Where to file bankruptcy in Texas

Where to file in Texas, what it costs and what comes next.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

You file in the federal district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. Texas has four districts; each court lists the counties for each division: Northern https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations, Eastern https://www.txeb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations, Southern https://www.txs.uscourts.gov/page/address-hours-phone-information (choose your division), Western: each division page on https://www.txwb.uscourts.gov/ (for example https://www.txwb.uscourts.gov/austin-division).

Federal bankruptcy courts
4
Courts
Northern District, Eastern District, Southern District and Western District

Texas bankruptcy courts and divisions

You file in the federal district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. Texas has four districts; each court lists the counties for each division: Northern https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations, Eastern https://www.txeb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations, Southern https://www.txs.uscourts.gov/page/address-hours-phone-information (choose your division), Western: each division page on https://www.txwb.uscourts.gov/ (for example https://www.txwb.uscourts.gov/austin-division).

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas

Divisions: Dallas, Fort Worth, Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, San Angelo, Wichita Falls

Clerk's phone: (214) 753-2000 (Dallas); (817) 333-6000 (Fort Worth); (806) 472-5000 (Lubbock, also Abilene); (806) 324-2302 (Amarillo)

Court's self-help page

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas

Divisions: Beaumont and Lufkin (Beaumont office); Sherman and Texarkana (Plano office); Tyler and Marshall (Tyler office)

Clerk's phone: (409) 654-7060 (Beaumont); (903) 590-3200 (Tyler); (972) 509-1240 (Plano)

Court's self-help page

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas

Divisions: Houston, Galveston, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, Victoria (plus a place of holding court in College Station)

Clerk's phone: 713-250-5500 (Clerk of Court, Houston)

Court's self-help page

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas

Divisions: Austin, El Paso, San Antonio, Waco, Midland (unstaffed)

Clerk's phone: (210) 472-6720 (San Antonio); (512) 916-5237 (Austin); (915) 779-7362 (El Paso); (254) 750-1513 (Waco)

Court's self-help page

In nearby states

  • Oklahoma: Northern District, Eastern District and Western District
  • Louisiana: Eastern District, Middle District and Western District
  • New Mexico: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Mexico

Your next steps in Texas

  1. Find your district

    Your district depends on where you lived most of the last 180 days.

  2. Check local rules

    Each court lists its divisions, hours and local rules: Northern District, Eastern District, Southern District and Western District.

  3. Get your counseling certificate

    Use an approved agency. U.S. Trustee list of approved credit counseling agencies.

  4. Prepare the forms

    Download the official bankruptcy forms.

Where to get free help in Texas

Questions about filing in Texas

How do I find my bankruptcy court in Texas?

You file in the federal district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. Texas has four districts; each court lists the counties for each division: Northern https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations, Eastern https://www.txeb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations, Southern https://www.txs.uscourts.gov/page/address-hours-phone-information (choose your division), Western: each division page on https://www.txwb.uscourts.gov/ (for example https://www.txwb.uscourts.gov/austin-division).

What are the Texas means test numbers?

For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $66,837; 2 people: $86,714; 3 people: $99,273; 4 people: $117,962; Each extra person: +$11,100.

Where can I get free help with bankruptcy in Texas?

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, Lone Star Legal Aid (also takes bankruptcy clinic calls from outside Houston, per the Southern District court) and Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (free bankruptcy help in the Greater Houston area, listed by the Southern District court).

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