Travis County Small Claims Court (Texas): How to File in Justice Court
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Travis County, Texas: small claims filing guide
Filing in Travis 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 Travis 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.
5 Justice Courts, Precincts 1–5 (Travis County JP site, which has a precinct map).
At a glance
| Item | What applies here |
|---|---|
| Court | Justice Court (Justice of the Peace) |
| Limit | $20,000 |
| Justice Courts | 5 |
| Filing fee | $54 |
| Service fee, per party served in Travis County | $90 (JP 5 sheet) |
| E-filing | All JP offices accept civil e-filing |
| 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.
From the JP 5 Filing a Lawsuit in Justice Court information sheet, effective January 2026:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing fee | $54 |
| Service fee for each party served in Travis County | $90 |
| Abstract of judgment (JP fee; county clerk recording fee extra) | $5 |
| Writ of execution | $245 |
If service is outside the county or by private process, a citation is issued and returned to you to arrange service.
The JP 1 page links a "Civil Fee Schedule – Fee Increase Effective 1/1/2026." An older JP 1 schedule effective 01/01/2022 is still online; it has been replaced, so don't use it.
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
"All Justice of the Peace offices now accept civil filings electronically" (JP 1 Civil Suits page). You may also file at the proper JP office. The JP 5 sheet calls for a Plaintiff's Original Petition and a Justice Court Civil Case Information Sheet.
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
- Civil Forms page for each precinct (petition, Request for Appeal form, Repair and Remedy form)
- JP 1 Self-Help Legal Information Packet for small claims plaintiffs
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.
- Prepare a Plaintiff's Original Petition and a Justice Court Civil Case Information Sheet.
- Budget $54 to file plus $90 per party served in Travis County, or file a Statement of Inability.
- Call the court to confirm hours, payment methods, and costs before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Is small claims court in Travis County a justice court (JP court)?
Yes. Small claims cases are filed in the Travis County Justice of the Peace Courts, by small claims petition.
How do I search a Travis County justice court case?
Use the county's justice court records portal: https://odysseypa.traviscountytx.gov/JPPublicAccess/.
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
- Bexar County small claims guide
- Harris County small claims guide
- Tarrant County small claims guide
- Dallas 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 Travis 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.