How to fill out a Florida Statement of Claim (small claims)

"IN THE COUNTY COURT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA" — division, case number, section

The court identification, with checkboxes for the division (Civil / Districts / Other). The case number, section, and clock-in stamp are the clerk's. The form's subtitle instructs: "(File in Duplicate Plus One For Each Defendant)."

Plaintiff vs. Defendant(s) — with the defendant's address and phone number

The party names, plus lines for the defendant's address and phone — the address is where the notice to appear will be served.

The seven claim-type checkboxes

As printed on the form: "Good, wares and merchandise sold by plaintiff, to defendant"; "Work done and materials furnished by plaintiff, to defendant"; "Money lent by plaintiff to the defendant which is due and payable"; "Money due to plaintiff upon accounts stated and agreed to between them"; "On a written instrument, copy of which is attached hereto"; "Rent for certain premises in Miami-Dade County, Florida, VIZ"; and "Other (Explain)."

"Any additional facts in connection with any of the above"

Ruled lines for anything the checkboxes alone don't capture, with the form's note "(USE ADDITIONAL SHEET IF NECESSARY)." A separate NOTE on the form adds that if the claim is based on a written document, a copy or the material part of it shall be attached to the statement of claim.

"Where Plaintiff demands judgment in the sum of $___ together with court costs and any further costs which the Court may assess."

The amount claimed. Court costs are demanded by the pre-printed language, not folded into the dollar figure.

The just-and-true oath

Pre-printed text you swear to: the plaintiff "says the foregoing is a just and true statement of the amount owed by defendant to plaintiff, exclusive of all lawful setoffs, and that defendant has no lawful defenses which would preclude the collection of said amount."

Military-service statement

The next sentence: "Affiant states that the defendant(s) is/are not in the military service of the United States." The instruction sheet on the reverse explains why it matters: a plaintiff is not entitled to a default or judgment without an affidavit regarding the defendant's military status in compliance with applicable law — and this form, if sworn to, meets that requirement.

Attorney/Plaintiff signature block — signature, bar number, address, telephone, email

You sign and give contact details; the bar number line applies only to attorney filers.

Acknowledgment / "SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME" block

The form is sworn before a deputy clerk or a notary public, who completes the block — date, identification produced (or personally known), whether an oath was taken, and, for notaries, commission details. Signing at the clerk's counter when filing is the common route.

Pre-printed instructions to both parties

The back page covers, among other things: advising the clerk in writing of any address change; that a defendant who fails to appear on the designated date risks judgment, and a plaintiff who fails to appear risks dismissal for want of prosecution; that a defendant's counterclaim from the same transaction is filed at least 5 days before the appearance date (with a transfer-and-deposit procedure if it exceeds the court's jurisdiction); and that trial by jury may be had on written demand made within the windows the sheet describes. None of it is filled in — it travels with the claim.