Florida Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Florida.
Maximum Claim
$8,000
Filing Fee
$55–$400
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Small Claims Court (County Court)
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Florida
Search by city, county, or ZIP code to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
How Much Can You Sue For in Florida?
In Florida, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $8,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Florida Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Claims up to $100 | $55 |
| Claims $101–$500 | $80 |
| Claims $501–$2,500 | $175 |
| Claims $2,501–$5,000 | $300 |
| Claims $5,001–$8,000 | $400 |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the court clerk for a fee waiver application when you file.
Statutes of Limitations in Florida
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
5
years — written contract
4
years — oral contract
4
years — property damage
4
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Florida?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court. Our free guide shows you how to write one in minutes.
Read the demand letter guideWhere to File in Florida
Small claims cases in Florida are handled by the Small Claims Court (County Court). Florida has 67 county County Courts.
Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives or where the cause of action accrued
Not sure which court you need? Our step-by-step filing guide walks you through finding the right court for your case.
Find your specific courthouse: Search for your county courthouse below ↓ — get the address, phone number, hours, and see if e-filing is available.
How to Serve the Defendant in Florida
After filing your claim, you must formally notify the defendant. This is called "service of process" and is required before your case can be heard.
Accepted methods: Personal service by sheriff, certified process server, or certified mail with return receipt
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 15 days before the hearing.
Florida Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Florida small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 30 days to circuit court
Is e-filing available?
Yes, electronic filing is available in Florida.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some Florida courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official Florida Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Florida
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Alachua County
Gainesville area
(352) 374-3636
Baker County
Macclenny area
(904) 259-8113
Bay County
Panama City area
(850) 763-9061
Bradford County
Starke area
(904) 966-6297
Brevard County
Melbourne area
(321) 637-5413
Broward County
Fort Lauderdale area
(954) 831-5622
Calhoun County
Blountstown area
(850) 674-4545
Charlotte County
Punta Gorda area
(941) 505-4716
Citrus County
Inverness area
(352) 341-6424
Clay County
Green Cove Springs area
(904) 284-6302
Collier County
Naples area
(239) 252-2646
Columbia County
Lake City area
(386) 758-1047
DeSoto County
Arcadia area
(863) 993-4876
Dixie County
Cross City area
(352) 498-1200
Duval County
Jacksonville area
(904) 255-2000
Escambia County
Pensacola area
(850) 595-4310
Flagler County
Bunnell area
(386) 313-4483
Franklin County
Apalachicola area
(850) 653-8861
Gadsden County
Quincy area
(850) 875-8601
Gilchrist County
Trenton area
(352) 463-3170
Glades County
Moore Haven area
(863) 946-6010
Gulf County
Port St. Joe area
(850) 229-6112
Hamilton County
Jasper area
(386) 792-1288
Hardee County
Wauchula area
(863) 773-4174
Hendry County
LaBelle area
(863) 675-5217
Hernando County
Brooksville area
(352) 540-6377
Highlands County
Sebring area
(863) 402-6593
Hillsborough County
Tampa area
(813) 276-8100
Holmes County
Bonifay area
(850) 547-1100
Indian River County
Vero Beach area
(772) 226-3100
Jackson County
Marianna area
(850) 482-9552
Jefferson County
Monticello area
(850) 342-0218
Lafayette County
Mayo area
(386) 294-1600
Lake County
Tavares area
(352) 742-4172
Lee County
Fort Myers area
(239) 533-5000
Leon County
Tallahassee area
(850) 606-4000
Levy County
Bronson area
(352) 486-5266
Liberty County
Bristol area
(850) 643-2215
Madison County
Madison area
(850) 973-1500
Manatee County
Bradenton area
(941) 741-4025
Marion County
Ocala area
(352) 671-5604
Martin County
Stuart area
(772) 288-5576
Miami-Dade County
Miami area
(305) 275-1155
Monroe County
Key West area
(305) 295-3130
Nassau County
Fernandina Beach area
(904) 548-4600
Okaloosa County
Crestview area
(850) 689-5000
Okeechobee County
Okeechobee area
(863) 763-2131
Orange County
Orlando area
(407) 836-2055
Osceola County
Kissimmee area
(407) 742-3500
Palm Beach County
West Palm Beach area
(561) 355-2500
Pasco County
New Port Richey area
(727) 847-8031
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg area
(727) 464-7000
Polk County
Lakeland area
(863) 534-4000
Putnam County
Palatka area
(386) 326-7600
Santa Rosa County
Milton area
(850) 981-5567
Sarasota County
Sarasota area
(941) 861-7400
Seminole County
Sanford area
(407) 665-4300
St. Johns County
St. Augustine area
(904) 819-3600
St. Lucie County
Fort Pierce area
(772) 462-6900
Sumter County
Bushnell area
(352) 569-6600
Suwannee County
Live Oak area
(386) 362-0500
Taylor County
Perry area
(850) 838-3506
Union County
Lake Butler area
(386) 496-3711
Volusia County
Daytona Beach area
(386) 736-5907
Wakulla County
Crawfordville area
(850) 926-0905
Walton County
DeFuniak Springs area
(850) 892-8115
Washington County
Chipley area
(850) 638-6289
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Florida?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide