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Florida interrogatory response deadline
In Florida, a party served with interrogatories generally has 30 days to serve written answers and objections — 45 days if they were served together with the original process.
Estimates based on standard Florida rules and federal-holiday closures; not legal advice. Confirm against your specific case, local administrative orders, and the current rules.
How the deadline works
Under Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.340(a), answers and objections to interrogatories are due within 30 days after service. A defendant served with interrogatories at the same time as the original process gets 45 days, measured from service of process, so that early discovery does not run before a responsive pleading is even due.
The count follows Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.514: exclude the day of service, count intervening weekends and holidays, and roll a final weekend/holiday day to the next business day. When the interrogatories were served by mail, Rule 2.514(b) adds 5 days to the period; e-service through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal adds nothing.
- Served with the complaint? Use the 45-day period measured from service of process, not 30 days.
- Served by mail? Add 5 days under Rule 2.514(b). Select “Service by mail” above and the calculator applies it.
- Objections Grounds for objection must be stated in lieu of an answer; objections not timely raised may be waived.
Questions
- How long do I have to answer interrogatories in Florida?
- Generally 30 days after service under Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.340(a). A defendant served with interrogatories together with the complaint has 45 days, measured from service of process.
- Does service by mail change the interrogatory deadline?
- Yes. Under Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.514(b), 5 days are added when the interrogatories were served by mail. Service through the e-filing portal does not add days.
- What if I do not respond in time?
- The serving party can move to compel under Rule 1.380, and the court may award fees or impose other sanctions. Objections you failed to raise on time may be deemed waived.