What font size do Florida courts require?

Florida Rule 2.520 requires a font size of no less than 12-point. The rule sets the minimum size but leaves the specific typeface to the filer, so any legible standard font at 12-point or larger meets the requirement.

What is the 3-by-3 inch space on Florida recorded documents?

Under Rule 2.520, a document intended to be recorded must leave a 3-inch by 3-inch blank space in the top right corner of the first page. This reserved area lets the clerk apply recording information without covering the document's text.

Does Florida require numbered pleading-paper lines?

No. Florida does not use consecutive line numbers down the left margin. Rule 2.520 instead requires consecutively numbered pages, along with one-inch margins, 12-point font, and one-sided printing on letter-size paper.

Florida Pleading Paper Template

Q: What are the margins for Florida court filings?

Under Florida Rule 2.520, documents must have one-inch margins. They must also be on letter-size 8 1/2 by 11 inch white recycled paper, printed on only one side, with consecutively numbered pages and a font no smaller than 12-point.

Introduction

Florida is not a numbered-line pleading paper state. Its court documents use plain paper with a caption, formatted under the rules below. Florida court filings are governed by Rule 2.520 of the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, which sets a clear, quantified standard: documents must be legibly typewritten or printed on only one side of letter-size 8 1/2 by 11 inch white recycled paper, with one-inch margins, consecutively numbered pages, and a font no smaller than 12-point. Florida is not a numbered-line pleading-paper state, so there are no consecutive line numbers down the left margin; the page-level requirement is consecutive page numbering, not line numbering. One detail catches many filers: any document intended to be recorded must also leave a 3-inch by 3-inch blank space in the top right corner of the first page. A filing with half-inch margins, an 11-point font, two-sided printing, or a missing recording block can be rejected or returned, which costs filing time and can put a deadline at risk. This page covers what Rule 2.520 requires for the paper, margins, font, page numbering, and the recording space, and notes what is left to individual court rule. DocDraft drafts your document in properly formatted Florida court format from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.

Key Things to Know

Documents must be on letter-size 8 1/2 by 11 inch white recycled paper, printed on only one side, under Rule 2.520.

Margins must be one inch under Rule 2.520.

The font size must be no less than 12-point under Rule 2.520.

Pages must be consecutively numbered under Rule 2.520.

A document intended to be recorded must leave a 3-inch by 3-inch blank space in the top right corner of the first page (Rule 2.520).

Rule 2.520 sets the physical format; the caption and pleading content are governed by the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for the court where you file.

Florida operates statewide e-filing through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; the Rule 2.520 format applies whether filed on paper or electronically.

Customize your Pleading Paper Template with DocDraft

IN THE [CIRCUIT/COUNTY] COURT OF THE [NUMBER] JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR [COUNTY] COUNTY, FLORIDA

[PLAINTIFF NAME], Plaintiff, v. CASE NO. [CASE NO.] [DEFENDANT NAME], Defendant. _______________________________/

[DOCUMENT TITLE, e.g. COMPLAINT]

[Body formatted per Florida Rule 2.520: letter-size 8 1/2 by 11 inch white recycled paper, one side only, one-inch margins, font no less than 12-point, consecutively numbered pages. For a document to be recorded, leave a 3-inch by 3-inch blank space in the top right corner of this first page.]

[CONTENT]

Respectfully submitted,

[NAME], [Fla. Bar No. if attorney] [ADDRESS] [PHONE] / [EMAIL] Attorney for / Self-Represented [PARTY]

Florida Requirements for Pleading Paper

Letter-size white paper, one side

Print on one side of letter-size 8 1/2 by 11 inch white recycled paper under Rule 2.520.

One-inch margins

Use one-inch margins as required by Rule 2.520.

12-point font minimum

Use a font no smaller than 12-point under Rule 2.520.

Consecutive page numbers

Number the pages consecutively under Rule 2.520.

Recording space

For a document intended to be recorded, leave a 3-inch by 3-inch blank space in the top right corner of the first page (Rule 2.520).

Caption block

Head the first page with the court and county, the parties, the case number, and the document title per the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for your court.

Electronic filing

File through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; the Rule 2.520 format applies whether filed on paper or electronically.