Legal Costs in San Diego, CA (2026)
Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in San Diego — all sourced from official California state records.
San Diego is a city in San Diego County, California. Whether you're starting a business, filing a small claims case, or going through a divorce, the fees you pay are set at the California state level — not the city or county level — with limited exceptions for county-specific court fees. Forming an LLC costs $70 in state filing fees. Small claims cases can be filed for disputes up to $12,500 in the Small Claims Court. Divorce filing fees in California start at $435. All figures on this page are verified from official California government sources and updated for 2026.
Form an LLC in San Diego, CA
To form an LLC with a San Diego address, you file with the California Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $70. Standard processing takes 5 business days. There is also an annual report fee of $820.
0| State filing fee | $70 |
| Annual report fee | $820 |
| Standard processing | 5 business days |
| Expedited processing | 1 |
| Publication cost | Not required |
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Small Claims Court in San Diego
Small claims cases in San Diego are heard at the Small Claims Court in San Diego County. The maximum you can sue for is $12,500. Filing fees range from $30–$100 depending on the claim amount.
| Court name | Small Claims Court |
| Filing location | San Diego County |
| Maximum claim limit | $12,500 |
| Filing fee | $30–$100 |
| Written contract SOL | 4 years |
| Oral contract SOL | 2 years |
Where to File in San Diego
Always call ahead to verify hours and accepted payment methods before visiting. Hours may vary on holidays.
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Filing for Divorce in San Diego
Divorce petitions in San Diego are filed at the San Diego County courthouse. The San Diego County court divorce filing fee is $435. Sheriff service costs $40. California requires divorcing parents with minor children to complete a parenting class.
We have verified divorce filing fees specifically for San Diego County. See full San Diego County divorce fee details →
| Filing location | San Diego County Courthouse |
| Filing fee | $435 (San Diego County) |
| Sheriff service fee | $40 |
| Children surcharge | None |
| Parenting class | Required (if children) |
| Certified copy fee | $15 |
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Find a Notary in San Diego, CA
California caps notary fees at $15 per notarial act. Common places to find a notary in San Diego: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.
| Acknowledgment fee cap | $15 |
| Jurat fee cap | $15 |
| RON (remote online) | Not available |
| State fee law | Yes — fee cap enforced |
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