San Francisco — Small Claims Instruction Sheet

Source: https://sf.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/sfscl-003-small-claims-instructions-sheet-pages-1-3-packet-8262025.pdf

400 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102Superior Court of CaliforniaPhone: 415-551-4000OF | Website: https://sf.courts.ca.govCOUNTY SAN FRANCISCO SMALL CLAIMS INSTRUCTIONS You will need the following forms to file your Small Claims Action:

1. INFORMATION FOR THE SMALL CLAIMS PLAINTIFF (Form SC-100-INFO, 2 pages)

2. PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM AND ORDER TO GO TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT (Form SC-100, 6
pages)

This form must be filled out completely. You may type, neatly print, or use the fillable forms online.
Single sided original plus 2 copies required at the time of filing. It must be signed and dated by the
party bringing the action. A separate check or money order must be remitted with each claim you
file, made payable to "Clerk of Superior Court." Credit card payments can be made in person but
not on the telephone (see the attached fee schedule). Please attach a note indicating first and

second choices of the hearing day and time you prefer (see page 2 for the hearing schedule).

3. WHAT IS A “PROOF OF SERVICE”? (Form SC-104B, 2 pages)

4. PROOF OF SERVICE (Form SC-104, 2 pages)

5. HOW TO SERVE A BUSINESS OR PUBLIC ENTITY (Form SC-104C, 2 pages)

6. SERVICE BY RETURN RECEIPT BY THE CLERK, and INSTRUCTIONS (SFSCL-003, 3 pages)

SFSCL-003 is available on our webpage: https://sf.courts.ca.gov/forms-fees/local-forms.

If you want this office to mail your claim to the defendant by Certified Mail, include at least one copy of the completed SFSCL-003 for each defendant, and a check for $15.00 payable to "Clerk of Superior Court" for each defendant you wish to serve. Credit card payments can be made in person.

NOTE: If the person to whom the Certified Mail is addressed does not sign, or if the signature is clearly by someone other than the addressee, such service is invalid. If the signature is illegible, the court may (at the time of the hearing) review the signature and hold that it is not acceptable, take the case off calendar, and ask that you re-serve the claim prior to a new court hearing date. Please check the court's website at https://sf.courts.ca.gov at not less than 20 days after filing your claim to learn if the defendant was properly served.

SMALL CLAIMS INSTRUCTIONS SFSCL-003

Rev. Aug-26.2025

7. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (Form SC-103, 1 page)

If you, as plaintiff, are suing under a fictitious business name, this form must be completed and returned to this office.

The above forms can be located here: https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm?filter=SC

Small Claims Hours and Location

Office Days and Hours: 400 McAllister Street, Room 103 Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM (closed from 12 PM to 1 PM)

ACCESS/Self-Help Center: 400 McAllister Street, Room 512 https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/self-help

Hearings are held in Dept. 506 on the following Days and Times

Days AM Session PM Session

Monday 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM Order of First and Third Monday of Examination the Month Tuesday 10:00 AM 1:30 PM 3:30 PM

Wednesday 8:30 AM 10:00 AM 1:30 PM 3:30 PM

Thursday 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 1:30 PM 3:30 PM Order of Examination Friday 8:30 AM 10:00 AM 1:30 PM 3:30 PM

Rental debt cases are heard at 1:30 PM in Dept. 506. •

Order of Examinations Days and Time: Monday AND Thursday, 11:00 AM.

For Basic Small Claims Information, Forms and Fees, visit https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/small-claims- california

SMALL CLAIMS INSTRUCTIONS SFSCL-003

Rev. Aug-26.2025

Small Claims Fees Effective on January 1, 2024

Filings Plaintiff's or Defendant's Claim under $1,500 $30.00 Plaintiff's or Defendant's Claim between $1,500 and $5,000 $50.00

Plaintiff's or Defendant's Claim between $5,001 and $12,500 $75.00

Over 12 Plaintiff's or Defendant's Claim filed by the same party in the $100.00
preceding 12 calendar months

Issuance Writ of Execution $40.00 Abstract of Judgment $40.00

Application for Order of Examination of Judgment Debtor $60.00

Miscellaneous Postponement (Continuance or Reset) of Hearings $10.00 Service of Claim by Certified Mail $15.00 Certification of Documents $40.00 Photocopy per page 0.50 Notice of Appeal $75.00

Certificate of Facts re: Unsatisfied Judgment to Court $15.00
Certificate of Facts re: Unsatisfied Judgment to DMV $25.00
Payment of Judgment to the Court $20.00
Motion to Vacate $20.00

Exemplification (Sister State Judgment) $50.00
Renewal of Judgment $45.00
Searching Records Files (for each search longer than 10 minutes) $15.00
Reset on Application for Order of Examination of Judgment Debtor $60.00

SMALL CLAIMS INSTRUCTIONS SFSCL-003

Rev. Aug-26.2025