Can I complete and e-sign the SC-100?

Yes, electronic signatures are generally lawful under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws; however, courts and local rules determine acceptable filing and service methods, so confirm the court’s e-filing and signature policies before submission.

Is notarization required for SC-100?

Not typically. Small claims filings generally do not require notarization; proof of service is required. Always check local court rules for any jurisdiction-specific authentication requirements.

How must a defendant be served?

Service methods vary: personal service, substituted service, or certified mail may be allowed depending on local rules. File proof of service with the court as required to avoid continuances or dismissal.

What if the defendant doesn't appear at the hearing?

If the defendant fails to appear, the judge may enter a default judgment in your favor. Follow the court’s procedures to request a default and obtain a clerk-signed judgment for enforcement.

Can I withdraw or dismiss my claim?

Yes; plaintiffs may generally request voluntary dismissal before judgment. Filing procedures and any fee-credit rules differ by court, so consult the clerk or local rules for the correct form and timing.

Will an electronic filing be enforceable?

Electronic filings and signatures are enforceable when they meet ESIGN/UETA criteria: intent to sign, consent to transact electronically, attribution, and reliable record retention. Courts may impose specific format or authentication requirements.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Other
SC-100 Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court

SC-100 Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

SC-200-INFO

What to Do After the Court Decides Your Small Claims Case

First, read the court's decisions on Form SC-200, Notice of Entry of Judgment. It will tell you the court's judgment in this case. Then read this form. It will help you protect or enforce your rights, whether you won or lost the case.

Warning! You may lose important rights if you do not act within 30 days after the court handed or mailed you Form SC-200, Notice of Entry of Judgment. If the court mailed the Notice of Entry of Judgment, the date of mailing is on the Clerk's Certificate of Mailing that came with the notice.

If the court did not award you any money on a claim that you filed... The court's decision on your claim is normally final. You cannot appeal the decision on your own claim, but you may be allowed to ask the court to correct a mistake in the judgment.

If the court ordered you to pay money...

You are the judgment debtor. The law requires you to pay the judgment. You can:

Pay the judgment creditor directly.
Pay the court. (To do this, file Form SC-145, Request to Pay Judgment to Court.) Or
Ask the court to let you make payments. (To do this, file Form SC-220, Request to Make Payments.)

If any payment is not made in full and on time, the judgment creditor may notify the court to cancel the payment plan and the entire unpaid balance will become due and collectible.

Warning! If you do not pay the judgment or file an appeal or a motion to vacate (cancel) or correct the judgment within 30 days after the Notice of Entry of Judgment was handed or mailed to you, your wages, money, and property can be taken to pay the claim. You may also have to pay interest. If your case involves an auto accident on a California highway, the Depart-ment of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can suspend your driver's license.

After you pay the judgment in full, you can ask the judgment creditor to file a form saying the judgment is paid. (See Form SC-290, Acknowledgment of Satis-faction of Judgment.) If the judgment creditor does not do this, he or she may have to pay you damages and a penalty.

If you disagree with the judgment ordering you to pay money and you went to the small claims trial, you can appeal that decision. (You cannot appeal the decision on your own claim.) To do this, file Form SC-140, Notice of Appeal, within 30 days after the Notice of Entry of Judgment was handed or mailed to you. There will be a new trial in the superior court on all claims in the case. Each side will present evidence again. This time, each side can have a lawyer at the trial.

(Continued on page 2)

If the court ordered the other side to pay you...

You are the judgment creditor. You must collect your judgment. The court will not collect it for you. Some steps you can take to collect your money are summarized below. For more information, go to www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp /smallclaims/collectintro.htm.

Important! The judgment debtor has 30 days after the Notice of Entry of Judgment was handed or mailed to him or her to appeal or pay or ask the court to cancel or correct the judgment. You cannot take legal steps to collect the judgment during this time.

Ask the judgment debtor to pay you the money. If the judgment debtor cannot afford to pay the judgment all at once, consider offering to take payments. If your claim was for possession of property, ask the judgment debtor to return the property to you.

If the judgment debtor does not pay, you can find out about the debtor's income or property that the sheriff can take to satisfy the judgment.

If the debtor does not pay within 30 days after the court clerk delivered or mailed the Notice of Entry of Judgment, the debtor must send you Form SC-133, Judgment Debtor's Statement of Assets. This form will tell you what property the debtor has that may be used to pay the judgment.
If the debtor does not send you the completed Form SC-133, you can file Form SC-134, Application and Order to Produce Statement of Assets and to Appear for Examination. In this form, you can also ask the court to award you your attorney fees, expenses, and other appropriate relief.
If the debtor does send you Form SC-133, you can still have the debtor come to court to answer questions about income and property. To do this, file Form EJ-125, Application and Order for Appearance and Examination.

