Search Travis County court records TX online in 2026 using official District Clerk, County Clerk, Justice of the Peace, Probate, criminal docket, and federal PACER resources. This guide explains where to search civil, family, felony, misdemeanor, probate, traffic, JP, divorce, court date, warrant, certified copy, sealed record, expunction, and federal court records without relying on risky third-party sites.
Need Travis County Court Records Right Now?
For most Travis County court records, the fastest route is to pick the right clerk first. District Clerk records cover many district court civil, family and felony matters. County Clerk records cover county court, misdemeanor, probate and county civil matters. Justice of the Peace records use the JP public access portal. Federal cases are searched through PACER, not Travis County.
Travis County Court Records Overview
Travis County court records are official records created by courts in Austin and Travis County, Texas. Depending on the case type, records may show the cause number, parties, charges, claims, docket events, hearings, judgments, orders, filings, case status, balances, warrants, and public documents.
The most important thing is choosing the correct office. The District Clerk maintains many district court records, including civil, family and felony case files. The County Clerk maintains many county court records, including misdemeanor, probate and county civil records. Justice of the Peace courts have their own public access portal. Federal cases must be searched through PACER.
Travis County court records free online search: best starting points
| Record Needed | Official Search Tool | Best Search Detail |
|---|---|---|
| District civil and family cases | District Clerk Case Information & Odyssey Portal | Cause number, party name, attorney name |
| Felony criminal cases | District Clerk criminal records and criminal docket search | Cause number, defendant name, court date |
| Class A and B misdemeanors | County Clerk misdemeanor records | Full name, date of birth, cause number |
| Probate and guardianship | County Clerk Probate Search + Records | Case number, estate name, person name |
| Justice of the Peace cases | JP Odyssey Public Access | Name, case number, precinct, ticket number |
| Federal cases | PACER | Federal case number, party name |
Which Travis County Court Handles Your Case?
Wrong-court searching is the most common mistake. Travis County has district courts, county courts at law, probate court, criminal courts, juvenile courts, justice courts, specialty courts and federal courts. A case can be public but still not show up if you search the wrong portal.
Travis County case lookup by court type
| Court or Clerk | Handles | Main Online Resource |
|---|---|---|
| Travis County District Clerk | District civil, family and felony court records | Case Information & Records |
| Travis County County Clerk | County civil, probate, misdemeanor and county court records | Court Data |
| County Courts at Law | Class A and B misdemeanors, some civil matters, appeals from lower courts | County Criminal Courts |
| Probate Court | Estates, guardianships, mental health and probate matters | Probate Division |
| Justice of the Peace Courts | JP civil, small claims, evictions and some traffic matters | Justices of the Peace |
| Federal Courts | Federal criminal, civil, bankruptcy and appellate records | PACER |
District Clerk Records: Civil, Family and Felony Search
The Travis County District Clerk’s Office provides access to court records, case information, official certified copies, physical copy requests, open records and administrative records. The District Clerk’s free online search portal includes public court records for certain Family/Civil cases from 2006 to present and Criminal cases from 2008 to present.
How to search Travis County District Clerk court records online
- Open the District Clerk records page Go to Travis County District Clerk Case Information & Records.
- Use the online court records search portal Open the official Online Court Records Search Portal for public online viewing.
- Search by cause number or party name Cause number is best. If you only have a name, use full legal name, spelling variations and date filters when available.
- Review the register of actions Check the case type, parties, filings, hearings, orders, judgment entries and whether a document image is available.
District Clerk free online record coverage
| Case Group | Online Coverage Note | What to Do if Missing |
|---|---|---|
| Family and civil records | District Clerk page says Family/Civil records from 2006 to present are included in the portal | Request physical records or certified copies from the District Clerk |
| Criminal records | District Clerk page says Criminal records from 2008 to present are included in the portal | Use criminal records request route or call the criminal records division |
| Older records | May not appear in the free portal | Use paid records request, mail request or in-person request |
| Certified records | Official certified physical copies must be requested from the office | Use the court records request form, mail or in-person request |
County Clerk Records: Misdemeanor, Probate and County Civil
The Travis County Clerk handles important court records that are separate from District Clerk records. County Clerk court data includes county civil, probate and criminal misdemeanor records. This is the better starting point for searches like “Travis County misdemeanor records,” “Travis County probate records,” “Travis County county court records,” and “Class A or B misdemeanor search Austin TX.”
County Clerk court records search path
- Open County Clerk Court Data Go to Travis County Clerk Court Data.
- Use the court search application The County Clerk page links to the court data portal and notes that the application is not compatible with Internet Explorer.
- Check the County Clerk box when needed The County Clerk instructions note that cause-number searching requires the “County Clerk” box to be checked.
