Dallas County Small Claims Filing Fee

Filing fee

$54

Claim limit

$20,000

Service per defendant

$80

Pay online

Yes

The costs that are not the filing fee

Filing is the first charge, not the only one. Dallas County also charges:

• Constable service of process per defendant: $80
• Certified mail service per defendant: $18.91
• Additional defendant small claims or eviction: $80
• Total to file and serve one defendant: $134
• Subpoena service fee per witness: $80
• Witness fee cash per subpoena: $10
• Appeal filing fee: $64
• Transcript fee for appeal: $10
• Abstract of judgment: $5
• Jury demand: $22
• Certified exemplified copies per document: $5
• Copies first page: $1
• Copies each additional page: $0.25
• Writ of execution: $400
• Writ of garnishment: $400
• Writ of attachment: $300
• Writ of possession: $400

None of these are optional once the case is moving, and all of them are recoverable in the judgment if you win. They are simply not quoted at the counter when you ask what it costs to file.

Fees change — confirm the current amount with the clerk at 972-228-0280 before you file.

What it costs to serve the defendant

Dallas County charges $80 per defendant for service. That is on top of the filing fee, and you pay it for each person or business you are suing.

• Sheriff or constable (for a fee, per county constable fee schedule)
• Private process server certified under order of the Texas Supreme Court
• Clerk of the court by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested
• Any other person authorized by written court order who is 18 or older and not a party to or interested in the outcome (Tex. R. Civ. P. 501.2)

Service by certified mail is not complete unless the return receipt is signed by the addressee; an unsigned or unreturned green card will stall the case.

How this clerk takes payment

Dallas County Justice of the Peace Courts accepts:

• Cash
• Check, money order, or cashier's check made payable to Dallas County
• Credit or debit card through the EFileTexas.gov e-filing portal at the time of e-filing

Filing through eFileTexas.gov (Odyssey File & Serve) / Guide & File self-help interview takes card payment at the time you file.

Common questions

How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Dallas County?

$54 to file, plus $80 per defendant for service. Fees change — confirm the current amount with the clerk at 972-228-0280 before you file.

Can I get the filing fee back if I win?

Court costs, including the filing fee and service, are normally included in the judgment you ask for. Getting them back still depends on collecting the judgment.

What if I cannot afford the filing fee in Dallas County?

Courts have a fee-waiver application for filers below an income threshold. Dallas County's self-help center can point you at it. We cannot tell you whether you qualify.

How do I pay the Dallas County filing fee?

Dallas County Justice of the Peace Courts takes 3 forms of payment, listed above.