By LaDonna, Evictions Done For You | 20+ years of property management | Updated October 2026
Pinellas County's eviction process follows Florida law, but filing in person here takes some planning.
The Clerk's St. Petersburg branch closes for lunch, the North County center only takes filings on Tuesdays, and the Clerk expects extra copies and stamped envelopes if your tenant's summons may be posted on the door.
This guide covers where and when to file, what to bring, and how to get the Sheriff to return your property.
As a landlord with rentals in city of St. Petersburg and Gulfport, I am here to help you navigate the eviction process so you can complete your eviction as efficient as possible
WHERE TO FILE A PINELLAS COUNTY EVICTION
Online: Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (24/7)
In person, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller: St. Petersburg Branch 545 1st Avenue North, Room 153, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) Accepts new eviction (delinquent tenant) cases
North County Customer Information & Service Center 3165 McMullen Booth Rd, Fessler Center, Building B, Clearwater, FL 33761 Tuesdays only, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Accepts new County Court civil cases
Clerk phone: (727) 464-7000
Clerk website: mypinellasclerk.gov
Tip: Don't show up at 12:15 or on a Wednesday at the North County center. Check the hours above, or e-file and skip the trip.
THE PINELLAS POSTING RULE: BRING AN EXTRA COPY
Tenants who avoid the process server often have their summons posted on the door. When that happens, Florida law also requires the Clerk to mail the tenant a copy.
The Pinellas Clerk's eviction checklist asks landlords to plan for this up front. When posting is likely, bring:
☐ An extra copy of the complaint and summons for each tenant
☐ A pre-addressed, stamped envelope for each tenant
When you file your default and final judgment paperwork, bring a stamped, addressed envelope for each party as well.
Skipping these can hold up your case while the Clerk waits for mailing materials.
WHAT A PINELLAS EVICTION COSTS (ONE TENANT)
Filing fee, possession only (Clerk): about $185
Summons (Clerk): $10 per tenant
Serving the summons: about $40 per tenant by the Sheriff, or a private process server
Writ of possession (Sheriff): $90, paid to the Sheriff by check or money order, or by card through GovPayNow
Typical total: about $325, plus copies and postage
The Clerk also sells a printed eviction forms packet for a few dollars, but it's blank.
You fill out every form yourself.
Step 1 — Serve a Valid 3-Day Notice
The process begins with a written 3-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate. The notice must state the exact amount of rent owed (do not include late fees unless your lease explicitly allows it), the date the notice was given, and the name and address of both the landlord and the tenant. You deliver it by hand, by posting it on the door, or by certified mail.
Important: The three days are business days only. Saturdays, Sundays, and Florida legal holidays do not count. Keep a copy - you will need it when you file.
Step 2 — Wait the Full 3-Day Period
Do not file before the notice period has fully expired. Filing even one day early can get your case dismissed and restart the clock. If Day 3 falls on a weekend or holiday, the period extends to the next business day.
One critical trap: if your tenant offers partial payment during the notice period and you accept it - even as a goodwill gesture- you may legally invalidate your 3-day notice under Florida law and have to start over. Do not accept any payment unless it is the full amount owed.
Step 3 -File your Complaint for Eviction at the Pinellas County Clerk & Comptroller.
Three office locations accept eviction filings: 315 Court Street, Room 170, Clearwater, FL 33756; 29582 US Highway 19 North, Clearwater, FL 33761; and 545 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Main phone: (727) 464-7000. Office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
For the most current filing requirements, visit the Pinellas County Clerk's eviction page
You will need to file: a civil cover sheet, your completed Complaint for Eviction, the original Summons and two copies for each named tenant, a copy of your 3-day notice, and a copy of the lease if one exists. The filing fee is approximately $185, plus $10 per defendant for summons issuance.
Provide an additional copy of the complaint, summons, and a pre-addressed stamped envelope for each tenant when posting is anticipated. For any issue requiring a judge's signature, supply self-addressed stamped envelopes and copies for each party. Pre-addressed stamped envelopes are also required for each party when submitting final judgment documents. If service is outside Pinellas County, provide a pre-addressed stamped envelope for the other county along with the fees.
