Florida Form CR2E114 is the Final Judgment – Eviction form a county court judge signs to legally remove a tenant from a residential property after a successful eviction lawsuit. You fill it out by entering the case style, the tenant and landlord names, the rental property address, the legal basis for possession under Florida Statutes Chapter 83, and the date the writ of possession will issue, then you submit it to the clerk for the judge’s signature.
Filing this form correctly matters because a single defective entry can trigger a motion to vacate under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.540, delay your writ of possession by weeks, and force you to keep paying the mortgage on a unit producing no rent. According to the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, Florida courts process roughly 70,000 residential eviction filings every year, and clerks routinely reject final judgments that contain even minor formatting errors.
By the end of this guide, you will know exactly how to handle the form line by line and avoid the traps that derail most filings.
- 📋 How to complete every field on Form CR2E114 without triggering a clerk rejection
- ⚖️ Which Florida statutes and rules of civil procedure govern each section
- 🏘️ How county-specific quirks in Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Hillsborough, and Duval change your filing
- 🧾 Three real-world scenarios with named landlords showing the form in action
- ❓ Answers to the ten questions Florida landlords ask most about the final judgment
What Florida Form CR2E114 Actually Is
Florida Form CR2E114 is the Final Judgment for Removal of Tenant, a one-page order the court enters at the conclusion of a residential eviction lawsuit. The Florida Supreme Court approves the form through its Standard Court-Approved Forms program, and every county clerk in the state recognizes it as valid. Judges sign this form to grant the landlord exclusive possession of the rental unit, which then triggers the issuance of a writ of possession under Florida Statute § 83.62.
The form does not award money damages. If the landlord seeks back rent, late fees, or property damage, those claims travel on a separate judgment using Form CR2E115, the Final Judgment for Money Damages. The two forms work together but address different remedies, and combining them on a single document is one of the most common reasons a clerk bounces a proposed order back to the filer.
The consequence of filing the wrong form is delay and dismissal. If you submit Form CR2E114 when you actually need a money judgment, the court enters possession only and you lose your right to collect unpaid rent through that case. A common misconception is that signing a final judgment for possession automatically forces the sheriff to remove the tenant. It does not. The judgment authorizes the clerk to issue the writ, and only after the sheriff posts the writ on the door does the 24-hour countdown to physical removal begin under Florida law.
Statutory Authority Behind the Form
The form draws its authority from Part II of Chapter 83, the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Section 83.59 grants landlords the right to recover possession when a tenant breaches the lease, fails to pay rent, or holds over after the term ends. Section 83.60 lays out the tenant’s defenses, including the requirement that the tenant deposit disputed rent into the court registry to contest a nonpayment case.
Skipping a statutory step has real consequences. If you file the final judgment before the tenant’s seven-day response window expires, the judgment is void and the tenant can vacate it on motion. For example, landlord Maria Alvarez in Tampa once filed Form CR2E114 on day six after service. The tenant moved to vacate under Rule 1.540, and the Hillsborough County judge struck the judgment, costing Maria three additional weeks before she regained possession.
A common misconception is that a tenant who fails to deposit rent into the registry automatically loses. The judge still must enter a default and review the complaint before signing the final judgment. The clerk does not enter default judgments on possession cases without judicial review.
Who Uses Form CR2E114 and When
Residential landlords, property managers, and their attorneys use Form CR2E114 at the end of an eviction case, not at the beginning. The eviction itself starts with a three-day notice for nonpayment or a seven-day notice for lease violations under § 83.56. After the notice period expires, the landlord files a complaint and summons, the tenant is served, and the clock starts on the tenant’s five-business-day response window.
You reach the final judgment stage in one of three ways. First, the tenant fails to respond within five business days, and you move for default and final judgment. Second, the tenant responds but fails to deposit the disputed rent into the court registry, which entitles you to an immediate possession judgment under § 83.60(2). Third, the case proceeds to a contested hearing and the judge rules in your favor on the merits.
The consequence of using the form too early is severe. A landlord who files Form CR2E114 before the response window closes commits a procedural error that opens the door to attorney’s fees against the landlord under § 83.48. For example, James Whitaker, a Jacksonville investor, filed his proposed final judgment on day four after service and the tenant’s attorney recovered $1,200 in fees under the prevailing-party clause.
