- Claim limit
- $8,000
- Court
- County Civil Court
- File online
- Yes (statewide)
- Appeal window
- 30 days
Common questions
Who can I sue in small claims court in Florida?
An individual or a business, as long as your claim is within the $8,000 limit. You must name and serve the correct legal person or entity.
How much can I sue for in Florida?
Up to $8,000, excluding costs, interest and attorneys' fees. Over that, you can waive the excess and still use small claims.
Do I need a lawyer to sue in Florida small claims?
No — small claims is designed for self-representation.
What are the steps to sue someone in Florida?
Send a demand, file your county's claim form in County Civil Court, pay the fee, and serve the defendant. We prepare the demand and the filing from the same facts.
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.
Pick the county where you'll sue
Small claims is filed at the county level. Pick your county for its court, fee, and forms — or start your claim and we'll ask where you'd sue.
Start my claimYour small claims filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Your court's own forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with your court's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your hearing
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-17 · Sourced from Florida judiciary self-help resources and each county's clerk of court and Fla. Stat. Ch. 34 (County Courts). See how we verify.