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Travis County resolves money disputes up to $20,000 in the small-claims court: simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
Read on for the claim ceiling, the fees, the courthouse serving Travis County, the way the other side is notified, the cut-off dates, and each filing step. Squabble prepares the paperwork and files it on your behalf.
Travis County runs several hub courthouses for these cases. Assignment follows the ZIP code of the defendant or of the dispute itself.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Which courthouse takes your case? The court's own locator maps a ZIP code to the right building, and Squabble works it out for you as part of filing. Locations are revised from time to time, so check before you go.
Travis County covers 86 ZIP codes, including the Austin, Coupland and Del Valle areas. Travis County has 5 courthouses listed above; Travis County Justice of the Peace - Precinct 3 is one of them.
This court accepts electronic filing for small claims, so a case can be started without a courthouse trip.
The small claims list is heard in person, at the courthouse itself.
Evidence is copied for the judge and for the opposing side; electronic submission ahead of time is accepted at some courts.
In Travis County, Texas, small claims cases are heard in the Justice Court of Texas system, which handles claims up to $20,000. The county has a population of 1,363,767 and includes Austin, Pflugerville, Manor, Del Valle, Leander, Coupland, Manchaca and Spicewood, along with ZIP codes such as 78701, 78702, 78704 and 78660. It lies near Hays County, Williamson County and Bastrop County. One of the locations where these cases are filed and heard is the Travis County Justice Court - Precinct 2, located at 10409 Burnet Road Suite 180 in Austin, 78758. That office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed Saturday and Sunday. It can be reached at (512) 854-6367, and further information is posted at https://www.traviscountytx.gov/justices-of-peace/jp2. Travis County does not offer electronic filing for these cases, so paperwork is handled at the court. Other justice of the peace precincts in Austin also hear matters of this kind.
More than one location takes small claims here. The court matches a case to a location by address.
A case filed here usually comes from one of these 8 communities:
Austin, Coupland, Del Valle, Leander, Manchaca, Manor, Pflugerville, Spicewood.
With about 1,363,767 residents, Travis County ranks 5th by population among the 254 counties of Texas. Travis County Justice of the Peace - Precinct 3 in Austin lies around 11 miles from the Hays County courthouse in Wimberley and 12 miles from the Williamson County courthouse.
Counties nearest to this one:
This is the part of the court built for ordinary money arguments. The procedure is stripped back, and there is a ceiling on the amount at stake.
Maximum claim
Two venues are usually open: where events took place, or where the other side is based.
Courts do not allow one dispute to be filed as several in order to beat the maximum.
What this court awards is a sum of money, not an instruction to act or to hand something back.
Texas allows attorneys at the hearing, but none is required. The procedures are designed for self-representation.
Minors take part through a guardian appointed by the court.
Over the limit? Claims over the cap can go two ways: cut to the limit and stay, or move to regular civil court at full value. Cutting it normally waives the excess.
Travis County has 5 courthouses listed on this page. They are the same across all 86 Travis County ZIP codes, from 73301 onward.
If someone owes you money, up to $20,000, small claims is built for it. These are the disputes residents bring most often.
Travis County takes in Austin, Coupland and Del Valle and the rest of the county. Travis County has about 1,363,767 residents.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Set out the claim on the court's form, identify the correct courthouse, and pay the fee.
Papers are delivered to the defendant, who may answer them or settle the matter first.
A short hearing, held in the courtroom or remotely where that is offered. A decision follows on the day or shortly afterwards.
Travis County Justice of the Peace - Precinct 3 lists (512) 854-6763 as its number. Travis County Justice of the Peace - Precinct 3 publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page.
The defendant must be given formal notice after filing. This is service of process, and as a rule you are not permitted to serve the papers yourself.
The options usually include a sheriff or constable, a licensed process server, certified mail sent by the clerk, or any adult with no stake in the case. What is allowed, and what it costs, differs from county to county.
How long before the hearing notice must be given is set by the court. That deadline arrives with your hearing date.
The person who delivered the papers signs a proof of service. That document goes to the court ahead of the hearing.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
A Travis County address carries one of its 86 ZIP codes, 73301, 73344 and 78615 among them. Hays County and Williamson County are the counties nearest to Travis County.
Claims do not stay open indefinitely. Time runs from the events themselves, and a filing made afterwards may be shut out.
| Claim type | Time limit to file |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 4 years |
| Oral contract | 4 years |
| Property damage | 2 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
The same periods apply in Travis County as in nearby Hays County and Williamson County, which are in the same state. Travis County, population about 1,363,767, is covered by the table above.
Money owed under a contract in Texas generally accrues interest at 6% per year before judgment (Tex. Fin. Code §302.002).
The Squabble interest calculator shows what the accrued figure comes to on top of the principal.
It is the same rate across all 86 Travis County ZIP codes. Travis County is under the same state rate as nearby Hays County and Williamson County.
Make sure the claim is under the maximum and that the limitation period has not expired.
Get the defendant's legal name right, set out the events, and break down how the figure is reached.
File at the Travis County hub courthouse for your dispute's ZIP code, or e-file, and pay the $45–$100 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
After the hearing date is issued, arrange delivery of the papers and file the proof with the court.
Organize documents and exhibits so you can present them clearly at the hearing.
Come to the hearing in person or remotely where permitted, present the facts, and get the ruling.
Tell Eleanor what happened and Squabble builds the filing, Triple-Checks™ it for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files it on your behalf.
Start for FREE →Claim form starts the case · Proof of service shows the defendant was notified · Fee waiver if you qualify. Exact form names vary by court; Squabble prepares the right ones for your courthouse.
Travis County takes in filings from 86 ZIP codes, 73301 first in the list. A Travis County filing goes to one of 5 courthouses, Travis County Justice of the Peace - Precinct 3 among them.
Expect a short, informal hearing in which the judge asks the questions. Most people present their own case.
Austin, Coupland and Del Valle are among the Travis County places a hearing can draw parties from. Travis County hearings are held at one of its 5 listed courthouses, depending on where the case is filed.
The ruling establishes the debt. Recovery is a further step, supported by enforcement measures that are set by each state.
Where the law allows, an employer can be directed to send part of the debtor's pay to the court.
A levy lets the court reach money sitting in the debtor's bank account.
Lodging the judgment with the county can create a lien over property the debtor owns.
You may also apply for an order compelling the debtor to attend and disclose income and assets on oath. Interest generally continues at the rate the state sets until the debt is met.
Austin, Coupland and Del Valle are among the Travis County places a judgment debtor may live in. Hays County and Williamson County are the counties nearest to Travis County.
Information reviewed August 2026. Courts change fees, limits and procedures, so check the current details before filing.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Travis County case for you.
