In Tarrant, Dallas, Collin and Denton counties, the sworn removal complaint goes to the sheriff or a constable in the county where the house sits, not to city police. Tarrant County lists a $180 fee to serve the notice to vacate. Other counties tie the cost to their writ of possession fee, so call ahead.
If someone has moved into your empty house in Fort Worth, Dallas or the suburbs, the state law is covered in our Texas guide to whether police can remove squatters. This page is the local layer: which county offices take the complaint, what they list as fees, and how to line up your paperwork in Tarrant, Dallas, Collin and Denton counties.
Start with the county, not the city
The removal request under Property Code 24B.001 goes to the sheriff or a constable "of the county in which the property is located." City police are not named in that chapter. Many DFW cities reach into more than one county, so check where the house itself sits. A house in Tarrant County goes to Tarrant County offices, whatever the mailing address says.
Who to contact in each county
| County | Offices | Local note |
|---|---|---|
| Tarrant | Sheriff; Constables, Precincts 1–8 | A JP1 packet tells owners the sheriff or constable route is an option before suing |
| Dallas | Sheriff; Constables, Precincts 1–5 | The county says constable precincts match the justice of the peace districts, and links a precinct locator map |
| Collin | Sheriff; Constables, Precincts 1–4 | The constables page says the office serves "forcibles and writs" |
| Denton | Sheriff; county constables | Call ahead to ask which office handles Chapter 24B notices |
What the local offices charge
The statute pegs the removal fee to what the office charges to carry out a writ of possession. Only one of the 2026 schedules we read lists the Chapter 24B notice by name.
| Office | Line item | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tarrant County sheriff and constables | Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 24B Notice to Immediately Vacate | $180, plus $80 per deputy per hour after two hours |
| Tarrant County sheriff and constables | Writ of Possession | $180, plus $80 per deputy per hour after two hours |
| Dallas County Constable, Precinct 4 | Writ of Possession | $400, plus $50 per deputy per hour after two hours |
| Collin County constables | Service of Process, Writ of Possession (Evictions) | $175 |
The Dallas Precinct 4 schedule does not list a separate Chapter 24B line, and we did not find a Denton County amount for it. Ask the office for the figure and how it wants payment. Under Section 24B.003(h), an office may charge a reasonable hourly rate if the owner asks a deputy to remain on the property after the notice is served; the office can quote that rate.
What Tarrant's justice court packet adds
Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 publishes a three-page packet for owners and occupants in squatter cases. It opens by noting that, instead of suing, an owner may ask the sheriff or constable for immediate removal under 24B.001. It then lists the facts an owner should be ready to show, including that the occupant is not a tenant, not a family member and not a co-owner.
One warning in the packet is worth reading twice. If the occupant got in with the consent of a person in actual possession, a tenant at will or sufferance, or someone who had themselves forced their way in, the packet says a forcible entry suit is improper. It points owners in that spot to a "regular" eviction for forcible detainer instead. That is a sign to talk with a Texas real estate attorney before picking a path.
Local lookups before you file:
Line up proof that you are the record owner
The officer has to confirm you are the record owner or the owner's agent. Pull a copy of your recorded deed from the county clerk before you go. If you are filing as an agent, bring the document that gives you that authority, along with your photo ID, since the complaint form calls for both.
If the deed is still in a late parent's name, pause. Whether an heir or executor can sign is a legal question, and our DFW guide to selling inherited property explains the local probate and heirship steps.
Fake deeds and the county fraud alerts
Some squatters show up with a lease or deed that looks official. Both large county clerks offer free alerts that can flag paperwork filed against your name.
- Tarrant County Clerk. The Property Fraud Alert service is free. You are notified when the exact name you register appears as a grantor or grantee on more than 90 recorded document types, by email or a phone call.
- Dallas County Clerk. The clerk offers a free alert service and posts an owner's affidavit process for a deed you believe is fraudulent. Its page says no fee is charged to record those documents.
An alert will not stop a forged filing, but it can tell you sooner. Clearing a forged deed is a legal matter; involve an attorney.
When the sheriff route will not work
If the occupant was ever your tenant, is close family, or already has a case pending with you, the complaint route is closed. The next step is a suit in the justice court for the precinct where the house sits. Our guide to evicting a squatter in DFW lists the local filing and writ fees by county.
Selling a DFW house after a squatter problem
We do not remove squatters or handle evictions for owners; that belongs to law enforcement and the courts. Once the house is back in your control, though, you may not want to keep it. Cash Home Advisors is based in Fort Worth and buys houses across DFW. We pay all closing costs and can close in 7–14 days, and you see the closing statement before you sign. Ask for an offer, see the areas we serve, or read about selling a house in Fort Worth or Dallas.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Tarrant County office takes a squatter removal complaint?
State law lets you go to the sheriff or a constable of the county where the house is. Tarrant County has eight constable precincts, and a Tarrant County justice court packet points owners to the sheriff or constable as an option before any lawsuit.
What does Tarrant County charge to serve a notice to immediately vacate?
The 2026 Sheriff and Constables Fee Schedule lists $180 for the Chapter 24B notice, plus $80 per deputy per hour after two hours. Confirm the current amount with the office before you file.
Do Dallas, Collin or Denton counties publish their own removal complaint form?
We did not find a county-specific form on the county pages we checked. The wording of the complaint is set out in Property Code 24B.002, so ask the sheriff or constable what format they accept.
The city my house is in spans two counties. Where do I file?
Go by the county the house itself sits in, not the city name. A house in Tarrant County goes to Tarrant County offices. Check the county on your recorded deed or with the appraisal district.
Sources
- Tarrant County 2026 Sheriff and Constables Fee Schedule (JP4 copy)
- Tarrant County Constables, Precincts 1-8
- Tarrant County JP1, Summary Disposition for Forcible Entry and Detainer information packet
- Tarrant County Clerk, Property Fraud Alert
- Dallas County Constables
- Dallas County Constable Precinct 4, Service and Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2026
- Dallas County Clerk, Property Fraud Alert
- Collin County Constables
- Collin County Constable Fees
- Texas Property Code Chapter 24B
General information, not legal or tax advice. Talk to a Texas attorney or CPA about your situation.