QUICK ANSWER
Court and Sheriff fees for an uncontested, possession-only eviction of one tenant come to about $325.
That's a filing fee of about $185, a $10 summons, about $40 for Sheriff service, and a $90 writ of possession.
Your biggest cost isn't the fees, though. It's the rent you lose during the 4 to 6 weeks the process takes, and every filing mistake adds weeks to that.
If you're a Florida landlord facing a non-paying tenant, one of the first questions you need answered is how much this is going to cost. The honest answer: it depends on whether your tenant fights back. This page breaks down every cost involved in a Florida eviction so you can plan and move forward without surprises.
| Fee | Paid to | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee (Complaint for Eviction) | Clerk of Court | About $185 |
| Summons issuance | Clerk of Court | $10 per tenant |
| Serving the summons | Sheriff or process server | About $40 per tenant (Sheriff), $45 to $75 (private server) |
| Writ of possession | Sheriff | $90 in most counties, $115 in Miami-Dade |
| Postage and envelopes | You | A few dollars, varies by county |
| Locksmith (if needed at lockout) | Locksmith | Varies |
(uncontested, possession only, Sheriff service, $90 writ)
1 tenant: about $325
2 tenants: about $375
3 tenants: about $425
Each adult tenant named on the lease is usually named in the complaint and needs their own summons and service.
The writ fee stays the same no matter how many tenants there are.
Cost 1 — Filing Fee The filing fee to file a Complaint for Eviction with the Clerk of Court is approximately $185, plus $10 per defendant named in the complaint. This is the baseline cost every eviction starts with regardless of county.
Cost 2 — Service of Process The county Sheriff typically charges $40 per defendant to serve the Summons and Complaint. If you use a private certified process server instead, costs range from $45 to $75 depending on location and speed of service.
Cost 3 — Writ of Possession Once you obtain a Final Judgment, delivering the Writ of Possession to the Sheriff costs $90 in most Florida counties. This is the fee that gets the tenant physically removed from the property.
Cost 4 — Document Preparation Landlords who prepare their own documents risk errors that cause dismissal, costing them weeks of additional lost rent. Professional document preparation services typically cost $200 to $300 and provide court-ready, pre-filled forms that reduce that risk significantly. Our DIY packet is only $149.
Cost 5 — Attorney Fees (if contested) If your tenant files a written response and the case goes to a hearing, attorney fees typically range from $500 to $1,500 for a simple hearing, and significantly more if the tenant mounts a defense. Possession-only cases are simpler and less expensive than cases also seeking back rent.
Cost 6 — Lost Rent During the Process This is the largest cost most landlords underestimate. An uncontested eviction in Florida takes 4 to 6 weeks. Every week of delay is a week of lost rent. The faster and more accurately you file, the less rent you lose.
Example: your rent is $1,800 a month.
Uncontested eviction, done right (about 6 weeks): about $2,500 in lost rent
One filing mistake that forces you to refile (adds 2 to 4 weeks): another $830 to $1,660 in lost rent, plus new filing fees
That's why getting the paperwork right the first time matters more than saving a few dollars on fees.
WHAT YOU'LL PAY WITH US
DIY Eviction Packet: $149
+ court and Sheriff costs (about $325 for one tenant)
= about $475 total
Best if you're comfortable filing paperwork yourself.
Full-Service: $598
Filing fee and process server included.
We handle the case for you.
The real difference between the two is about $175 to $225, not the $449 the prices suggest.
If your tenant contests the eviction, we strongly recommend hiring a Florida attorney.
Our services do not include court representation.
Filing before the 3-day notice has fully expired, forcing you to restart and lose additional weeks of rent
Using the wrong summons form, causing dismissal and re-filing fees
Attempting to handle a contested eviction without an attorney
Waiting too long to file after the notice expires. Every day costs you rent
Accepting partial payment after serving the notice, invalidating the notice and restarting the clock
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How much is the filing fee to evict a tenant in Florida?
A: About $185 to file a Complaint for Eviction for possession only, plus $10 for each tenant's summons. The fee is set by state law, so it's about the same in every Florida county.
Q: How much does the Sheriff charge for a writ of possession in Florida?
A: $90 in most Florida counties. Miami-Dade charges $115.
Q: Does it cost more to evict two tenants?
A: Yes, but only a little. Each named tenant needs a summons ($10) and service (about $40 by the Sheriff). The writ of possession is one flat fee.
Q: Can I make the tenant pay my eviction costs?
A: In a possession-only case, you generally aren't asking the court for money, so plan on paying your own costs. Landlords who also sue for back rent and costs can ask the court to award them, but collecting from a former tenant is often difficult.
Q: Do I need an attorney to evict a tenant in Florida?
A: Not for a standard uncontested eviction. Florida landlords can file their own case. If the tenant contests the eviction, we strongly recommend hiring a Florida attorney.
Q: What's the cheapest way to evict a tenant in Florida?
A: Filing it yourself, as a possession-only case, with paperwork that's correct the first time. Fees run about $325 for one tenant. A dismissed case costs far more in lost rent than any document preparation fee.
Want to know the process in YOUR county?
Evictions Done For You is a document preparation service, not a law firm. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. For questions about your specific situation, consult a licensed Florida attorney.