Bexar County Justice of the Peace Court
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Communication
Phone
Phone
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Orders should be filed as attachments or behind pleadings/motions.
ALL pages in the filing should be in portrait format (8.5x11). Any pages in the filing that are in landscape format or on legal paper layout will result in the pages being linked over as illegible and/or cut off. The whole envelope will be rejected for correction.
- Paper size
- Letter
The affidavit of service should be filed as the first page when being submitted, as to get the file stamp. The citation and officer’s return should be filed behind the affidavit.
Orders should not get a file stamp, so should not be filed as lead documents.
Separate Lead Documents- Motions, pleadings, notices, certificates, affidavits, declarations, discoveries, etc. should all receive their own file stamp and be filed as separate lead documents. This will be an exception if documents are filed as exhibits.
The correct case type and/or category should be selected by the filer. Clerks cannot edit this option. If the incorrect case type or category is selected, the envelope will be rejected.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Attorneys must submit the specified new case filings, subsequent filings, and response pleadings through E-File Texas Self-Help and E-File Texas.
All attorneys will be required to submit new Eviction, Small Claims, Debt Claims, and subsequent case filings and any other response pleadings via E-File Texas Self-Help and E-File Texas.
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Paper case filings will not be accepted after August 4, 2025.
Paper case filings will no longer be accepted after August 4, 2025.
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Cases not accepted by E-File Texas and Self-Help must be submitted in person.
Any cases not accepted by E-File Texas and Self-Help will have to be submitted in person.
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Mandatory electronic filing applies to all cases effective August 4, 2025.
Effective Monday, August 4, 2025, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 will implement MANDATORY E-Filing of ALL cases.
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Additional filings should be sent through the eFile Landing Page or efile.txcourts.gov.
Please make sure to send any additional filings through eFile - Landing Page (tylertech.cloud) or efile.txcourts.gov.
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Self-represented litigants may file documents at Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.
All Pro Se litigants (parties not represented by an attorney) will be allowed to file documents at Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.
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Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Submissions that do not follow the stated guidelines will be rejected and returned with comments for correction.
*Any submissions that do not adhere to the guidelines above will be rejected and returned with comments for corrections.
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Filing Fees and Waivers
The filing party should enter all filing fees, including copy fees; clerks cannot adjust them, and incorrect or unselected fees will result in rejection.
All filing fees including fees for copies should be entered by the filing party. Clerks cannot adjust these fees. If any fees are submitted incorrectly or not selected the envelope will be rejected.
Page 1 | Filing Fees
Chambers Communication Rules
For questions, contact the Court Manager by telephone at (210) 335-4510.
If you have any questions, please call my Court Manager, Elva Abundis-Esparza at (210) 335-4510 or email at elva.abundis-esparza@bexar.org.
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For questions, the court may be contacted by phone at (210) 335-4500.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call our court at (210) 335-4500.
Page 2 | TO: General Counsel