How much it costs to evict in Texas, by county
Filing is $54 in every Texas justice court; constable service runs $80 to $117 per defendant and a writ of possession $185 to $405 depending on county.
Get the Eviction Kit with the fee card and petition worksheet, $49
Court costs by county
Verified October 24, 2026. Jury demand is $22 statewide. Each adult defendant is served separately, so two tenants means two service fees.
| County | Filing | Service per defendant | Writ of possession | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $54 | $80 | $405 | Writ $400 plus $5 court fee |
| Tarrant | $54 | $90 | $185 | Plus $80 per hour per deputy after two hours |
| Bexar | $54 | $117 | $287 | New civil process fees January 1, 2027 |
| Travis | $54 | $90 | $205 | $144 covers filing plus one defendant |
| Harris | $54 | Not published | Not published | Call the precinct constable |
| All others | $54 | $80 to $130 typical | Varies | Ask the precinct clerk |
Doing it yourself
A landlord with one tenant in Travis County pays $144 to file and serve and $205 for the writ if it comes to that, about $350 total. You do not need a lawyer; Property Code 24.011 and Rule 510.3 let a landlord or an authorized agent appear in justice court.
Hiring it out
Flat fee eviction services in Texas run from about $100 to $499 plus court costs. Attorneys typically charge $500 to $1,500 for an uncontested justice court eviction and more on appeal to county court, where the tenant must pay rent into the registry to stay.
The cost that matters
Every week of delay is a week of rent. A notice dismissed for a wrong delivery method or a count that was one day short restarts the clock. The paperwork is cheap; the mistake is not.
Questions landlords ask
Who pays the court costs?
The judgment can award costs against the tenant, but you advance them and collecting from an evicted tenant is uncertain.
Is the filing fee the same everywhere in Texas?
Yes. The $54 justice court civil filing fee is set by statute. Service and writ fees are set by each county.
How much does an eviction lawyer cost in Texas?
Commonly $500 to $1,500 for an uncontested justice court case, more for a contested case or an appeal.
Sources
- Dallas County JP 1-2 eviction fee sheet (December 2025)
- Tarrant County constable fees (January 2026)
- Bexar County justice court filing fees
- Travis County JP4 evictions
- Harris County justice courts, evictions
Related
Texas Notice provides forms and information. These forms and this website are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.