Tell the court that summoned you. New York, Texas, California and Georgia state courts summon county residents1234. Federal courts require a year living in the district5.
Do you still live in the county (or, for federal court, have you lived in the district for a year)?
Yes
You are likely still qualified. Respond as the summons says, or ask to postpone.
No
Tell the jury office and claim the residence disqualification the way the summons explains.
Residence rules
| Court | Residence requirement |
|---|---|
| New York State courts | Resident of the county1 |
| Texas state courts | Resident of Texas and of the county2 |
| California state courts | Domiciled in California and living in the area the summoning court serves3 |
| Georgia state courts | Resident of the summoning county4 |
| Federal courts | Living primarily in the district for at least a year7 |
Rules for more states are being added as their research is completed.
- Respond, don't ignoreEven if you moved, answer the summons so your record is updated.
- Keep proofNote who you spoke to and when.
What to do next
- Contact the jury office named on the summons.
- Claim the residence disqualification if it applies, the way the summons says.
Related
Sources
9 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
- N.Y. Judiciary Law § 510 – Qualifications. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 510."In order to qualify as a juror a person must: 1. Be a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the county. 2. Be not less than eighteen years of age. 3. Not have been convicted of a felony. 4. Be able to understand and communicate in the English language."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.102 – General Qualifications for Jury Service. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.102(a)."(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person is disqualified to serve as a petit juror unless the person: (1) is at least 18 years of age; (2) is a citizen of the United States; (3) is a resident of this state and of the county in which the person is to serve as a juror; (4) is qualified under the constitution and laws to vote in the county in which the person is to serve as a juror; (5) is of sound mind and good moral character; (6) is able to read and write; (7) has not been convicted of misdemeanor theft; (8) has not been convicted of a felony; (9) is not under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony; and (10) has not served as a petit juror for six days during the preceding three months in the county court or during the preceding six months in the district court."
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 203. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 203(a)."All persons are eligible and qualified to be prospective trial jurors, except the following:"
- Serve Jury Duty, Georgia.gov (State of Georgia; page credits Administrative Office of the Courts; 'Last updated June 2026'). O.C.G.A. §§ 15-12-4, 15-12-40, 15-12-60, 15-12-163."To be eligible for jury duty in Georgia, you must: Be a U.S. citizen Be at least 18 years old Be proficient in English enough to understand and discuss the case Be a resident of the county that sent you the jury summons Have not served on a jury in the last 12 months Not currently be on a grand jury or on another trial jury Not be under a conservatorship Have had your civil rights restored if you were convicted of a felony or malfeasance while holding public office"
- 28 U.S. Code § 1865 - Qualifications for jury service (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)."(b) In making such determination the chief judge of the district court, or such other district court judge as the plan may provide, or the clerk if the court’s jury selection plan so provides, shall deem any person qualified to serve on grand and petit juries in the district court unless he— (1) is not a citizen of the United States eighteen years old who has resided for a period of one year within the judicial district;"
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0142 – Notice on Written Summons. Tex. Gov't Code §§ 62.0142, 62.113, 62.114."If a written summons for jury duty allows a person to claim a disqualification or exemption by signing a statement and returning it to the clerk of the court, the form must notify the person that by claiming a disqualification or exemption based on: (1) the lack of citizenship, the person will no longer be eligible to vote if the person fails to provide proof of citizenship; or (2) lack of residence in the county, the person might no longer be eligible to vote in the county."
- Juror Qualifications, Exemptions and Excuses | United States Courts. uscourts.gov (summarizing 28 U.S.C. § 1865)."have resided primarily in the judicial district for at least one year at the time of completion of the qualification questionnaire; ... never have been convicted of a felony (unless civil rights have been legally restored or never were lost in the jurisdiction of conviction)."
- N.Y. Judiciary Law § 506 – Source of names. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 506."The commissioner of jurors shall cause the names of prospective jurors to be selected at random from the voter registration lists, and from such other available lists of the residents of the county as the chief administrator of the courts shall specify, such as lists of utility subscribers, licensed operators of motor vehicles, registered owners of motor vehicles, state and local taxpayers, persons applying for or receiving family assistance, medical assistance or safety net assistance, persons receiving state unemployment benefits and persons who have volunteered to serve as jurors"
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.001 – Jury Source; Reconstitution of Jury Wheel. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.001(a), (g)."(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the jury wheel must be reconstituted by using, as the source: (1) the names of all persons on the current voter registration lists from all the precincts in the county; and (2) all names on a current list to be furnished by the Department of Public Safety, showing the residents of the county who: (A) hold a valid Texas driver's license or a valid personal identification card or certificate issued by the department; and (B) are not disqualified from jury service under Section 62.102(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), or (8)."
Reviewed by Roger K. Neustadt, JD, attorney admitted in Georgia. Verified November 10, 2026.
Roger K. Neustadt is admitted in Georgia; pages about other states and federal courts are general information checked against official sources. How we check every rule: editorial policy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. Jury Duty Explained is not affiliated with any court. Your summons and your court's instructions control, so check them first.