Santa Barbara County Small Claims Court
How to file a small claims case in Santa Barbara County, CA. Courthouse locations, hours, fees, and filing options for the Santa Barbara area.
E-Filing
✓ Available
File your claim online — no trip to file
Max Claim
$12,500
Courts (2)
2 courthouses
Main Courthouse
Anacapa Division
1100 Anacapa St., 2nd Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Other Courthouse Locations
Cook Division
312 East Cook Street, Building E
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Serves: Santa Maria / Orcutt / Guadalupe / Los Alamos / New Cuyama/ Lompoc / Vandenberg / Hollister Ranch / The Santa Ynez Valley, including Santa Ynez, Solvang, Los Olivos, Buellton and Ballard area of Santa Barbara County
How to File in Santa Barbara County
E-filing available
This county accepts electronic filing for small claims cases.
File in person
Bring your completed forms to the courthouse clerk during business hours. Pay the filing fee by cash, check, or credit card.
File by mail
Most small claims courts accept filing by mail — check with this courthouse first. Typically you mail your completed forms with the filing fee (check or money order) plus a self-addressed stamped envelope for your returned copies.
Ready to get your money back?
A demand letter often settles disputes before a case is ever filed — and it only takes a few minutes.
Read the demand letter guideFor statewide rules including filing limits, statutes of limitations, and court procedures, see the full California small claims court guide →