Collin County District Courts
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Document Format Requirements2 rules
A pleading may not use initials in place of a person's first and last names unless redaction is authorized by Rule 21c, another law, or a court order.
A pleading must not contain initials in place of the first and last names unless redaction of the name is required or permitted by Tex. R. Civ. P. 21c, other law, or court order.
The confidential transcript must retain page numbers in the sequence in which the testimony was taken, notwithstanding separation from the main transcript.
The separate transcript designated “Confidential” shall have page numbers in the sequence in which testimony was taken, as if those pages were not segregated.
Document Filing Requirements24 rules
Deposition testimony concerning confidential documents must be designated during the deposition and transcribed in a separately marked confidential volume, while corresponding blank pages are inserted in the main transcript.
Deposition testimony concerning “Confidential” documents shall be designated as “Confidential” during the course of the deposition, and the court reporter shall transcribe any pages designated as “Confidential” in a separate volume marked with that designation, with a blank page being provided in a non-designated main transcript.
Document Type
Deposition Testimony
A party seeking confidentiality for a document, item, information, or material must mark it “Confidential” with the party’s name or initials immediately preceding that designation on the first page or outer cover.
Any document that any party wishes to protect against unauthorized disclosure or use shall be designated as “Confidential” by stamping, writing or delineating that designation, along with that party’s name or initials immediately preceding the word “Confidential” on the first page, or outer cover, of each document, item, information or material as to which confidentiality is claimed.
Document Type
Confidential Material
A witness who receives confidential materials during a deposition must sign the Exhibit A statement, which must be included as a deposition exhibit, or agree on the record to be bound by the protective order and that statement.
The witness must sign a statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, which form shall be included as an exhibit to such deposition, or the witness shall agree on the record to be bound by the terms of the Protective Order and the statement attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Document Type
Deposition
Confidential materials may not be shown to a witness unless the stated protective-order requirements are satisfied.
The documents, items, information or materials shall not be shown to the witness, however, unless the requirements of Sections 2 and 3 are met.
Document Type
Deposition
Unless an exception applies, every motion must be accompanied by a Certificate of Conference signed by movant’s counsel and containing the required conference information.
4.1.2. Except as provided in Section 4.1.3, no counsel for a party shall file any motion unless accompanied with a Certificate of Conference signed by counsel for movant and stating:
Document Type
Motion
A third stated basis for the Certificate of Conference is that movant’s counsel conferred on the motion’s merits and opposing counsel stated that the motion is unopposed.
(c) Counsel for movant has conferred with opposing counsel on the merits of the issues contained in this motion, and opposing counsel has indicated that the motion is unopposed.
Document Type
Certificate Of Conference
The subpoena certificate must state that the party conferred with an authorized representative, could not agree on a representative, and list the reasons the requested person or documents were critical.
(b) the party conferred with an authorized representative and was unable to agree on a representative to appear or provide documents because the person or documents sought were critical for the following reasons: (list reasons).
Document Type
Subpoenas
Another stated basis for the Certificate of Conference is that movant’s counsel attempted to resolve the matters with respondent’s counsel but respondent’s counsel did not respond or try to resolve them.
(b) Counsel for movant has personally attempted to contact the counsel for respondent to resolve the matters presented, but counsel for respondent has failed to respond or attempt to resolve the matters presented; or
Document Type
Certificate Of Conference
The subpoena certificate must list contact dates, times, methods, and persons contacted and state that a detailed message explaining the subpoena was provided without receiving a response.
(a) the party timely attempted to contact the legal representative or chief executive officer on (list dates, times, methods of contact, and persons contacted) and provided a detailed message alerting the person of the reasons for the subpoena, but received no response; or
Document Type
Subpoenas
One stated basis for the Certificate of Conference is that movant and respondent personally conducted a substantive conference but could not resolve the matters despite best efforts.
(a) Counsel for movant and counsel for respondent have personally conducted a conference at which there was a substantive discussion of the relief sought in this motion and despite best efforts the counsel have not been able to revolve those matters presented; or
Document Type
Certificate Of Conference
A subpoena directed at a non-party government employee must include a certificate providing the information specified in Section 4.2.2.
