Which county court do I file a small claims case in Florida

Use the free tool — Small Claims Letter FL

Which court hears your case

Florida small claims disputes, up to $8,000, are heard in county court — not circuit court. This is true no matter which county you're in.

Which county to file in

You generally file where the defendant lives, or where the dispute happened. If the person you're suing lives in a different county than where the deal took place, you may have a choice — but the clerk of court in each county can tell you exactly what's required there.

Where the defendant lives, or
Where the transaction, contract, or incident happened

Filing fees and the pre-trial conference

Filing fees vary by the amount of your claim, and also vary slightly by county. After you file, expect a pre-trial conference before the case is heard. Ask the county clerk's office for the current fee schedule for your claim amount.

The $8,000 limit

Small claims in Florida covers amounts up to $8,000. If your claim is higher, it falls outside small claims entirely — you'd need a different court.

What's outside small claims

Claims over $8,000
Claims against a government entity
Most landlord evictions

Business invoices should use Invoice Chaser instead of this tool. Free help is available through your county clerk's self-help centre and floridalawhelp.org.

Deadlines

There's also a statute of limitations for your kind of claim, under Fla. Stat. 95.11. This isn't legal advice — confirm the exact deadline with your county clerk or a professional before relying on it.

What to do next

Describe your dispute — who, how much, why, what proof you have — to the free tool. It reads your own details and gives you a demand letter with a response date computed, the Florida small-claims rules that apply, the county-filing basics, and what to gather. Then confirm the specifics — fees, deadlines, and which county to file in — with your county clerk or a professional.

Use the free tool

Small Claims Letter FL is an informational tool based on the Florida Small Claims Rules, Fla. Stat. 34.041, 83.49 and 95.11 as of 2025–26. It is not legal advice and does not file anything. Filing fees and procedures vary slightly by county; the clerk of court is the authority. It is for individuals; businesses chasing invoices should use Invoice Chaser. It is not affiliated with any court or agency.