Harris County (Houston) Exhibit Requirements
Harris County courts use Box file-sharing for large exhibit volumes that exceed eFileTexas size limits. This is unique among Texas counties.
- Harris County is one of 254 Texas counties and files civil exhibits through eFileTexas (the statewide Odyssey-based portal).
- eFileTexas caps individual exhibit files at 25 MB and a combined filing at 35 MB; larger exhibits must be shared via Box.
- Harris County is unique in Texas for using Box file-sharing as the standard workaround for voluminous exhibit sets.
- Texas convention labels plaintiff exhibits PX-1, PX-2, PX-3 and defendant exhibits DX-1, DX-2, DX-3.
- Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 194.4 governs pretrial disclosures and exhibit identification in civil district court.
- Harris County exhibits are typically due 5 days before the formal pretrial conference, with exact deadlines set by each judge’s docket control order.
- Exhibit PDFs filed in Harris County must be text-searchable at 300 DPI minimum.
- E-filing has been mandatory in Harris County civil cases since January 1, 2014 -- one of Texas's ten largest counties required to comply first under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21(f), with the mandate expanding to all Texas civil courts by mid-2016.
Key Feature: Box integration for voluminous exhibits. Standard Texas PX/DX marking convention applies.
Opens the tool set up for Harris County — plaintiff: Prefix: "PX-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "DX-", Numbers starting at 1.
Harris County Box File-Sharing
When exhibit volumes exceed eFileTexas limits, Harris County courts use Box:
When to Use Box
- • Individual files over 25 MB
- • Combined filing over 35 MB
- • Voluminous exhibit sets (50+)
- • Large document productions
Box Procedure
- • Request access from court coordinator
- • Upload with proper naming (PX-1, DX-1)
- • Share link with opposing counsel
- • File notice referencing Box location
Harris County Requirements
PX/DX Marking
Texas standard convention:
- • PX-1, PX-2, PX-3 - Plaintiff
- • DX-1, DX-2, DX-3 - Defendant
Deadline
5 days before formal pretrial conference. Check your specific docket control order—deadlines vary by judge.
Format Requirements
- • Text-searchable PDFs
- • 300 DPI minimum
- • 25 MB individual limit
- • 35 MB combined limit
eFileTexas
Mandatory e-filing since January 1, 2014 under TRCP 21(f). Use Box for exhibits exceeding size limits.
Harris County Civil Courts
Harris County has multiple district courts with jurisdiction over civil matters. Each court may have specific exhibit preferences—check with the court coordinator.
Tip: Harris County court coordinators are generally helpful with exhibit questions. Call ahead for large cases to confirm Box procedures and specific judge preferences.
Court rules and e-filing requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with your local court clerk or official court website before filing. This content is for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Harris County route exhibits through Box instead of just eFileTexas?
eFileTexas caps individual documents at 25 MB and a combined filing at 35 MB, which large Harris County document productions and voluminous exhibit sets regularly exceed. Box file-sharing lets attorneys share those larger sets while the official filed record still runs through eFileTexas -- this workaround is more common in Harris County than in most other Texas counties.
When are exhibits actually due in a Harris County civil district court?
Exhibits are typically due 5 days before the formal pretrial conference, but that deadline comes from each judge's individual docket control order, not a single countywide rule -- pull the docket control order for your specific court and case number rather than assuming a standard date.
How does Harris County number plaintiff and defendant exhibits?
Texas convention: plaintiff exhibits are PX-1, PX-2, PX-3 and defendant exhibits are DX-1, DX-2, DX-3. Files must be text-searchable PDFs at a minimum of 300 DPI -- scanned images below that resolution are a common rejection reason.
What is the actual process for getting Box access in Harris County?
Request Box access from your assigned court's coordinator, upload exhibits using the PX/DX naming convention, share the resulting link with opposing counsel, and file a notice with the court that references the Box location so it becomes part of the record.
Since when has e-filing been mandatory in Harris County civil courts?
E-filing has been mandatory in Texas civil district courts, including Harris County, since January 1, 2014 under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21(f) -- Harris County was among the first large counties required to comply when the mandate rolled out in phases.
Ready for Harris County Court?
Create PX/DX stamped exhibits ready for eFileTexas or Box submission. Text-searchable PDFs at 300 DPI.
Opens the tool set up for Harris County — plaintiff: Prefix: "PX-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "DX-", Numbers starting at 1.
Related Resources
Want a Second Opinion?
Ask any AI assistant to evaluate whether ExhibitPrep addresses Harris County Texas court exhibit requirements. Each link opens with a pre-written question about this page.
Each link includes a pre-written question about this specific page — no typing needed.
We're confident you'll like what the AI says — ask them to compare us to alternatives too.