4.2.2. Certificate Requirement. The subpoena must include a certificate that provides the following information:
Document Type
Subpoenas
An attorney-withdrawal motion may be granted without a hearing if the client consents, another lawyer appears for the client, or specified notice, mailing, certification, and no-objection conditions are satisfied.
A motion to withdraw may be granted without hearing if: (a) The client has signed the motion or order, consenting to the withdrawal; (b) Another lawyer has made an appearance on behalf of the client; or (c) The motion is accompanied by a letter that notifies the client of the client’s right to object to the withdrawal within 10 days of the date the letter was mailed, the withdrawing attorney certifies that the motion and letter were sent to the client’s last known address by both certified and regular first class mail, and no objection is filed.
Document Type
Attorney Withdrawal Motion
Discovery-sanctions motions, discovery-objection rulings, and motions to compel discovery must identify the disputed discovery request and the disputed objection and response in the motion body.
All motions for discovery sanctions, requests for rulings on discovery objections, and motions to compel discovery shall set out within the body of the motion the interrogatory or request which is in dispute, and the objection and answer or response which is in dispute, so that all matters necessary for the Court’s consideration are set out in one concise document.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
The motion and order for attorney withdrawal must include the client’s last known email address.
The withdrawal motion and order must contain the client’s last known email address.
Document Type
Attorney Withdrawal Motion
The written final judgment must indicate whether it is approved by all parties as to form or substance.
Within 30 days after reported settlement, rendition, or verdict, parties shall submit to the court a written final judgment, indicating whether it is approved by all parties as to form or substance.
Document Type
Final Judgment
Self-represented litigants and attorneys using AI for case-related research or drafting must verify that AI-generated information is accurate and correctly presented before using it in a court submission or proceeding.
All self-represented litigants and attorneys who utilize any form of artificial intelligence (such as ChatGPT, Harvey.AI, Google Bard, TensorFlow, OpenAI, Bing) for legal research or drafting in connection with a case shall, before using any AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, ensure that such information is accurate and correctly portrayed to the court.
Document Type
Court Submission
A filing party must mark a document containing required unredacted sensitive data with the exact notice "NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SENSITIVE DATA." to notify the clerk.
If a document must contain unredacted sensitive data, the filing party must notify the clerk by marking it "NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SENSITIVE DATA."
Document Type
Document Containing Unredacted Sensitive Data
A discovery motion must include a certificate of conference stating that the moving party made a good-faith effort to resolve the matter by agreement.
However, no attorney shall file a discovery motion without first conferring with opposing counsel, and no motion will be considered by the Court or set for a hearing unless it is accompanied by a certificate of conference, which shall include a statement that the moving party has made a good faith effort to resolve the matter by agreement.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Each party must attach a copy of the standing order to that party's live pleading.
Each party must attach a copy of this order to the party's live pleading.
Document Type
Live Pleading
A party may designate deposition information as confidential by giving all parties written notice, within 30 days after receiving the transcript, identifying the specific pages and lines to be treated as confidential.
Any party may also designate information disclosed in any deposition as “Confidential” by notifying all of the parties, in writing, within thirty (30) days after receipt of the transcript, of the specific pages and lines of the transcript that should be treated as “Confidential” thereafter.
Document Type
Confidential Deposition Notice
A party may object to entry of the standard form protective order within 10 days after receiving notice of the motion.
Upon the motion of one party for entry of the standard form protective order, the court may enter that order unless a party files an objection within 10 days of receiving notice of the motion.
Document Type
Protective Order Motion
For an appellate record from a Chapter 33, Family Code proceeding, the court reporter must attach a separate notice to the sealed envelope informing the court of appeals clerk of the proceeding's Family Code status.
On a separate sheet attached to the sealed envelope, the court reporter shall give notice to the clerk of the court of appeals that the envelope contains the record of a proceeding under Chapter 33, Family Code.
Document Type
Appellate Record
Before trial, the state and defense must submit a written discovery log acknowledging the disclosure and receipt of all discovery materials provided to the defense.
Prior to the start of trial, the state and defense shall submit to the Court a written discovery log, acknowledging the disclosure and receipt of all documents, items, and information provided to the defense.
