LegalCostCalculator.org
Created May 2026 · Reviewed and verified October 2026 Harris County, TX Justice Court

Harris County, TX Small Claims Court (2026)

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

$20,000
Claim limit
$54
Filing fee
$85
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 Harris County JP Court before filing. Fees and rules can change. See our data methodology

Example court: Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2

Address

1302 Preston
Houston, TX 77002

Contact & Hours

Phone numbers and staff for all 16 courts:
jp.hctx.net (Contact the Courts)

Filing Fee Schedule

Any claim up to $20,000: $54 (set by state law)
Filing + constable service (1 defendant): $139

Service of Process

Constable, in Harris County: $85 per defendant
Other methods: ask the clerk

Harris County JP courts: locations and contacts (jp.hctx.net)
File in the right precinct

Harris County has 16 Justice of the Peace courts in 8 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 Harris 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 Harris County Court at Law ($20,001-$250,000), which requires more formal procedures.
2
Find the correct JP precinct
Use the court list at jp.hctx.net (Contact the Courts) 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 at your precinct's court (ask the clerk about mail and e-filing). Pay the $54 filing fee, plus $85 for constable service on each Harris County defendant. The clerk assigns a case number.
5
Arrange constable service
Request constable service at the time of filing ($85 per defendant in Harris 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
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 Harris County, TX?
The small claims limit in Harris 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 Harris County Court at Law (for $20,001-$250,000), where legal representation is strongly recommended.
Where do I file small claims in Harris County?
File at the Harris 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). Harris County has 16 JP courts in 8 precincts, listed with addresses at jp.hctx.net. Example: Precinct 1, Place 2, 1302 Preston, Houston, TX 77002. Call the court to confirm it covers the defendant's address.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Harris County?
The small claims filing fee is $54 for any claim up to $20,000. It is set by state law: a $21 state fee (Local Gov't Code § 133.151) plus a $33 local fee (§ 135.103). Constable service on each defendant inside Harris County is $85 (Harris County constable fee schedule), so filing plus service on one defendant is $139. Some older cost tables on the JP website show lower, outdated amounts; confirm the total with the clerk.
What form do I need to file small claims in Texas?
Use a Small Claims Petition. The Harris County JP courts post their forms at jp.hctx.net (Downloadable Forms), and the clerk has paper copies. 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 Harris 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 Harris County Justice Court?
Yes. Businesses (LLCs, corporations, sole proprietors) can be sued in Harris 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).
Small Claims Demand Letter Template
Best Seller

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.

See exactly what you get
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

HTML, Word (.docx)

$14

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.

4 1M+ 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.

Our mission is to educate. We give everyone the most accurate, complete legal cost information available online, free.

Keeping it accurate takes real work. Fees change across all 50 states and 530+ counties, so we check every official source monthly and review every state each quarter.

If this information helped you, please consider supporting our work. A coffee, a short review, or using our templates and partner links is what keeps this site free.

Buy us a coffee Leave a review Browse templates
Buy us a coffee