Question 1 of 8. The fee above is the court's; ours is $49 for the paperwork.
- Filing fee
- $55–$300
- Claim limit
- $8,000
- Service per defendant
- $40
- Pay online
- Yes
What Miami-Dade County charges to file
Source: Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts, County Civil Division fee schedule
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| Up to $99.99 | $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 305-275-1155 before you file.
The costs that are not the filing fee
Filing is the first charge, not the only one. Miami-Dade County also charges:
- Summons issuance: $10
- Garnishment first filing: $85
- Certified copy per page: $1
- Certification fee: $2
- Execution minimum: $710
None of these are optional once the case is moving, and all of them are recoverable in the judgment if you win. They are simply not quoted at the counter when you ask what it costs to file.
Fees change — confirm the current amount with the clerk at 305-275-1155 before you file.
What it costs to serve the defendant
Miami-Dade County charges $40 per defendant for service. That is on top of the filing fee, and you pay it for each person or business you are suing.
- 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.
How this clerk takes payment
Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts, County Civil Division accepts:
- Cash (in person only)
- Cashier's check or money order payable to Clerk of the Courts (personal checks not accepted)
- Visa, Discover, Mastercard, American Express (in person or online)
Filing through Florida Courts E-Filing Portal takes card payment at the time you file.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Miami-Dade County?
$55–$300 to file, depending on how much you are suing for, plus $40 per defendant for service. Fees change — confirm the current amount with the clerk at 305-275-1155 before you file.
Can I get the filing fee back if I win?
Court costs, including the filing fee and service, are normally included in the judgment you ask for. Getting them back still depends on collecting the judgment.
What if I cannot afford the filing fee in Miami-Dade County?
Courts have a fee-waiver application for filers below an income threshold. Ask the clerk for the indigency or fee-waiver form. We cannot tell you whether you qualify.
How do I pay the Miami-Dade County filing fee?
Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts, County Civil Division takes 3 forms of payment, listed above.
The Miami-Dade County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Your Miami-Dade County filing forms, completed with your claim in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts, County Civil Division's address, hours, and the current 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 2026-08-20 · Sourced from miamidadeclerk.gov official Clerk of the Courts site: Small Claims page, Civil & Family Court page, and the Clerk's official 'How to File a Small Claims Action' brochure (CLK/CT 881, Rev. 12/25) and current Statement of Claim (CLK/CT 333, Rev. 06/26) / Summons-Notice to Appear (CLK/CT 423, Rev. 06/26) PDF forms. and Fla. Stat. Ch. 34 (County Courts). See how we verify.