Question 1 of 8. Carries forward to the intake.
- Claim limit
- $8,000
- Filing fee
- $55–$300
- Court
- County Civil Court
- File online
- Yes
Hillsborough County filing fees
Source: hillsclerk.com - official Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller (County Civil page, Fees and Fines County Civil schedule read in full, Help File #6 small claims PDF, Service Options and Locations, Pay page)
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| Under $100 | $55 |
| $100 – $500 | $80 |
| $500.01 – $2,500 | $175 |
| $2,500.01 – $8,000 | $300 |
Fees change. Confirm the current amount with the clerk at 813-276-8100 before you file.
Where to file
Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, County Civil/Small Claims Department
George Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
813-276-8100
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday (Tampa and Plant City locations; Brandon Service Center 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
- In person at the George Edgecomb Courthouse (800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa), Plant City (301 N. Michigan Ave.), or Brandon (311 Pauls Drive) - file where the defendant resides or where the action took place
- By mail to the Clerk of Court with a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
Walk-in filing is available at 3 locations: George Edgecomb Courthouse - 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602 (main County Civil), Plant City - 301 North Michigan Ave., Plant City, FL 33563, Brandon - 311 Pauls Drive, Brandon, FL 33511.
The forms you need
Hillsborough County requires 3 forms to open a small claims case:
- Statement of Claim
- Summons/Notice to Appear for Pretrial Conference (COCV1256)
- Information for Filing Small Claims Suits $8,000.00 or Less (Help File #6)
We keep the current Hillsborough County versions of both. The forms are not the hard part — filling them out is. The Statement of Claim has to describe what happened in the language the court expects, and that is where most first-time filers get sent home to try again.
If your claim is based on a written agreement, a copy must be attached to the Statement of Claim.
Serving the defendant
The filer. Clerks in Florida do not arrange service.
- County sheriff (civil process division)
- Certified process server appointed/approved in the circuit
- Certified mail, where permitted for the case type
Certified mail without complete proof of service will stall the case.
Why not just download the free form?
The forms are free. Why pay?
The forms are free. Knowing what to write in them is not. Most rejected filings are rejected on the claim narrative, not the paperwork.
Can't I just hire a lawyer?
Most attorneys will not take a $8,000 case, and the ones who will cost more than the claim.
What if I get it wrong?
You refile and pay the fee again. That is the actual cost of guessing.
What happens next
Your pretrial conference date is set when you file, so you leave the counter knowing when to come back. If the defendant loses, they have 10 days to move for a new trial and 30 days to appeal.
The Hillsborough County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both Hillsborough County forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- Filing checklist with this court's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your pretrial conference
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Hillsborough County?
Between $55 and $300, depending on your claim amount. Under $100: $55. $100 – $500: $80. $500.01 – $2,500: $175. $2,500.01 – $8,000: $300.
What is the small claims limit in Hillsborough County?
$8,000, excluding costs, interest and attorneys' fees.
Where do I file a small claims case in Hillsborough County?
Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, County Civil/Small Claims Department, George Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa. Also at Plant City - 301 North Michigan Ave., Plant City, FL 33563, Brandon - 311 Pauls Drive, Brandon, FL 33511. You can also file online.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Hillsborough County?
No. Small claims is designed for people to represent themselves.
Who serves the defendant?
The filer. Clerks in Florida do not arrange service.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-20 · Sourced from hillsclerk.com - official Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller (County Civil page, Fees and Fines County Civil schedule read in full, Help File #6 small claims PDF, Service Options and Locations, Pay page) and Fla. Stat. Ch. 34 (County Courts). See how we verify.