Tarrant County Small Claims Court (Texas): How to File in Justice Court

Tarrant County small claims: the $20,000 limit, 8 justice court precincts, fees, e-filing and how to find your precinct. Checked 2026-10-27.

Navy cover with a drawn generic courthouse and the words Tarrant County Small Claims, 8 justice precincts: find yours by address
Where and how to file small claims in Tarrant County, Texas.

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Quick answer: In Tarrant County, small claims are heard by the Justice of the Peace Courts, Precincts 1 to 8, for claims of no more than $20,000. Justice Court 1 lists a $54 filing fee plus a $90 constable fee for each person served in Tarrant County. The precinct depends on the address, and the county's address directory helps you find it. Questions? Call Justice Court 1 at 817-884-1395.

Drawn generic courthouse beside a pinned info board for the Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts: precincts 1 to 8 picked by address, hours that vary by court so call before you go, and an e-filing note that E-File Texas is accepted but to ask your precinct.
Tarrant County, Texas small claims at a glance, checked 2026-10-27.

This independent guide covers small claims cases in Tarrant County, Texas, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Southlake, Hurst, Lake Worth and Mansfield. Small Claims Coach is not the court; we link to the court's official pages throughout.

Checked on 2026-10-27 against the Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts website and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Sources are listed below. Jump to court addresses and phones ↓ For the statewide rules, see our Texas small claims guide.

Filing in Tarrant County? See a filled-in sample first.

Everything 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.

See what's in the Playbook →

Which court hears small claims in Tarrant County?

  • Court: the Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1 to 8), under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 500 to 507.
  • Limit: no more than $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees, if any.
  • Appeal: within 21 days. The plaintiff's appeal bond is $500.00; the defendant's is twice the amount of the judgment.
  • Jury: the jury fee is $22.00, and the jury demand must be filed no later than 14 days before trial.

Which justice court precinct do I file in?

  • Under Rule 502.4, you can file in the county and justice precinct where the defendant resides, where the incident that gave rise to the claim occurred, where the contract (if any) was to be performed, or, in a suit to recover personal property, where the property is located.
  • To find the precinct for an address, Justice Court 1 points you to the county's Comprehensive Address Information Directory. The courts' page also links a Justice Precincts Map (see below).
  • If you're not sure which precinct, call Justice Court 1 at 817-884-1395 before you file. Filing in the wrong one can delay your case.

Find the precinct for an address

  1. Open the county's Comprehensive Address Information Directory.
  2. Enter the address.
  3. Follow the directory's instructions, then call the justice court to confirm before you file.

The courts' page also links a Justice Precincts Map (PDF).

Addresses, phone numbers and hours

Addresses and phones are from each precinct's page on the Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts site. Justice Court 4 says all financial transactions must be completed by 4:30 p.m., and Justice Court 8 says all filings and payments must be received by 2:45 p.m. each business day. Other courts' hours weren't on the pages we checked; call before you go.

Justice Court Precinct 1

Address: 100 W. Weatherford St., Room 450, Fort Worth, TX 76196

Phone: 817-884-1395

Court:

  • Precinct 1

Justice Court Precinct 2

Address: 700 E. Abram, Suite 200, Arlington, TX 76010

Phone: 817-548-3925

Court:

  • Precinct 2

Justice Court Precinct 3 (Southlake)

Address: 1400 Main St., Suite 220, Southlake, TX 76092

Phone: 682-732-6589

Court:

  • Precinct 3

Justice Court Precinct 3 (Northeast Courthouse, Hurst)

Address: 645 Grapevine Hwy., Suite 220, Hurst, TX 76054

Phone: 817-581-3625

Court:

  • Precinct 3 office

Justice Court Precinct 4 (Northwest Subcourthouse)

Address: 6713 Telephone Road, Suite 201, Lake Worth, TX 76135

Phone: 817-238-4425

Court:

  • Precinct 4

Justice Court Precinct 5

Address: 350 W. Belknap Street, First Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102

Phone: 817-884-1438

Court:

  • Precinct 5

Justice Court Precinct 6

Address: 6551 Granbury Road, Fort Worth, TX 76133

Phone: 817-370-4525

Court:

  • Precinct 6

Justice Court Precinct 7

Address: 1100 East Broad Street, Ste 202, Mansfield, TX 76063

Phone: 817-473-5101

Court:

  • Precinct 7

Justice Court Precinct 8 (Poly Subcourthouse)

Address: 3500 Miller Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76119

Phone: 817-531-5625

Court:

  • Precinct 8

How much does small claims cost in Tarrant County?

From Justice Court 1's small claims page, to file with Justice Court 1 and serve in Tarrant County:

  • Filing fee: $54
  • Constable fee: $90 for each person being served
  • Jury fee: $22.00
  • Appeal bond (plaintiff): $500.00
  • Appeal bond (defendant): twice the amount of the judgment
  • To serve someone outside Tarrant County, the plaintiff is responsible for getting service.
  • We didn't check the other precincts' fee pages. Fees can change; confirm with your JP court before you file.

