Last amended January 1, 2026 · Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 143a makes a justice-court appeal fail if the appellant does not pay appeal costs within twenty days of the county clerk's notice — except eviction appeals (governed by Rule 510.19) — and excuses the county filing fee for a party who appealed with a Statement of Inability.
Full Text of Rule 143a
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This rule does not apply to appeals of eviction cases, which are governed by Rule 510.19. If the appellant fails to pay the costs on appeal from a judgment of a justice court within 20 days after being notified to do so by the county clerk, the appeal is not perfected and the county clerk must return all papers in the cause to the justice court having original jurisdiction and the justice court must proceed as though no appeal had been attempted. A party who perfects an appeal of a justice court judgment with a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs is not required to pay the county court filing fee or file an additional Statement in the county court to waive costs on appeal.
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Plain-English Summary
Rule 143a sets the cost step for appealing a justice-court judgment to county court. If the appellant does not pay the costs on appeal within twenty days after the county clerk gives notice, the appeal is not perfected; the clerk returns the papers to the justice court, which proceeds as if no appeal had been attempted.
Two carve-outs apply. Eviction appeals are governed instead by Rule 510.19. And a party who perfected the appeal with a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs does not have to pay the county court filing fee or file another Statement in the county court to keep costs waived on appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you don't pay appeal costs to county court in Texas?
Under Rule 143a, the appeal is not perfected and the case returns to the justice court — unless it is an eviction appeal (Rule 510.19) or you appealed with a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs.
Does Rule 143a apply to eviction appeals?
No. Eviction appeals are governed by Rule 510.19 instead.
Do you owe the county court filing fee if you appealed with a Statement of Inability?
No. A party who perfected the justice-court appeal with a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs does not owe the county court filing fee and need not file another Statement to keep costs waived.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 143a), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:costs on appeal to county courtjustice court appealperfecting an appealTRCP 143a