How much can you claim in small claims court in Florida?

An individual can claim up to $8,000. A business can claim up to $8,000. A public agency can claim up to $8,000. That comes from Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b).

What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Florida?

$50 for a claim up to $99.99. $75 for a claim up to $500. $170 for a claim up to $2,500. $295 for a claim up to $8,000. That comes from Fla. Stat. §34.041(1)(a).

How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Florida?

The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Fla. Stat. §95.11. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.

Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Florida?

No, Florida does not require it, per Florida Courts Help, Small Claims. Sending a demand letter first is still the usual first step, and it is often what gets the money paid.

Which court handles small claims in Florida?

County Court, Small Claims. The county court in the county where the other side lives or where the dispute happened.

Small claims in Florida

The court

County Court, Small Claims: The county court in the county where the other side lives or where the dispute happened.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

The small claims limit in Florida
Claiming as	Most you can claim	Rule
An individual	$8,000	Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b)
A business	$8,000	Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b)
A public agency	$8,000	Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b)

What it costs to file

The fee runs from $50 to $295, set by the size of the claim.

Fla. Stat. §34.041(1)(a) · The filing fee is $50 for claims under $100, $75 up to $500, $170 up to $2,500, and $295 above that.

How long you have

The shortest window in this state is 2 years from the day the damage happened.

Fla. Stat. §95.11 · A claim on a written agreement must be filed within five years, on a spoken agreement within four years, and for damage caused by carelessness within two years. Some property claims have a longer window; your court's self-help center can say which applies.

Also worth knowing

A claim against the state or a state agency usually has to be presented in writing to that agency, and to the Department of Financial Services, before it can go to court. Cities and counties have their own notice steps. Fla. Stat. §768.28(6)(a)

Does small claims fit your dispute in Florida?

Pick what it is about. The next screens ask the amount and the dates. Nothing is saved, and no account is needed.

The detail

The limit
The limit is the most the court can award on one claim. It depends on who is claiming, and in some states on which court hears it.
What it costs
The court charges this when you hand in the claim. It is separate from the amount you are claiming.
How long you have
Every kind of claim has its own window, counted from the day the clock started. Miss it and the court usually cannot hear the claim.

Common questions

How much can you claim in small claims court in Florida?: An individual can claim up to $8,000. A business can claim up to $8,000. A public agency can claim up to $8,000. That comes from Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b).
What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Florida?: $50 for a claim up to $99.99. $75 for a claim up to $500. $170 for a claim up to $2,500. $295 for a claim up to $8,000. That comes from Fla. Stat. §34.041(1)(a).
How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Florida?: The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Fla. Stat. §95.11. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Florida?: No, Florida does not require it, per Florida Courts Help, Small Claims. Sending a demand letter first is still the usual first step, and it is often what gets the money paid.
Which court handles small claims in Florida?: County Court, Small Claims. The county court in the county where the other side lives or where the dispute happened.

Verify with your court

Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Florida's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.

Open the court's small claims page

Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2026-07-01.

Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b) · effective 2026-07-01 · Small claims court in Florida hears money claims of up to $8,000, not counting costs, interest, and fees.
Fla. Stat. §34.041(1)(a) · effective 2024-07-01 · The filing fee is $50 for claims under $100, $75 up to $500, $170 up to $2,500, and $295 above that.
Fla. Stat. §95.11 · effective 2025-07-01 · A claim on a written agreement must be filed within five years, on a spoken agreement within four years, and for damage caused by carelessness within two years. Some property claims have a longer window; your court's self-help center can say which applies.
Florida Courts Help, Small Claims · effective 2026-09-05 · Florida does not require a written demand before filing a small claim. Asking first is still the usual first step.
Fla. Stat. §768.28(6)(a) · effective 2024-07-01 · Before going to court against the state or a state agency, the claim has to be presented in writing to the agency and to the Department of Financial Services within three years.

FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.