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Austin small claims court

Travis County Justice of the Peace courts handle money disputes up to $20,000. Pick the right precinct, e-file with Guide and File, and bring winning evidence.

Short answer

In Travis County, money disputes up to $20,000 (not counting statutory interest and court costs) go to a Justice of the Peace court: unpaid deposits, bad repairs, unreturned property, unpaid wages under the cap. You file in the JP precinct where the defendant lives or where the property or events are, and every Travis County JP office accepts electronic filing. The county's Guide and File interviews walk you through the petition step by step, and you do not need a lawyer. Court clerks can explain procedure but cannot give legal advice.

Who this is for

Austin and Travis County residents owed $20,000 or less: security deposits, repair bills, small contracts, property damage, or unpaid personal debts.

The steps, in order

  1. Confirm the cap: $20,000 or less, excluding statutory interest and court costs. Eviction and repair-and-remedy cases use the same cap.
  2. Find the right precinct: file in the Travis County JP precinct where the defendant lives or where the property or events are. The county JP precinct map matches an address to a precinct.
  3. Build the petition with the county's Guide and File interviews, or e-file directly: every JP office in Travis County accepts electronic filing.
  4. Serve the defendant officially and keep the proof of service.
  5. Bring organized evidence to the hearing: contracts, photos, receipts, texts, and a one-page timeline.

Have this ready

  • The exact name and address of the person or business you are suing
  • Your evidence: contracts, photos, receipts, messages
  • The amount you are claiming, with the math
  • A way to pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Filing in the wrong precinct. The case belongs where the defendant lives or where the events happened.
  • Suing a nickname. You need the legal name of the person or business, including any assumed business name.
  • Skipping official service. Telling the defendant yourself is not service of process.
  • Asking the clerk what to argue. Clerks can explain procedure but cannot give legal advice.

Common questions

How much can I sue for in Travis County small claims?

Justice of the Peace courts hear claims up to $20,000, not counting statutory interest and court costs. Eviction and repair-and-remedy cases use the same $20,000 cap.

Do I need a lawyer for JP court?

No. Justice courts are built for people representing themselves, and the county's Guide and File system walks you through the petition step by step.

Where do I file a small claims case in Austin?

In the Travis County Justice of the Peace precinct where the defendant lives or where the property or events are. The county publishes a JP precinct map you can search by address, and all JP offices accept e-filing.

Official source

Checked August 26, 2026. Recheck the official page monthly and when the official page changes.

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ATX Untangled is independent and does not determine eligibility or provide legal advice.