Miami-Dade
Small Claims Court
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Miami-Dade County Court Information
Small claims cases in Miami-Dade County are handled by the Miami-Dade County Court under Florida Small Claims Rule 7.010 and Chapter 34 of the Florida Statutes.
Main Filing Location
Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center20 NW 1st Avenue
Miami, FL 33128
Forms in Room 06.240
Court Hours
Contact Info
Good to know: Small claims in Miami-Dade County are handled by the Miami-Dade County Court under Florida Small Claims Rule 7.010 and Chapter 34 of the Florida Statutes. You can also file at the historic Miami-Dade County Courthouse, 73 W. Flagler Street.
Miami-Dade Filing Fees & Costs
Florida filing fees are tiered by the size of your claim. The bigger the claim, the higher the fee.
Miami-Dade Small Claims Filing Fees
Court filing fee by claim amount
DIY Filing Costs
If you do everything yourself
Our Full Service
We handle everything for you
Fees last verified July 2026. Court costs can change, so always confirm current amounts with the Miami-Dade County Court before you file.
Where to File in Miami-Dade County
The Soto Justice Center is the main filing location. You can also file small claims at these full-service district courts.
| Court Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Joseph Caleb Center Court | 5400 NW 22nd Avenue, Suite 103, Miami, FL 33142 |
| Coral Gables District Court | 3100 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134 |
| Hialeah District Court | 11 E 6th Street, Hialeah, FL 33010 |
| Miami Beach District Court | 1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (temporarily closed; matters redirected to the Soto Justice Center) |
| North Dade Justice Center | 15555 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 100, North Miami, FL 33160 |
| South Dade Government Center | 10710 SW 211th Street, Suite 1200, Miami, FL 33189 |
File in the location that serves where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. If you are unsure which court is correct, our team helps you pick the right one.
What Can You File in Miami-Dade Small Claims Court?
Money Owed
- Unpaid loans or debts
- Breach of contract
- Unpaid rent or invoices
- Bad checks up to $8,000
Property Disputes
- Security deposit returns
- Property damage claims
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Vehicle repair disputes
Consumer Disputes
- Contractor disputes
- Defective products
- Service complaints
- Warranty claims
How to File in Miami-Dade County
The process from filing to trial.
File Your Statement of Claim (Day 1)
Complete a Statement of Claim describing who you are suing and how much you are owed. Submit it online through the Florida E-Filing Portal or in person at the Soto Justice Center. With our service, this takes about five minutes.
Serve the Defendant (Days 3-14)
The court issues a summons for each defendant. Serve the defendant through the Miami-Dade Sheriff for about $40 per defendant or a certified process server. Proof of service must be filed with the court.
Pretrial Conference (About Day 50)
A pretrial conference is scheduled about 50 days after filing. Both sides appear and the judge reviews the case. Mediation is common at pretrial, and many disputes settle here before a trial is ever needed.
Trial (If No Settlement)
If your case does not settle at pretrial, the court sets a trial date. Present your evidence and witnesses to the judge. Bring organized copies of contracts, receipts, photos, and messages that support your claim.
Forms & Official Miami-Dade Resources
Statement of Claim
The Statement of Claim is the main form that starts a small claims case in Florida. Pick up paper forms in Room 06.240 at the Soto Justice Center, or let us prepare it for you.
Official Court Links
Always confirm current fees, hours, and filing rules with the official Miami-Dade County Court before you file.
Serving the Defendant in Miami-Dade County
Sheriff Service
The Miami-Dade Sheriff can serve the defendant for about $40 per defendant. This is the most common method for small claims cases.
Private Process Server
A certified private process server can also deliver the summons. Fees vary, but this option can be faster when a defendant is hard to reach.
Proof of Service
Proof of service must be filed with the court before your pretrial conference. Without valid service, the court cannot move your case forward.
The court issues a summons for each defendant, and each summons costs about $10. Make sure the defendant name and address are correct so service is not delayed.
Miami-Dade Small Claims Court FAQs
How much can I sue for in Miami-Dade small claims court?
You can sue for up to $8,000 in Miami-Dade small claims court. This limit is exclusive of interest, costs, and attorney fees, so those amounts do not count against the $8,000 cap. Claims above $8,000 must be filed in county or circuit civil court.
Where do I file a small claims case in Miami-Dade County?
Most cases are filed at the Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center, 20 NW 1st Avenue in Miami. You can also file at several district courts, including Coral Gables, Hialeah, North Dade, and South Dade. File where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened.
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Miami-Dade?
Filing fees are tiered by claim size: $55 for claims under $100, $80 for $100 to $500, $175 for $500.01 to $2,500, and $300 for $2,500.01 to $8,000. Add about $10 for each summons and roughly $40 per defendant for sheriff service.
What happens at the Miami-Dade small claims pretrial conference?
About 50 days after you file, the court schedules a pretrial conference. Both sides appear and the judge checks the facts. Many cases settle here through mediation, which is common at pretrial. If no agreement is reached, the court sets your case for a trial date.
Do I need a lawyer for Miami-Dade small claims court?
No, you do not need a lawyer. Florida small claims rules are designed for people to represent themselves. You may hire an attorney if you want one, but most people file on their own. PettyLawsuit can prepare and file your paperwork for $29.
How do I serve the defendant in Miami-Dade County?
After you file, the court issues a summons. You can serve the defendant through the Miami-Dade Sheriff for about $40 per defendant or hire a certified private process server. Proof of service must be filed with the court before your pretrial conference date.
Can I file my Miami-Dade small claims case online?
Yes. Florida uses the statewide E-Filing Portal for court documents, so you can submit your Statement of Claim online. You can also file in person at the Soto Justice Center. PettyLawsuit handles the online filing for you so you can start in about five minutes.
What are the Miami-Dade small claims court hours?
The Miami-Dade County Court clerk offices are generally open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hours can change on court holidays, so confirm before you visit. You can reach the small claims division by phone at 786-292-4845 with questions about your case.
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About Miami-Dade Small Claims Court
Small claims cases in Miami-Dade County are heard by the Miami-Dade County Court under Florida Small Claims Rule 7.010 and Chapter 34 of the Florida Statutes. The court handles claims up to $8,000, a limit that is exclusive of interest, costs, and attorney fees. That means a $8,000 unpaid invoice can still qualify even after you add interest and filing costs on top. Most cases are filed at the Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center at 20 NW 1st Avenue in Miami, where small claims forms are available in Room 06.240. Cases can also be filed at the historic Miami-Dade County Courthouse at 73 W. Flagler Street and at several district courts spread across the county, from Coral Gables and Hialeah to North Dade and South Dade.
Florida small claims are designed to be accessible to people without legal training. You do not need a lawyer to file, and the rules keep the process simpler than regular civil court. After you file your Statement of Claim and serve the defendant, the court schedules a pretrial conference roughly 50 days later. At that conference, the judge reviews the basics of the case, and both sides often try mediation, which resolves many disputes before trial. If the case does not settle, the court sets a trial date where each side presents evidence and witnesses. Keeping your documents organized, naming the correct defendant, and completing service on time are the steps that keep a Miami-Dade case moving smoothly.