Effective January 1, 2014, the Supreme Court of Texas mandated that all attorneys must electronically file court documents in the Harris County Civil Courts. To e-file through the State of Texas’ electronic portal EFileTexas.gov, you must first select an electronic filing service provider (EFSP).
To view a list of electronic filing providers (EFSP) that have been approved by the State visit www.EFileTexas.gov.
A quick reference guide on how to electronically file documents
The Supreme Court of Texas mandate on electronic filing
Judicial Committee on Information Technology – E-Filing Technology Standards
To see the most current list of EFSP’s go to www.EFileTexas.gov In addition to being the EFM, EFileTexas.gov is also one of the certified EFSP’s.
*No E-filing is not Required for Pro-se parties
*Submitting under incorrect fees, incorrect county and jurisdiction
*Documents do not match case number provided
Most documents are available to view online within minutes of being accepted.
Process servers are not required to e-file. However they can do so if they desire by signing up with a service provider.
If the document is accepted for filing by the County Clerk, the filer will receive a “confirmation page” that the document has been accepted. This confirmation will include the date and time the County Clerk considers the document to have been filed. If the document was rejected, the filer will receive an alert that the document was not accepted along with the reason why. These confirmations will come through EFileTexas.gov or the EFSP.
Once a TRO is electronically filed, we would suggest that you contact our office so that we are aware that it has been filed. It will be available for pick-up from our office so that the attorney can present it to the Judge. Also, see the State Rules for Electronic Filing for additional details.
Upon transmitting a document to the e-filer’s EFSP, the e-filer is deemed to have delivered the document to the clerk and the document is deemed filed. A document will be considered filed timely if it is e-filed at any time before the midnight (in the court’s time zone) on the date on which the document is due. A transmission report by the e-filer to the e-filer’s EFSP shall be prima facie evidence of the date and time of the transmission. Also, see the State Rules for Electronic Filing for electronic additional details.
Visit our Document Portal to register your account in order to view or print (with the unofficial watermark) copies online.
A summary of court costs, service fees and issuance fees is available on this site
The jurisdictional limit for the County Civil Courts at Law starts at $200.00 and cannot exceed $250,000.00
You must follow the instructions within the Citation with which you were served and file a written answer with the court on or before 10:00 A.M on the 20th day after the date you were served with the citation. You must send a copy of the answer to the plaintiff or their attorney, and include your name, address, and telephone number.
You are entitled to a jury trial if you file a written request with the court no later than 30 days before the date a case is set for trial. You must pay the jury fee at the same time. It is helpful to ask for a jury trial well in advance of your trial date.
The following information is applicable to a person who has had their driver’s license suspended by the Department of Public Safety and wishes to obtain an Occupational License during the period of suspension in the State of Texas. The reason the license was suspended may affect your ability to obtain an Occupational License.
You must file a Petition for an Occupational License with a court that has jurisdiction over the matter. A Petition is a legal pleading that initiates a case. The Petition for an Occupational License is not provided by the Harris County Clerk’s Office. You as the Petitioner must prepare the petition on your own or consult with an attorney. You can research how to prepare a Petition for Occupational License at the Harris County Law Library, which is located at 1019 Congress 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002. After your Case has been assigned to a specific court, you may contact that court for your hearing dates. The contact information for the court clerks can be found on the County Clerk web site under the County Civil Courts tab. Questions regarding case requirements or documents needed should be directed to the Court Clerks of the court you are assigned to. If your Driver’s License has been invalid for more than 2 years and you have not renewed your Driver’s License with the Department of Public Safety, the court may deny you a hearing date. There are no guarantees that the hearing will result in an Order Granting Occupational Driver’s License being signed by the Judge. You must have a Certified copy of your driving record. Save time- Request your driver record online www.texas.gov
The County Clerk and the respective staff are not attorneys and cannot provide you with legal advice in the preparation and presentation of your case.
