Legal Costs in Houston, TX (2026)
Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in Houston — all sourced from official Texas state records.
Houston is a city in Harris County, Texas. Whether you're starting a business, filing a small claims case, or going through a divorce, the fees you pay are set at the Texas state level — not the city or county level — with limited exceptions for county-specific court fees. Forming an LLC costs $300 in state filing fees. Small claims cases can be filed for disputes up to $20,000 in the Justice Court. Divorce filing fees in Texas start at $300. All figures on this page are verified from official Texas government sources and updated for 2026.
Form an LLC in Houston, TX
To form an LLC with a Houston address, you file with the Texas Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $300. Standard processing takes 5 business days.
0| State filing fee | $300 |
| Annual report fee | None |
| Standard processing | 5 business days |
| Expedited processing | 1 |
| Publication cost | Not required |
Form Your Houston LLC Today
Skip the paperwork. A trusted formation service files your Texas LLC — starting from $300 + service fee.
Small Claims Court in Houston
Small claims cases in Houston are heard at the Justice Court in Harris County. The maximum you can sue for is $20,000. Filing fees range from $54–$121 depending on the claim amount.
| Court name | Justice Court |
| Filing location | Harris County |
| Maximum claim limit | $20,000 |
| Filing fee | $54–$121 |
| Written contract SOL | 4 years |
| Oral contract SOL | 4 years |
Where to File in Houston
Always call ahead to verify hours and accepted payment methods before visiting. Hours may vary on holidays.
Sue Someone in Houston? Prepare Your Documents First
LegalZoom helps you draft a demand letter and small claims filing forms for Texas — reviewed by attorneys. Most disputes settle after a proper written demand.
Filing for Divorce in Houston
Divorce petitions in Houston are filed at the Harris County courthouse. The Harris County court divorce filing fee is $350 (or $365 with minor children). Sheriff service costs $75. Texas requires divorcing parents with minor children to complete a parenting class.
We have verified divorce filing fees specifically for Harris County. See full Harris County divorce fee details →
| Filing location | Harris County Courthouse |
| Filing fee | $350 (Harris County) |
| Fee with minor children | $365 |
| Sheriff service fee | $75 |
| Children surcharge | $20 |
| Parenting class | Required (if children) |
| Certified copy fee | $10 |
File Your Texas Divorce Online
LegalZoom prepares every form for an uncontested Texas divorce — reviewed by attorneys. Starting from $499.
Find a Notary in Houston, TX
Texas caps notary fees at $10 per notarial act ($25 for remote online notarization). Common places to find a notary in Houston: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.
Texas also allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) — get documents notarized via video call from anywhere, capped at $25. Useful if you can't travel to a Houston notary in person.
| Acknowledgment fee cap | $10 |
| Jurat fee cap | $10 |
| RON (remote online) | $25 |
| State fee law | Yes — fee cap enforced |
Get a Document Notarized Online in Houston
Proof lets you notarize documents remotely via video call — no travel required. Fast, legal, and accepted in all 50 states.