Thinking about taking someone to small claims court in California? Whether it’s unpaid rent, a broken contract, or a refund that never came through, small claims court can be a powerful tool to resolve disputes without hiring a lawyer.
But before you get started, let’s talk about what it costs to file a small claims case — and how to make the most of your money.
Filing fees in California are based on the amount you’re suing for:
Amount of Your Claim | Filing Fee |
$0 to $1,500 | $30 |
$1,500.01 to $5,000 | $50 |
$5,000.01 to $12,500 | $75 (individuals only) |
Businesses can only sue for up to $6,250 in small claims court.
So, for example:
Yes! If you win your case, the judge can order the other party to reimburse your filing and service fee as part of the judgment.
This means the cost of filing and service are recoverable costs and often get added to the total amount the defendant must pay — so it may end up costing you nothing in the long run.
While the filing fee is the main upfront cost, here are a few other potential charges you might run into:
Service | Typical Cost |
Service of Process (Recoverable Cost) | $75–$150+ (included in our packages) |
Court copies or certified documents | $1–$25 each If necessary (Very Rare) |
Judgment collection (e.g., bank levy or a wage garnishment) | Varies |
California courts allow you to request a fee waiver if you:
Just fill out a Request to Waive Court Fees (Form FW-001) and submit it with your claim. If approved, you can proceed with your case without paying anything to the court upfront, however, this does not apply to the filing and service fees charged by the Process Serving agency.
Let’s say you’re suing for $2,000.
Here’s a rough cost breakdown:
And if you win? You could recover all of it from the other party.
Filing small claims in California doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. At Countrywide Process, we help you:
Let us do the heavy lifting — so you can focus on getting paid.
If someone owes you money and won’t pay — and the amount is under $10,000 — small claims court is often the fastest, cheapest way to get a legal resolution.
Knowing your exact filing fee in advance helps you make a confident decision. And with affordable support available, there’s no reason to go it alone.
Need help figuring what documents and information you’ll need?
Check out our free California Small Claims Checklist to get started.
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Countrywide Process
April 24, 2025