Dallas County Small Claims Court: How to File, Fees, and Court Locations
Filing a Small Claim in Dallas County
Small claims cases in Dallas County go through the Justice of the Peace Courts. The county has multiple JP precincts — venue generally lies in the precinct where the defendant resides, where a tort occurred or contract was breached, or as otherwise allowed under CPRC Chapter 15 and TRCP 502.4.
Each precinct has its own courthouse and its own JP judge. Dallas County's court locator tool can help you match a street address to the correct precinct. A defendant can object to an improper venue, so confirm the correct precinct before filing.
Fee Breakdown
Dallas County small claims costs for a single defendant:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base filing fee | $54 |
| Constable service (1 defendant) | $80 |
| Total | $134 |
| Additional defendant service | $80 each |
| Jury demand | $22 |
| Subpoena issuance + service | $80 + $10 cash witness fee |
| Counterclaim filing fee | $54 |
| Writ of execution/garnishment | $350–$400 + filing fee |
E-filing adds roughly $5 plus credit card processing. Paper filing at the clerk's counter avoids the portal fee.
If you qualify, file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs to waive the filing fee, constable service fee, and jury fee.
How to File
Gather your documentation first. Before you file, assemble the contract, invoices, text messages, photos, or other evidence that supports your claim. You generally don't need to submit all supporting evidence with the petition, but you need it organized for the hearing.
Pick the right form. Use the Small Claims Petition for an ordinary unpaid invoice owed directly to an original service provider. Rule 508's Debt Claim track covers claims by assignees and debt collectors as well as financial institutions and entities whose business involves extending credit.
Complete the petition. You'll need the defendant's full legal name (check SOSDirect if you're suing a business), the precinct number, a brief description of the facts, the dollar amount (up to $20,000), and a military service status declaration.
Submit through eFileTexas or at the counter. Self-represented filers can use either option. For in-person filing, bring the original petition plus two copies per defendant.
Pay the fees. Filing and constable service fees are due together. The clerk issues a citation, and a Dallas County constable delivers it to the defendant.
Free Download
Get the Texas Small Claims Filing Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
Timeline After Filing
The defendant has 14 calendar days from the date of service to file a written answer. If they miss that deadline, you can ask for a default judgment after the return of service has been on file for at least 6 calendar days, excluding the day it is filed and the day judgment is signed.
When both sides show up, expect an informal hearing. Dallas County JP judges often run a brief mediation attempt on the morning of trial before calling the case. The formal Rules of Evidence don't apply, though the judge controls the proceeding and can enforce specific rules.
Print every piece of evidence and bring three copies — one for you, one for the judge, and one for the opposing party. Judges in Dallas County JP courts have specifically noted that they won't accept evidence shown on a phone screen.
Get the Full Process
The Texas Small Claims Filing Guide walks through every step from the demand letter through the hearing, with a deadline calendar and a service tracking log that works for all Dallas County precincts.
Get Your Free Texas Small Claims Filing Checklist
Download the Texas Small Claims Filing Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.