A common misconception is that the judge will simply correct the date. Judges in Florida do not redraft proposed orders. They sign or deny what you submit.
Commercial vs. Residential Distinction
Form CR2E114 applies only to residential tenancies governed by Part II of Chapter 83. Commercial evictions fall under Part I of Chapter 83 and use different forms entirely, often drafted by counsel because the Florida Bar does not publish a standard commercial eviction judgment form. Mobile home park evictions follow Chapter 723 and use yet another set of orders.
The consequence of using the wrong form for a commercial tenant is automatic dismissal. The clerk will not docket a residential possession judgment in a commercial case, and the landlord must restart the process with proper pleadings. For example, Priya Shah, who owns a small strip mall in Orlando, mistakenly downloaded Form CR2E114 for a commercial tenant. The Orange County clerk rejected her filing, and Priya lost two weeks while she retained counsel to draft the correct order.
A common misconception is that residential and commercial forms are interchangeable because the statute numbers are sequential. They are not. Each chapter creates its own substantive rights, defenses, and remedies.
Step-by-Step: Filling Out Form CR2E114
The form contains nine fillable sections. Each must match the underlying complaint, summons, and notice exactly, because any mismatch gives the tenant grounds to move to vacate.
Section 1: Court and County Caption
Enter the full name of the court at the top: In the County Court of the [Judicial Circuit] in and for [County] County, Florida. The judicial circuit number must match the county. For example, Miami-Dade is the Eleventh Circuit, Broward is the Seventeenth, Orange is the Ninth, Hillsborough is the Thirteenth, and Duval is the Fourth. You can verify the circuit assignment at the Florida State Courts directory.
The consequence of listing the wrong circuit is clerk rejection at intake. Clerks scan captions first, and a mismatch lands your filing in the rejection queue.
A common misconception is that small claims and county court are the same. They are not. Evictions proceed in county civil court, not the small claims division, even when the rent at issue falls below the $8,000 small claims threshold.
Section 2: Case Number
Copy the case number from the original complaint exactly. Florida case numbers follow the Uniform Case Number format, which encodes the year, court level, and division. A typical residential eviction reads something like 2026-CC-001234.
The consequence of an incorrect case number is misfiling. The clerk’s docketing system uses the case number as the primary key, and a wrong digit can route your judgment to the wrong file or generate a duplicate case.
A common misconception is that you can shorten the case number. You cannot. The full uniform case number must appear exactly as the clerk originally assigned it.
Section 3: Plaintiff and Defendant Names
List the plaintiff (landlord) and defendant (tenant) using the exact names from the complaint. If the lease names John A. Smith but the complaint reads John Smith, use the complaint’s version. Inconsistencies between the complaint and the final judgment create grounds for attack under Rule 1.540(b)(4) for void judgments.
The consequence of a name mismatch is a vacated judgment. For example, Daniel Cooper, a Fort Lauderdale landlord, listed his LLC as Cooper Holdings LLC in the complaint but Cooper Holdings, LLC (with a comma) in the judgment. The tenant’s attorney moved to vacate, and the Broward judge granted the motion because the entity names did not match.
A common misconception is that minor punctuation differences are harmless. Florida courts treat corporate names with strict precision, and a missing comma can void an order.
Section 4: Property Description
Enter the full street address of the rental unit, including unit number, city, county, state, and ZIP code. The address must match the lease and the three-day or seven-day notice you served. Some judges also require the property’s legal description from the deed, especially in mobile home or multi-parcel cases.
The consequence of a wrong address is an unenforceable writ. The sheriff cannot remove a tenant from an address that does not match the order. For example, Latoya Williams in Pensacola listed 123 Main St on the judgment, but the lease said 123 Main Street, Apt 4B. The Escambia County sheriff refused to execute the writ until Latoya filed an amended judgment.
A common misconception is that the sheriff will figure out the correct unit. Sheriffs in Florida execute writs based on the four corners of the order, not on extrinsic evidence.
Section 5: Findings of Fact
The form contains pre-printed language stating that the court finds the plaintiff entitled to possession. You should add specific findings only if the judge requires them, which happens most often after a contested hearing. In default cases, the pre-printed language is enough.
The consequence of adding unauthorized findings is judicial irritation and possible rejection. Judges do not appreciate filers who insert their own legal conclusions into proposed orders.