(Continued on page 2)

Judicial Council of California
New July 1, 2010, Optional Form

What to Do After the Court
Decides Your Small Claims Case
(Small Claims)

SC-200, Page 1 of 2

If the court ordered you to pay money...
(continued)

If you disagree with the judgment ordering you to pay money, and you did not go to the trial, you can ask the court to vacate (cancel) the judgment. To do this, file Form SC-135, Notice of Motion to Vacate Judgment, within 30 days* after the Notice of Entry of Judgment and Declaration was handed or mailed to you. If the court denies your request, you have until 10 days from the date the notice of denial is mailed to file an appeal.

*Exception: If the claim against you was not properly served, you have 180 days from the date that you found out (or should have found out) about the judgment against you to file a request to cancel the judgment.

Unless you pay the judgment or file an appeal or a motion as discussed above, you must complete Form SC-133, Judgment Debtor's Statement of Assets, and deliver it to the judgment creditor within 30 days after the clerk delivered or mailed the Notice of Entry of Judgment.

Warning! If you do not deliver the completed Form SC-133, the court can order you to pay attorney fees and impose other penalties.

If the court ordered the other side to pay you...
(continued)

To obtain the judgment debtor's financial records from another person or a company at a hearing, fill out Form SC-107, Small Claims Subpoena and Declaration, take it to the small claims court clerk to be issued, and then have it served.

Once you know about the judgment debtor's income and property, you can ask the sheriff to take that property to pay you. (Property that may be taken includes wages, bank accounts, automobiles, business property, and rental income.) To do this, fill out and ask the court clerk to issue Form EJ-130, Writ of Execution. Then, take the form to the sheriff's office with a description of the debtor's property.

You can also put a lien on the judgment debtor's house or other real estate. To do this, fill out and ask the court clerk to issue Form EJ-001, Abstract of Judgment—Civil and Small Claims. Then, take or mail the Abstract to the county recorder's office in the county where you think the debtor owns real property. If the judgment debtor sells, refinances, or buys real property in that county, your judgment should be paid from the debtor's funds.

After the judgment has been paid in full, you must fill out an Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment and file it with the court clerk. If an Abstract of Judgment has not been recorded, you may use Form SC-290. If an abstract has been recorded, use Form EJ-100.

Warning! If you do not file an Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment, you may have to pay the judgment debtor damages and a penalty.

You may need to pay fees to the court, the county recorder's office, or the sheriff for filing, issuing, and recording papers and doing the other things discussed above. Sometimes, you can ask the court to order the other side to repay you for these expenses.

?

Need help?

For free help, contact your county's small claims advisor:

[local info here]

Or go to "County-Specific Court Information” at www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/smallclaims

New July 1, 2010

What to Do After the Court
Decides Your Small Claims Case
(Small Claims)

SC-200-INFO. Page 2 of 2

What the SC-100 Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court is

The SC-100 Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court is the Judicial Council of California form used by individuals and businesses to start a small claims action in California. It sets out the plaintiff's name, contact information, the defendant's identity, the amount requested, the reason for the claim, and the relief sought. The form begins the case and triggers service requirements, a court hearing date, and clerk processing. It is a court document, so accuracy matters and local court filing rules and service procedures must be followed.

Why this form matters for resolving low-value disputes

The SC-100 provides a streamlined, lower-cost route to recover monetary damages up to the small claims limit and avoids formal discovery and juries. It clarifies the plaintiff's requested relief, starts the official case record, and sets a hearing date where the judge can decide without protracted litigation.

Who typically files the SC-100 and why it fits their needs

Common filers include individuals, sole proprietors, and small-business claimants seeking monetary relief without complex litigation.

Individuals seeking unpaid personal loans or unpaid wages in small amounts.
Small-business owners or sole proprietors pursuing unpaid invoices or contract disputes.
Property owners or tenants claiming damage or return of security deposit within the small claims limit.

Step-by-step: filing the SC-100

Complete the form carefully, file with the clerk, serve the defendant, and attend the hearing. Each step has specific timing and proof requirements.

01

Prepare Form: Complete SC-100 with accurate facts and amounts.
02

File with Court: Submit in person or via approved e-filing where available.
03

Serve Defendant: Use an approved method and obtain proof of service.
04

Attend Hearing: Bring originals, exhibits, and witness statements.

What happens after you file the SC-100

Filing triggers clerk processing, scheduling of a hearing, and service requirements; the judge issues a decision after the hearing. Proper proof documentation is essential at each step.

Clerk Review: Court verifies form completeness and accepts filing.
Hearing Date: Court sets a hearing and notifies parties per local rules.
Service Verification: Plaintiff submits proof of service before hearing.
Judgment Entry: Judge rules; clerk enters judgment and related orders.

How to configure a digital workflow for SC-100 filings

A consistent digital workflow reduces errors: prepare a template, assign signer roles, add proof-of-service steps, and export required formats.

