Under the statewide rule, the clerk must grant your first postponement if you have not had one in that county in the past year and you agree on a new date no more than six months after the original1. Tarrant and El Paso counties follow special rules that also allow later postponements for a legitimate reason234.
Is your first postponement guaranteed?
Then the clerk does not have to grant it under the statewide rule. If you already postponed this same summons, another postponement can be approved only for an extreme emergency that could not have been anticipated, such as a death in your family, a sudden serious illness, or a natural disaster or national emergency you are personally involved in1. Some counties are more flexible (see below).
Under the statewide rule, the clerk must grant it if you ask before your summons date and agree on a new date within six months of your original date1.
Two sets of rules
Special postponement rules apply in Tarrant County, which has 1.4 million or more people and two cities of 300,000 or more2, and in El Paso County, whose Council of Judges created a Jury Duty Court3, which the county still lists5. In those counties, the first postponement must be granted if you ask before your appearance date, have not already had one in that county since the jury wheel was last rebuilt, and agree with the jury office on a new date within six months of your original date; additional postponements may be granted for a legitimate reason4. Six months is the outer limit, so use your county's own instructions to book a date. In El Paso, the jury office honors a first request; it cannot grant a second, but sends you an affidavit to return for the judge's review6.
Find your latest postponement date
Enter your original service date from your summons to see the furthest date Texas law allows for a first postponement. Nothing you enter is stored.
How to ask
Ask in person, in writing or by phone before your summons date1. Some counties also take requests online7. Harris and Dallas counties post their own rescheduling steps: in Harris County you can reschedule online twice after pre-registering8; Dallas County says it is fairly lenient if you serve within two months of your original date9. Follow the instructions on your summons or your county's jury website.
What to do next
- Ask before your summons date, and agree on a specific new date1.
- Keep a record of the new date and any confirmation.
- Can't serve at all? See exemptions and excuses.
Related
Sources
9 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0143 – Postponement of Jury Service. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0143."(b) On receipt of a request under Subsection (a), the clerk of the court shall grant the person a postponement if: (1) the person has not been granted a postponement in that county during the one-year period preceding the date on which the person is summoned to appear; and (2) the person and the clerk determine a substitute date on which the person will appear for jury service that is not later than six months after the date on which the person was originally summoned to appear."
- Government Code ch. 62. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0144(a)."(a) This section applies only to a county: (1) with a population of 1.4 million or more; and (2) that has within its boundaries at least two municipalities that each have a population of 300,000 or more."
- Texas House - S.B. 1195 Committee Report Bill Analysis (82R). Tex. H. Comm. Report, Bill Analysis, S.B. 1195, 82d Leg., R.S. (2011)."The El Paso Council of Judges created a jury duty court, which is attached to the presiding judge's court."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0144 – Postponement of Jury Service in Certain Counties. Tex. Gov't Code §§ 62.0144, 62.0147."The clerk of the court or the court's designee may approve a subsequent postponement if the clerk or the court's designee determines that the person has a legitimate reason for requesting the postponement."
- El Paso County - Jury Duty Court. El Paso County, Jury Duty Court page."Jury Duty Court exists to help ensure that all potential jurors fulfill their service responsibilities"
- El Paso County Courts - Jury Service FAQs. El Paso County Courts, Jury Service FAQs."If this is your first request for a postponement, Jury Duty Hall will honor it. If this is your second request for postponement, Jury Duty Hall cannot grant it. However, they will forward to you an affidavit that can be filled out and returned to have it reviewed by the Judge."
- Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0111 – Computer or Telephone Response to Summons. Tex. Gov't Code § 62.0111."(a) A plan authorized under Section 62.011 for the selection of names of prospective jurors may allow for a prospective juror to appear in response to a summons by: (1) contacting the county officer responsible for summoning jurors by computer; (2) calling an automated telephone system; or (3) appearing before the court in person."
- Harris County District Clerk - Jury pre-registration Reschedule step (template). Harris County District Clerk, online pre-registration reschedule step."Warning: Once you have selected a new service date you cannot select another date that is before the date you have selected. You can reschedule online 2 times."
- Dallas County Jury Services - Jury System. Dallas County Jury Services, Jury System page."Dallas County is fairly lenient regarding postponements of jury service, as long as you serve within 2 months from your original report date. You may mail a letter to the address on your summons requesting postponement."
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.