Question 1 of 8. Carries forward to the intake.
- Claim limit
- $8,000
- Filing fee
- $55–$300
- Court
- County Civil Court
- File online
- Yes
Palm Beach County filing fees
Source: mypalmbeachclerk.com - official Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County (Small Claims page, County Civil Court Fees schedule read in full, County Civil Court page, and the Main/North/South/West courthouse location pages)
| 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 561-355-2500 before you file.
Where to file
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County - County Civil/Small Claims (County Civil Court)
Main Courthouse, 205 N. Dixie Highway, Room 3.2300, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-355-2500
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday (excluding designated holidays)
- In person at any County Civil Court location (Main Courthouse Room 3.2300, or the North, South, or West County branch courthouse), Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- By mail (include a self-addressed stamped envelope so document copies and the notice of pre-trial hearing date can be returned)
- Electronically via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (www.myflcourtaccess.com)
Walk-in filing is available at 4 locations: Main Courthouse - 205 N. Dixie Hwy., Room 3.2300, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, North County Courthouse - 3188 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 (Civil 561-624-6650), South County Courthouse - 200 W. Atlantic Ave., Room 1S-124, Delray Beach, FL 33444 (Civil 561-274-1588), West County Courthouse - 2950 State Road 15, Room S-100, Belle Glade, FL 33430 (561-996-4843).
The forms you need
Palm Beach County requires 1 forms to open a small claims case:
- Statement of Claim and Summons/Notice to Appear for Pretrial Conference (purchased from the Clerk's Self Service Center - not a free download)
We keep the current Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach County?
$8,000, excluding costs, interest and attorneys' fees.
Where do I file a small claims case in Palm Beach County?
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County - County Civil/Small Claims (County Civil Court), Main Courthouse, 205 N. Dixie Highway, Room 3.2300, West Palm Beach. Also at North County Courthouse - 3188 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 (Civil 561-624-6650), South County Courthouse - 200 W. Atlantic Ave., Room 1S-124, Delray Beach, FL 33444 (Civil 561-274-1588), West County Courthouse - 2950 State Road 15, Room S-100, Belle Glade, FL 33430 (561-996-4843). You can also file online.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Palm Beach 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 mypalmbeachclerk.com - official Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County (Small Claims page, County Civil Court Fees schedule read in full, County Civil Court page, and the Main/North/South/West courthouse location pages) and Fla. Stat. Ch. 34 (County Courts). See how we verify.