Civil Cover Sheet / Case Information Sheet - Texas State Court

CIVIL CASE INFORMATION SHEET

TEXAS STATE COURT

FILING INSTRUCTIONS

The Texas Civil Case Information Sheet, approved by the Texas Judicial Council, must be completed and submitted when an original petition or application is filed to initiate a new civil, family law, probate, or mental health case, or when a post-judgment petition for modification or motion for enforcement is filed in a family law case (Tex. R. Civ. P. 78a). This sheet is intended to collect information for statistical purposes only. It neither replaces nor supplements the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law. The sheet does not constitute a discovery request, response, or supplementation and is not admissible at trial.

E-Filing Requirement: Texas mandates electronic filing in most civil cases through the eFileTexas system (Tex. R. Civ. P. 21). Self-represented litigants in certain case types may be exempt.

PART I: COURT INFORMATION

Court Level (check one):

☐ District Court
☐ County Court at Law
☐ Constitutional County Court
☐ Statutory Probate Court
☐ Justice Court / Small Claims Court

Court Number / Name (if known): [________________________________]

County: [________________________________]

Administrative Judicial Region: [________________________________]

PART II: CASE CAPTION

IN THE [________________________________] COURT
OF [________________________________] COUNTY, TEXAS

[________________________________],
     Plaintiff(s),

v.                                          Cause No.: ________________________
                                            (To be assigned by Clerk)
[________________________________],
     Defendant(s).

PART III: PARTY INFORMATION

Plaintiff(s) / Petitioner(s)

Additional Plaintiff(s): ☐ See attached list

Defendant(s) / Respondent(s)

Additional Defendant(s): ☐ See attached list

PART IV: ATTORNEY OR SELF-REPRESENTED PARTY

☐ Self-Represented (Pro Se) - No attorney of record

PART V: CASE TYPE CATEGORY

(Check the single most applicable category. These categories are established by the Texas Judicial Council for statistical tracking under Tex. Gov't Code Section 72.031.)

A. CONTRACT AND DEBT

☐ Debt/Contract - Consumer/Commercial/Debt
Disputes arising from written or oral agreements, promissory notes, accounts, or consumer transactions.

☐ Debt/Contract - Other
Contract disputes not otherwise classified.

B. INJURY OR DAMAGE

☐ Injury or Damage - Motor Vehicle
Personal injury or property damage arising from motor vehicle accident.

☐ Injury or Damage - Premises Liability
Personal injury or property damage arising from condition of real property.

☐ Injury or Damage - Products Liability
Personal injury or property damage arising from defective product.

☐ Injury or Damage - Health Care / Medical Malpractice
Claims governed by Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 74.

☐ Injury or Damage - Asbestos / Silica
Claims governed by Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 90.

☐ Injury or Damage - Other Professional Liability
Legal malpractice, accounting malpractice, or other professional negligence.

☐ Injury or Damage - Other
Personal injury or property damage not otherwise classified.

C. REAL PROPERTY

☐ Real Property - Eminent Domain / Condemnation
Government taking of private property.

☐ Real Property - Partition
Division of jointly owned real property.

☐ Real Property - Quiet Title / Trespass to Try Title
Disputes over ownership or title to real property (Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 22).

☐ Real Property - Foreclosure
Judicial foreclosure of lien or deed of trust.

☐ Real Property - Landlord/Tenant / Forcible Detainer
Eviction, lease disputes, and related possessory actions.

☐ Real Property - Other
Real property disputes not otherwise classified.

D. TAX

☐ Tax - Tax Suit
Suits for delinquent ad valorem taxes (Tex. Tax Code Ch. 33).

☐ Tax - Other
Tax-related disputes not otherwise classified.

E. EMPLOYMENT

☐ Employment - Discrimination
Claims of employment discrimination under state law.

☐ Employment - Wrongful Termination
Claims of unlawful termination.

☐ Employment - Non-compete / Trade Secrets
Disputes over covenants not to compete or misappropriation of trade secrets (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ch. 15).

☐ Employment - Workers' Compensation
Judicial review of workers' compensation disputes (Tex. Lab. Code Ch. 410).

☐ Employment - Other
Employment disputes not otherwise classified.

F. GOVERNMENT

☐ Government - Mandamus / Quo Warranto
Extraordinary writs directed to governmental entities or officers.

☐ Government - Administrative Appeal
Judicial review of administrative agency decision.

☐ Government - Other
Government-related civil cases not otherwise classified.

G. APPEALS

☐ Appeal - From Justice Court
De novo appeal from justice court to county court at law.

☐ Appeal - From Municipal Court
De novo appeal from municipal court.

☐ Appeal - Administrative Body
Appeal from administrative agency.

H. OTHER CIVIL

☐ Other Civil - Declaratory Judgment
Action for declaratory relief under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 37.

☐ Other Civil - Bill of Review
Equitable proceeding to set aside final judgment.

☐ Other Civil - Garnishment
Post-judgment or pre-judgment garnishment.

☐ Other Civil - Sequestration
Writ of sequestration for personal or real property.

☐ Other Civil - Turnover
Turnover proceedings under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 31.002.

☐ Other Civil - Foreign Judgment
Domestication of foreign judgment under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 35.

☐ Other Civil - Temporary Restraining Order / Injunction
Application for injunctive relief.

☐ Other Civil - Name Change
Petition for change of name (non-family law context).

☐ Other Civil - Other
Describe: [________________________________]

Local Case Category Code (if required by county): [________________________________]

PART VI: AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY / DAMAGES SOUGHT

A. Monetary Relief Sought

Total Amount Claimed: $ [________________________________] (exclusive of interest, statutory or punitive damages, penalties, attorney's fees, and costs)

B. Damage Range (check one)

☐ $250,000 or less
(Level 2 Discovery Control Plan applies under Tex. R. Civ. P. 190.3 unless the case involves non-monetary relief)

☐ More than $250,000 but not more than $1,000,000
(Level 3 Discovery Control Plan applies under Tex. R. Civ. P. 190.4)

☐ More than $1,000,000
(Level 3 Discovery Control Plan applies)

C. Non-Monetary Relief

☐ Injunctive Relief (temporary and/or permanent)
☐ Declaratory Judgment
☐ Writ of Mandamus
☐ Specific Performance
☐ Quiet Title
☐ Foreclosure / Sale of Property
☐ Partition of Property
☐ Other Equitable Relief: [________________________________]

D. Exemplary / Punitive Damages

☐ Exemplary or punitive damages are sought under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 41.

E. Discovery Control Plan Level

☐ Level 1 (Tex. R. Civ. P. 190.2) - Suit by an assignee of a claim where the amount in controversy does not exceed $250,000
☐ Level 2 (Tex. R. Civ. P. 190.3) - Default level for most cases
☐ Level 3 (Tex. R. Civ. P. 190.4) - Cases requiring a discovery control plan ordered by the court

PART VII: JURY DEMAND

☐ Jury Trial Requested
Jury fee of $40.00 (District Court) or $22.00 (County Court at Law) has been or will be timely paid pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code § 51.317 / § 51.604.

(Note: Jury fee must be paid no later than thirty (30) days before the trial date to preserve the right to jury trial. Tex. R. Civ. P. 216.)

☐ Non-Jury / Bench Trial Requested

PART VIII: RELATED CASES AND CONSOLIDATION

☐ There are no known related cases pending in any Texas court.

☐ The following related case(s) are pending or have been previously filed:

☐ A motion to consolidate or transfer will be filed.

PART IX: SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS

☐ Expedited Actions Process (Tex. R. Civ. P. 169)
Applicable if the claimant seeks only monetary relief aggregating $250,000 or less, including damages, penalties, costs, expenses, pre-judgment interest, and attorney's fees.

☐ Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) (Tex. Gov't Code Ch. 74, Subch. H)
This case involves or may be related to cases pending before the MDL Panel.
MDL No. (if known): [________________________________]

☐ Complex Case Designation
This case should be designated as a complex case for case management purposes.

☐ Business Court Designation (Tex. Gov't Code Ch. 25A)
This case qualifies for assignment to a Texas Business Court.
(Available for certain business disputes effective September 1, 2024.)

☐ Arbitration Track Selection (if required by local rules)
☐ Case is subject to court-annexed arbitration
☐ Case is exempt from arbitration

☐ Confidential / Minor Name Protection
This case involves a minor whose name should be protected from public disclosure.

PART X: SERVICE INFORMATION

Method of Service on Defendant(s):

☐ Personal Service by Process Server (Tex. R. Civ. P. 106(a))
☐ Personal Service by Sheriff / Constable (Tex. R. Civ. P. 106(a))
☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested (Tex. R. Civ. P. 106(a)(2))
☐ Substituted Service (Tex. R. Civ. P. 106(b)) - Court order required
☐ Service by Publication (Tex. R. Civ. P. 116-117) - Court order required
☐ Service on Secretary of State (Long-Arm Statute) (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 17.044)
☐ Waiver of Service (Tex. R. Civ. P. 119)

Service Address(es):

PART XI: INTERPRETER / ACCOMMODATION NEEDS

☐ No interpreter or accommodation is needed.

☐ Interpreter Needed
Language: [________________________________]
For: ☐ Party ☐ Witness ☐ Other: [________________________________]

☐ ADA Accommodation Needed
Describe: [________________________________]

PART XII: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that the information provided on this Civil Case Information Sheet is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that this sheet is for data collection and administrative purposes only and does not replace any required pleading, motion, or other filing.

Date: [__/__/____]

________________________________________
[Attorney Name / Pro Se Party Name]
Texas Bar No.: [________________________________] (if applicable)
[Firm Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]
Attorney for / Pro Se: [________________________________]

PART XIII: FILING FEE REFERENCE

(Fees vary by county and court level. The following are general statutory ranges under Tex. Gov't Code Ch. 51. Always confirm current fees with the local clerk's office.)

(Note: Additional fees may apply for service of citation, e-filing service provider fees, and other statutory surcharges. Filing fees may be waived upon approval of a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Tex. R. Civ. P. 145.)

PART XIV: PRACTITIONER CHECKLIST

Pre-Filing

☐ Verify the correct court level and county for filing
☐ Confirm jurisdiction and venue under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 15
☐ Complete the Civil Case Information Sheet in full
☐ Confirm the appropriate case type category
☐ Calculate the amount in controversy and select the correct damage range
☐ Register for eFileTexas if not already registered
☐ Confirm current filing fees with the local clerk's office

Filing

☐ File original petition and Civil Case Information Sheet simultaneously
☐ Pay filing fee or file Statement of Inability to Afford Payment (Tex. R. Civ. P. 145)
☐ Obtain cause number from the clerk
☐ Request issuance of citation for service on defendant(s)
☐ Pay jury fee if jury trial is demanded

Post-Filing

☐ Serve defendant(s) within the time prescribed by Tex. R. Civ. P. 99
☐ File return of service / proof of service with the clerk
☐ Calendar answer date (Monday following the expiration of 20 days after service, Tex. R. Civ. P. 99(b))
☐ File any required local forms or supplements specific to the county
☐ Comply with any mandatory alternative dispute resolution requirements

Sources and References

• Texas Rules of Civil Procedure - Available at https://www.txcourts.gov/rules-forms/rules-standards/
• Tex. R. Civ. P. 78a - Civil Case Information Sheet requirement
• Tex. R. Civ. P. 21 - Filing and Serving Pleadings and Other Papers (e-filing mandate)
• Tex. R. Civ. P. 190 - Discovery Control Plans and Limitations
• Tex. R. Civ. P. 169 - Expedited Actions Process
• Texas Judicial Council Civil Case Information Sheet: https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1436711/civilcaseinfosheetpv.pdf
• Instructions for Completing the Texas Civil Case Information Sheet: https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1436709/caseinformationsheetinstructions.pdf
• eFileTexas Electronic Filing System: https://efile.txcourts.gov/
• Tex. Gov't Code Ch. 51 - Fees and Costs: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/

This template is designed for use in Texas state courts, including District Courts, County Courts at Law, and Justice Courts. Case categories, filing fees, and local requirements vary by county. Always verify current requirements with the local clerk's office and comply with any county-specific supplements (e.g., business court designation, arbitration track selection, or confidentiality requirements). This document does not constitute legal advice.