How to file small claims in Texas
Sue for up to $20,000 in the Justice Court (Justice of the Peace); filing fee around $54.
Texas Justice Courts hear small claims up to $20,000 — one of the nation's highest limits. Lawyers are allowed and either side can appeal for a new trial.
- Dollar limit: $20,000 — $20,000 (exclusive of interest and costs) in the Justice Court small-claims docket — one of the highest caps in the country.
- Filing fee: $54 — Roughly $54 to file plus service costs (about $80 with citation/service); varies by county.
- Where to file: Justice Court (Justice of the Peace)
- Lawyers at the hearing: allowed
- Confirm your claim is at or under the dollar limit and within the statute of limitations for your claim type.
- Send a written demand letter first — most courts expect it, and it often gets you paid without filing.
- Get the correct filing form (often a "Statement of Claim" or "Plaintiff's Claim") from the Justice Court clerk or the court's website.
- File the form with the Justice Court for the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, and pay the filing fee.
- Arrange service of process so the defendant is officially notified (by the sheriff, certified mail, or a process server, per local rules).
- Gather your evidence — contract, texts, photos, receipts, the demand letter — and bring organized copies to your hearing.
- Show up on your court date and present your case; if you win, ask the judge how to collect the judgment.
- In Texas you may bring a lawyer, and either side can appeal to county court for a new trial within 21 days.
What are you suing for?
Source: Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031. Reviewed 2026-06-17.
Nearby states: New Mexico ($10,000) · Oklahoma ($10,000) · Louisiana ($5,000) · Arkansas ($5,000).
General legal information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by county and court; consult a licensed attorney or your court clerk.
Updated July 2026