Is the probate filing fee the same in every Texas county?

Yes — the base filing fee is set by state law and is identical in all 254 counties. What differs locally is service of process, copies, and optional local add-on fees.

What does the $360 fee not include?

Serving the other party (billed separately by the sheriff, constable, process server, or clerk), certified copies, publication notices where required, and attorney's fees. The notes above cover what service typically costs for this case type.

Texas Probate Filing Fees by County

Filing a probate case in Texas costs $360, paid to the County Clerk (County Court / Statutory Probate Court). The fee is the same in all 254 counties.

Filing	Fee
New probate, guardianship, or mental health case $223 local consolidated civil fee + $137 state consolidated civil fee — Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §§ 135.102, 133.151	$360
Adverse probate action or contest (subsequent filing) $75 local + $45 state subsequent-filing fees — Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §§ 135.102, 133.151	$120
Claim against an estate Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 118.058	$10
Annual or final account Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 118.052(2)(A)(iv)	$25
Application for sale of real or personal property Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 118.052(2)(A)(v)	$25
Inventory and appraisement filed late (after 90 days) Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §§ 118.052(2)(A)(i), 118.056(d)	$25

Source: Texas Office of Court Administration — County-Level Court Civil Filing Fees (revised Oct. 27, 2025) — schedule dated 2025-10-27, last checked 2026-08-25.

Probate is filed with the county clerk. In counties with a statutory probate court (the large metros), the same consolidated fee applies; the clerk may add local record-keeping charges such as copy and certification fees.
Posting or publishing the required citation notice is billed separately by the clerk and varies by county.

Probate fees by county

Common questions

Is the probate filing fee the same in every Texas county?: Yes — the base filing fee is set by state law and is identical in all 254 counties. What differs locally is service of process, copies, and optional local add-on fees.
What does the $360 fee not include?: Serving the other party (billed separately by the sheriff, constable, process server, or clerk), certified copies, publication notices where required, and attorney's fees. The notes above cover what service typically costs for this case type.