Broward County Small Claims Court — Filing Fees, Virtual Hearings, and What to Know
Broward County handles small claims through the County Court Civil Division, with hearings at the Central and regional courthouses. Administrative Order 2025-40-CO governs courthouse assignments and small-claims hearing locations. If you've been served with papers — or you're about to file a claim — here's what the 17th Judicial Circuit does differently from the rest of the state.
Filing Fees
Broward County uses the standard statewide fee schedule under Section 28.241, Florida Statutes:
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $100 | $55 |
| $100.01 – $500 | $80 |
| $500.01 – $2,500 | $175 |
| $2,500.01 – $8,000 | $300 |
Each summons issued by the clerk adds a $10 issuance fee. Sheriff service runs about $40 per defendant. If you're filing electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (myflcourtaccess.com), processing fees may apply.
Virtual Attendance Depends on the Court
Broward's Administrative Order 2020-38-CO, which established a small-claims Zoom summons procedure, was vacated by Administrative Order 2023-25-CO. Florida Small Claims Rule 7.090(a) allows appearance through communication technology under Rule 2.530 when authorized by the court.
Check your summons and the assigned court's current instructions to find out whether your pretrial conference will be in person or virtual. Do not assume you can attend by Zoom unless the court authorizes it.
How Pretrial Conferences Work in Broward
The standard Florida Small Claims process applies: the pretrial conference is set within 30–50 days of filing, attendance is mandatory, and the court typically directs both parties to same-day mediation.
Broward's 17th Circuit applies Civil Rules 1.070(j) and 1.200(k) under Administrative Order 2025-41-CO to specified small-claims credit-card cases assigned to Divisions 47, 101, and 102, including the 120-day service deadline. This order does not apply to every small-claims case.
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The $8,000 Limit
Like every Florida county, Broward's small claims jurisdiction caps at $8,000 (exclusive of court costs, accrued interest, and statutory or contractual attorney fees). Claims above that amount but under $50,000 stay in County Court but shift to the general civil track under the formal Rules of Civil Procedure — a more complex process that often makes an attorney worthwhile.
Key Differences for Defendants
If you've been served with a small claims case in Broward County:
- Written answers are optional under Rule 7.090(c), just like everywhere in Florida. Your mandatory obligation is attending the pretrial conference.
- Counterclaims must be filed at least 5 days before the pretrial conference under Rule 7.100, unless the court designates another time.
- Virtual attendance depends on authorization by the assigned court — check your summons and the court's current instructions.
- Mediation typically happens the same day as the pretrial conference. Come prepared with organized evidence and full authority to settle.
Where to Go
Broward County Courthouses
- Central Courthouse: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- North Regional Courthouse: 1600 W Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
- South Regional Courthouse: 3550 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL 33021
- West Regional Courthouse: 100 N Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324
Use the courthouse listed on your summons; the 17th Circuit assigns small-claims hearings among these locations.
The Clerk of Courts website provides case search, e-filing links, and fee schedules. For case-specific questions, contact the Civil Division directly.
Need Help Navigating the Process?
The Florida Small Claims Response Guide covers the full defendant process — from reading your summons through mediation and trial prep — with deadline calculators and evidence worksheets that work for any Florida county, including Broward.
Get Your Free Florida Small Claims Response Checklist
Download the Florida Small Claims Response Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.