Texas Small Claims Court

How it works in Texas

1. Choose the right justice court, usually the county and precinct where the defendant lives, where the events happened, or where a contract was to be performed.
2. File a small claims petition on paper or through the eFileTexas guided form, and pay the fees or file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs.
3. Have the citation and petition served on the defendant. You can’t serve them yourself.
4. The defendant’s answer is due by the end of the 14th day after being served.
5. To get a jury, file a written demand at least 14 days before trial, with a $22 fee or a Statement of Inability.
6. Bring your documents and witnesses to trial.

What it costs

About $54 plus a service fee of about $80 per defendant in the county schedules checked. Varies by county

How long you have to sue

Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 16.003, 16.004, 16.051. These are general limits. The clock can start late, pause or be much shorter, as it is for claims against a government agency.

If you lose

Either side can appeal to county court for a new trial by filing a bond, cash deposit or Statement of Inability within 21 days after the judgment is signed or a new-trial motion is denied, if more than $250 is at stake.

Official links

• Texas small claims self-help
• Court forms
• Find your court