Travis County District Courts Document Filing Requirements
369 rules from official source documents
Rules 251 to 300, page 6 of 8
Required elements, certificates, and structural requirements for court documents.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibit
The first page of each exhibit must be pre-marked with the exhibit number.
The first page of each exhibit must be pre-marked with the exhibit number;
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Electronic exhibits
Attorneys and self-represented litigants intending to use electronic exhibits must ensure that they and their witnesses can use the necessary technology, including courtroom hardware and Box.
Attorneys and self-represented litigants who intend to use electronic exhibits must ensure they and their witnesses are proficient in the technology, including courtroom hardware and Box.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibit
The first page of each exhibit must be marked in advance with its exhibit number.
The first page of each exhibit must be pre-marked with the exhibit number;
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibit list
Exhibit lists must list all exhibits to be offered with a short neutral description of each and must not use special characters.
Exhibit lists must list all exhibits to be offered, along with a short neutral description of each exhibit (for example, P-001 Bank Statements). Please do not use special characters in the exhibit list.
CRITICALCivil casesProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Applies to
- Documents provided to a judge for action
Documents provided to a judge for action must first be filed with the District Clerk, then a copy must be provided to the judge’s staff.
Also note that providing documents to a judge does not file them; documents provided to a judge for action (e.g., motions) must first be filed with the District Clerk, then a copy provided to the judge's staff.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibits
Parties offering exhibits during a hearing must use the Court's Box link to upload an Exhibit List and pre-marked exhibits.
If you intend to offer any exhibits during the hearing, you must utilize the Box link sent by the Court and upload an Exhibit List and pre-marked exhibits.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibit
If the exhibit image lacks an exhibit number, a preceding separator page must show the party designation and exhibit number.
If an exhibit number is not on the exhibit image, there must be a separator page preceding the image to show the party designation and exhibit number.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibit list
Upload an exhibit list to your Box folder.
Upload an exhibit list to your Box folder.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibits
The first page of each exhibit must be marked with the party designation and exhibit number matching the PDF file name.
3) The first page of each exhibit must be marked with the party designation and exhibit number that correlates with the PDF file name.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibits
If the exhibit number does not appear on the exhibit image, a separator page showing the party designation and exhibit number must precede the image.
If an exhibit number is not on the exhibit image, there must be a separator page preceding the image to show the party designation and exhibit number.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibit
The first page of each exhibit must show the party designation and exhibit number matching its PDF filename.
The first page of each exhibit must be marked with the party designation and exhibit number that correlates with the PDF file name.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibit
Do not use “Movant” or “Non-Movant” as exhibit party designations.
Do not use “Movant” or “Non-Movant.”
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibits
Each exhibit must include the party's designation from the current lawsuit (P, D, R, or I, as full word or letter) along with the exhibit numeral, regardless of which party is the movant.
5) Each exhibit must contain a party designation letter or name along with the numeral. Your designation in the current lawsuit is the designation to be used for exhibits, regardless of which party is the moving party for any particular motion. You may use the full word or just the designation letter: Plaintiff or Petitioner (P); Defendant (D); Respondent (R); Intervenor (I).
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibits
An exhibit list must be uploaded to the party's Box folder.
8) Upload an exhibit list to your Box folder.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibit
Each exhibit must include a party designation letter or name together with its exhibit number.
Each exhibit must contain a party designation letter or name along with the numeral.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Technology training certification
All attorneys must certify to the Court, before a jury trial, that they have completed the Technology Training offered by the Court IT staff.
All attorneys must certify to the Court before a jury trial that you have taken the Technology Training offered by the Court IT staff.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Jury trial
Attorneys must certify to the Court before a jury trial that they completed the Court IT staff’s Technology Training.
All attorneys must certify to the Court before a jury trial that you have taken the Technology Training offered by the Court IT staff.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Proposed jury questions and instructions
Submit proposed jury questions and instructions in Word, with supporting citations, at the pretrial conference or by the first day of trial through both Box upload and email to the Briefing Attorney.
Submit in Word proposed jury questions and instructions, with supporting cites to cases, statutes, and the PJC, at the pretrial conference or on or before the first day of trial, by uploading them to Box and by email to the Briefing Attorney.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Proposed jury questions and instructions
Proposed jury questions and instructions must be submitted in Word with supporting citations to cases, statutes, and the PJC by uploading to Box and emailing the Briefing Attorney.
Submit in Word proposed jury questions and instructions, with supporting cites to cases, statutes, and the PJC, at the pretrial conference or on or before the first day of trial, by uploading them to Box and by email to the Briefing Attorney.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion in limine
Motions in Limine must not include items already covered by the Standing Order in Limine.
