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Fill Out Your Forms Checklist

1. Download a claim form (Plaintiff's Claim And ORDER To Go To Small Claims Court/Information For The Defendant (Small Claims) (form SC-100)). If you are a business, you may need to file another form. (Fictitious Business Name Declaration (Small Claims) (form SC-103)). Click here for more forms (including MC-030, SC-100A, and SC-101).
2. Some courts also require a local form called "Plaintiff's Statement to the Clerk." To get this form, you can:
   
   • Go to the clerk's office of the court where you will file your claim.
   • Look for the form on your county's superior court's Web site
   • Mail the court a letter asking for the form and enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Look for your court's address at:
     County-Specific Court Information in the Small Claims section of this site.
3. Download and Read Information for the Plaintiff (Small Claims) (form SC-150).
4. You can ask a small claims legal advisor for help filling out your forms. You can also go to a library and ask a librarian for self-help books to help you fill out your forms.
5. Some courts have more than one location (building). You must file your claim at the right court location. Check with the court's Web site or call the court to find the right court location for your case.
6. For help naming the defendant, click here.
7. For help figuring the amount to ask for, click here.
8. Be sure your forms are clear and readable. You may have to start over on a clean form if there are mistakes.
9. Always use your legal name, current address, and daytime telephone number in the box at the top of the first page of each form. Until you change the address you provide on the forms you file with the court, the judge will assume you have received whatever legal papers were sent there.
10. All areas of a form must be filled out with complete, detailed, and accurate information or should be marked "N/A" (for "not applicable") if something does not apply to you.
11. Sign each form in each place that requires your signature IN BLUE OR BLACK INK ONLY.
12. Most people find it easier to fill out court forms by doing each form one section at a time. If you have questions about a particular section, leave that section blank until you can get your questions answered.
13. After you fill out your forms, the next step is to take your forms to the court (called "filing your claim"). Click here for help filing your forms.

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Last modified: 03/17/2008

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