Orange County Small Claims Court (Florida): How to File, Fees, Forms & Locations

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This independent guide covers small claims cases in Orange County, Florida (not Orange County, California), including Orlando, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Park, Winter Garden and Maitland. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the Clerk's official pages throughout.

Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Orange County Clerk of Courts website and the Florida Small Claims Rules. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our Florida small claims guide.

Which court hears small claims in Orange County?

• Court: County Civil Court, 9th Judicial Circuit. The Orange County Clerk of Courts handles filing.
• Limit: $8,000 or less, excluding costs, interest and attorneys' fees (Florida Small Claims Rule 7.010(b)).
• Who may file: an individual (18 years and older), a partnership (each partner's full name, address and phone number are required) or a corporation (full legal business name, address and phone number are required).
• Written documents: if the claim is based on a written document, a copy must be attached to the Statement of Claim.
• Show up: if a plaintiff fails to appear on the court date, the judge may dismiss the claim.
• After judgment: you have 15 days after the judgment is filed to ask for a new trial (Florida Small Claims Rule 7.180(a)), and generally 30 days to appeal. Don't wait until the last day. The Clerk's Office can't help with filing an appeal.

Which Clerk location do I file in?

• Any Clerk location. The Clerk says small claims may be filed by mail, at the courthouse, at the Apopka, Ocoee or Winter Park locations, or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
• That applies wherever in the county you live, including Orlando, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Maitland and Windermere. We didn't find a city-to-branch rule for filing.
• Where's the hearing? Your Notice to Appear will list the courtroom; call 407-836-2000 if you're unsure.
• You still have to file in the proper county. The statewide rules are in our Florida guide.

Addresses, phone numbers and hours

From the Clerk's Locations page. All three branches list small claims cases.

How much does small claims cost in Orange County?

From the Clerk's County Civil Filing Fees:

• Claims less than $100: $55.00
• $100 to $500: $80.00
• $500.01 to $2,500: $175.00
• $2,500.01 to $8,000: $300.00
• Replevin with claims up to $1,000: $130.00
• Issuance of summons: $10.00
• Certificate of mailing: $1.00
• Each additional defendant over five: $2.50
• Court-ordered mediation (per person, per session): $60.00
• Notice of appeal (payable to the Clerk): $284.00
• Re-open: $25.00 (under $500) or $50.00 ($500 to $8,000)

Fees can change; confirm with the Clerk at 407-836-2000 before you file.

Can I e-file in Orange County?

Yes. The Clerk says small claims cases may be filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Orange County small claims forms

See the Clerk's Small Claims page. The Clerk's Self Help Center staff can help with filing small claims cases; services include attorney consultations, form completion assistance, and notary and copy services.

How to file in Orange County, step by step

1. Make sure your claim is $8,000 or less, excluding costs, interest and attorneys' fees.
2. Prepare your Statement of Claim, and attach a copy of any written document your claim is based on.
3. File at any Clerk location, by mail or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, and pay $55 to $300 plus $10 per summons.
4. Arrange service on the defendant.
5. Check your Notice to Appear for the courtroom, and be there on time. If you settle first, tell the Clerk's Office in writing.
6. Go to court with your evidence. Statewide rules are in our Florida guide.

How to look up an Orange County small claims case

• Use the Clerk's Search Records (myeClerk), linked from the Clerk's Small Claims page.
• We couldn't confirm what you can search by or whether you need an account. If you can't find your case, call the Clerk at 407-836-2000.

What does it cost to collect a judgment?

Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. Orange County's collection fees weren't on the pages we checked. Ask the Clerk at 407-836-2000, and see our Florida guide for the statewide steps.

Fee waivers and venue changes

• Fee waiver: ask the Clerk at 407-836-2000 how to apply.
• New trial or appeal: 15 days after the judgment is filed to ask for a new trial, and generally 30 days to appeal. The notice of appeal fee is $284.00.

Coach's Tips for Orange County

• Settled? Put it in writing. If you settle before the hearing, tell the Clerk's Office in writing. The Clerk's page says the plaintiff must.
• Attach your contract. If your claim is based on a written document, attach a copy to the Statement of Claim.
• Get help at the Self Help Center. It offers form completion help and attorney consultations.

Orange County small claims checklist

• My claim is $8,000 or less.
• I have my Statement of Claim, with any written document attached.
• I know where I'll file (any Clerk location, by mail or online).
• I know the filing fee for my claim amount, plus $10 per summons.
• I have a plan to serve the defendant.
• I checked my Notice to Appear for the courtroom.
• My evidence is organized and copied for court.

Orange County small claims FAQ

What is the small claims limit in Orange County, Florida?

$8,000 or less, excluding costs, interest and attorneys' fees, under Florida Small Claims Rule 7.010(b).

How much does it cost to file small claims in Orange County, Florida?

The Clerk lists $55 for claims less than $100, $80 up to $500, $175 up to $2,500 and $300 up to $8,000, plus $10 for each summons.

Which Orange County Clerk location do I file at?

Any of them. You can file at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando, the Apopka, Ocoee or Winter Park branches, by mail, or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Where is small claims court in Orlando?

At the Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. Your Notice to Appear will list the courtroom; call 407-836-2000 if you're unsure.

How do I look up a small claims case in Orange County, Florida?

Use the Clerk's Search Records (myeClerk) at myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com, linked from the Clerk's Small Claims page. If you can't find your case, call the Clerk at 407-836-2000.

Where do I get Orange County small claims forms?

See the Clerk's Small Claims page. The Clerk's Self Help Center can help you fill out forms.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Orange County, Florida?

No. Many people handle small claims themselves, and the Clerk's Self Help Center offers attorney consultations.

What goes with the Statement of Claim in Orange County, FL?

"If the claim is based on a written document, a copy of the document must be attached to the Statement of Claim."

Sources

• Orange County Clerk of Courts: Small Claims
• Orange County Clerk of Courts: County Civil Court (fees)
• Orange County Clerk of Courts: Locations
• Orange County Clerk of Courts: Search Records (myeClerk)
• Florida Small Claims Rules (Rule 7.010)
• Florida Small Claims Rules (Rule 7.180)

Checked 2026-10-27.

Nearby counties

• Hillsborough County small claims guide
• Palm Beach County small claims guide
• Miami Dade County small claims guide
• All county small claims guides

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).

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.