Many states now have mandatory or optional e-filing for process servers. Florida e-filing requirements vary by county. The below map has information on whether or not e-filing in each Florida county is mandatory or available, whether or not cases may be walked in, and each county's policy on filing returns and originals. Click any county in the map below to see the e-filing requirements in that area.
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Escambia CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Santa Rosa CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Okaloosa CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Walton CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Holmes CountyMandatory E-filing: No Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes Filing Returns/Originals: |
Washington CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Jackson CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Bay CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Calhoun CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Gulf CountyMandatory E-filing: No but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue Filing Returns/Originals: |
Franklin CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Only if the case has been e-filed first. They will need the acceptance email and the service documents. They will issue the Summons once they have those documents. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Franklin CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Only if the case has been e-filed first. They will need the acceptance email and the service documents. They will issue the Summons once they have those documents. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Liberty CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Gadsden CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Leon CountyMandatory E-filing: No but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Wakulla CountyMandatory E-filing: No but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Jefferson CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Taylor CountyMandatory E-filing: No Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes Filing Returns/Originals: |
Madison CountyMandatory E-filing: No Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes Filing Returns/Originals: |
Hamilton CountyMandatory E-filing: No Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes Filing Returns/Originals: |
Nassau CountyMandatory E-filing: No but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Columbia CountyMandatory E-filing: No Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes Filing Returns/Originals: |
Baker CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Suwannee CountyMandatory E-filing: No Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes Filing Returns/Originals: |
Lafayette CountyMandatory E-filing: No Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes Filing Returns/Originals: |
DuvalMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Union CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Bradford CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Gilchrist CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Dixie CountyMandatory E-filing: No Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes Filing Returns/Originals: |
Clay CountyMandatory E-filing: No but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. Filing Returns/Originals: |
St. John's CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Only if the case has been e-filed first. They will need the acceptance email and the service documents. They will issue the Summons once they have those documents. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Alachua CountyMandatory E-filing: No, but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Putnam CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Flagler CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Levy CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Marion CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Volusia CountyMandatory E-filing: No but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Brevard CountyMandatory E-filing: No but they are accepting e-filed cases. Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Citrus CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Sumter CountyMandatory E-filing: No but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Lake CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Seminole CountyMandatory E-filing: No but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue Filing Returns/Originals: |
Orange CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Hernando CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Pasco CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Only if the case has been e-filed first. They will need the acceptance email and the service documents. They will issue the Summons once they have those documents. They accept walk-ins only if you are pro-se Filing Returns/Originals: |
Pinellas CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No. They accept walk-ins only if you are pro-se. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Hillsborough CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No. They accept walk-ins only if you are pro-se. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Polk CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Osceola CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Indian River CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Only if the case has been e-filed first. They will need the acceptance email and the service documents. They will issue the Summons once they have those documents. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Manatee CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Hardee CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
DeSoto CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Sarasota CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Highlands CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Okeechobee CountyMandatory E-filing: No Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes Filing Returns/Originals: |
St. Lucie CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No (only if you are a pro-se client.) Filing Returns/Originals: |
Martin CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Only if the case has been e-filed first. They will need the acceptance email and the service documents. They will issue the Summons once they have those documents. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Glades CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes except for Criminal and Traffic cases those are only to be walked in. Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes but only for Criminal and Traffic cases. All other cases must be e-filed. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Charlotte CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes, but not in County Court Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes but only for County Court. All others are e-file only Filing Returns/Originals: |
Lee CountyMandatory E-filing: No but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Hendry CountyMandatory E-filing: No Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes Filing Returns/Originals: |
Palm Beach CountyMandatory E-filing: : No but they are accepting e-filed cases Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes. If e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Collier CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Yes but only Writs. Everything else must be e-filed. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Broward CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Miami Dade CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: Only if e-filed they need the acceptance email, service documents, and Summons to issue. ***Evictions and Pre-trials can still be walked in to be issued. Filing Returns/Originals: |
Miami Dade CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Monroe CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Monroe CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Monroe CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Monroe CountyMandatory E-filing: Yes Allowing Cases to be Walked In: No Filing Returns/Originals: |
Data courtesy of the Florida Association of Professional Process Servers
Source: https://fapps.org/NEWS_EfileRequirmentsByCountyInFL.pdf
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- On June 17, 2011, Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 59 Service of Process (presented by Rep. John P. Julien) into law effective July 1, 2011. This bill allows process servers unannounced entry into a gated residential community, including its common areas and common elements when the person is known to be within the community and requires parties to provide the original process, and e-copy signed by the clerk to the sheriff.
This bill also amends Florida statutes related to service of process on corporations. It allows process servers to serve process on any employee of the registered agent on the first attempt, even if the registered agent is only temporarily absent. HB 59 also clarifies where a Process Server is to annotate the documents served. As we move forward in being more cognizant of a green environment, this bill allows us to only serve one hard copy of the court documents to the Department of Financial Services.
It is FAPPS' position HB 59 will allow a private process server the ability to guarantee a constitutional right to all defendants and ensure due process without unnecessary delays. Allowing a process server entrance into a gated community area as an officer of the court will create an opportunity for expediting the legal process for all parties. This process server bill will assist in preventing a gate guard from obstructing justice by giving them unequivocal authority to allow a Process Server access. When one prevents a process server entrance into a gated community, the alternative was to publish the legal notice in a newspaper that the defendant might not read therefore resulting in a judgment of foreclosure or other type of judgment without ever having been notified of the action.