Field	Configuration
Template Setup	Create reusable SC-100 template with locked fields.
Signer Roles	Assign plaintiff signer and clerk/attorney reviewers.
Proof Attachments	Include exhibit upload and proof-of-service fields.
Export Format	Save as PDF/A or court-accepted PDF for filing.

Delivery and digital-signing considerations for SC-100

Choose a platform that supports court-accepted PDFs, audit trails, and secure signer authentication before submitting or sharing court forms.

PDF Support: Produce court-compatible, non-editable PDFs.
Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger ID verification available.
Audit Trail: Stores timestamp, IP, and signer actions.

Key timing considerations and filing windows

Timing affects service, jurisdiction, and enforceability. Be aware of the statute of limitations for your underlying claim and any court-specific deadlines for filing or proof of service.

Statute of Limitations:

Varies by claim and state; consult state statutes before filing.

Filing Promptness:

File as soon as feasible after the incident to preserve rights.

Service Deadlines:

Some courts require service a certain number of days before hearing.

Proof of Service:

File proof promptly per local court rules to avoid continuance.

Appeal Window:

Limited and time-sensitive; consult court rules after judgment.

Sequential milestones from filing to judgment

A typical small claims case follows discrete stages; track each milestone and required documents to maintain compliance and assert your claim effectively.

01

File Claim

Submit SC-100 to the clerk and pay filing fee.

02

Serve Defendant

Complete service using an approved method and obtain proof.

03

Pre-Hearing Preparation

Organize exhibits, witness statements, and settlement offers.

04

Court Hearing

Present evidence; judge issues a decision or judgment.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the SC-100

Incomplete or inconsistent party names that prevent valid service and delay the case.
Failing to attach or organize exhibits so evidence is unavailable at the hearing.
Missing or late proof of service filings that lead to continuances or dismissal.
Using vague descriptions of the claim rather than concise factual statements.

Consequences of errors or omissions

Case Dismissal: Incorrect service or procedural error

Loss of Fees: Filing fees may not be refunded

Enforcement Delay: Judgment collection postponed

Perjury Risk: False statements expose legal penalties

Statute Bar: Waiting too long can bar the claim

Appeal Limits: Restricted grounds and short windows

Key items to include on a professional SC-100 filing

Completeness and clarity increase the odds of a smooth hearing. Use numbered exhibits, accurate contact details, and a clear statement of damages to help the judge and clerk process the claim efficiently.

Case Caption

Include court name, plaintiff and defendant names, and case number if known. A clear caption ensures the clerk files the form in the proper docket and avoids misrouting.

Claim Amount

List the precise dollar sum requested and any applicable interest or fees separately. Judges evaluate exact amounts and supporting documentation when considering relief.

Statement of Facts

Provide a chronological, factual account of events that supports the legal basis for the claim. Avoid argumentative language; focus on dates, actions, and evidence.

Attachments

Attach contracts, invoices, receipts, photographs, and any written communications that corroborate the claim. Number exhibits and reference them in your narrative.

Service Instructions

Specify defendant address used for service and preferred service method. Accurate service details prevent disputes about notice and hearing scheduling.

Relief Requested

State the specific remedy or amount sought and whether costs or court fees are included. Clarity here guides the court’s eventual judgment.

eSignature pricing comparison for SC-100 digital workflows (vendors shown for context)

Comparing entry-level pricing and key feature availability helps select a platform that supports secure signing, audit trails, and required compliance for court documents.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently asked questions about filing and e-signing the SC-100

Answers address common legal and technical issues plaintiffs face when preparing, signing, and serving the SC-100 in California and similar small claims contexts.

Need help? Contact support

Can I complete and e-sign the SC-100?
Yes, electronic signatures are generally lawful under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws; however, courts and local rules determine acceptable filing and service methods, so confirm the court’s e-filing and signature policies before submission.
Is notarization required for SC-100?
Not typically. Small claims filings generally do not require notarization; proof of service is required. Always check local court rules for any jurisdiction-specific authentication requirements.
How must a defendant be served?
Service methods vary: personal service, substituted service, or certified mail may be allowed depending on local rules. File proof of service with the court as required to avoid continuances or dismissal.
What if the defendant doesn't appear at the hearing?
If the defendant fails to appear, the judge may enter a default judgment in your favor. Follow the court’s procedures to request a default and obtain a clerk-signed judgment for enforcement.
Can I withdraw or dismiss my claim?
Yes; plaintiffs may generally request voluntary dismissal before judgment. Filing procedures and any fee-credit rules differ by court, so consult the clerk or local rules for the correct form and timing.
Will an electronic filing be enforceable?
Electronic filings and signatures are enforceable when they meet ESIGN/UETA criteria: intent to sign, consent to transact electronically, attribution, and reliable record retention. Courts may impose specific format or authentication requirements.

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