Dallas County Small Claims Court (Texas): How to File in Justice Court
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Dallas County, Texas: small claims filing guide
Filing in Dallas County? See a filled-in sample first.
The court, cost and filing information on this page is free. The Small Claims Playbook adds a filled-in sample of a Small Claims Petition from the Texas Justice Court Training Center (a model form, not an official court form; Texas has no required statewide form, so ask your court whether it accepts it), using a made-up case, with a box-by-box guide. One membership covers every state. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Which court hears small claims in Dallas County?
Justice Court (Justice of the Peace), small claims case under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Part V (Rules 500–507). Limit $20,000, not counting statutory interest and court costs, but counting attorney's fees (TRCP; Gov't Code § 27.031). See the Texas overview.
10 Justice Courts: Precincts 1–5, each with two places (JP 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2, 3-1, 3-2, 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, 5-2). Per the Dallas County JP courts page, "Justice of the Peace districts and the Constable precincts are the same."
Court locations
| Location | Address | Courts |
|---|---|---|
| South Dallas Government Center | 8301 S. Polk St. | JP 1-1, 1-2 |
| Garland Office | 140 N. Garland Ave. | JP 2-1 |
| Mesquite Government Center | 500 S. Galloway Ave. | JP 2-2 |
| North Dallas Government Center | 6820 LBJ Fwy. | JP 3-1, 3-2 |
| Grand Prairie Government Center | 106 W. Church St., Suite 205 | JP 4-1 |
| JP 4-2 | ||
| JP 5-1, 5-2 |
Get the full list from the Dallas County JP courts page.
At a glance
| Item | What applies here |
|---|---|
| Court | Justice Court (Justice of the Peace) |
| Limit | $20,000 |
| Justice Courts | 10 (5 precincts, 2 places each) |
| Filing fee | $54 |
| Filing fee plus service for a Dallas County resident (JP 3-1) | $134 |
| E-filing | Varies by court (see below) |
| Office hours | |
| Statute of limitations |
Where to file
File in the precinct of this county where:
- the defendant lives;
- the incident (or most of the incidents) happened;
- the contract was to be performed; or
- the personal property is located.
If the defendant lives outside Texas or you don't know where they live, file where you live (TRCP 502.4).
Filing costs
Filing fee: $54. Filing fee plus service for a Dallas County resident (JP 3-1): $134.
From the Fee Schedule for Dallas County Justice of the Peace 3-1, effective January 1, 2026:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Small claims (filing fee only) | $54 |
| Small claims (filing fee + service for a Dallas County resident) | $134 |
| Appeal filing fee | $64 |
| Abstract of judgment | $5 |
These amounts come from the JP 3-1 schedule. Ask your own court for its fee sheet.
The $54 filing fee is statewide: State Consolidated Civil Fee $21 plus Local Consolidated Civil Fee $33 (Office of Court Administration guide, effective 1/1/2024). If you can't afford the costs, file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs (TRCP 502.3).
How to file
It varies by court:
- JP 4-1 "requires ALL debt claim, small claim, and eviction petitions be filed through E-file." All its proceedings are held in person (JP 4-1 small claims page).
- JP 3-1 "accepts filings in-person, by mail, or through electronic filing ONLY" (JP 3-1 small claims page).
Check your specific court's page before filing.
Ready to fill in your own form?
The steps above are free. The Playbook helps you do each one: a filled-in sample of a Small Claims Petition from the Texas Justice Court Training Center (a model form, not an official court form; Texas has no required statewide form, so ask your court whether it accepts it) with every box explained, plus your Texas Playbook section on a step-by-step filing walkthrough with a made-up sample filing, the answer, trial-notice, jury and appeal deadlines in order, and a filing and trial checklist with a hearing outline.
You also get prep guides that work in any state: a document checklist, exhibit labels, a prep timeline and a hearing-day outline. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.
Forms
The JP 3-1 Small Claims Forms page lists:
- Small Claims Petition for Filing
- Affidavit of Military Status of Defendant(s)
- Defendant's Original Answer Form
- Jury Demand Form
- Appeal Bond Form
- Certificate of Last Known Address
- Oath of Surety Form
- Request for Process Form
JP 4-1 posts its own FAQs and self-help packets.
Courts may provide forms but can't require you to use them (TRCP 507.2).
After filing
- Answer: due by the end of the 14th day after the defendant is served (TRCP 502.5(d)).
- Trial notice: at least 45 days before the trial setting (TRCP 503.3(a)).
Lawyer required?
No. Individuals may represent themselves.
Businesses / companies filing
Same court, same small claims case, same $20,000 limit and $54 filing fee. A business may appear through a non-attorney employee, owner, officer, or partner (TRCP 500.3). Lenders, debt collectors, and debt buyers suing to collect a debt use a separate debt claim case; see the Texas overview.
Free section summary
- Confirm your claim fits the $20,000 limit.
- Find the right precinct using the venue rules above and the county's precinct map or court directory.
- Check your court's page for how it accepts filings. JP 4-1 requires e-filing.
- Budget $54 to file. At JP 3-1, filing plus service on a Dallas County resident is $134.
- Call the court to confirm hours, payment methods, and costs before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Is small claims court in Dallas County a justice court (JP court)?
Yes. Small claims cases are filed in the Dallas County Justice of the Peace Courts, by small claims petition.
How do I search a Dallas County justice court case?
Use the county's justice court records portal: https://courtsportal.dallascounty.org/DALLASPROD/.
Related guides
Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer — but if your situation is complicated, does not fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.
Nearby counties
- Tarrant County small claims guide
- Travis County small claims guide
- Harris County small claims guide
- Bexar County small claims guide
- All county small claims guides
Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.
You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.
This page covers where and how to file in Dallas County. The Playbook coaches you from filing to hearing day: a filled-in sample of a Small Claims Petition from the Texas Justice Court Training Center (a model form, not an official court form; Texas has no required statewide form, so ask your court whether it accepts it), your Texas Playbook section, and step-by-step prep guides. One membership covers every state.