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Volunteer Opportunity

– Civil Grand Jury Deadline Extended. Apply by: June 13, 2025. Click Here to view more. 

2025 Escheatment

If you were mailed a notice - see the claim steps/instructions here (pdf); to see if you are a claimant - see the list of payees here (pdf). Please note that the notice you received contained an error in stating that the funds were intended for victim restitution. In fact, these funds are associated with civil trust accounts, including but not limited to jury services and related matters.

Please be advised the Court is experiencing delays in traffic citation processing.

As a result, you may not be able to locate your citation when searching in the Court’s database. If your citation is not yet showing in the Courts system, please contact the traffic call center at 951-222-0384 for further instructions. Your citation will not be considered delinquent, and your date to pay and/or appear will be adjusted if your ability to timely remit payment or appear in Court has been adversely impacted by this delay. 

Notice:

The Online Copy Request, Certified Copy Request, and Request Records Search programs will no longer be available as of Thursday, January 16th, at 5:00 PM.

We’re excited to announce that new and improved services are coming soon. Stay tuned for updates!

How to File Small Claims

How to File

Information for Plaintiff:

How do I open a case? 

To open a case, you may file a Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court (SC-100)

Information for Defendant:

Do I need to file an answer/response? 

There is no response form in Small Claims. You do not need to file any papers prior to your hearing unless you think this is the wrong court for your case. You will bring all of your evidence with you to your hearing including witnesses, receipts, and pictures that support your case.

Fees to File a Small Claims Case with the Court

Range Fee
$1.00 to $1,500.00 $30.00
$1,501.00 to $5,000.00 $50.00
$5,001.00 to $12,500.00 $75.00


For Additional fees, please see the Court's Fee Schedule (pdf ).

Filing Your Case

  • In Person
    • You may submit your paperwork in person. Please bring with you the original document plus one copy for each party on your case
    • Use our court locator to verify where your case belongs
  • By Mail
    • You may submit your paperwork by mail. Please mail the original plus one copy for each party listed on your case to the court. In addition to your copies, please include a self-addressed, pre-stamped envelope so that the court can return your copies
    • Acceptable forms of payment include a check or money order
    • The check is made out to "Riverside Superior Court"
    • Mail forms and envelope to:
      • Superior Court of California, County of Riverside
      • Attn: Small Claims Division
    • Use our court locator to verify the proper court location for filing
    • Court addresses
  • Civil eFiling

Interpreter

You can request the court to provide you with an interpreter. A court-provided interpreter may not be available. Alternatively, you may bring an adult who is not a witness or an attorney to interpret for you.

ADA Accommodations

If you have a disability and need assistance, you may complete the form Request for Accommodations (MC-410) (external site pdf ).