You do not have to live in Texas to file a small claims lawsuit in a Texas court. However, the case must have some relation to Texas and meet certain venue requirements. For example:

• You and/or the person you’re suing live in Texas;
• The incident that "gave rise to the claim" happened in Texas;
• The property in question is in Texas.

The full venue requirements are outlined in Rule 502.4 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. 

Depending on the county you are filing in, you may be able to file the case online and attend your hearing remotely. For more details, see our Legal FAQs Can I file my small claims case online? and Can I appear remotely at my small claims hearing?

The library’s Small Claims Cases guide provides general information about the filing process, links to sample forms, and additional resources to help you learn about small claims.

The law can be complex, so you may wish to talk to an attorney before taking any action. For more information on finding an attorney, please see the library's Legal Help page.

Related FAQs & Guides

FAQs

• What’s the maximum amount I can sue for in a small claims court? 
• How do I sue a business in small claims court?
• Do I need a lawyer for my small claims case?
• Which small claims court should I file my lawsuit in?
• Can I file my small claims case online?
• Can I appear remotely at my small claims hearing?

Guides

• Small Claims Cases