Short answer. In Florida, small claims (Small claims, county court (Florida Small Claims Rules)) cover claims up to $8,000. 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.
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
- 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.
Not confirmed for Florida: where to file, online filing. The official Florida page we checked didn't state these, so we left them out. Ask the clerk or see the official page.
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 courtThe Florida page we checked doesn't say which county or court to use. Ask the clerk before you file.
- 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.
- 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
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.
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 · Delaware small claims · Georgia small claims