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Created May 2026 · Reviewed and verified October 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
$54
Filing fee
$80
Constable service
4 yrs
Written contract SOL
LegalCostCalculator Editorial Team Data sourced from official government websites  ·  Created  ·  Reviewed and verified

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

Example court: Dallas County Justice of the Peace 3-1

Address

North Dallas Government Center
6820 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy., Suite 3100
Dallas, TX 75240

Contact & Hours

Phone: (214) 321-4106
Mon—Fri: 8:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.
Other precincts: see dallascounty.org

Filing Fee Schedule

Any claim up to $20,000: $54
Filing + constable service (1 defendant): $134
Effective January 1, 2026

Service of Process

Constable, in Dallas County: $80 per defendant
Certified mail: $18.91 per defendant
Registered mail: $25.01 per defendant

Dallas County JP 3-1 fee schedule (dallascounty.org)
File in the right precinct

Dallas County has Justice of the Peace courts in several precincts. File in the precinct where the defendant lives, unless another venue rule applies (for example, where the contract was to be performed). A case filed in the wrong precinct can be transferred or dismissed. Call the court before you file to confirm it covers the defendant's address.

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
Use the Justice of the Peace court list on dallascounty.org to find the precinct that covers the defendant's address, then call that court to confirm before filing.
3
Complete a Small Claims Petition
Get the Small Claims Petition form from the court's web page or the clerk. Enter the defendant's full legal name, address, the amount owed, and a brief factual reason. For businesses, use the exact registered name from the Texas Secretary of State (sos.texas.gov).
4
File and pay the fee
File in person, by mail, or by e-filing (JP 3-1 accepts all three). Pay the $54 filing fee, or $134 to include constable service on one Dallas County defendant. The clerk assigns a case number.
5
Arrange constable service
Request constable service at the time of filing ($80 per defendant in Dallas County). 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 of the Peace court for the precinct where the defendant lives (other venue rules can apply, such as where the contract was to be performed). Dallas County lists every JP court on dallascounty.org. Example: JP 3-1, North Dallas Government Center, 6820 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75240, (214) 321-4106. Call the court to confirm it covers the defendant's address.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Dallas County?
The small claims filing fee is $54 for any claim up to $20,000 (Dallas County JP fee schedule, effective January 1, 2026). Constable service on each defendant inside Dallas County is $80, so filing plus service on one defendant is $134. Service by certified mail costs $18.91 per defendant. The $54 is set by state law: a $21 state fee (Local Gov't Code § 133.151) plus a $33 local fee (§ 135.103).
What form do I need to file small claims in Texas?
Use a Small Claims Petition. Texas justice courts accept the standard petition form posted on the Dallas County JP court pages and available from the clerk. Enter the defendant's full legal name and address, the amount you are claiming, and the basis for your claim.
How long does a small claims case take in Dallas County?
After the defendant is served, they have 14 days to file an answer (Tex. R. Civ. P. 502.5). The court then sets the case for trial. Wait times vary by court, so ask the clerk when you file.
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).
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