Do not include items that are in the Standing Order in Limine in the parties' Motions in Limine.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Hearing
- Must include
- proposed order
For each hearing, upload a proposed order in Word to Box and/or bring the proposed order, stating the relief sought.
Upload to Box in Word and/or bring a proposed order with the relief being sought to each hearing.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Technology training certification
All attorneys must certify to the Court before trial that they have completed the Technology Training offered by the Court IT staff.
All attorneys must certify to the Court before trial that you have taken the Technology Training offered by the Court IT staff.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Trial exhibits
Trial exhibits should be pre-marked, exchanged before trial, unopposed exhibits offered at pretrial for pre-admission, and an index provided to the Court and court reporter in the Court’s preferred format.
Trial exhibits should be: o Pre-marked with party abbreviation and number (e.g., P-1, D-2, R-3) o Exchanged with opposing counsel prior to trial o Unopposed exhibits should be offered at pretrial for pre-admission o An index of exhibits should be provided to the Court and court reporter, using the 459th District Court’s preferred format
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Proposed order
- Must include
- proposed order
Upload to Box in Word and/or bring a proposed order with the relief being sought to each hearing.
Upload to Box in Word and/or bring a proposed order with the relief being sought to each hearing.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Draft judgment decree or order
When practicable, all parties must sign a draft judgment, decree, or order to evidence approval as to form before presentation to the judge.
So far as practicable, every draft of a judgment, decree, or order to be signed by a judge or associate judge must be signed by all parties evidencing approval as to form before it is presented to the judge.
WARNINGCriminal cases
- Applies to
- Motion to substitute counsel
A motion to substitute counsel will be granted without a hearing if the Defendant and both attorneys sign the order and the motion states that the incoming attorney accepts the case's next setting.
The motion will be granted without hearing if the order is signed by the defendant, as well as the incoming and outgoing attorneys, and the motion states that the incoming attorney accepts the case's next setting.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Temporary restraining order or temporary injunction
A request for a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction must not repeat or address the Travis County family-law standing-order subject matter unless seeking a modification.
When requesting a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction, counsel must not repeat or otherwise address the subject matter contained in Travis County Standing Order for Family Law Cases except to seek a modification of such Standing Order.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Judgment decree or order
Do not use the word “entered” to indicate the date a judgment, decree, or order is signed.
The word "entered" must not be used to show the date on which a judgment, decree, or order is signed.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Pre adoptive home screening and post placement adoptive report
In adoptions of children placed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Department must prepare the pre-adoptive home screening and post-placement adoptive report.
In each suit seeking adoption of a child placed for adoption by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (the Department), the pre- adoptive home screening and post-placement adoptive report must be made by the Department.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Motion
The court may strike a setting if the motion or an amended motion lacks the required certificates.
The court retains discretion to strike any setting in which the motion (or an amended version of the motion) does not include such certificates.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Pre adoptive home screening and post placement adoptive report
In suits brought by or involving placements from a child placing agency (other than CPS), the child placing agency must prepare the pre-adoptive home screening and post-placement adoptive report.
In each suit brought by a child placing agency (other than CPS) that seeks to terminate the parent-child relationship, and in each suit that seeks adoption of a child placed by a child placing agency, the child placing agency must prepare the pre-adoptive home screening and post-placement adoptive report.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Proposed order
The judge's signature line on proposed orders must be on a page containing other text, not on a separate page.
The signature line for the judge to sign proposed orders must not be on a separate page but must be on a page with other text.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Family law case
Parties in divorce suits and suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed in Travis County are subject to the Travis County Standing Order for Family Law Cases and its amendments.
The parties in any divorce suit or suit affecting the parent-child relationship (which include, but are not limited to, modification suits, paternity suits, and original suits) filed in Travis County are subject to the Travis County Standing Order for Family Law Cases and any amendments thereto.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Pretrial information form
The pretrial information form in termination and adoption suits must be the Petitioner's Pretrial Form in Suit for Termination and Adoption in the form posted on the Travis County Civil District Courts' website.
In every termination suit, except those brought by CPS, and in all adoption suits, the petitioner must file a completed pretrial information form with the District Clerk and serve a copy on the Family Court Services Manager fourteen days before the final hearing. Petitioner's Pretrial Form in Suit for Termination and Adoption must be in the form posted on the Travis County Civil District Courts’ website.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Motion
Chapter 6’s withdrawal and substitution procedures do not apply to attorneys who made a limited appearance; Chapter 20 governs those matters.
This Chapter does not apply to a withdrawal or substitution by an attorney who has made a limited appearance; Chapter 20 governs withdrawal and substitution of a limited appearance.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Pretrial form
The parties may not agree to waive or modify the provisions or requirements of these rules.
The parties may not by agreement waive or modify the provisions or requirements of these rules.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Pretrial information form
The Petitioner's Pretrial Form in Suit for Termination and Adoption must use the official form posted on the Travis County Civil District Courts' website.
Petitioner's Pretrial Form in Suit for Termination and Adoption must be in the form posted on the Travis County Civil District Courts' website.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Motion to withdraw or substitute
Even with unanimous consent or full compliance with Rules 6.2 or 6.3, the court retains discretion to grant or deny a withdrawal motion and to require the motion to be set for hearing.
(a) Even if all parties and counsel agree to a motion to withdraw, the court retains discretion to grant or deny a motion to withdraw. (b) Even if all requirements of Rules 6.2 or 6.3 are met, the court retains discretion to require the motion to be set for hearing.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Motion
Counsel requesting a temporary restraining order or injunction must not repeat or address the subject matter of the Travis County Standing Order for Family Law Cases unless seeking to modify it.
When requesting a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction, counsel must not repeat or otherwise address the subject matter contained in Travis County Standing Order for Family Law Cases except to seek a modification of such Standing Order.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Request for setting
For jury trials, the announced time estimate must cover pretrial, voir dire, evidence, charge conference, closing argument, and deliberation; matters that cannot be heard within the announced time may be rescheduled at the court's discretion.
Any matter which the court determines cannot reasonably be heard within the announced time will be rescheduled at the discretion of the court. For jury trials, the total announced time must include time for pretrial, voir dire, evidence, charge conference, closing argument, and deliberation.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Submission
Only Uncontested Docket matters not requiring testimony are eligible for submission.
Matters appropriate for Uncontested Docket that do not require testimony are eligible for submission under the terms of this Standing Order.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Notice of hearing
A notice of hearing for temporary orders requiring an appearance after answer day needs no order and must not be presented to a judge for signature.
Notices of Hearing for Temporary Orders that require appearance after answer day do not require an order and must not be presented to a judge for signature.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Pretrial information form
The petitioner's pretrial form in a termination or adoption suit must use the form posted on the Travis County Civil District Courts’ website.
Petitioner's Pretrial Form in Suit for Termination and Adoption must be in the form posted on the Travis County Civil District Courts’ website.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Temporary restraining order or temporary injunction
A request for a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction must not repeat or address the standing-order subject matter unless seeking a modification.
When requesting a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction, counsel must not repeat or otherwise address the subject matter contained in the standing order except to seek a modification of the standing order.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Pretrial form
Pre-trial forms are not required for hearings on the Travis Domestic Relations Office, CPS, IV-D, or Travis County Protective Order dockets.
Pre-trial forms are not required for any hearing on the Travis Domestic Relations Office docket, the CPS docket, the IV-D court docket, and the Travis County Protective Order docket.
WARNINGCriminal cases
- Applies to
- Trial motion
The defendant is expected to execute necessary trial motions with the District Clerk and file other necessary motions, including the listed examples, by the time required by statute.
The defendant is expected to execute all necessary trial motions with the District Clerk, and have filed other motions, such as: motions in-limine, an application for probation, an election of punishment, and any other motions necessary, at the statutorily required time.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Draft judgment decree or order
When practicable, every draft judgment, decree, or order must bear all parties’ signatures approving its form before presentation to the judge.
So far as practicable, every draft of a judgment, decree, or order to be signed by a judge or associate judge must be signed by all parties evidencing approval as to form before it is presented to the judge.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Motion
Counsel requesting a temporary restraining order or injunction must not repeat or address the standing order’s subject matter unless seeking to modify the order.
When requesting a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction, counsel must not repeat or otherwise address the subject matter contained in the standing order except to seek a modification of the standing order.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Financial documents
A Schedule K-1 covering the calendar year of the trial (January 1 through the trial date) must be provided (fragment of a larger pre-trial financial document requirement continuing from the prior page).
Schedule K-1 for the calendar year of the trial from January 1 through the date of the trial.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Pre adoptive home screening and post placement adoptive report
Pre-adoptive home screenings and post-placement adoptive reports must be prepared according to criteria established by the Family Court Services Manager under the supervision of the District Judges.
Each pre-adoptive home screening and post-placement adoptive report made pursuant to Section 25.3 (d) must be prepared according to criteria established by the Family Court Services Manager under the supervision of the District Judges.
Related categories
Back to all rules for this courtPage & Word Limits
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.