A common misconception is that more detail is always better. In default eviction judgments, less is more.
Section 6: Possession Award
Check the box (or fill the blank) confirming that the plaintiff recovers possession of the premises. This is the operative clause that triggers the writ. Without this language, the judgment is meaningless because it grants no relief.
The consequence of omitting the possession clause is a void judgment. Without an operative clause, there is nothing for the sheriff to enforce.
A common misconception is that the case caption alone implies possession. It does not. The order must expressly grant possession to the landlord.
Section 7: Writ of Possession Direction
The form directs the clerk to issue a writ of possession under § 83.62. Once the judge signs the final judgment, the clerk issues the writ, and the sheriff posts it on the tenant’s door. The tenant then has 24 hours to vacate before the sheriff returns to physically remove them.
The consequence of skipping this direction is that you must file a separate motion for writ of possession, adding three to seven days. A common misconception is that the writ issues automatically. It does not. The clerk needs the judge’s signed order in hand before issuing the writ.
Section 8: Reservation of Jurisdiction
Most landlords check the box reserving jurisdiction to award damages and attorney’s fees later. This preserves the right to pursue Form CR2E115 (money damages) without filing a new lawsuit. If you do not reserve jurisdiction, you may have to refile to collect back rent, which restarts the entire timeline.
The consequence of omitting the reservation is the loss of your right to recover money in this case. For example, Ahmed Khan in West Palm Beach forgot to reserve jurisdiction, and when he tried to recover $4,800 in back rent two months later, the Palm Beach County judge denied the motion and forced Ahmed to file a new small claims case.
A common misconception is that jurisdiction continues automatically. It does not. The final judgment closes the case unless you expressly reserve jurisdiction.
Section 9: Date and Judge’s Signature Line
Leave the date and signature line blank. The judge fills these in. Do not type a date or insert a signature image. Pre-dating a judgment is a serious ethical violation under the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.
The consequence of pre-filling the date is sanctions and potential bar discipline if you are an attorney. A common misconception is that you can fill in today’s date as a placeholder. You cannot.
Three Common Filing Scenarios
The form behaves differently depending on the underlying case posture. The three scenarios below cover roughly 90% of residential evictions in Florida.
Scenario A: Nonpayment Default
| Filing Step | Outcome Under Florida Law |
|---|---|
| Landlord serves three-day notice under § 83.56(3) | Tenant has three business days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, to pay or vacate |
| Tenant fails to respond to complaint within five business days | Landlord moves for clerk’s default and files Form CR2E114 |
| Judge signs final judgment for possession | Clerk issues writ of possession within 24 to 72 hours |
| Sheriff posts writ on tenant’s door | Tenant has 24 hours to vacate before physical removal |
Scenario B: Tenant Deposits Rent and Contests
| Filing Step | Outcome Under Florida Law |
|---|---|
| Tenant deposits disputed rent into court registry | Case proceeds to contested hearing under § 83.60(2) |
| Landlord proves nonpayment or breach at hearing | Judge orders disbursement of registry funds and signs Form CR2E114 |
| Tenant fails to deposit ongoing rent during litigation | Landlord moves for immediate possession; judge signs Form CR2E114 without hearing |
| Judgment entered for landlord | Writ issues and sheriff executes within 24-hour notice window |
Scenario C: Holdover After Lease Expiration
| Filing Step | Outcome Under Florida Law |
|---|---|
| Lease term ends and landlord serves 15-day notice of nonrenewal under § 83.57 | Tenant must vacate by the lease end date |
| Tenant remains past lease expiration | Landlord files complaint for possession plus double rent under § 83.58 |
| Tenant fails to respond or loses on merits | Judge signs Form CR2E114 with reservation of jurisdiction for double rent |
| Writ issues and sheriff executes | Landlord pursues double rent damages on Form CR2E115 |
Named Examples From Florida Counties
Real cases show how small choices on Form CR2E114 produce big consequences. The three examples below come from typical fact patterns Florida county judges see every week.
Example 1: Sofia Martinez in Miami-Dade
Sofia Martinez owns a duplex in Hialeah. Her tenant stopped paying rent in March. Sofia served a three-day notice under § 83.56(3), filed a complaint on day five, and won a default. She filled out Form CR2E114 listing the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, the correct case number, and her tenant’s full legal name. She reserved jurisdiction for damages. The judge signed within 48 hours, and the Miami-Dade Clerk issued the writ the same day. Sofia recovered possession in 22 days from filing.