associated court filing fees - $350
Issuance Fees – each citation issued by the County Clerk - $8.00
Issuance Fees – each Amended citation issued by the County Clerk - $8.00
Issuance Fees – each Alias citation issued by the County Clerk - $8.00
Service Fees – each certified mail service by the County Clerk - $80.00
Service Fees – each in County service the Constable - $75.00
Service Fees – each certified mail service by the Constable - $90.00
associated court filing fees - $350.00
Issuance Fees – each citation issued by the County Clerk - $8.00
Service Fees – each certified mail service by the County Clerk - $80.00
Service Fees – each certified mail service by the constable - $90.00
associated court filing fees - $350.00
Issuance Fees – each citation or citation by publication issued by the County Clerk - $8.00
Tax Suit Service Fees – each in county or out of county service by the Constable - $75.00
Tax Suit Service Fees – each publication service by the Constable - $125.00
Tax Warrants Service Fees – each in county service by the Constable - $450.00
associated court filing fees - $50.00
Service Fees – each in county service by the Constable - $100.00
associated court filing fees - $80.00
Service Fees – each in county service by the Constable - $100.00
associated court filing fees - $80.00
Issuance Fees – each citation issued by the County Clerk - $8.00
Service Fees – each certified mail service by the County Clerk - $80.00
Service Fees – each in county service by the Constable - $75.00
Service Fees – each certified mail service by the Constable – $90.00
associated court filing fees - $80.00
Issuance Fees – each citation issued by the County Clerk - $8.00
Service Fees – each certified mail service by the County Clerk - $80.00
Service Fees – each in county service by the Constable - $75.00
Service Fees – each certified mail service by the Constable – $90.00
associated court filing fees - $30.00
Issuance Fees – each after judgement citation issued by the County Clerk - $8.00
Service Fees – Writ of Turnover each in county service by the Constable - $125.00
Citation by Publication – each citation issued by the County Clerk - $8.00
Rule 106 Citation – each issuance by the County Clerk - $8.00
Precept – each issuance by the County Clerk - $8.00
Subpoena – each issuance by the County Clerk - $8.00
Pluries - each issuance by the County Clerk - $8.00
Writ of Certiorari - each issuance by the County Clerk - $8.00
Writ of Sequestration - each issuance by the County Clerk - $8.00
Writ of Restoration (utility service) - each issuance by the County Clerk - $8.00
Temporary Restraining Order - each Before Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $4.00
Restraining Order - each Before Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $4.00
Show Cause - each Before Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $4.00
Writ of Garnishment - each Before Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $4.00
Writ of Injunction - each Before Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $4.00
Writ of Scire Facias - each Before Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $4.00
Writ of Attachment - each Before Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $4.00
Writ of Possession - each Before Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $4.00
Writ of Restitution - each Before Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $8.00
Temporary Restraining Order - each After Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $8.00
Restraining Order - each After Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $8.00
Show Cause - each After Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $8.00
Writ of Garnishment - each After Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $8.00
Writ of Injunction - each After Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $8.00
Writ of Scire Facias - each After Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $8.00
Writ of Attachment - each After Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $8.00
Writ of Possession - each After Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $8.00
Writ of Restitution - each After Judgment issuance by the County Clerk – $8.00
Civil Search – each search performed by the County Clerk - $5.00
Certified Copy of an Occupational or Restricted Driver’s License Order – per order $10.00
Non-Certified Paper Copies – per page $1.00
Certification of a Document – per document (in addition to the $1.00 per page fee) - $5.00
Abstract of Judgment – each issuance by the County Clerk - $8.00
Execution or Execution and Order of Sale – each issuance by the County Clerk - $8.00
Venditioni Exponas - each issuance by the County Clerk - $8.00
Certificate of No Appeal - each issuance by the County Clerk - $5.00
Certificate of Dormant Judgment - each issuance by the County Clerk - $5.00
Certificate of Transfer - each issuance by the County Clerk (plus copy fees) - $5.00
Exemplified Certificates - each issuance by the County Clerk (plus copy fees) - $5.00
Bill of Cost - each issuance by the County Clerk - $4.00
Motion for New Trial - $80.00
Motion for Contempt - $80.00
Temporary Restraining Order – each in county service by the Constable - $100.00
Restraining Order - each in county service by the Constable - $125.00
Writ of Re-entry - each in county service by the Constable - $125.00
Writ of Injunction - each in county service by the Constable - $100.00
Writ of Scire Facias or Writ of Certiorari - each in county service by the Constable - $75.00
Precept, Show Cause, Subpoena, Pluries - each in county service by the Constable - $75.00
Precept, Show Cause, Subpoena, Pluries - each certified mail service by the Constable - $90.00
Cash – U.S. currency only
Checks
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Credit Cards
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The mailing address is: Harris County Clerk, P.O. Box 1525, Houston, TX 77251-1525.
Do not send cash through the mail.
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Credit Cards
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Credit Cards
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This information is furnished to you to provide basic information relative to the law governing procedures for civil cases in the County Civil Courts at Law.
The Harris County Civil Courts at Law and the Clerks of the Harris County Civil Courts at Law are not allowed to give legal advice. You are urged to review the applicable laws and to consult an attorney of your choice for further information or answers to specific legal questions.
© 2018 All Rights Reserved Harris County Clerk's Office.
