Small Claims 

A small claims case is filed in County Civil Court to settle legal disputes where the dollar amount involved is $5,000 or less, excluding costs, interest, and attorneys' fees.
 
Filing a Small Claims Suit
  • Visit our Official Forms page and select Small Claims from the dropdown menu
  • Select the SOC (Statement of Claim) form that best matches your suit
  • If no SOC form matches your description, download Plain Statement of Claim
You may file a small claims suit:
  • By mail

    OR

  • In person at any of the following locations:
    • Apopka Branch
    • Ocoee Branch
    • Orlando (Orange County Courthouse, Rm. 310)
    • Winter Park Branch

Visit our locations page for addresses, maps and hours of operation.

Fees
See Filing Fee Chart for fees 

 
Forms of Payment
  • Cash (in person only)
  • Personal check, cashier's check or money order (payable to Orange County Clerk of Courts)
  • MasterCard, Discover or American Express*

    *Visa credit cards are not accepted and there is a $3.99 convenience fee for each credit card transaction.
Please note: We do not accept credit cards or personal checks for registry payments, including Civil Bonds, Satisfaction of Judgments, Rent Payments, Eminent Domain or Foreclosure. 

 
Information Required To File Small Claims Case

  • Individual (18 years and older): your full name, address and phone number
  • Partnership: each partner’s full name, address and phone number
  • Corporation: full legal name under which you do business, address and phone number
  • You must provide the same information for the party you are filing a claim against

If the claim is based on a written document, a copy of the document must be attached to the Statement of Claim.
 
Always bring the original documents/exhibits to be used in your case to all designated court appearances. Remember that documents/exhibits are retained by the court as evidence, so be sure you have copies to submit if you wish to retain your originals.
 
If a plaintiff or his/her attorney fail to appear on the designated date, the judge may dismiss the claim.
 
If at any time in the proceeding a settlement is reached between the parties, the plaintiff must notify the Clerk's Office in writing.
 
You must advise the Clerk in writing of any change in your mailing address.
 
Any judgment debtor has 10 days to file a motion for a new trial and thirty days to file an appeal. The Clerk's Office cannot assist with the filing of an appeal.
 
Learn more about the small claims process by reviewing FAQs.
 
Contact the Civil Division.