What if I don't know my Case Number?

Perform a case party search. If you still cannot find the case, contact eclerk@clerk-17th-flcourts.org.

How do I file a small claims case (up to $5000)?

Small Claims Court is sometimes referred to as the Peoples Court, where the parties to the suit often represent themselves. This Court provides for the adjudication of small debt matters. Filing Fees are as follows - These fees are payable in cash, cashier's check, business check, money order, attorney's check, or credit card (Visa or MasterCard).

1. Claims less than $100.00, the fee is $55.00
2. Claims of $100.00 or more but not more than $500.00, the fee is $80.00
3. Claims of $500.00 or more but not more than $2500.00, the fee is $175.00
4. Claims of more than $2500.00 (up to a max of $5000.00), the fee is $300.00
5. Claims of not more than $1000 filed simultaneously with an action for replevin of property that is the subject of the claim, the fee is $130.00
6. In addition to the above fees, there is a per defendant service fee to serve the summons.

The County Civil forms package is available for downloading from the Clerk of Courts web site. Click here to view the type of forms that are available and information relating to the download process.

County Civil forms are also available at any of our four courthouse locations.

When you file, you must bring with you at least two copies of any documents on which your claim is based. Examples include, cancelled checks, invoices, contracts, or estimates. If you are suing more than one person, bring one extra set of copies for each person being sued. You must supply the correct name and address of the parties you wish to sue. If a company, you must find out if this company is individually owned, a partnership or a corporation. For corporate information you may check with the Secretary of State at (850) 488-9000. For company information you may check with the occupational license division in the city or county where the business is located. It is important to sue the proper party or entity as a judgment against a fictitious name could be un-collectible.

Please note that in all case filings, personal checks are not accepted.
Copies are:

1. $1.00 per page for non-recorded documents.
2. $1.00 per page for recorded documents.
3. $2.00 per document for certification.
4. $1.00 per sheet of a docket.
5. $7.00 per exemplified copy of a document.

If you need further assistance call (954) 831-5622

How do I collect a Small Claims judgment?

For information regarding the collection of a Small Claims Judgment, please send a self addressed stamped envelope to the County Court location where you filed your case. The addresses of the County Courts are as follows:

Additional fees are as follows:

1. Writ fee (garnishment, attachment, replevin and distress) is $85.00.
2. Garnishment answer fee is $103.00.
3. The fee for issuing each summons is $10.00.
4. The fee for issuing each subpoena is $2.00.
5. The fee for filing any cross-claims, counter-claims or third party complaints in excess of $2,500.00 is $295.00.
6. The Foreign Judgment Writ fee is $42.00.
7. Sealing of Court File or Expunging of any record is $42.00.
8. Bond Approval fee is $8.50.
9. Each defendant in excess of five (5) on a case is $2.50.

The recording of a Judgment in Broward County Circuit Court is automatic, but does not constitute a lien.

How do I file a Civil or Equity Action (up to $15,000)?

For Equity Claims up to and including $15,000.00 the filing fee is $300.00. In addition to this fee there is a per defendant service fee to serve the summons. All fees must be cash, cashier's check, money order, business check, attorney check, or credit card (Visa or Mastercard). If you need further assistance call (954) 831-5622.

How do I withdraw from the Court Registry?

To deposit or to withdraw funds from the Court Registry, you must provide the Court Registry Clerk with a certified copy of an Order directing the clerk to deposit the funds into the Registry of the Court or to release the funds in Court Registry.

To transfer a Claim or Lien or a Mechanic's Lien to cash or surety bond, you must contact the Recording Office at the Governmental Center, Suite 11, Phone number (954) 357-7270.

To transfer a Judgment Lien to a cash bond or to satisfy a Judgment, you must provide us with a legible recorded copy of the Judgment so that we can determine the amount of the bond or the amount of the Satisfaction. If the case is in one of the Satellite Courts, you must contact the Satellite Court; if the case is in the County Court, Central Courthouse, you contact the County Court; if the case is in the Circuit Court, then you contact the Court Registry Clerk at (954) 831-5659.

To Interplead funds, you need an Order of the Court.

How do I evict a tenant

County Court does not give legal advice regarding Evictions. However, you can obtain an information sheet, complaint form and summons form from the Clerk. All other forms must be secured from an attorney or an office supply store.

Evictions are governed by Florida Statute 83 and may be filed at any one of our four courthouse locations. The courthouse locations are:

1. County Central - 201 S.E. 6th St., Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33301 - Room 120
2. North Satellite - 1600 West Hillsboro, Boulevard Deerfield Beach, Fl 33442 - Room 160
3. South Satellite - 3550 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Fl 33021 - Room 100
4. West Satellite - 100 N. Pine Island Rd., Plantation, Fl 33317 - Room 160

The cost for filing is $185.00 cash, cashier's check, money order, attorney's check, business check, or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). In addition to the above fee, there is a per defendant service fee to serve the summons.

What if I have been issued an Eviction?

County Court does not give legal advice regarding Evictions.

If you have received a tenant eviction Summons, please follow the instructions regarding the filing of an answer and posting of rent.

When are foreclosures held and what are the terms of foreclosure?

Circuit Civil and County Civil foreclosure sales are held via public auction Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, starting at 10:00 am on the Internet in accordance with Florida Statutes at www.broward.realforeclose.com

All bidders must register with the clerk on this web site prior to the sale.

Prior to the time of the sale, the bidder must post with the Clerk’s Office a deposit equal to 5% of the estimated high bid for each property they anticipate winning at the sale. Deposit funds must be received no later than 3:00pm EST the previous business day of the auction. Deposits can be made electronically on the web site via ACH (Electronic Check) or wire transfer. ACH deposits require 4 full business days to be processed and wire transfers require 24 hours. Deposits may also be made in person in the form of cash or cashier’s check at the main courthouse located at 201 SE 6th St. Room 230, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301. Personal or business checks will NOT be accepted. These deposits will not be available for bidding until such funds have cleared.

The site provides information for each sale item, including the name of the owner and legal description. At the date and time specified for the sale, each item is auctioned in order of case number and sold to the highest bidder.

If you are the successful bidder for property at a foreclosure sale, the balance of the final bid amount plus the court registry fees (3% of the first $500 and each subsequent $100 at 1.5%) and the auction fee ($60.00) must be received by the Clerk’s Office no later than 12:00 pm EST the next business day following the sale or by the deadline stated in the judgment. Accepted forms of payment are wire transfer, cash or cashier’s checks. You will also owe Documentary “doc” stamps on the amount of your final bid. This fee is pursuant to Florida Statutes and is owed to Broward County. Doc Stamps on Titles and other instruments related to real property (rounded to the nearest $100) are calculated at .70 per $100. You will receive an email regarding the requirements for payment of Documentary Stamps.

Please refer to www.broward.realforeclose.com for further information regarding the foreclosure process.

What is the proper case number format for Internet searches?

Civil and Probate Case Numbers

Case numbers must be entered in a specific format for Internet searches. In order for a case number to be valid and return the proper case, the case number must be at least thirteen letters or numbers. Special characters (such as "-", "$", "#", "%") will not be accepted.

If your case number does not equal at least 12 characters, a dash "-" may exist in the middle of the case number. Replace the dash with zeros until your case number equals 12 characters. For example: