LegalCostCalculator
Updated September 2026 Dallas County, TX Justice Court

Dallas County, TX Small Claims Court (2026)

Sue for up to $20,000 in Texas Justice Court — no attorney required. Court address in Dallas, filing fees, service costs, and step-by-step filing guide.

$20,000
Claim limit
$46-$161
Filing fee
30-60 days
Hearing wait
4 yrs
Written contract SOL
LegalCostCalculator Editorial Team Data sourced from official government websites  ·  Last reviewed:

Not legal advice. Court addresses, fees, and procedures are sourced from official Texas court websites and state statutes. Verify current information with the Dallas County JP Court before filing. Fees and rules can change. See our data methodology →

Dallas County Justice Court — Precinct 1 (Central)

Address

600 Commerce St.
Dallas, TX 75202

Contact & Hours

Phone: (214) 653-5699
Mon—Fri: 8:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.
Closed state holidays

Filing Fee Schedule

Up to $200: $46
$201-$1,000: $71
$1,001-$5,000: $101
$5,001-$10,000: $131
$10,001-$20,000: $161

Service of Process

Constable/Sheriff: $75-$125
Private server: $75-$150
Certified mail (judge approval): $10-$15

Texas Justice Courts — official info (txcourts.gov)
File in the right precinct — Dallas County has 8 JP courts

Dallas County has 8 Justice of the Peace precincts. You must file in the precinct where the defendant lives, where the contract was signed, or where the incident occurred. Filing in the wrong precinct will result in dismissal or transfer. Call (214) 653-5699 to confirm which precinct covers the defendant's address before visiting.

How to File Small Claims in Dallas County, TX

1
Confirm your claim is $20,000 or under
Texas Justice Court handles money disputes up to $20,000. You cannot reduce a larger claim to qualify. Claims above $20,000 go to the Dallas County Court at Law ($20,001-$250,000), which requires more formal procedures.
2
Find the correct JP precinct
Call (214) 653-5699 or visit the clerk at 600 Commerce St. to confirm which of Dallas County's 8 JP precincts covers the defendant's address. Filing in the wrong precinct leads to dismissal. The central courthouse at 600 Commerce handles downtown Dallas and surrounding areas.
3
Complete Form SC-100 (Statement of Claim)
Download the Texas Statement of Claim and Notice (Form SC-100) from txcourts.gov or pick one up at the clerk's window. Enter the defendant's full legal name, address, amount owed, and a brief factual reason. For businesses, use the exact registered name from the TX Secretary of State (sos.texas.gov).
4
File and pay the fee
Bring your completed SC-100 to the JP clerk at your precinct's court. Pay the filing fee ($46-$161 depending on claim amount). The clerk will assign a case number and hearing date, typically 30-60 days out.
5
Arrange constable service
Request constable service at the time of filing ($75-$125). For incorporated businesses, the constable must serve the registered agent — not a store employee. Find registered agents free at sos.texas.gov. Allow 2-3 weeks for service to complete.
6
Prepare your evidence
Three copies of all documents: contracts, texts, invoices, photos, receipts, bank records. Texas JP judges move quickly — organize your case around a clear timeline: what was agreed, what happened, and what dollar amount you're owed.
7
Attend your hearing in Dallas
Arrive at your precinct court 15 minutes early. Hearings run in quick succession. When called, state your name and case number, present your evidence, and request judgment for the amount owed plus court costs. Judges typically rule the same day.

Texas Statute of Limitations — Time Limits to File

Claim Type Time Limit Texas Code
Written contracts4 yearsCPRC § 16.004
Oral contracts4 yearsCPRC § 16.004
Property damage2 yearsCPRC § 16.003
Personal injury2 yearsCPRC § 16.003
Bad checks (triple damages)2 yearsCPRC § 16.003

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the small claims limit in Dallas County, TX?
The small claims limit in Dallas County, TX is $20,000 — the Texas statewide limit for Justice Court under Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031. Claims above $20,000 go to the Dallas County Court at Law (for $20,001-$250,000), where legal representation is strongly recommended.
Where do I file small claims in Dallas County?
File at the Dallas County Justice Court for the precinct where the defendant lives or does business. The central filing location is at 600 Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75202 (George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building). Dallas County has 8 precincts — verify which covers the defendant's address before filing. Call (214) 653-5699 to confirm.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Dallas County?
Texas Justice Court filing fees are set by state law (Tex. Gov't Code § 118.121): $46 for claims up to $200; $71 for $201-$1,000; $101 for $1,001-$5,000; $131 for $5,001-$10,000; $161 for $10,001-$20,000. Constable service adds $75-$125 per defendant. Total upfront cost: $121-$286.
What form do I need to file small claims in Texas?
Download Form SC-100 (Statement of Claim and Notice) from the Texas Office of Court Administration at txcourts.gov, or pick one up at the JP court clerk's window. Enter the defendant's full legal name, address, and the factual basis for your claim.
How long does a small claims case take in Dallas County?
Dallas County Justice Court cases are typically scheduled 30-60 days after filing. You'll receive your hearing date at the time of filing. The court processes cases Mon—Fri during regular hours — budget 4-6 weeks for a hearing date.
Can I sue a business in Dallas County Justice Court?
Yes. Businesses (LLCs, corporations, sole proprietors) can be sued in Dallas County Justice Court. For LLCs and corporations, you must name and serve the registered agent — not a store manager. Look up registered agents free at the Texas Secretary of State website (sos.texas.gov).
Best Seller

Small Claims Demand Letter Template

$14
instant download
See exactly what you get →

A professionally written demand letter template that puts the other party on notice before you file. Courts expect a demand letter before you sue — and it gets you paid 40% of the time without ever stepping foot in a courtroom. Works in all 50 states.

Lawyer-written letter
$300+
This download
$14
You keep
$286+
  • 6 variants included: General, Landlord/Tenant, Contractor, Unpaid Loan, Property Damage, Follow-Up Notice
  • Fillable HTML — open in any browser, click fields to type, print to PDF when done
  • Editable Word (.docx) — fill in Microsoft Word using Find & Replace
  • Certified mail instructions included — how to send, what to keep as proof
  • Instant download — ready to fill in and send today
HTMLWord (.docx)
Send My Demand Letter — $14 Or get My Complete Kit — $39.99$48

Code SUMMER20 = 20% off at checkout

Secure checkout via Payhip · Instant delivery · 30-day guarantee

Trusted by millions

Ready to File? Prepare Your Documents First

LegalZoom helps you draft a demand letter and small claims filing forms — reviewed by attorneys. A strong demand letter resolves many disputes before you set foot in court.

A local attorney bills $300+/hour for this. LegalZoom does it flat-fee, online.

41M+ customers
Prepare My Documents →

Related Legal Cost Calculators

Small Claims Filing Fees Look up the exact court filing fees to start a small claims case in your state.
How to Collect a Judgment Wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens — state-by-state enforcement guides.
LLC Formation Costs Compare LLC filing fees, annual report fees, and publication costs by state.
Divorce Filing Fees Estimate the court costs to file for divorce, including service and surcharge fees.
Notary Fees Find the maximum notary fee allowed by law in your state for any document type.
Buy us a coffee