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The small-claims court in Putnam County handles money disputes up to $8,000, with simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
Read on for the claim ceiling, the fees, the courthouse serving Putnam County, the way the other side is notified, the cut-off dates, and each filing step. Squabble prepares the paperwork and files it on your behalf.
Putnam County hears small claims at the courthouse listed here, with the venue confirmed at filing from the defendant's address or the location of the dispute.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Check the filing location first. The court's small-claims page lists where papers are taken today, and Squabble confirms it for your case as part of filing.
Putnam County Clerk of Courts, in Palatka, is the courthouse listed for Putnam County. Putnam County covers 19 ZIP codes, including the Bostwick, Crescent City and East Palatka areas.
This court takes small-claims filings electronically, so the case can be started from home.
A remote appearance is possible for some hearings here; courts differ on which cases qualify.
Have copies of your evidence for the bench and for the other party. Some courts take documents electronically before the hearing as well.
Small claims cases in Putnam County, Florida, are heard in the Florida County Court, which handles claims of up to $8,000. Filings are handled by the Putnam County Clerk of Courts, located at 410 St Johns Ave #233 in Palatka, 32177, and reachable at (386) 326-7600. The clerk's office accepts electronic filing. The county has a population of 77,301 and covers communities including Palatka, Crescent City, Interlachen, Welaka, Satsuma, Hollister, East Palatka, San Mateo, Pomona Park, Melrose, Georgetown, Florahome, Grandin, Bostwick, Hawthorne, Lake Como, and Putnam Hall. ZIP codes within the county include 32177, 32112, 32148, 32187, 32189, 32131, 32193, and 32666, among others. Putnam County lies near Clay County, St. Johns County, and Flagler County, each of which has its own county court for matters arising there. Residents and parties across these towns and ZIP codes bring small claims matters through the same clerk's office in Palatka, where case records for the county are maintained.
Putnam County covers these 17 towns and cities:
Bostwick, Crescent City, East Palatka, Florahome, Georgetown, Grandin, Hawthorne, Hollister, Interlachen, Lake Como, Melrose, Palatka, Pomona Park, Putnam Hall, San Mateo, Satsuma, Welaka.
ZIP codes:
Of Florida's 67 counties, Putnam County is 40th by population at roughly 77,301 people. Putnam County Clerk of Courts in Palatka lies around 12 miles from the Clay County courthouse in Green Cove Springs and 13 miles from the Flagler County courthouse in Bunnell.
Neighbouring counties and the courts that serve them:
Everyday disputes over money belong in the small claims division, where the rules are simplified, and the sum in question has an upper bound.
Maximum claim
The county where it happened and the county where they live are both generally available.
Splitting a single claim across multiple filings to dodge the ceiling is not permitted.
Judgments take the form of money owed; other kinds of relief are heard elsewhere.
Florida allows attorneys at the hearing, but none is required. The procedures are designed for self-representation.
A claim involving a minor is brought by a court-appointed guardian.
This state requires notarized filing documents. Squabble prepares them notarization-ready.
This state expects your supporting evidence to be submitted with the filing, not just brought to the hearing.
Over the limit? A claim above the ceiling can be trimmed to fit, or filed in full in the ordinary civil court. Trimming generally means writing off the remainder.
They are the same across all 19 Putnam County ZIP codes, from 32007 onward. These are the limits for Putnam County, population about 77,301.
This court handles money claims to a ceiling of $8,000. Below are the kinds of case filed most often.
Putnam County has about 77,301 residents. Putnam County takes in Bostwick, Crescent City and East Palatka and the rest of the county.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Fill in the claim, pick the courthouse that covers the dispute, and pay what the court charges.
The other side is formally served and has the chance to respond, or to settle before the hearing.
A short hearing, held in the courtroom or remotely where that is offered. A decision follows on the day or shortly afterwards.
Putnam County Clerk of Courts publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page. Putnam County Clerk of Courts lists (386) 326-7600 as its number.
Filing is only half of it. The defendant has to receive formal notice, a step called service of process, and in most cases you cannot hand over the papers yourself. Courts in Florida generally rely on personal delivery by an approved server, email service where the court allows it, the sheriff or constable or delivery arranged by the court.
The options usually include a sheriff or constable, a licensed process server, certified mail sent by the clerk, or any adult with no stake in the case. What is allowed, and what it costs, differs from county to county.
Courts set their own cut-off for how many days before the hearing notice must land. The clerk gives you that date along with the hearing date.
After delivery, the server fills out a proof of service, and that goes on the court file before the hearing.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
A Putnam County address carries one of its 19 ZIP codes, 32007, 32112 and 32131 among them. Clay County and Flagler County are the counties nearest to Putnam County.
The right to bring a claim expires. The period is measured from the moment the dispute arose, and once it has run the court can refuse the case.
| What the claim is about | Deadline to file |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 5 years |
| Oral contract | 4 years |
| Property damage | 4 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
Putnam County, population about 77,301, is covered by the table above. They do not change from one Putnam County ZIP code to another, 32007 included.
In Florida, prejudgment interest follows a statutory formula rather than a fixed rate (Fla. Stat. §55.03).
The Squabble interest calculator shows what the accrued figure comes to on top of the principal.
It is the same rate across all 19 Putnam County ZIP codes. Putnam County is under the same state rate as nearby Clay County and Flagler County.
Check that the amount is within the limit and that you're inside the statute of limitations for your claim type.
Name the correct party, describe what happened, and show how the amount is calculated.
File with the Putnam County small-claims court, or e-file, and pay the $55–$300 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
With a hearing date in hand, organise service and lodge the completed proof with the court.
Organize documents and exhibits so you can present them clearly at the hearing.
Turn up on the day, in person or remotely where offered, present what happened, and take the decision.
Go through the events with Eleanor. The documents are prepared, Triple-Checked™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and filed for you.
Start for FREE →You will meet a claim form, a proof of service, and possibly a fee waiver. What each is called depends on the court, and Squabble matches them to your courthouse.
Putnam County papers go to Putnam County Clerk of Courts in Palatka. Putnam County has a population of about 77,301.
The hearing is brief and informal. The judge asks the questions, and most people speak for themselves.
Bostwick, Crescent City and East Palatka are among the Putnam County places a hearing can draw parties from. Hearings in Putnam County cases are listed at Putnam County Clerk of Courts in Palatka.
Winning and being paid are two different things. The judgment records what is owed; collecting it is its own process, backed by court remedies that vary from state to state.
Wage garnishment, where the state permits it, sends part of the debtor's pay toward the judgment.
Money in the debtor's bank account can be seized under a levy the court orders.
Registering the judgment at county level can fix a lien on real estate the debtor holds.
You may also apply for an order compelling the debtor to attend and disclose income and assets on oath. Interest generally continues at the rate the state sets until the debt is met.
Clay County and Flagler County are the counties nearest to Putnam County. Bostwick, Crescent City and East Palatka are among the Putnam County places a judgment debtor may live in.
Reviewed August 2026. Fees, limits and procedures are revised from time to time, so confirm them with the court before you file.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Putnam County case for you.
