also provides general information.

This website has the forms needed to file a claim.

Brochure from the consumer protection section of the state attorney general's office.

Ohio Judicial Conference. "Small Claims Court: A Citizens Guide." Columbus, OH: Ohio Judicial Conference and Ohio State Bar Foundation, 2006.

Types of cases heard in small claims court.

General information from the Oklahoma State Bar Association .

Lists fees.

Explains the procedures in small claims court.

Comprehensive site of the small claim court process in the state.

Background information and answers some questions on small claims court procedure.

Utah codes on small claims court.

FAQs and brochure.

Self-help information.

Provides general information on Magistrate Courts (Small Claims Courts).

Gives some background on Magistrate Courts.

Some self-help information.

Basic information on small claims court.

The Dane County Circuit Court provides a link to the Guide to Small Claims Court.

Shares the types of cases brought to small claims courts.

Basic information as well as what can be done in the event the defendant does not pay what is awarded to the plaintiff by the judgment.