REPRESENTING YOURSELF IN A CIVIL COURT CASE
If you are considering representing yourself in a civil court case, we offer this short informational video provided by the Florida State Courts:
File or Answer a Civil Complaint
You can also find more Self Help information on their site or look for their “Florida Courts Help” app for your mobile devices.
DIY (Do -It-Yourself) Interactive Forms
The Alachua County Clerk offers easy to use interactive forms through DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Florida, which uses interview style questions to lead you through the steps and prepare official court forms
Once prepared, you can use the E-Filing Portal to electronically file your completed forms with your Clerk’s office.*
*Required filing, service, and convenience fees, may apply.
Over 20 forms are currently available on the DIY platform in 5 areas:
TO GET STARTED VISIT THE FLORIDA COURTS E-FILING PORTAL WEB PAGE
Visit www.MyFLCourtAccess.com and click on the DIY tab. You can also visit the DIY tab directly by using the URL below.
www.MyFLCourtAccess.com/Authority/DIY
SIGN IN OR REGISTER AND GO TO DIY DOCUMENTS
Once you are signed in, click on Filing Options then DIY Documents. If you sign up as a self-represented litigant filer role, you’ll be taken directly to the DIY Florida page when you log in.
SELECT ONE OF THE MANY FORMS AVAILABLE
Click on the form, read the instructions, and click Start Interview.
COMPLETE THE INTERVIEW TO SUBMIT YOUR FORMS
Answer the questions, and the DIY Florida application will prepare your court forms and add them to the Portal. To file them, simply provide a payment method and click submit. No additional information is required.
- General Self Help Information
General Self Help Information
For other matters, or if you prefer to not use DIY Florida, the Alachua County Clerk offers all Florida Supreme Court approved forms for free download or physical purchase at our office.
https://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/Pages/Forms.aspx
For information on electronic filing, go to Electronic Filing (eFiling) Information.
- Eighth Circuit Self-Help Program
Eighth Circuit Self-Help Program
The Eighth Judicial Circuit has a Self-Help Program located on the Fourth Floor of the Eighth Judicial Circuit’s Civil and Family Law Justice Center, 201 E University Ave, Gainesville Florida. Self-Help Program staff will explain procedures; additional court requirements; review the file before scheduling a court event to insure the correct forms were filed; and help with setting a hearing with the Judge.
Additional information about the Self-Help Program is on their webpage at https://circuit8.org/self-help/
- Small Claims
Small Claims
Small Claims cases can be filed through DIY Florida. Small Claims cases are filed when a person or business needs the court to make a decision regarding monetary civil disputes for damages or replevin claims not exceeding $8,000.
To get started: www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/DIY
For Alachua County Information and Forms on Small Claims Cases: https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/Pages/SmallClaims.aspx
- Landlord Tenant
Landlord Tenant
Landlord tenant cases can be filed through DIY Florida. Forms and packets are also available both online and at the Clerk’s office. Residential evictions are governed by chapter 83, Florida Statutes.
To get started: www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/DIY
Landlord/Tenant Packet
Florida Bar Public Consumer Pamphlet on Eviction
- Family
Family
Dissolution of Marriage cases can be filed through DIY Florida. Forms and packets are also available both online and at the Clerk’s office.
To get started:
Dissolution of Marriage with Children
Dissolution of Marriage without Children
Other family law case types are: Paternity, Name Change, Child Support, and Adoption. Domestic Violence information is also considered a Family case type, but is addressed separately.
Family Forms for Alachua County
- Domestic Violence Injunction
Domestic Violence Injunction
Domestic Violence Injunctions can be filed through DIY Florida. Forms and packets are also available both online and at the Clerk’s office.
To get started: www.myflcourtaccess.com/authority/DIY
Get forms and more information on Domestic Violence Injunctions here:
- Hotlines & Safe Places
- Circuit / Court / Law Enforcement
- Appeals
Appeals
An appeal is a request for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision. A notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the lower court’s decision.
To get started: https://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/Pages/Forms.aspx
Resources
Pro Se Appellate Handbook
District Court of Appeals – Florida Courts
Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure