Updated May 2026 Miami-Dade County, FL County Court
Miami-Dade County, FL Small Claims Court (2026)
Sue for up to $8,000 in Miami-Dade County Court — no attorney required. Court address, fees, mediation process, and step-by-step filing guide.
$8,000
Claim limit
$55-$400
Filing fee
60-90 days
Hearing wait
5 yrs
Written contract SOL
LegalCostCalculator Editorial Team
Data sourced from official government websites · Last reviewed:
Not legal advice. Court fees and procedures are sourced from official Florida court websites and state statutes (Fla. Stat. Ch. 34; Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010 et seq.). Verify current information at flcourts.gov before filing. See our data methodology →
Miami-Dade County Court — Civil Division (Small Claims)
Address (Main)
73 W. Flagler St.
Miami, FL 33130
Contact & Hours
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Mon—Fri: 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Closed state holidays
Filing Fee Schedule
Up to $100: $55
$101-$500: $80
$501-$2,500: $175
$2,501-$5,000: $300
$5,001-$8,000: $400
Service of Process
Sheriff service: ~$40
Process server: $50-$100
Certified mail (some cases): $10-$15
Florida small claims includes a mandatory mediation step
Unlike most states, Florida requires small claims parties to attend a pre-trial mediation session before seeing a judge (Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090). In Miami-Dade, the mediation is handled by trained mediators and is free or low-cost for qualifying filers. Many cases settle at mediation without needing a full hearing — prepare your documentation as thoroughly as if going to trial.
How to File Small Claims in Miami-Dade County, FL
1
Confirm your claim is $8,000 or under
Florida County Court small claims jurisdiction covers money disputes up to $8,000 (raised from $5,000 in January 2020 per Fla. Stat. § 34.01). Claims above $8,000 go to the Circuit Court Civil Division. You cannot reduce a larger claim to fit small claims.
2
Complete the Statement of Claim (Form 7.322)
Download the Statement of Claim (Florida Form 7.322) from flcourts.gov or pick one up at 73 W. Flagler St. Enter the defendant's full legal name and address, the amount claimed, and a clear factual basis. Attach any supporting documents.
3
File at 73 W. Flagler St. and pay the fee
Bring your Statement of Claim and filing fee to the Miami-Dade Clerk's civil division. Fees range from $55-$400 depending on claim amount. The clerk will assign your case number, a pre-trial conference date, and a mediation appointment.
4
Arrange service on the defendant
Request Sheriff service ($40) at the time of filing. Service on businesses: serve the registered agent — not a store employee. Look up Florida registered agents at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/. Service must be completed before the pre-trial conference date.
5
Attend the pre-trial conference and mediation
Florida requires a pre-trial conference — usually scheduled 3-6 weeks after filing. At this conference, a mediator will try to help both sides reach an agreement. Come prepared with all your evidence; many cases resolve here. If mediation fails, you'll be scheduled for a trial before the judge.
6
Prepare your evidence for trial
Three copies of all documents: contracts, invoices, photos, texts, bank records. Miami-Dade judges run busy dockets — present a clear, organized case. If you settled at mediation, the agreed amount is entered as a court order. If not, present your case at trial and the judge rules the same day.
Florida Statute of Limitations
| Claim Type | Time Limit | Florida Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Written contracts | 5 years | § 95.11(2)(b) |
| Oral contracts | 4 years | § 95.11(3)(k) |
| Property damage | 4 years | § 95.11(3)(c) |
| Personal injury | 2 years | § 95.11(4)(a) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the small claims limit in Miami-Dade County, FL?
The small claims limit in Miami-Dade County, FL is $8,000 — the Florida statewide cap under Fla. Stat. § 34.01. This limit was raised from $5,000 to $8,000 effective January 2020. Claims above $8,000 go to the Miami-Dade Circuit Court Civil Division, which has stricter procedures.
Where do I file small claims in Miami-Dade County?
File at the Miami-Dade County Court Civil Division, located at 73 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL 33130. Phone: (305) 275-1155. Court hours are Mon—Fri, 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Miami-Dade also has branch courthouses in North Dade (North Dade Justice Center) and South Dade (South Dade Government Center) — file where the defendant lives or where the dispute occurred.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Miami-Dade?
Florida small claims filing fees (Fla. Stat. § 34.041): $55 for claims up to $100; $80 for $101-$500; $175 for $501-$2,500; $300 for $2,501-$5,000; $400 for $5,001-$8,000. Sheriff service adds approximately $40 per defendant. Total upfront cost: $95-$440.
Is mediation required in Miami-Dade small claims court?
Yes. Florida small claims court typically requires pre-trial mediation (Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090). In Miami-Dade, after filing, cases are usually referred to mediation before reaching a judge. Mediation is free or low-cost for small claims. Many cases settle at mediation — if you reach an agreement, it's entered as a court order. If mediation fails, the case proceeds to a hearing before the judge.
How long does small claims court take in Miami-Dade?
Miami-Dade small claims cases typically take 60-90 days from filing to hearing. After filing, you'll be scheduled for a pre-trial conference and mediation session before the final hearing. The entire process usually takes 2-3 court appearances. Budget 3-4 months for a fully contested case.
Can I file small claims in Spanish in Miami-Dade?
Yes. Miami-Dade County Court offers interpreter services in Spanish and other languages at no charge. Miami-Dade has one of the largest Spanish-speaking populations in the country, and the court is well-equipped to accommodate non-English speakers. Request an interpreter when you file, or call (305) 275-1155 in advance.
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