Small Claims Court Complaint in Texas
Start with the official Texas form
The canonical, court-accepted version of this form is published by the Justice Court (Justice of the Peace). Search your county or district court's website for the current Small Claims Court Complaint form before relying on any template. Forms are revised periodically — always confirm you have the current revision before filing.
Verify with your local court clerk before filing: local rules sometimes add cover-sheet, formatting, or service requirements beyond what the state-issued form shows.
Texas Requirements
- Claim limit: $20,000
- Attorneys are allowed but not required
- Petition must include names and addresses of all parties
- Defendant must be served with citation at least 14 days before trial
- Either party may appeal to County Court within 21 days
Justice Court (Justice of the Peace)
$54–$116
How to Complete This Form
- 1Confirm that your dispute falls within your state's small claims court jurisdictional limit.
- 2Attempt to resolve the dispute directly with the other party before filing.
- 3Obtain a small claims complaint form from your local court or court website.
- 4Complete the form with the names and addresses of all parties and a clear description of your claim.
- 5File the complaint with the court clerk and pay the filing fee.
- 6Arrange for the defendant to be served with the complaint according to your court's rules.
- 7Gather all evidence (contracts, receipts, photos, correspondence) and attend the hearing.
Editorial Template (Not the Official Court Form)
This is an educational template showing the typical structure of a Small Claims Court Complaint in Texas. It is not a court-validated form and should not be used in place of the official form issued by the Justice Court (Justice of the Peace). Use this template only to understand what information you will need to assemble before completing the official form. Submitting this template instead of the official form may result in rejection by the court clerk.
Small Claims Court Complaint in Other States
Other Forms in Texas
When to Talk to a Lawyer
- Your claim involves complex legal issues such as breach of contract with multiple parties or disputed damages.
- The defendant has filed a counterclaim or you need to enforce a judgment after winning your case.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.