Broward County Small Claims Court (Fort Lauderdale, FL): How to File

Broward County small claims: the court, limit, fees, where to file and case lookup. Checked 2026-10-27.

Drawn courthouse with columns beside the words Broward County Small Claims.
Four courthouses, picked by your ZIP code.

Home › States › Florida › Broward County

Quick answer: In Broward County, small claims up to $8,000 are heard by the County Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, filed through the Broward County Clerk of Courts. There are four courthouses: Central (Fort Lauderdale), North (Deerfield Beach), South (Hollywood) and West (Plantation). Filing fees run $55 to $300 by claim amount. Central County Civil: 954-831-5622.

Illustrated courthouse with an info board for the County Court: where: Four courthouses, Picked by your ZIP; hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mon to Fri; e-filing: yes, optional if self-represented.
Where to file a small claims case in Broward County.

This independent guide covers small claims cases in Broward County, Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Miramar, Pompano Beach, Davie, Plantation, Sunrise, Deerfield Beach and Weston. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.

Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Broward County Clerk of Courts website, 17th Circuit administrative order and the Florida Statutes. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our Florida small claims guide.

Filing in Broward County? See a filled-in sample first.

Everything on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of the Florida Statement of Claim (for Work Done and Materials Furnished) (Form 7.332), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See what's in the Playbook →

Broward County small claims court: County Court, 17th Judicial Circuit

  • Court: County Court, 17th Judicial Circuit. You file through the Broward County Clerk of Courts, County Civil/Small Claims division.
  • Limit: "the amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of $8,000.00 exclusive of costs, interest, and Attorney's fee."
  • Who can file: anyone 18 or older, or an individual doing business as a company. A parent or guardian may file for a minor child.
  • Lawyers: "An Attorney is not required; however, some Judges may require a corporation to be represented by an Attorney."
  • Appeal: within 30 days after the judgment is rendered.

Which courthouse do I file in?

  • Can you file in Broward? Yes if, among other reasons, the contract was entered into here, the event happened here, or any defendant lives here.
  • Which courthouse: under 17th Circuit AO-2025-40-CO, county civil cases are filed by ZIP code, "based upon the zip code of the plaintiff unless represented by counsel". Without a lawyer, use YOUR ZIP code, not the defendant's.
  • Small claims consumer debt cases are excluded from the ZIP rule.
  • The ZIP lists below come from the administrative order.

Addresses, phone numbers and hours

Hours: all County Civil offices, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding holidays. From the Clerk's Hours and Locations page. Clerk line: (954) 831-6565.

Central Courthouse

Address: 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (County Civil: West Building, 3rd Floor, Room 03170)

Phone: 954-831-5622

ZIP codes: 33004, 33019, 33301 to 33306, 33308, 33310 to 33312, 33315, 33316, 33334, 33335, 33394; also Miami-Dade ZIPs and ZIPs outside Florida

North Regional Courthouse

Address: 1600 West Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 (Room 160)

Phone: 954-831-1209

ZIP codes: 33060 to 33069, 33071, 33073, 33076, 33077, 33093, 33309, 33441, 33442; also Palm Beach County ZIPs and those beginning 329

South Regional Courthouse

Address: 3550 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL 33021 (Room 100)

Phone: 954-831-0353

ZIP codes: 33008, 33009, 33020, 33021, 33081, 33023 to 33029, 33082, 33084, 33314; also other Florida ZIPs outside the tri-county area, except those beginning 322, 327, 328 and 329

West Regional Courthouse

Address: 100 North Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324 (Room 170)

Phone: 954-831-2339

ZIP codes: 33313, 33317 to 33332, 33345, 33351; also ZIPs beginning 322, 327 and 328

How much does small claims cost in Broward County?

From the Clerk's Fees and Costs page:

  • Claims up to $100: $55
  • More than $100 to $500: $80
  • More than $500 to $2,500: $175
  • More than $2,500 to $15,000: $300
  • Summons: $10 per summons
  • Service by registered mail (Florida residents only): $9 per defendant
  • Broward Sheriff's Office service: $40 per defendant, by separate check or money order payable to Broward Sheriff's Office
  • No personal checks.
  • Fees can change; confirm the current amount with County Civil (Central 954-831-5622) before you file.

Can I e-file in Broward County?

Yes. The Clerk says "E-Filing is optional for Pro Se Litigants (Self-Represented parties)." (attorneys must e-file). E-filing uses the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; for a small claims case choose 'CC' for County Civil. You can also file in person, or by mail with a notarized Statement of Claim and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Broward County small claims forms: the Statement of Claim

File 2 Statements of Claim, 2 Summons/Notices to Appear for Pretrial Conference, and 2 copies of any supporting documents for each defendant. You sign the Statement of Claim in front of a Deputy Clerk, or have it notarized if you mail it. See the Clerk's Small Claims page.

