SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA SMALL CLAIMS INSTRUCTION PACKET Plaintiff Defendant being sued must General Information: If your printed document is not legible to the clerk, it may be rejected. Filing Fees: Please include a separate check for each filing. Manner of Service:must Service is not valid if you perform it yourselffrom the options below 1) 2) Disinterested Party (over 18 years):process server originalat least three court days prior to the hearing date. 3) Certified mail ($15.00 per defendant): Certified mail is often less successful than other methods of service and may delay the hearing. If the Post Office has not returned proof of service to the court by the time of the hearing,If service by certified mail is not effective, you will need to use another method of service. Warning - Without the proof of service, the case may be dismissed. American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com 1) WHAT IF I NEED A CONTINUANCE BECAUSE THE PARTY HAS NOT BEEN SERVED? Three court days 2) WHAT IF I DO NOT APPEAR IN COURT ON THE HEARING DATE? WARNING your claim could be dismissed without prejudice 3) IF YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE DATE AFTER THE DEFENDANT HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE CLAIM: Your request must be submitted at least 10 days before the hearing date. BE ADVISED THAT THE OFFICE PERSONNEL CANNOT GIVE YOU LEGAL ADVICE. HOWEVER, YOU MAY CONTACT THE SMALL CLAIMS ADVISOR AS FOLLOWS: SANTA BARBARA . . . . . . . . . . . 568-3303 SANTA MARIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349-1289 LOMPOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349-1289 SANTA YNEZ VALLEY . . . . . . . 349-1289 4) SMALL CLAIMS FORMS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT SMALL CLAIMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THESE FOLLOWING WEB SITES: FORMS: Other helpful Websites: American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com GUIDELINES ON NAMING THE PARTIES INDIVIDUALS, ETC. Individual Persons: Husband and Wife Defendants: Auto Damage Claim:both If you are under the age of 18 and wish to file a claim: For Example: or mustmust BUSINESSES, CORPORATIONS, ETC. Person Doing Business Under Their Own Names: Partners Doing Business Under Their Own Names: Partners Doing Business Under a Fictitious Name: and doing business as Unincorporated Association: sociation consisting of John Smith and Jim Roe; and Corporation: must American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com SUGGESTIONS FOR LOCATING THE PARTIES INDIVIDUALS, ETC. Postal ServiceTreasurer- Santa Barbara County Superior Court BUSINESSES, CORPORATIONS, ETC. County Clerk- (805) 346 - 8370 State Board of EqualizationCity Hall Santa Barbara City Hall Santa Maria City Hall Lompoc City Hall Solvang Municipal Center Buellton City Hall Guadalup e City Hall Goleta City Hall Alcohol Beverage Control DepartmentSecretary of State American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com