In DFW, a squatter eviction is filed in the justice court for the precinct where the house sits. For 2026, Tarrant County lists $144 to file and serve one defendant and $185 for the writ; Dallas County lists $134 and $405. Filing in the wrong precinct means dismissal with no filing fee refund.
Our Texas squatter eviction guide walks through the statewide steps, from notice to vacate to the writ of possession. This page adds what changes when the house is in Tarrant, Dallas, Collin or Denton County: which court to use, what the local offices charge in 2026, and the forms and habits of the local justice courts.
Check the sheriff route first
A lawsuit may not be needed. If the occupant was never your tenant, is not family and is not already in a case with you, you may be able to file a sworn complaint with the sheriff or a constable instead. See our DFW guide to squatter removal by police for the local offices and the Tarrant County fee for that notice.
Find the precinct before you file
Justice courts in the DFW counties are organized by precinct, and the case belongs in the one that covers the house.
- Tarrant County. The Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 eviction page links the county's Comprehensive Address Information Directory so you can look up the precinct for an address.
- Dallas County. The constables page says constable precincts and justice of the peace districts are the same, and links a locator map. The JP 5-1 plaintiff packet also suggests precinct maps or the elections office.
- Collin and Denton counties. Ask the justice court clerk to confirm the precinct for the address before you pay.
The Dallas packet is blunt about the stakes. A case filed in the wrong precinct must be dismissed, and you do not get the filing fees back.
2026 eviction fees in the DFW counties
| County | File and serve | Each extra defendant | Writ of possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant (JP5 sheet) | $144 ($54 court + $90 constable) | $90 | $185 ($5 court + $180 constable) |
| Dallas (JP 3-1 sheet) | $134 | $80 | $405 |
| Collin (constable fees only) | $75 to serve a forcible citation | Not listed | $175 to serve the writ |
| Denton (JP1 page) | $54 filing fee; ask for the service fee | Ask the court | Ask the court |
A few add-ons are worth knowing. Tarrant County's 2026 fee schedule charges $80 per deputy per hour once a writ takes more than two hours. Dallas County Constable Precinct 4 lists $50 per deputy per hour after two hours. The Dallas JP 3-1 sheet lists a $22 jury demand and a $64 appeal fee.
For Denton County, the JP1 evictions page and the county's civil fees page show different service and writ totals. We left those out; call the court for the current figure.
Forms the local courts ask for
- Tarrant JP4. Two copies of the eviction petition, plus a Military Affidavit and Certificate of Last Known Email and Mailing Address. The page also posts a notice to vacate form and a certificate of service form.
- Dallas JP 3-1. One military status affidavit for each defendant. The clerk will not notarize eviction petitions or military affidavits.
- Denton JP1. The page warns that without an affidavit under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the court may not grant a default judgment.
You may not know a squatter's full name. Ask the clerk how that court wants unknown occupants listed before you file.
What the local packets say about squatters
Two DFW courts publish plain-English guides that speak to squatter cases directly.
Dallas JP 5-1. Its 2026 plaintiff packet says a squatter can be given an oral notice to vacate immediately, and you may file if they do not leave. Its rule change summary flags what is new for cases filed on or after January 1, 2026: a summary disposition option only for squatter cases, service at least 4 days before trial instead of 6, and a path to another trained officer if the constable has not served within 5 business days.
Tarrant JP1. Its summary disposition packet suggests the petition ask the court to set any appeal amount at the greater of $250 or the fair market value the court finds. It also reminds both sides to bring every document they rely on, because the judge may rule from the papers.
Some Dallas courts take appeals only in person. Dallas JP 5-1 (and Courts 1-1 and 1-2) require appeals to be filed in person, and the JP 5-1 evictions page says the court does not accept a Statement of Inability by e-filing or mail. Either way, the 5-day appeal deadline runs before a writ can issue, so check the docket before you ask for one.
What the courts ask for
- A case filed in the justice precinct that covers the house address.
- A notice to vacate given before filing. Tarrant JP4 posts a form for it.
- Every document the owner relies on, such as the recorded deed and photos of the occupancy. Tarrant JP1 reminds both sides to bring them.
- The court's petition, any summary disposition motion, and the military affidavit.
- Signatures notarized in advance where the clerk will not notarize, as in Dallas JP 3-1.
- The filing and service fees on that court's current sheet.
- After judgment, a request for the writ, plus any charge for deputy time over two hours.
This page shares public court information, not legal advice. If the occupant has a lease, a deed or a family tie, talk to a Texas real estate attorney.
Selling the house once it is yours again
We do not file evictions or remove occupants for owners. If the eviction is behind you and you are ready to move on from the property, 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 review the closing statement before you sign. Request an offer, check the areas we serve, or browse our vacant property guides.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I find the right justice court for a Tarrant County house?
Tarrant County's Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 page points filers to the county's Comprehensive Address Information Directory to look up the justice precinct for an address. The case is filed in that precinct's court.
What does it cost to evict a squatter in Dallas County in 2026?
A Dallas County justice court fee sheet effective January 1, 2026 lists $134 to file and serve one defendant, $80 to serve each additional defendant, and $405 for a writ of possession. A jury demand is $22 and an appeal is $64.
Will the Dallas County clerk notarize my eviction petition?
No. The 2026 Dallas County eviction fee sheet says the clerk will not notarize eviction petitions or military status affidavits, so arrange that before you go.
Why does the court want a military affidavit if the occupant is a squatter?
Federal law protects service members from default judgments. Denton County's eviction page says that if the plaintiff does not file a Servicemembers Civil Relief Act affidavit, the court may not grant a default judgment.
Sources
- Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, filing fees effective January 1, 2026
- Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, eviction cases
- Tarrant County 2026 Sheriff and Constables Fee Schedule (JP4 copy)
- Tarrant County JP1, Summary Disposition for Forcible Entry and Detainer information packet
- Dallas County Justice Court 3-1, eviction fees effective January 1, 2026
- Dallas County Justice of the Peace 5-1, evictions page
- Dallas County JP 5-1, Eviction Rule Change Summary
- Dallas County JP 5-1, Plaintiff Self-Representation Packet (Eviction) 2026
- Dallas County Constable Precinct 4, Service and Fee Schedule
- Collin County Constable Fees
- Denton County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Evictions
General information, not legal or tax advice. Talk to a Texas attorney or CPA about your situation.