How to file in Broward County, step by step

Winding road with 7 numbered stops: 1, Check your claim fits the limit; 2, Find courthouse by your ZIP; 3, Sign claim before a clerk; 4, File two sets per defendant; 5, Arrange service; 6, Pretrial: no witnesses; 7, Lost? You can appeal.
The Broward County small claims process, from start to finish.
  1. Make sure your claim is $8,000 or less.
  2. Find your courthouse by YOUR ZIP code (if you don't have a lawyer).
  3. Prepare 2 Statements of Claim, 2 Summons/Notices to Appear and 2 copies of your documents for each defendant.
  4. Sign before a Deputy Clerk (or notarize if mailing) and pay the fees.
  5. Arrange service by registered mail or the Broward Sheriff's Office. If the defendant can't be served, ask the clerk how to get a new summons issued.
  6. Go to the pretrial conference. If you don't appear, your case may be dismissed. Statewide rules are in our Florida guide.

Ready to fill in your own form?

The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one: a filled-in sample of the Florida Statement of Claim (for Work Done and Materials Furnished) (Form 7.332) with every box explained, plus your Florida Playbook section with a made-up sample filing, a timeline, a hearing outline, Florida printables, and a Florida day-of plan.

You also get prep guides that work in any state: a document checklist, exhibit labels, a prep timeline and a hearing-day outline. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See what's inside →

How to look up a Broward County small claims case

  • Use the Clerk's Case Search – Public. It searches by Party Name, Business Name, Case Number or Citation Number.
  • Small claims cases are under the "Civil" court type.

What does it cost to collect a judgment?

Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. Collection fees weren't on the pages we checked; ask County Civil at 954-831-5622.

Fee waivers and venue changes

  • Can't afford the fees? Ask the Clerk what options the court offers.
  • Rehearing: 10 days from the date of the judgment.
  • Appeal: within 30 days after the judgment is rendered. Ask the Clerk for the appeal fee.

Coach's Tips for Broward County

  • Leave witnesses at home for the pretrial. Mediation may take place at the pretrial conference; don't bring witnesses to it.
  • Use your own ZIP code. Without a lawyer, the courthouse follows the plaintiff's ZIP.
  • Bring two payments. The Sheriff's fee needs a separate check or money order.

Broward County small claims checklist

  • My claim is $8,000 or less.
  • I found my courthouse by my ZIP code.
  • I have 2 sets of papers for each defendant.
  • I'll sign before a Deputy Clerk or notarize.
  • I have payment that isn't a personal check.
  • I'll attend the pretrial conference.

Broward County small claims FAQ

What is the small claims limit in Broward County?

$8,000, not counting costs, interest and attorney's fees.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Broward County?

$55 for claims up to $100, $80 for more than $100 to $500, $175 for more than $500 to $2,500, and $300 above $2,500. A summons is $10.

How long do I have to appeal a Broward County small claims judgment?

Within 30 days after the judgment is rendered. A motion for rehearing is due 10 days from the date of the judgment.

Which court handles small claims in Broward County, Florida?

Small claims in Broward County are heard in County Court in the 17th Judicial Circuit. Cases are filed with the Broward County Clerk of Courts.

What do I file to start a small claims case in Broward County?

You file a Statement of Claim and Summons/Notice to Appear for Pretrial Conference forms for each defendant. You sign the Statement of Claim in front of a Deputy Clerk, or have it notarized if you file by mail.

What happens at a Broward small claims pretrial conference?

You must appear. If you do not, your case may be dismissed. Do not bring witnesses, and mediation may take place at the pretrial conference.

Which Broward courthouse will my small claims case be in?

If you don't have a lawyer, county civil cases are generally assigned by the plaintiff's ZIP code to the Central, North Regional, South Regional or West Regional Courthouse. Find your ZIP code in the courthouse list on this page, or call County Civil at 954-831-5622.

How do I look up a Broward County small claims case?

Use the Clerk's public Case Search, which searches by party name, business name, case number or citation number.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-27.

More for Florida: Florida small claims guide · Ready to sue · Just got sued · How to serve small claims papers · What to say on hearing day

Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).

You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.

This page covers where and how to file in Broward County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of the Florida Statement of Claim (for Work Done and Materials Furnished) (Form 7.332), your Florida Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See the Playbook →

Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer. But if your situation is complicated, doesn't fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.

Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.