Check the county packet for exact number of copies required.
If you are seeking possession only (no back rent claim), use Summons form 1.923(a). If you are seeking possession and back rent, use form 1.923(b). Mixing these up is one of the most common errors that delays cases.
Step 4 — The Tenant Is Served and Has 5 Business Days to Respond
The Sheriff or a certified process server will serve the tenant with the Summons and Complaint. After service, the tenant has 5 business days (excluding the day of service, weekends, and holidays) to file a written response with the Clerk and deposit any disputed rent into the Court Registry.
If the tenant files no response and deposits no rent: you move to Step 5. If the tenant files an answer: the court will schedule a hearing. This adds time but does not mean you lose. If the tenant retains an attorney: proceed with legal representation strongly recommended.
Step 5 — Request a Default Judgment
If the tenant does not respond within 5 business days, file a Motion for Default, an Affidavit in Proof of Claim, and a proposed Final Judgment for Possession with the Clerk. The judge reviews the case and, if approved, signs the Final Judgment.
Step 6 — Obtain the Writ of Possession and Schedule Sheriff Lockout
After the judge signs the Final Judgment, the Clerk dates, signs, and seals the Writ of Possession. It then goes to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office to be served on your tenant. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office,
Court Processing Unit 14500 49th Street North, Suite 106,
Clearwater, FL 33762
Landlord/tenant questions: (727) 582-6240
Pay the $90 writ fee to the Sheriff by check or money order, or by card through GovPayNow. Once the writ is served, the tenant has 24 hours to leave.
If you want a deputy to stand by while you change the locks, the Sheriff may charge an hourly rate.
Even if the tenant appears to be gone, have the writ executed. It formally ends their right to occupy the property.
Q: How long does an eviction take in Pinellas County, Florida?
A: An uncontested eviction typically takes 4 to 5 weeks from the date the 3-day notice is served, assuming all paperwork is filed correctly and the tenant does not respond.
Q: Do weekends count in a Florida 3-day eviction notice?
A: No. Saturdays, Sundays, and Florida legal holidays are excluded from the 3-day count. Only business days count.
Q: What forms do I need to file an eviction in Pinellas County, Florida?
A: You will need a civil cover sheet, Complaint for Eviction, Summons (form 1.923(a) for possession only or 1.923(b) for possession and back rent), your 3-day notice, and a copy of the lease if one exists.
Q: Where do I file an eviction in Pinellas County?
A: Online through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, or in person at the Clerk's St. Petersburg branch (545 1st Avenue North, Room 153) Monday to Friday, or the North County center in Clearwater (3165 McMullen Booth Rd) on Tuesdays.
Q: What are the Pinellas County Clerk's hours for eviction filings?
A: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The St. Petersburg branch closes from noon to 1 p.m., and the North County center accepts filings on Tuesdays only.
Q: How much does it cost to evict a tenant in Pinellas County?
A: About $325 for one tenant: a filing fee of about $185, a $10 summons, about $40 for Sheriff service, and a $90 writ of possession fee paid to the Sheriff.
Q: How do I pay the writ of possession fee in Pinellas County?
A: The $90 fee goes to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, by check or money order, or by credit or debit card through GovPayNow.
Q: How long does an eviction take in Pinellas County?
A: An uncontested eviction typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from the day the 3-day notice is served, if the paperwork is complete and the tenant doesn't respond.
Q: What happens after a writ of possession is issued in Pinellas County, FL?
A: Deliver the writ with $90 fee to the PCSO Court Processing Unit, 14500 49th Street North, Suite 106, Clearwater. Tenant has 24 hours to vacate once posted.
Q: Does a tenant in Pinellas County have to appear in court for an eviction?
A: Not necessarily. If the tenant does not file a written response within 5 business days of being served, a default judgment can be entered without a court hearing.
Q: What is the difference between possession-only and possession plus rent eviction in Pinellas County?
A: A possession-only eviction (form 1.923(a)) asks the court solely to remove the tenant. A possession plus rent case (form 1.923(b)) also seeks a money judgment for unpaid rent. Possession-only cases move faster and are simpler to file without an attorney.
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.