The goal of the County Civil/Small Claims department is to provide helpful information to all of our customers. Our hope is that the information provided is informative. If you require additional information; please contact us. A list of our locations can be found in the Contact Information section on this page.
The County Civil/Small Claims department handles all summary procedure cases also known as small claims cases. In these types of cases, the damages sought range from $.01 to $8,000.00. This department also handles civil matters that range from $8,000.01 to $50,000.00; as well as, most disputes between landlords and tenants.
Some legal matters processed by the County Civil/Small Claims department are listed below:
County Civil/Small Claims is also known as the “People's Court”, and legal representation is not required. If your legal matter is one of a more complex nature, you should seek legal advice on your rights and obligations.
Refer to Fees and Costs for Valid Forms of Payment methods accepted at all County Civil Courthouse locations.
The Clerk’s staff is unable to provide any legal advice. However, you may seek legal assistance from a local law library, Legal Aid, or the Florida bar referral service. For more information, refer to Forms and Self Help.
BEFORE YOU FILE
You must file a claim according to 17th Judicial Circuit Administrative Order AO-2021-35-CO (Amendment 3) - Establishing Locations for the Filing of County Civil Actions and the Hearing of Small Claims Civil Actions. Failure to do so may cause a delay with your filing. For further assistance, refer to the contact information provided on this page.
The information provided in this section is for County Civil disputes that range from $8,000.01 to $50,000.00, and filed pursuant to Chapter 34, Florida Statutes.
Although an attorney is not required to file a County Civil case, you may choose to seek legal guidance in these matters through a local law library, Legal Aid, or the Florida Bar referral service.
The Clerk’s Office is unable to provide any legal advice, or assistance. As a Pro Se litigant, or self-represented party, it is helpful to educate yourself on the rules of court, the proper preparation of legal filings, and service requirements.
For more information, refer to the Self Help Equal Access Center.
BEFORE YOU FILE
You must file a claim according to 17th Judicial Circuit Administrative Order AO-2021-35-CO (Amendment 3) - Establishing Locations for the Filing of County Civil Actions and the Hearing of Small Claims Civil Actions. Failure to do so may cause a delay with your filing. For further assistance, refer to the contact information provided on this page.
Eviction is a legal dispute between a landlord and tenant due to non-payment of monies owned (rent) for the residential property. For more information, refer to Florida Statutes, Chapter 83, Landlord actions.
Deputy clerks are not attorneys and unable to prepare any forms regarding evictions; however, they can provide ministerial guidance and procedural information in regard to filing.
A Tenant Eviction Forms Package is available for purchase online, or by coming in-person to any County Civil courthouse location.
Pursuant to Florida Statues Chapter 83.56 a notice is required prior to filing an eviction. Below are a variety of notices depending on the individual circumstance:
This notice must be given by the landlord for other non-compliance issues such as but not limited to: unauthorized pets, guests, or vehicles, parking violations etc. Refer to F.S. 83.56 - Termination of rental agreement for details.
Step 2 — Fill out FormsThe next step requires the forms for evictions to be completed by the landlord, including the proper notice, or a copy of any other documentation (e.g: copy of a lease) that supports the claim for eviction. Refer to F.S. 83.56 - Termination of rental agreement for details.
For your convenience, we offer self-service forms.
Step 3 — Service the TenantService is required on the tenant; the tenant then must comply with the instructions on the summons.
Step 4 — Judgment & Writ of PossessionThe Judgment & Writ of Possession process are the final steps in the eviction process.
The Court Registry is a depository of funds for which the Clerk of the County and Circuit Court is custodian, pending withdrawal of funds, pursuant to the proper authority. All deposits placed into and disbursed from the Court Registry are authorized through Florida Statutes, Rules of Procedure or by case related court orders. Deposits into the Court Registry can be in the form of Cash, Cashier’s Check, Bank Official Check, Money Order, or Attorney Trust Account Check. No personal checks are accepted. Court Registry also accepts Cash and Surety Bonds. Please contact the Court Registry Division to determine the applicable deposit type.
