Texas court deadline
How long do I have to file a restricted appeal in Texas?
A notice of restricted appeal must be filed within six months after the judgment or order is signed. It is a narrow option for a party who did not take part in the hearing.
- What the date means
- The last day to file a notice of restricted appeal.
- The clock starts
- Use the date the judge SIGNED the order (look near the signature line). Not the hearing date and not the date you received it.
- Applies to
- Only for a party who did not take part in the hearing that led to the judgment and did not timely file a post-judgment motion, findings request or ordinary notice of appeal.
- Rule
- Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(c), 30; Tex. R. App. P. 4.1
How to count it
Count 6 months from the date the judgment was signed. If the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next day that is not.
Worked example
Say the starting date was Monday, June 1, 2026. Here is each step:
- Start: Monday, June 1, 2026. That day itself is not counted.
- Count 6 months: Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
- Tuesday, December 1, 2026 is not a weekend or legal holiday, so it stays.
Under Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(c), 30, counting from Monday, June 1, 2026, the computed date is
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
This is an example only. Your own date depends on your starting date and your court.
Watch out for
- The error must appear on the face of the record. This is a narrow remedy — talk to a lawyer or legal aid if you can.
Not reviewed by an attorney. ProSeFiler’s deadline rules were written from the official rule text, but no lawyer has reviewed them. Read the rule yourself and confirm every date with the court clerk.
Count your own date.
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Common questions
How long do I have to file a restricted appeal in Texas?
A notice of restricted appeal must be filed within six months after the judgment or order is signed. It is a narrow option for a party who did not take part in the hearing. The last day to file a notice of restricted appeal.
Does a weekend or holiday change the date?
Yes. If the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next day that is not one (Tex. R. Civ. P. 4; Tex. R. App. P. 4.1; Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.4 in justice court). Courts also close for local reasons, so call the clerk ahead of time.
Who does this rule apply to?
Only for a party who did not take part in the hearing that led to the judgment and did not timely file a post-judgment motion, findings request or ordinary notice of appeal.
Where does this rule come from?
Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(c), 30; Tex. R. App. P. 4.1. Read the official text yourself and confirm the date with the court clerk. ProSeFiler last checked this rule against the official text on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Related deadlines
- Motion for new trial What is the deadline for a motion for new trial in Texas?
- Motion for new trial overruled automatically ("by operation of law") When is a motion for new trial overruled by operation of law in Texas?
- Trial court loses power to change the judgment (no post-judgment motion filed) When does a Texas trial court lose plenary power?
- Latest the trial court keeps power (when a motion for new trial was filed) How long does a Texas court keep plenary power after a motion for new trial?
- Request for findings of fact and conclusions of law When is a request for findings of fact and conclusions of law due in Texas?
- Notice of appeal — ordinary appeal How long do I have to file a notice of appeal in Texas?
- Notice of appeal — after a timely motion for new trial (or similar) Does a motion for new trial extend the appeal deadline in Texas?
- Notice of appeal — accelerated appeal What is the deadline for an accelerated appeal in Texas?