Example 2: Robert Chen in Hillsborough
Robert Chen manages a Tampa condo. His tenant violated the lease by keeping an unauthorized pit bull. Robert served a seven-day cure notice under § 83.56(2)(b). The tenant did not cure, so Robert filed for possession. He used Form CR2E114 but forgot to reserve jurisdiction. After the writ executed, Robert tried to recover $2,300 in cleaning costs and was forced to file a separate small claims case in Hillsborough County Court, adding 90 days to his recovery.
Example 3: Aisha Johnson in Duval
Aisha Johnson owns a single-family rental in Jacksonville. Her tenant deposited disputed rent into the Duval County registry and contested the eviction. At the hearing, Aisha proved the tenant had failed to pay full rent for three months. The judge signed Form CR2E114, ordered disbursement of the registry funds to Aisha, and reserved jurisdiction for late fees. Aisha recovered $3,400 in registry funds plus possession in 31 days.
Mistakes to Avoid
Filing errors compound quickly in eviction cases because the timeline is unforgiving. The mistakes below are the ones county judges and clerks see most often.
- Filing before the response window closes. Submitting Form CR2E114 on day four after service voids the judgment because the tenant’s five-business-day window has not expired.
- Mismatching tenant names. Listing Robert Smith in the complaint and Bob Smith in the judgment gives the tenant grounds to vacate under Rule 1.540.
- Forgetting to reserve jurisdiction. Without reservation, you cannot recover damages on Form CR2E115 in the same case.
- Combining possession and money damages on one form. Form CR2E114 is for possession only; money damages travel on Form CR2E115.
- Wrong judicial circuit number. Listing the Ninth Circuit for a Hillsborough case (which is the Thirteenth) triggers automatic clerk rejection.
- Pre-filling the date or signature. Judges reject pre-dated proposed orders, and attorneys risk bar discipline.
- Omitting the writ direction. Without the operative clause directing the clerk to issue the writ, you must file a separate motion.
- Using the residential form in a commercial case. Commercial tenancies fall under Part I of Chapter 83 and require different orders.
- Wrong property address. A missing unit number or wrong ZIP code makes the writ unenforceable by the sheriff.
- Failing to attach the proposed order to the motion for default judgment. Many Florida judges will not enter default unless the proposed final judgment accompanies the motion.
Dos and Don’ts for Form CR2E114
Florida county judges sign hundreds of these orders every week. The judges who move fastest reward filers who follow these practical rules.
Dos: – Match every name, address, and date to the complaint exactly because mismatches create vacatur grounds. – Reserve jurisdiction for damages and fees because losing the right to collect later costs months of litigation. – File the proposed order with your motion for default because most judges will not act without it. – Use the most recent form version from the Florida Courts forms portal because outdated forms get rejected. – Confirm the judicial circuit and county before filing because circuit errors are the top clerk rejection reason.
Don’ts: – Do not pre-date the order because pre-dating violates the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct. – Do not combine money damages with possession because the two remedies require separate forms. – Do not abbreviate the case number because clerks docket by the full uniform number. – Do not omit the writ direction because the clerk will not issue the writ without it. – Do not assume the tenant’s failure to deposit rent means automatic victory because the judge still reviews the complaint.
Pros and Cons of Self-Filing Form CR2E114
Many Florida landlords file evictions without an attorney. The decision has real tradeoffs.
Pros: – Cost savings of $500 to $1,500 in attorney fees because residential evictions are largely procedural. – Faster turnaround when you know the form because you do not wait on counsel’s calendar. – Direct control over the case strategy because you know the property and the tenant best. – Access to free Florida self-help resources because the courts publish detailed guides for pro se filers. – Builds repeat-filer experience for landlords with multiple properties because the procedure is identical for each unit.
Cons: – High risk of procedural error because Florida eviction law contains many strict deadlines. – No fee recovery from the tenant because § 83.48 only awards fees to prevailing attorneys, not pro se filers. – Limited ability to handle contested hearings because rules of evidence apply. – Higher chance of vacated judgments because pro se filers miss subtle defects. – Stress and time investment because each filing can consume 10 to 20 hours of work.
