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St. Johns County Clerk of Courts
Payment Plan Guidelines
A payment plan is a legally binding contractual arrangement between an indigent person and the Clerk of Courts to defer the payment of filing fees, examining fees, court-appointed counsel, service charges and some other costs arising out of pending litigation under F. S. 57.081, 57.082 and 28.246. It does not include mediation fees.
To qualify for a civil payment plan the person must be found indigent by the Clerk of Courts under F. S. 27.52. Application for indigency must be made with the Clerk’s office and a deputy clerk will make the determination.
Payment plans are not available to individuals on probation.
Civil Case Filing Fees
- The payment plan set up fee of $25 is required to be paid at the time the plan is established, under F. S. 28.24 (26)(c).
- The first payment on the payment plan is due at the time the plan is set up
- If the case is dropped or dismissed, filing fees are still owed to the Clerk of Courts
- Indigency application is required, and subject to verification
- Mediation fees are not set up on a payment plan
The Clerk has established payment guidelines for civil case filing fees as follows:
Fines, Fees and Court Cost owing |
Time Span |
Up to $500.00 |
4 months, 1st month paid in advance |
$500.01 - $900.00 |
6 months, 1st month paid in advance |
$900.01 – $1,200.00 |
8 months, 1st month paid in advance |
$1,200.01 - $1,500.00 |
10 months, 1st month paid in advance |
Greater than $1,500.00 |
1 year, 1st month paid in advance |
Criminal and Misdemeanor Fines, Fees and Court Costs
- The payment plan set up fee of $25 is required to be paid at the time the plan is established, under F. S. 28.24 (26)(c).
- Indigency application is not required
- Information given on the payment plan contract is subject to verification by the Clerk’s office
Fines, fees & court costs |
Time Span |
Up to $500.00 |
4 months |
$500.01 - $900.00 |
6 months |
$900.01 - $1,200.00 |
8 months |
$1,200.01 - $1,500.00 |
10 months |
Great than $1,500.00 |
1 year, and requires asset and employment verification |
The Clerk charges a one time fee for processing each payment plan of $25.00 in accordance with F. S. 28.24(26)(c). Multiple cases cannot be added together to avoid paying $25.00 for each payment plan. Each case is to have its own separate payment plan. This processing charge is required to be paid at the time the payment plan is set up.
If an individual fails to make payment on a legally binding payment plan contract, the Clerk of Courts may suspend your driver’s license, refuse to issue a reinstatement of your driver’s license, refuse to issue another payment plan, and/or turn your account over to a collection agency. Accounts turned over to a collection agency may be assessed an additional 40% collection agency charge on top of the balance due.
If you set up a payment plan for a civil court action (divorce, family law, probate, small claims, etc.) and the action is subsequently dropped or dismissed, the individual who signed the payment plan is still responsible to pay the payments until the payment plan is paid in full.
Individuals wishing to set up a payment plan who are incarcerated must contact the Payment Plan Coordinate to obtain the required indigency form (civil matters) and contract. The contract must be returned to the Courthouse notarized with the appropriate payment. A payment plan will not be issued without a completed indigency form for civil cases. The Clerk of Courts will determine the payment terms. Payments will begin in 30 days and will not be deferred pending the inmate’s release.
Payments on payment plans are required every month; however, payment in full is accepted at any time without a pre-payment penalty. Payments are accepted in person between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding courthouse holidays.
Payment plans may be paid via cash, check, money order, cashier’s check. Credit cards cannot be take over the phone, but may be presented in person to a cashier for payment in full on a payment plan.
Mail payments to:
St. Johns County Courthouse
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
A payment coupon should accompany all payments. This coupon includes the case number which is crucial for applying payments correctly.
For further assistance the Payment Plan Coordinator may be reached at (904) 819-3688.