- Use the correct division page for details Use Civil, Misdemeanor or Probate division pages when you need fee information, copy instructions or division-specific help.
County Clerk case records by search intent
| Search Intent | Best Travis County Resource | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Travis County misdemeanor records | Misdemeanor Division | County Courts at Law hear Class A and B misdemeanor cases |
| Travis County probate records | Probate Search + Records | Search estates, guardianships and probate matters |
| Travis County civil county court records | County Clerk Civil Division | Use County Clerk court data and civil division help |
| County Clerk copy or search help | Court Data | Call Center help is listed as 512-854-9188 |
Odyssey Court Records Search Portal
Travis County uses Odyssey-style public access tools for online case information. The District Clerk and County Clerk pages link users to the online court records search portal. Justice of the Peace courts use a separate Odyssey Public Access portal.
How to use Odyssey for Travis County court records
- Start from an official county page Use the District Clerk, County Clerk or Justice of the Peace page and click the official portal link from there.
- Select the correct court or location For JP records, the portal allows users to select a location, including all courts or a specific Justice of the Peace location.
- Search by party, case number or date Use cause number when possible. For name searches, try full name, middle initial, business name and spelling variations.
- Understand document limits Some portal records show case data only. Official certified or authenticated copies must be requested from the proper clerk.
Travis County Criminal Court Records Search
Travis County criminal records may be split between District Clerk and County Clerk systems depending on charge level. Felony cases are generally district court matters. Class A and Class B misdemeanors are handled by County Courts at Law, and their records are maintained by the County Clerk.
Travis County criminal records by charge level
| Case Type | Where to Search | Typical Details |
|---|---|---|
| Felony criminal case | District Clerk records | Cause number, defendant, charges, docket, court date |
| Class A or B misdemeanor | County Clerk Misdemeanor Division | Case information, misdemeanor search, certified findings |
| Criminal court date | Criminal Docket Search | Client name, attorney name, court number, cause number |
| JP or appealed Class C case | JP Public Access | JP case data and court information |
Micro steps to search Travis County criminal records by name
- Decide felony or misdemeanor first Felony records usually belong with the District Clerk. Class A and B misdemeanors belong with the County Clerk.
- Use the full legal name Enter last name, first name and middle initial when available. Add date of birth when the Clerk asks for identifying details.
- Check court date separately Use the criminal docket search if your main goal is an upcoming hearing, court number or court date.
- Request certified findings if needed The County Clerk can provide certified misdemeanor findings after payment has been received.
Civil, Divorce and Family Court Records
Travis County civil and family records may be found through the District Clerk’s online search portal when covered by the available date range. The District Clerk page states that Family/Civil records from 2006 to present are included in the free online portal. For official, certified or authenticated physical copies, use the District Clerk records request process.
Travis County civil and family court search by need
| Need | Where to Start | Best Detail to Use |
|---|---|---|
| District civil lawsuit | District Clerk online portal | Cause number, party name, business name |
| Divorce record or certificate of divorce | District Clerk records request | Cause number, spouse names, filing year |
| Name change certificate | District Clerk certified record request | Cause number, old name, new name |
| Family law order | District Clerk records request | Cause number, order title, filing date |
| County civil matter | County Clerk court data | Cause number, party name |
How to search Travis County divorce records online
- Search District Clerk case information Use the District Clerk online records portal and search by spouse name or cause number.
- Verify the case type Confirm that the case is a divorce, dissolution, family matter, custody matter or related family law case.
- Do not rely on a docket as official proof A docket entry may confirm the case exists, but a certified decree or certificate may be required for official use.
- Request the correct copy Use the District Clerk’s paid request option for a certificate of divorce, final judgment, original petition or other physical certified record.
Probate, Estate, Guardianship and Marriage Records
Travis County Probate Court matters are handled through the County Clerk’s Probate Division. Probate records may include estates of deceased persons, guardianships for incapacitated persons, mental health commitments, eminent domain matters and related probate court documents.
How to search Travis County Probate Court records
- Open Probate Search + Records Go to Travis County Probate Search + Records.
- Search by name or case number Use estate name, decedent name, guardianship name, party name, or probate cause number.
- Understand search costs The County Clerk page states that a basic electronic record search for one name or business is free plus copy costs.
- Request copies when needed For certified findings, probate documents or physical copies, use the County Clerk’s posted probate records process.
Travis County misdemeanor and probate record search costs
| Search Type | Official Cost Note | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Basic electronic data search | Free for one name or business plus cost of copies | Modern probate or county clerk electronic records |
| Microfilm or paper search | $10 per name per ten-year period plus copy costs | Older probate or paper records |
| 1981 to present misdemeanor search | Free for one name with up to three aliases plus copy costs | Class A and B misdemeanor search |
| Prior to 1981 misdemeanor search | $10 plus copy costs; extra aliases may cost more | Older misdemeanor records |
Justice of the Peace Records, Traffic and Small Claims
Justice of the Peace courts handle many local civil and criminal matters, including small claims, debt claims, evictions, traffic tickets and other JP-level cases. Travis County provides a Justice of the Peace Judicial Records portal for case information.