The processing of court registry transactions consist of:
Florida Statute 559.917 allows a bond to be posted with the Clerk of the Court to obtain the release of a motor vehicle, being held by a repair shop, for non-payment of services rendered. Before an auto can be removed from an auto repair shop the following must occur; post a cash bond in the amount of the final bill, pay $13.00 to transfer the lien, and pay Clerk fees based on the amount of the final bill (3% of the first $500.00 and 1.5% of each remaining $100.00).
The same procedure can be applied to all other personal property under Section 713.76 Florida Statutes.
Transfer Claim, Lien, or Mechanic's Lien to Cash or Surety BondTo participate in the sale, bidders must register at www.broward.realforeclose.com to get a Username, Password, and bidder number and place a valid deposit to be considered. All bidders must be registered prior to the sale. Bidders are responsible for conducting their own research about the property.
DepositPrior to participating in the sale, the bidder will be required to place a deposit equal to 5% of the estimated highest bid for each property they anticipate winning at the sale. Deposit funds must be received no later than 3:00pm EST the previous business day of the auction. Deposits can be made via wire transfer, or in-person, in the form of case, cashier's check, or money order at at the courthouse address listed under the Contact Informaton section on this page.
For wire transfers, please instruct your bank to include the Bidder Number on the wire information. Wiring instructions are available on the Real Auction website.
Payment InformationSection 7 of Senate Bill 2506 has amended Florida Statute 45.035 (3). The $70.00 service fee for conducting an electronic sale shall be assessed as costs and paid when filing for an electronic sale date. Each time the sale is scheduled or re-scheduled, the Plaintiff is required to pay the $70.00 service fee. The payment can be made via the e-Portal. If you are the successful bidder for a property foreclosure sale, the balance of the final bid amount, plus the court registry fees (3% of the first $500 and each subsequent $100 at 1.5%), must be received by the Clerk’s Office no later than 12:00 pm EST the next business day following the sale, or by the deadline stated in the judgment.
Accepted forms of payment are wire transfer, cash, cashier’s checks or money order. You will also owe Documentary “doc” stamps on the amount of your final bid. This fee is pursuant to Florida Statute 201.01 and is owed to the Broward County Board of County Commissioner. Doc Stamps on Titles and other instruments related to real property (rounded to the nearest $100.00) are calculated at $.70 per $100.00. You will receive an email regarding the requirements for payment of Documentary Stamps.
If the successful bidder does not make the final payment by the prescribed time, then their deposit will be forfeited. The Clerk’s Office will assess a non-refundable registry fee and other costs (e.g., re-publication cost) from the forfeited deposit. Any remaining funds shall be applied toward the final judgment, as stated in FS 45.31.
Pursuant to Chapter 28 and Chapter 45, Florida Statutes, the Clerk shall receive certain service charges related to the judicial sales procedure. A refund of the service fees is not generally permitted under Florida Law. The remaining funds may be requested as a refund. Any request to the Court for a refund of the service charges must be served upon the Clerk’s Office as an interested party at GeneralCounsel@browardclerk.org
ObjectionsAny objections to the sale must be filed within 10 days after the filing of the certificate of sale.
Please refer to www.broward.realforeclose.com for further information regarding the foreclosure process.
Live SalesIf you are a plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney in a foreclosure case that requires a live sale, that language must be listed in your final judgment. If your final judgment has already been entered, you will need to provide the Clerk’s Office with a court order directing the Clerk to conduct a live sale for that case. The sale will be conducted in the courthouse lobby located at the Broward County Central Courthouse address location listed on the right side of this page.
BEFORE YOU FILE
You must file a claim according to 17th Judicial Circuit Administrative Order AO-2021-35-CO (Amendment 3) - Establishing Locations for the Filing of County Civil Actions and the Hearing of Small Claims Civil Actions. Failure to do so may cause a delay with your filing. For further assistance, refer to the contact information provided on this page.
A small claims suit is an action for damages where the amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of $8,000.00 exclusive of costs, interest, and Attorney’s fee.
Any person 18 years or older or any individual doing business as a company can file a small claims case. A parent or guardian may file on behalf of a minor child. An Attorney is not required; however, some Judges may require a corporation to be represented by an Attorney.