Question 1 of 8. Carries forward to the intake.
- Claim limit
- $20,000
- Filing fee
- $54
- Court
- Justice Court
- File online
- Yes
Tarrant County filing fees
Source: tarrantcountytx.gov (Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts, Precinct 1 and Precinct 5 filing fee schedule effective 2026-01-01), txcourts.gov, and statutes.capitol.texas.gov
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| Under $20,000 | $54 |
Fees change. Confirm the current amount with the clerk at 817-884-1395 before you file.
Where to file
Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts
100 W. Weatherford St., Room 450, Fort Worth, TX 76196
817-884-1395
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday
- Electronically via eFileTexas.gov — e-filing is mandatory for all filings in the Tarrant County Justice Courts (effective August 1, 2021)
- Guide & File guided-interview petition through eFileTexas (self-represented filers)
- A filer using a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs files directly through eFileTexas rather than Guide & File
Walk-in filing is available at 8 locations: Precinct 1, Precinct 2, Precinct 3, Precinct 4, Precinct 5, Precinct 6, Precinct 7, Precinct 8.
The forms you need
Tarrant County requires 2 forms to open a small claims case:
- Small Claims Petition (Tarrant County JP1)
- Justice Court Civil Case Information Sheet (OCA, Rule 502)
We keep the current Tarrant County versions of both. The forms are not the hard part — filling them out is. The Statement of 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.
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.
Why not just download the free form?
The forms are free. Why pay?
The forms are free. Knowing what to write in them is not. Most rejected filings are rejected on the claim narrative, not the paperwork.
Can't I just hire a lawyer?
Most attorneys will not take a $20,000 case, and the ones who will cost more than the claim.
What if I get it wrong?
You refile and pay the fee again. That is the actual cost of guessing.
What happens next
Your trial is scheduled after the defendant is served. If the defendant loses, they have 14 days to move for a new trial and 21 days to appeal.
The Tarrant County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both Tarrant County forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- Filing checklist with this court's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your trial
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Tarrant County?
A flat $54 to file, regardless of the amount you are claiming, plus $90 per defendant for service.
What is the small claims limit in Tarrant County?
$20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs, but including attorney fees, if any.
Where do I file a small claims case in Tarrant County?
Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts, 100 W. Weatherford St., Room 450, Fort Worth. Also at Precinct 2, Precinct 3, Precinct 4, Precinct 5, Precinct 6, Precinct 7, Precinct 8. You can also file online.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Tarrant County?
No. Small claims is designed for people to represent themselves.
Who serves 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.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-20 · Sourced from tarrantcountytx.gov (Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts, Precinct 1 and Precinct 5 filing fee schedule effective 2026-01-01), 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.