Before you start
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Make copies. You need the original forms and attachments for the court, plus a copy for yourself and a copy for each tenant (and anyone else you know lives in the home).
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Bring everything with you. Take the original and copies to file at the court.
How to file your forms
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Go to the court clerk's office
File your forms at the superior court in the county where the rental home is located (the same court you wrote on your forms).
At the courthouse, give the original and the copies to the clerk in the clerk’s office.
📌 Tip: Some courts let you file by mail or online.
By mail: Send the original and 2 copies to the clerk. Include the filing fee (or a fee waiver request) and a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage. If you don’t include the envelope, you’ll need to pick up your copies in person.
Online: Some courts allow online filing (called efiling). Check your court’s website to see if this is an option.
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Pay a filing fee
💵 You must pay a fee when you file your forms. The fee is usually between $240–$450, depending on how much money you are asking for in your case.
Fee waiver: If you can’t afford the fee, you can ask the court for a fee waiver. You may qualify if:
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You receive public benefits,
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Your income is below a set amount, or
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You can’t pay the fee and still meet your basic needs.
- If you’re suing for up to $10,000, the fee is usually $240.
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If you’re suing for over $10,000 up to $35,000, the fee is usually $385.
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If you’re suing for over $35,000, the fee is usually $435.
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San Bernardino, San Francisco, and Riverside counties may have slightly higher fees (🔗 links open in new tab).
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Get your filed forms back
The clerk will:
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Stamp your forms,
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Keep the original, and
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Return the copies to you.
Keep one copy for your records. You’ll need the other copies to give to each tenant through a legal process called service.
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Eviction
What's next?
After filing, your next step is to serve (deliver) the Summons and Complaint to each tenant. This tells them that you’re starting an eviction case.