Updated May 2026 San Diego County, CA Superior Court
San Diego County, CA Small Claims Court (2026)
Sue for up to $12,500 in San Diego County without an attorney. Filing fees, correct courthouse, service rules, and what to expect at your hearing.
$12,500
Individual limit
$30–$100
Filing fee
30–60 days
Hearing wait
4 yrs
Written contract SOL
LegalCostCalculator Editorial Team
Data sourced from official government websites · Last reviewed:
Not legal advice. Court fees, addresses, and procedures are sourced from official California court websites and state statutes (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 116.110 et seq.). Verify current information at courts.ca.gov before filing. See our data methodology →
San Diego Superior Court — Small Claims Division (Central)
Address (Central)
1100 Union St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Contact & Hours
Phone: (619) 450-7060
Mon–Fri: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed court holidays
Filing Fee Schedule
Up to $1,500: $30
$1,501–$5,000: $50
$5,001–$10,000: $75
$10,001–$12,500: $100
Service of Process
Certified mail (by non-party): $10–$15
Process server: $40–$100
Sheriff: $40–$75
Note: You cannot serve the defendant yourself
San Diego County has 4 courthouse locations — file at the right one
You must file at the courthouse covering the defendant's address or where the dispute occurred. Filing at the wrong location results in dismissal. San Diego County options: Central (1100 Union St.), East County–El Cajon, North County–Vista, and South County–Chula Vista. Use courts.ca.gov to confirm your district courthouse before filing.
How to File Small Claims in San Diego County
1
Confirm your claim amount and the correct courthouse
Individuals can claim up to $12,500. Businesses are capped at $6,250. Use courts.ca.gov to find the district courthouse covering the defendant's address or where the dispute occurred. San Diego has 4 courthouse locations — filing at the wrong one results in dismissal.
2
Complete Form SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim)
Download Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court (Form SC-100) from courts.ca.gov. Enter the defendant's exact legal name and address, the amount owed, and the factual basis. For businesses, use the registered entity name from the CA Secretary of State (bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov).
3
File in person or online
In person: bring your SC-100 to the clerk's window at your chosen courthouse. Online e-filing is available at courts.ca.gov for most districts. Pay $30–$100 depending on claim amount. You'll receive a hearing date and case number.
4
Serve the defendant — critical CA rules
California has strict service rules. You cannot serve the defendant yourself. Service must be done by a person at least 18 years old who is not a party to the case. Methods: certified mail (cheapest), process server ($40–$100), or Sheriff. Service must be completed at least 15 days before the hearing (20 days if the defendant is outside the county).
5
File your Proof of Service (Form SC-104)
After service, whoever served the defendant must complete and sign Form SC-104 (Proof of Service). File this with the court at least 5 days before your hearing. If you forget, your case may be continued or dismissed.
6
Prepare your evidence
Three copies of all documents: contracts, receipts, photos, texts, invoices, bank records. Organize your case so you can state it clearly in 5 minutes. A one-page timeline summary is highly effective with busy San Diego judges.
7
Attend your hearing
Arrive 15 minutes early. Check the posted docket. When called, state your name, case number, and requested judgment. Judges typically rule the same day. If the defendant doesn't appear and was properly served, request a default judgment.
California Statute of Limitations
| Claim Type | Time Limit | California Code |
|---|---|---|
| Written contracts | 4 years | CCP § 337 |
| Oral contracts | 2 years | CCP § 339 |
| Property damage | 3 years | CCP § 338 |
| Personal injury | 2 years | CCP § 335.1 |
| Security deposits | 4 years (written lease) | Civil Code § 1950.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the small claims limit in San Diego County, CA?
The small claims limit in San Diego County is $12,500 for individuals (natural persons). Businesses and other entities are capped at $6,250 — and businesses may only file more than 2 claims exceeding $2,500 per calendar year with special approval. Claims above the limit must go to the Limited Civil or Unlimited Civil division of San Diego Superior Court.
Where do I file small claims in San Diego County?
You must file at the San Diego Superior Court courthouse in the district where the defendant lives, works, or where the contract was signed or breach occurred. The Central Courthouse is at 1100 Union St., San Diego, CA 92101 (Small Claims Division). San Diego County also has branch courthouses in El Cajon, Vista, and Chula Vista — use courts.ca.gov to find the correct district before filing.
How much does it cost to file small claims in San Diego County?
California small claims filing fees (Gov. Code § 116.230): $30 for claims up to $1,500; $50 for $1,501–$5,000; $75 for $5,001–$10,000; $100 for $10,001–$12,500. These apply to your first 12 filings per year. Process server fees add $40–$100. Total upfront cost: $70–$200.
Can a business sue in San Diego small claims court?
Businesses can file small claims in California, but with tighter rules: the maximum is $6,250 (not $12,500), and businesses that filed more than 12 small claims in the previous 12 months pay higher fees. Corporations must be represented by an officer or employee — not outside counsel — in small claims court.
How long does small claims court take in San Diego?
San Diego small claims cases are typically scheduled 30–60 days after filing. The Central Courthouse processes high volume — allow up to 60 days. Branch courthouses in El Cajon and Vista may schedule sooner. You'll receive your hearing date at the time of filing.
Do I need to demand payment before filing in San Diego?
California law (CCP § 116.340) requires you to demand payment before filing a small claims case against a business. Keep a copy of any demand letter or text you send — it strengthens your position with the judge and satisfies the pre-filing requirement.