Can I e-file in Tarrant County?

Yes. Justice Court 1 says all communications between litigants and the court are handled electronically, using E-File Texas (preferred), email or fax. If you're filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs, the case can't be filed with "Guide and File" and must be filed through EFileTexas.

Tarrant County small claims forms

Texas has no required statewide small claims form. Justice Court 1's small claims page explains how to file, and it encourages you to include your exhibits with your first filing. Ask your court which petition form it accepts.

How to file in Tarrant County, step by step

Illustrated winding road with six numbered stations for Tarrant County, Texas small claims: check your claim fits the limit, find your precinct, prepare your petition with exhibits, file with your JP court with E-File Texas preferred, the defendant answers, and go to trial with evidence.
The steps to file a small claims case in Tarrant County, Texas.
  1. Make sure your claim is no more than $20,000.
  2. Find the precinct for the address (the county's address directory can help), and call the court if you're not sure.
  3. Prepare your small claims petition and gather your exhibits.
  4. File through E-File Texas or as your court allows, and pay the filing and constable fees ($54 and $90 per person served at Justice Court 1; confirm with your court).
  5. The defendant's answer is due by the end of the 14th day after service (with extensions for weekends, holidays and early closings).
  6. Go to trial with your evidence. A jury demand is due no later than 14 days before trial. Statewide rules are in our Texas guide.

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 with a made-up sample filing, a checklist, a timeline, a hearing outline, Texas printables and a Texas day-of plan.

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.

See what's inside →

How to look up a Tarrant County small claims case

  • We couldn't find an online civil case search on the court pages we checked. Call your JP court (for example Justice Court 1 at 817-884-1395) to check on your case.

What does it cost to collect a judgment?

Winning doesn't mean you get paid automatically. Tarrant County's collection fees weren't on the pages we checked. Ask your JP court, for example Justice Court 1 at 817-884-1395, and see our Texas guide for the statewide steps.

Fee waivers and venue changes

  • Can't afford the fees? You can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Those cases must be filed through EFileTexas, not "Guide and File."
  • Default or new trial: a motion to set aside a default or for a new trial is due no later than 14 days after the judgment was signed.
  • Appeal: within 21 days.

Coach's Tips for Tarrant County

  • Look up your precinct first. Look up the precinct by the defendant's address before you file. Tarrant has 8 justice courts, and filing in the wrong one can delay your case.
  • Watch the cutoff times. Justice Court 8 takes filings and payments only until 2:45 p.m., and Justice Court 4 finishes financial transactions by 4:30 p.m.
  • Know the 14-day clocks. The answer is due by the end of the 14th day after service, a motion to set aside a default is due within 14 days after judgment, and a jury demand is due 14 days before trial.

Tarrant County small claims checklist

  • My claim is no more than $20,000.
  • I found my precinct, or I called the court to confirm.
  • I have my petition and my exhibits.
  • I confirmed the filing and constable fees with my court.
  • I know how I'll file (E-File Texas or as the court allows).
  • I know the 14-day answer and jury-demand deadlines.
  • My evidence is organized and copied for court.

Tarrant County small claims FAQ

What is the small claims limit in Tarrant County?

No more than $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees, if any.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Tarrant County?

Justice Court 1 lists a $54 filing fee plus a $90 constable fee for each person served in Tarrant County. Other precincts' fees weren't checked, so confirm with your court.

Which Tarrant County justice court precinct do I file in?

Where the defendant resides, where the incident occurred, or where the contract was to be performed (or where the property is, in a suit for personal property). The county's Comprehensive Address Information Directory helps you find the precinct for an address.

Where is small claims court in Fort Worth?

Several justice courts have Fort Worth addresses, including Justice Court 1 at 100 W. Weatherford St., Room 450. The precinct depends on the address, not the city name, so check the address directory or call the court.

Where do I get Tarrant County small claims forms?

Texas has no required statewide form. Justice Court 1's small claims page explains how to file; ask your court which petition form it accepts.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Tarrant County?

Many people handle justice court small claims cases on their own. The rules are Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 500 to 507.

Is small claims court in Tarrant County justice court (JP court)?

Yes. Small claims cases go to the Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts.

Which Tarrant County JP court precinct do I file in?

You can file in the justice court precinct where the defendant lives, where the incident that gave rise to the claim happened, where the contract (if any) was to be performed, or, in a suit to recover personal property, where the property is located. The precinct depends on the address. The court says to look it up in the Tarrant County Comprehensive Address Information Directory: https://gisit.tarrantcounty.com/CAID/.

Who decides my small claims petition?

A justice of the peace.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-27.

Nearby counties

More for Texas: Texas small claims guide · Ready to sue · Just got sued · How to serve small claims papers · What to say on hearing day

Free: the Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).

You do the work. The Playbook hands you the plays.

This page covers where and how to file in Tarrant 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. $149 for your first year (introductory offer), then $199 a year. Join now.

See the Playbook →

Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer. But if your situation is complicated, doesn't fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.

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.