Legal Costs in San Francisco, CA (2026)
Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in San Francisco — all sourced from official California state records.
Form an LLC in San Francisco, CA
To form an LLC with a San Francisco address, you file with the California Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $70. Standard processing takes 5 business days. There is also an annual report fee of $820.
0| State filing fee | $70 |
| Annual report fee | $820 |
| Standard processing | 5 business days |
| Expedited processing | 1 |
| Publication cost | Not required |
Form Your San Francisco LLC Today
Skip the paperwork. A trusted formation service files your California LLC — starting from $70 + service fee.
Start My LLC →Small Claims Court in San Francisco
Small claims cases in San Francisco are heard at the Small Claims Court in San Francisco County. The maximum you can sue for is $12,500. Filing fees range from $30–$100 depending on the claim amount.
| Court name | Small Claims Court |
| Filing location | San Francisco County |
| Maximum claim limit | $12,500 |
| Filing fee | $30–$100 |
| Written contract SOL | 4 years |
| Oral contract SOL | 2 years |
Filing for Divorce in San Francisco
Divorce petitions in San Francisco are filed at the San Francisco County courthouse. The California state filing fee is $435. Sheriff service costs $40. California requires divorcing parents with minor children to complete a parenting class.
| Filing location | San Francisco County Courthouse |
| Filing fee | $435 |
| Sheriff service fee | $40 |
| Children surcharge | None |
| Parenting class | Required (if children) |
| Certified copy fee | $15 |
Uncontested Divorce in San Francisco?
Handle your San Francisco divorce online — starting from $159, no attorney required for uncontested cases.
Start My Online Divorce →Find a Notary in San Francisco, CA
California caps notary fees at $15 per notarial act. Common places to find a notary in San Francisco: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.
| Acknowledgment fee cap | $15 |
| Jurat fee cap | $15 |
| RON (remote online) | Not available |
| State fee law | Yes — fee cap enforced |