The Harris County forms you need
Harris County requires 2 forms to open a small claims case:
- Small Claims Petition (Harris County JP)
- Justice Court Civil Case Information Sheet (OCA, Rule 502)
We keep the current Harris County versions. The forms are not the hard part — filling them out is. The claim has to describe what happened in the language the court expects, and that is where most first-time filers get sent home to try again.
- Claim limit
- $20,000
- Filing fee
- $54
- Court
- Justice Court
- File online
- Yes
Where to file these forms
Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts
7300 North Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX 77091
713-274-0695
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday (excluding county holidays)
- In person at the Justice Court of the precinct and place with proper venue
- By mail to that Justice Court
- Electronically via eFileTexas.gov
Walk-in filing is available at 8 locations: Precinct 1, Precinct 2, Precinct 3, Precinct 4, Precinct 5, Precinct 6, Precinct 7, Precinct 8.
Common questions
What forms do I need for small claims in Harris County?
Harris County requires: Small Claims Petition (Harris County JP); Justice Court Civil Case Information Sheet (OCA, Rule 502). File them at Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts.
Where do I file small claims forms in Harris County?
Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts, 7300 North Shepherd Dr., Houston. You may also be able to file online.
How much does it cost to file in Harris County?
The filing fee is $54, plus $85 per defendant for service. Fees change — confirm with the clerk at 713-274-0695.
The Harris County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both Harris County forms, completed with your claim in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your hearing
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-20 · Sourced from jp.hctx.net (Harris County Justice Courts), txcourts.gov, and statutes.capitol.texas.gov and Tex. Gov't Code Ch. 27 (Justice Courts) — §27.031 (civil jurisdiction, $20,000), §27.031(d) (corporation need not be represented by attorney), §27.060 (small claims). See how we verify.