Document Type
Discovery Log
The Certificate of Conference requirement does not apply to dispositive, summary-judgment, default-judgment, voluntary-dismissal or nonsuit, post-verdict, or citation-service motions.
4.1.3. The requirement for a Certificate of Conference set forth in this Rule does not apply to dispositive motions, motions for summary judgment, default judgments, motions for voluntary dismissal or nonsuit, post-verdict motions and motions involving service of citation.
Document Type
Motion
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Every electronic filing must comply with Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21 and all other applicable electronic-filing rules and standards.
Electronic filings must comply with Tex. R. Civ. P. 21 and any other applicable electronic filing rules or standards.
Page 3 | 2.4. Document Filing and Electronic Filing
Attorneys must file documents through the electronic filing system.
Attorneys must use the electronic filing system.
Page 3 | 2.4. Document Filing and Electronic Filing
Self-represented litigants may elect electronic filing or submit documents directly to the district clerk.
Self-represented litigants may use electronic filing or file documents directly with the district clerk.
Page 3 | 2.4. Document Filing and Electronic Filing
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
An ex parte application must be filed and assigned to a court before presentation to a judge, and the applicant must notify the judge whether related litigation is pending.
3.4.1. No application for relief shall be presented to a judge until it has been filed and assigned to a court. Anyone seeking ex parte relief must notify the judge whether any other litigation is pending relating to the parties or the subject matter.
Page 5 | 3.4. Ex Parte Relief
Within 30 days after reported settlement, rendition, or verdict, the parties must submit a written final judgment stating whether all parties approve it as to form or substance.
Within 30 days after reported settlement, rendition, or verdict, parties shall submit to the court a written final judgment, indicating whether it is approved by all parties as to form or substance.
Page 8 | 4.7. Final Judgments Due Within 30 Days
If the defense files a written motion for additional particularized discovery concerning a matter not addressed in the Standing Order, it must be presented at the earliest opportunity before trial.
In the event that additional, particularized discovery is necessary, the defense may file a written motion for discovery concerning a matter not addressed in this Order, and any such motion shall be presented to the Court at the earliest opportunity before trial.
Page 3 | ADDITIONAL DISCOVERY
The written discovery log must be submitted before trial begins.
Prior to the start of trial, the state and defense shall submit to the Court a written discovery log, acknowledging the disclosure and receipt of all documents, items, and information provided to the defense.
Page 3 | DISCOVERY LOG
Service and Proof of Service Rules
At least two hours before presenting an application for a temporary restraining order or other ex parte relief, the applicant must notify all other parties or known counsel and provide copies of the application and proposed order.
3.4.2. Except as provided below, anyone applying for a temporary restraining order or other ex parte relief must, at least two hours before presenting the application to a court, notify all other parties (including unrepresented parties), or their counsel if known, provide a copy of the application, and provide a copy of the proposed order.
Page 5 | 3.4. Ex Parte Relief
Advance ex parte notice is unnecessary for specified protective-order applications, imminent irreparable harm with insufficient time to notify, or a supported risk that notice would compromise, remove, or destroy the subject matter.
3.4.3. Advance notification is not required if (a) the application is for a protective order under Title 4 of the Texas Family Code or Article 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure; (b) the application sets forth a reasonable basis for believing that irreparable harm is likely imminent and there is insufficient time to notify opposing counsel or parties; or (c) the application sets forth a reasonable basis for believing that notifying the opposing counsel or party would impair the court’s ability to grant relief due to the danger that the subject matter of the application could be compromised, removed, or destroyed.
Page 5 | 3.4. Ex Parte Relief
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Documents designated as Confidential that are used in filed papers must be submitted in a labeled, sealed envelope and maintained under court seal.
“Confidential” documents used therein shall be filed in a labeled, sealed envelope and maintained under seal by the Court.
Page 7 | C. Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Designated Materials
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must redact sensitive data before filing and must submit a redacted substitute if unredacted sensitive information was previously filed.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must follow Tex. R. Civ. P. 21c and must redact sensitive data before filing documents. If a party has filed a document containing unredacted sensitive data, that party must resubmit a redacted substitute document.