Court Rulings That Shape the Form
Florida appellate courts have issued several rulings that directly affect how you fill out Form CR2E114. In K.D. Lewis Enterprises Corp., Inc. v. Smith, the Fifth District Court of Appeal held that a tenant’s failure to deposit rent into the registry under § 83.60(2) waives the tenant’s defenses, allowing the landlord to file the final judgment without a hearing. This ruling is the foundation for nearly every default eviction in Florida today.
In Park Adult Residential Facility, Inc. v. Dan Designs, Inc., the Third District Court of Appeal ruled that a possession judgment entered without service of process is void and can be attacked at any time. The case underscores why every fillable field on Form CR2E114 must match the underlying service. In 590 North, LLC v. Joglar, the same court held that landlords who fail to properly serve the three-day notice cannot recover possession, even on default.
The consequence of ignoring these rulings is reversal on appeal. A common misconception is that appellate cases only affect contested evictions. They affect every eviction, including the ones that look routine.
County-Specific Nuances
Each Florida county clerk runs intake slightly differently. The five highest-volume counties illustrate the range of practice.
In Miami-Dade, the Clerk of Courts requires e-filing through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and rejects paper proposed orders. In Broward, the Clerk requires a separate cover sheet identifying the proposed order. In Orange, the Ninth Judicial Circuit routes proposed orders through a dedicated eviction division for faster processing. In Hillsborough, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit requires a hearing for any contested case, even if the tenant only files a notice of appearance. In Duval, the Fourth Judicial Circuit accepts proposed orders by email to the judge’s chambers after the motion is filed.
The consequence of ignoring local practice is delay. A common misconception is that statewide rules eliminate county variation. They do not. Local administrative orders shape every step of the process.
FAQs
Is Form CR2E114 the same as a writ of possession?
No. Form CR2E114 is the final judgment that authorizes the writ. The clerk issues the separate writ of possession after the judge signs the final judgment, and the sheriff executes the writ.
Can I fill out Form CR2E114 without an attorney?
Yes. Florida allows pro se landlords to file evictions, including the final judgment. However, business entities like LLCs must generally appear through counsel under Florida law.
Does the judge always sign Form CR2E114 the same day?
No. Judicial review can take 24 hours to two weeks depending on county workload, contested status, and whether the proposed order contains errors that require correction.
Can a tenant appeal a final judgment entered on Form CR2E114?
Yes. Tenants have 30 days to appeal under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.110, but they must post a bond covering accrued and ongoing rent to stay execution of the writ.
Do I need to attach exhibits to Form CR2E114?
No. The lease, notice, and supporting documents go with the complaint, not the final judgment. The judgment itself stays clean and references the underlying record.
Can I recover attorney’s fees using Form CR2E114?
Yes. If the lease contains a prevailing-party fees clause and you reserve jurisdiction, you can recover fees on a separate Form CR2E115 motion after the possession judgment.
Does Form CR2E114 work for mobile home park evictions?
No. Mobile home park evictions fall under Florida Statutes Chapter 723 and require a different set of forms because the substantive rights and notice periods differ from Chapter 83.
Can I e-file Form CR2E114 in every Florida county?
Yes. All 67 Florida counties accept e-filing through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, and many counties (including Miami-Dade) require it for attorneys and strongly prefer it for pro se filers.
Will the sheriff remove the tenant the same day the judge signs?
No. After the judge signs Form CR2E114, the clerk issues the writ, the sheriff posts it, and only then does the 24-hour countdown begin before physical removal.
Can I use Form CR2E114 to evict an unauthorized occupant who never signed a lease?
No. Unauthorized occupants without a landlord-tenant relationship require an unlawful detainer action under Florida Statutes Chapter 82, which uses different forms and procedures.
What happens if the tenant moves out before the writ is executed?
Yes, you still keep the judgment. The final judgment remains valid, and you can use it to support a money damages action under Form CR2E115 for back rent and property damage.
Can I amend Form CR2E114 after the judge signs it?
Yes. You can move to amend under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.540 for clerical errors, but substantive amendments require a new motion and possibly a new hearing.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 1.922 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form CR2E040 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form CR2E085 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form CR2E147 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 1.923 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form CR2E047 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form 12.930(d) (w/Examples) + FAQs