Due to ongoing repairs, only select departments are open at the Dallas County Records Building today. If you need in-person assistance, please call to confirm operational status before traveling to the building. We encourage you to visit our website for the latest information and daily operations.
In observance of Labor Day, Dallas County offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026.
Dallas County is under a Burn Ban starting July 27, 2026, in effect for 90 days.
DALLAS COUNTY ADOPTED A TAX RATE THAT WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE.

THE TAX RATE WILL EFFECTIVELY BE RAISED BY 22.02 PERCENT AND WILL RAISE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY APPROXIMATELY $29.08.

Debt Claims

Justice of the Peace 5-1

East Dallas Government Center – 3443 St. Francis Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75228
(214) 943-6980 Main • (214) 943-2871 Fax
Hours of Operation:  8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday
Se Habla Español
Office E-mail: JP51Court@dallascounty.org
Department E-mails:

FORMS

APPEALS MUST BE FILED IN PERSON

ATTENTION:
This court DOES NOT accept the “Statement of Inability to Pay Appeal Bond” via electronic filing or mail. The “Statement of Inability to Pay Appeal Bond” must be filed in person. All appeals must be filed in person.

Debt Claim Petitionacrobat icon
Defendant’s Original Answer - Debt Claimsacrobat icon
Demand for Juryacrobat icon
Appeal Bond - Defendantacrobat icon
Appeal Bond - Plaintiffacrobat icon
Oath of Suretyacrobat icon
Request for Processacrobat icon
Statement of Inability to Payacrobat icon

SELF REPRESENTATION PACKETS

Self Representation Packet – Defendantacrobat icon

LINKS

TEXAS LAW HELP
DALLAS BAR ASSOCATION LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE
TEXAS STATE BAR ASSOCIATION LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE
TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE