Short answer. In Texas, small claims court covers claims up to $20,000. Where to file: County and precinct where the defendant resides, where the incident occurred, where the contract was to be performed, or (to recover personal property) where the property is located; if the defendant is a nonresident or residence unknown, where the plaintiff resides (TRCP 502.4). The fee to start a case is $54.
Can I file my claim in Texas small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Texas limit of $20,000.
Need the other side served? Process serving with an affidavit of service.
Texas small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $20,000. Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 500.1(a) (rules updated as of January 1, 2026) and Gov't Code 27.031: a small claims case can be for no more than $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees. Texas State Law Library: you cannot reduce a larger claim to fit. Justice courts also hear evictions and repair orders under separate rules.
- Court
- Justice Court (Small Claims Case)
- Who can file
- Individuals may represent themselves or use an attorney; the court may allow a family member or uncompensated person to assist. Corporations/entities may be represented by a non-attorney employee, owner, officer or partner, or by an attorney (TRCP 500.3). An authorized agent may not represent a party in a small claims case.
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Where to file
- County and precinct where the defendant resides, where the incident occurred, where the contract was to be performed, or (to recover personal property) where the property is located; if the defendant is a nonresident or residence unknown, where the plaintiff resides (TRCP 502.4). Electronic filing is allowed if the court allows it (TRCP 502.1).
- Serving the other side
- Sheriff or constable, certified process server, the clerk by registered or certified mail (restricted delivery, return receipt requested), or a court-authorized person 18+; no party or interested person may serve (TRCP 501.2).
- Appeal
- Within 21 days after judgment is signed (or after denial of a motion to reinstate, set aside or for new trial), file an appeal bond, cash deposit, or Statement of Inability; case goes to county court for a new trial (de novo). Plaintiff's bond $500; defendant's bond twice the judgment. Only judgments or disputes over $250 (excluding costs) can be appealed (TRCP 506; Texas State Law Library).
Texas filing fees
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee, every Texas justice court (civil cases, including small claims, since January 1, 2022) | $54 | Service of the citation is extra and set by each county: Wheeler County charges $100 per defendant. |
The $54 civil filing fee is the same in every justice court since January 1, 2022 (Wheeler County and Jefferson County justice courts both state it). Serving the defendant costs extra and is set by each county's constable or sheriff. A Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs may be filed.
Want us to handle it?
A runner files your papers in person at the clerk's window and sends you a scan of the stamped copy. We file what you prepared; we don't give legal advice.
Price: Outside New Jersey it goes through our contractor network: quote-based, confirmed before any work starts, and booked once a local contractor accepts. In New Jersey it is from $75 per filing, court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay.
Filing a small claim in Texas, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Texas limit is $20,000, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos.
- Pick the right courtCounty and precinct where the defendant resides, where the incident occurred, where the contract was to be performed, or (to recover personal property) where the property is located; if the defendant is a nonresident or residence unknown, where the plaintiff resides (TRCP 502.4). Electronic filing is allowed if the court allows it (TRCP 502.1).
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeThe filing fee in Texas is $54, depending on the claim. The $54 civil filing fee is the same in every justice court since January 1, 2022 (Wheeler County and Jefferson County justice courts both state it). Serving the defendant costs extra and is set by each county's constable or sheriff. A Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs may be filed. Online filing: see the official link below.
- Have the other side servedSheriff or constable, certified process server, the clerk by registered or certified mail (restricted delivery, return receipt requested), or a court-authorized person 18+; no party or interested person may serve (TRCP 501.2).
- Get ready for the hearingLawyers: allowed. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side.
- After the decisionWithin 21 days after judgment is signed (or after denial of a motion to reinstate, set aside or for new trial), file an appeal bond, cash deposit, or Statement of Inability; case goes to county court for a new trial (de novo). Plaintiff's bond $500; defendant's bond twice the judgment. Only judgments or disputes over $250 (excluding costs) can be appealed (TRCP 506; Texas State Law Library).
Official Texas links
- Texas small claims self-help page
- Texas online filing
- Texas State Law Library: Small Claims Maximum (FAQ, updated Nov 25, 2025)
- Texas State Law Library: Appealing a Case
- Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (updated as of Jan 1, 2026), posted by Harris County Justice Courts
- Wheeler County Justice Court: civil cases ("The filing fee for all Civil cases is now $54.00 effective January 1, 2022"; service $100 per defendant)
- Jefferson County Justice of the Peace: Small Claims Court in Texas ($54 filing; $154 with service in the county)
- Texas State Law Library: Can I file my small claims case online? (many justice courts accept eFileTexas filings; self-help guided interview; updated March 7, 2024)
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Texas pages above, not legal advice. MCC Solutions isn't a law firm and isn't affiliated with any court. Rules and fees change: the official page and the clerk have the final word. The checker runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent or saved.
Texas small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Texas?
$20,000. Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 500.1(a) (rules updated as of January 1, 2026) and Gov't Code 27.031: a small claims case can be for no more than $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees. Texas State Law Library: you cannot reduce a larger claim to fit. Justice courts also hear evictions and repair orders under separate rules.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Texas?
Filing fee, every Texas justice court (civil cases, including small claims, since January 1, 2022): $54 (Service of the citation is extra and set by each county: Wheeler County charges $100 per defendant.). The $54 civil filing fee is the same in every justice court since January 1, 2022 (Wheeler County and Jefferson County justice courts both state it). Serving the defendant costs extra and is set by each county's constable or sheriff. A Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs may be filed.
Can a lawyer represent me in Texas small claims?
Allowed in Texas, per the official page. Individuals may represent themselves or use an attorney; the court may allow a family member or uncompensated person to assist. Corporations/entities may be represented by a non-attorney employee, owner, officer or partner, or by an attorney (TRCP 500.3). An authorized agent may not represent a party in a small claims case.
Where do I file a small claim in Texas?
County and precinct where the defendant resides, where the incident occurred, where the contract was to be performed, or (to recover personal property) where the property is located; if the defendant is a nonresident or residence unknown, where the plaintiff resides (TRCP 502.4). Electronic filing is allowed if the court allows it (TRCP 502.1).
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Texas?
Within 21 days after judgment is signed (or after denial of a motion to reinstate, set aside or for new trial), file an appeal bond, cash deposit, or Statement of Inability; case goes to county court for a new trial (de novo). Plaintiff's bond $500; defendant's bond twice the judgment. Only judgments or disputes over $250 (excluding costs) can be appealed (TRCP 506; Texas State Law Library).
How is the other side served in a Texas small claims case?
Sheriff or constable, certified process server, the clerk by registered or certified mail (restricted delivery, return receipt requested), or a court-authorized person 18+; no party or interested person may serve (TRCP 501.2).
Compare every state: small claims limits by state · South Dakota small claims · Utah small claims