SMALL CLAIMS COURT SAN FRANCISCO

Disputes are resolved quickly and inexpensively in Small Claims Court, where the rules are simple and informal. Litigants may not be represented by an attorney. Generally claims are limited to $5,000. The jurisdictional limit is $10,000 for individuals who are filing a claim in the Small Claims Division. Corporations, partnerships, governmental entities and other legal entities cannot claim more than $5,000. Individuals may file unlimited claims for up to $2,500 each in a year. However, individuals may only file two claims a year that seek more than $2,500.

Self-Help

For legal information and assistance regarding your small claims matter, please visit the ACCESS Center at 400 McAllister St., Room 509, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Electronic Access to Small Claims Cases

Case information is available at S.F. Superior Court Online Services. You must have the case number or party name for an inquiry.

Forms

To request a Small Claims Packet by mail, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Small Claims Division, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. The Small Claims Packet with envelope weighs 3 ounces.

Interpreter Information

If you are unable to speak or understand English, bring a friend or someone else to help you. Court interpreters are not provided free of charge unless you are eligible for a fee waiver. If you would like to hire an interpreter for your Small Claims hearing, you may refer to the California Interpreter Program (CIP)