Short answer. In Florida, small claims court covers claims up to $8,000. Where to file: File with the clerk of the county court in a county where the contract was entered into, where any defendant lives, where the event giving rise to the suit happened, where the property is (to recover property or foreclose a lien), where payment was to be made (money owed with no agreed place), or a place agreed in a contract (Fla. The fee to start a case is $55 to $300, depending on the claim.
Can I file my claim in Florida small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Florida limit of $8,000.
Need the other side served? Process serving with an affidavit of service.
Florida small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $8,000. $8,000 or less, not counting costs, interest and attorney fees.
- Court
- Small claims, county court (Florida Small Claims Rules)
- Who can file
- The Small Claims Rules let individuals handle their own cases, with or without an attorney.
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Where to file
- File with the clerk of the county court in a county where the contract was entered into, where any defendant lives, where the event giving rise to the suit happened, where the property is (to recover property or foreclose a lien), where payment was to be made (money owed with no agreed place), or a place agreed in a contract (Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.060(a)). A defendant who thinks the place is wrong may ask for a transfer.
- Serving the other side
- Certified mail (Florida addresses only), the sheriff, or a private process server.
- Appeal
- A notice of appeal from county court to circuit court (Lake County filing fee $281).
Florida filing fees
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| claim of $0.01 to $99.99 | $55 | |
| $100 to $500 | $80 | |
| $500.01 to $2,500 | $175 | |
| $2,500.01 to $8,000 | $300 |
From the Lake County Clerk of Court; service is extra (certified mail $9.64 per Florida defendant; Lake County Sheriff $40). Each clerk publishes its own page, so confirm with your county clerk.
Want us to handle it?
A runner files your papers in person at the clerk's window and sends you a scan of the stamped copy. We file what you prepared; we don't give legal advice.
Price: Outside New Jersey it goes through our contractor network: quote-based, confirmed before any work starts, and booked once a local contractor accepts. In New Jersey it is from $75 per filing, court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay.
Filing a small claim in Florida, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Florida limit is $8,000, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos.
- Pick the right courtFile with the clerk of the county court in a county where the contract was entered into, where any defendant lives, where the event giving rise to the suit happened, where the property is (to recover property or foreclose a lien), where payment was to be made (money owed with no agreed place), or a place agreed in a contract (Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.060(a)). A defendant who thinks the place is wrong may ask for a transfer.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeThe filing fee in Florida is $55 to $300, depending on the claim. From the Lake County Clerk of Court; service is extra (certified mail $9.64 per Florida defendant; Lake County Sheriff $40). Each clerk publishes its own page, so confirm with your county clerk. Online filing: see the official link below.
- Have the other side servedCertified mail (Florida addresses only), the sheriff, or a private process server.
- Get ready for the hearingLawyers: allowed. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side.
- After the decisionA notice of appeal from county court to circuit court (Lake County filing fee $281).
Official Florida links
- Florida small claims self-help page
- Florida online filing
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal: DIY Florida
- The Florida Bar (secondary source): Florida Small Claims Rules (July 1, 2026 edition), Rule 7.060 Process and Venue
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Florida pages above, not legal advice. MCC Solutions isn't a law firm and isn't affiliated with any court. Rules and fees change: the official page and the clerk have the final word. The checker runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent or saved.
Florida small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Florida?
$8,000. $8,000 or less, not counting costs, interest and attorney fees.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Florida?
claim of $0.01 to $99.99: $55; $100 to $500: $80; $500.01 to $2,500: $175; $2,500.01 to $8,000: $300. From the Lake County Clerk of Court; service is extra (certified mail $9.64 per Florida defendant; Lake County Sheriff $40). Each clerk publishes its own page, so confirm with your county clerk.
Can a lawyer represent me in Florida small claims?
Allowed in Florida, per the official page. The Small Claims Rules let individuals handle their own cases, with or without an attorney.
Where do I file a small claim in Florida?
File with the clerk of the county court in a county where the contract was entered into, where any defendant lives, where the event giving rise to the suit happened, where the property is (to recover property or foreclose a lien), where payment was to be made (money owed with no agreed place), or a place agreed in a contract (Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.060(a)). A defendant who thinks the place is wrong may ask for a transfer.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Florida?
A notice of appeal from county court to circuit court (Lake County filing fee $281).
How is the other side served in a Florida small claims case?
Certified mail (Florida addresses only), the sheriff, or a private process server.
Compare every state: small claims limits by state · District of Columbia small claims · Georgia small claims