Texas Counties
Find small claims court information for Texas counties
Texas County Courts
254 counties with Justice of the Peace Courts
Understanding Texas Courts
Justice of the Peace (JP) Courts handle small claims in Texas. Each county is divided into precincts, each with its own JP court. File in the precinct where the defendant lives or where the obligation was to be performed. Texas has a high small claims limit of $20,000.
Major County Courts
Harris County
Pop: 4.7MJustice of the Peace Courts
Houston area; largest county in Texas
Dallas County
Pop: 2.6MJustice of the Peace Courts
Dallas area; multiple precincts
Tarrant County
Pop: 2.1MJustice of the Peace Courts
Fort Worth area
Bexar County
Pop: 2.0MJustice of the Peace Courts
San Antonio area
Travis County
Pop: 1.3MJustice of the Peace Courts
Austin area; state capital
Collin County
Pop: 1.1MJustice of the Peace Courts
North Dallas suburbs; Plano, McKinney
Find Your Local JP Court
Use the Texas Courts Online directory to find the Justice of the Peace court for your location and precinct.
Texas Court DirectoryFiling Tips for Texas
No Attorneys Allowed
In Texas small claims court, attorneys cannot represent parties unless both sides agree. You represent yourself.
Venue Rules
File in the precinct where the defendant resides OR where the obligation was to be performed.
Service by Constable
Texas typically uses constables or sheriffs for service of process. The court clerk can help arrange this.
Appeals
Either party can appeal to County Court within 21 days. An appeal results in a new trial (de novo).
County information is for reference only. Always verify current procedures and contact information with the specific court. Links to external websites are provided for convenience and do not constitute endorsement.