Page 3 | 2.5. Sensitive Data and Initials
The Collin County District Clerk must seal all birth certificates filed in a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship case filed by a governmental entity, as required by Texas Family Code § 102.008(c–1).
IT IS ORDERED that the Collin County District Clerk shall seal all birth certificates filed in any Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship case filed by a governmental entity pursuant to the requirements of Texas Family Code § 102.008(c–1).
Page 1 | STANDING ORDER SEALING BIRTH CERTIFICATES FILED IN CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CASES
The Collin County District Clerk must seal all alternative proof of the child’s parents’ identities filed by a governmental entity in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship cases under Texas Family Code § 102.008(c–1).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Collin County District Clerk shall seal all alternative proof of the identity of the child’s parents filed in any Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship case filed by a governmental entity pursuant to the requirements of Texas Family Code § 102.008(c–1).
Page 1 | STANDING ORDER SEALING BIRTH CERTIFICATES FILED IN CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CASES
The District Clerk may restrict the listed sensitive-data documents from online posting without a further court order, but the documents are not sealed unless a party obtains a court order sealing them.
The District Clerk may, without further order of the court, restrict the above-listed documents from being posted on the internet. However, these documents are not sealed unless a party obtains a court order sealing the document.
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Online Publication of Sensitive Data
Custody evaluations, psychological evaluations, drug test results, full DFPS case records, mental health records, and medical records will not be made available online.
Therefore, the following documents will not be made available on the internet: • Custody evaluations, • Psychological evaluations, • Drug test results, • Full DFPS Case Records, • Mental health records, and • Medical records.
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Online Publication of Sensitive Data
If a filed document contains unlawfully unredacted sensitive data, the clerk may require or permit the filing party to submit a redacted substitute document that may be posted online.
If a filed document contains unredacted sensitive data in violation of the rule, the clerk may require or allow the party to resubmit a redacted, substitute document pursuant to Rule 21c(e), which may be posted on the internet.
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Online Publication of Sensitive Data
The District Clerk may restrict a document marked as containing sensitive data from online posting without a further court order, but the document is not sealed unless a party obtains a court order sealing it.
The District Clerk may, without further order of the court, restrict any document so marked from being posted on the internet. However, these documents are not sealed unless a party obtains a court order sealing the document.
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Online Publication of Sensitive Data
On appeal, the court reporter must prepare the designated record, file it in a sealed envelope, and provide a copy to the district clerk for placement in the cause's sealed file.
In the event of an appeal, the court reporter shall prepare the record according to the designation of record notice, shall file the record on appeal in a sealed envelope as in other appeals, and shall provide a copy thereof to the district clerk, who shall place the copy in the sealed file of the cause.
Page 5 | 4.8. Court Reporters and Timely Preparation of Records
A document may carry a sensitive-data notice when inclusion of the data is required by law, but the notice is prohibited when no such legal requirement applies.
If the inclusion of sensitive data is required by law, then the document may be marked with a notice that the document contains sensitive data; otherwise, the document must not contain that notice.
Page 3 | 2.5. Sensitive Data and Initials
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
An attorney must confer with opposing counsel before filing a discovery motion, and the motion must include a certificate of conference stating that the moving party made a good-faith effort to resolve the matter.
However, no attorney shall file a discovery motion without first conferring with opposing counsel, and no motion will be considered by the Court or set for a hearing unless it is accompanied by a certificate of conference, which shall include a statement that the moving party has made a good faith effort to resolve the matter by agreement.
Page 3 | ADDITIONAL DISCOVERY
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A trial or hearing may be postponed or rescheduled only with court consent, and any continuance motion must be verified and heard at a court-set time.
A trial or hearing cannot be postponed or rescheduled without the consent of the court. Any motion for continuance must be verified and will be heard at a time set by the court.
Page 4 | 3.2. Continuances
Chambers Communication Rules
District clerk employees may provide only specified case, setting, service, filing, and case-style information in response to requests.
Employees may only provide the following information in response to requests: (a) whether an answer has been filed; (b) existence and setting of a case; (c) existence of a setting of a matter and/or motion in a pending case; (d) return of service and a date; and (e) correct style of a case when correct cause number is supplied.
Page 3 | 2.6. Contact with the District Clerk’s Office