- Claim limit
- $20,000
- Court
- Justice Court
- File online
- Yes (statewide)
- Appeal window
- 21 days
Common questions
Step 1 — Which court do I file in?
Texas small claims cases go to Justice Court in the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute arose. Pick your county below.
Step 2 — What form do I file?
Your county's claim form (Statement of Claim, Complaint, or Petition). We complete it with your claim in the language the court expects.
Step 3 — What does it cost?
A filing fee set by your county, plus a small service fee. Your county page shows the current amounts.
Step 4 — How is the defendant served?
The plaintiff pays for service; the court or clerk issues the citation after filing, then the plaintiff chooses the method (usually the constable). Clerks do not perform physical service.
Step 5 — What happens at the hearing?
Texas uses a Trial. Bring your documents and be ready to explain what happened. We give you a checklist of what to bring.
Serving the defendant
The plaintiff pays for service; the court or clerk issues the citation after filing, then the plaintiff chooses the method (usually the constable). Clerks do not perform physical service.
- 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.
Pick your county to start
Small claims is filed at the county level. Pick your county for its court, fee, and forms — or start your claim and we'll ask where you'd sue.
Start my claimYour small claims filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Your court's own forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with your court'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 Texas judiciary self-help resources and each county's clerk of court 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.