How to search Travis County JP court records online
- Open JP Public Access Go to Travis County Justice of the Peace Judicial Records.
- Select a location Choose all courts or the specific JP precinct if you know where the case was filed.
- Search by name or case number For traffic matters, use ticket or case details from the citation if available.
- Use the JP website for payments The JP portal notes it is now only for case information and no longer accepts online payments. Use the official Justice of the Peace pages for payment instructions.
JP record search by user intent
| Search Intent | Likely JP Record Type | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Travis County traffic ticket search | JP criminal/traffic case | Ticket number, payment options, hearing date |
| Travis County small claims records | Small claims or debt claim | Plaintiff, defendant, judgment, hearing date |
| Travis County eviction records | Forcible detainer / eviction case | Precinct, filing date, hearing, judgment |
| JP civil case lookup | Justice court civil case | Case number, party names, court location |
Court Date, Criminal Docket and Hearing Lookup
If your goal is to find an upcoming Travis County court date, use the docket tools instead of only searching old records. Travis County criminal docket search allows users to search future settings by client name, attorney name, court number, judge or case/cause number.
How to find a Travis County criminal court date
- Open the criminal docket search Go to Travis County Criminal Docket Search.
- Choose the search method Search by client name, attorney name, court number, judge name, case number or cause number.
- Verify court and time Check the assigned court, date, time and judge before going to the courthouse.
- Check again close to the hearing Court settings can change. Re-check the official docket and your court notice before appearing.
Copies, Certified Copies and Fee Basics
Online court records are useful for research, but many official situations require certified or authenticated copies. The Travis County District Clerk states that official, certified and authenticated physical copies of court records must be requested from the office.
District Clerk copy and certificate fees
| Item | Official Fee Listed | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Records search | $5 per cause, name or item searched | When the docket or cause number is not provided |
| Certificate of divorce | $10 | Proof of divorce for official use |
| Certificate of name change | $10 | Proof of court-ordered name change |
| Paper copy | $1 per page | Physical copy of a court record |
| Certified copy | $5 per document | Certified court document |
| Exemplified copy | $5 plus certified copy cost | Higher authentication for some legal uses |
| Expunction petition | $350 | District Clerk listed expunction filing fee |
| Nondisclosure petition | $350 | District Clerk listed nondisclosure filing fee |
How to request Travis County certified court records
- Identify the clerk Use District Clerk for district civil, family and felony records. Use County Clerk for county court, misdemeanor and probate records.
- Collect exact case details Write down the cause number, party names, court type, document title and filing date if available.
- Use the official request method District Clerk records can be requested online, by mail or in person. County Clerk records follow the County Clerk division process.
- Confirm fee before paying Fees can change. Check the official District Clerk or County Clerk fee page before sending payment.
Public Information Requests and Administrative Records
Travis County separates court case records from some public information and administrative records. Court file records usually go through the District Clerk or County Clerk. Public Information Act requests may apply to other government records, internal documents or administrative records.
Where to send Travis County court-related requests
| Need | Official Route | Best Detail to Include |
|---|---|---|
| District court case document | District Clerk records request | Cause number, document name, party name |
| District Clerk open records or data | District Clerk Open Records request route | Clear description, date range, requester contact |
| County Clerk court record | County Clerk Court Data | Cause number, case type, party name |
| JP case record | JP Public Access | Precinct, case number, ticket number |
| Federal record | PACER | Federal court, case number, party name |
Sealed, Confidential and Restricted Records
Not every Travis County court record is available online. Texas courts restrict certain information by law, court order, privacy rule or case type. A case can exist while some or all documents are unavailable to the public.
Records that may be restricted or not visible online
- Juvenile records and child-related court records
- Sealed criminal records, expunction records and nondisclosure matters
- Family law records with confidential child, financial or safety information
- Protective order information restricted by rule or order
- Medical, mental health, guardianship or sensitive probate documents
- Victim-identifying information and confidential personal identifiers
- Older records not loaded into the online portal
Texas Expunction and Nondisclosure Records
Expunction and nondisclosure can limit public access to certain Texas criminal records. Expunction can remove eligible arrest or case records from public view. Nondisclosure can seal eligible records from the general public while allowing certain agencies to access them. Eligibility depends on Texas law, case outcome, waiting period and offense type.
Micro steps before filing expunction or nondisclosure in Travis County
- Get your exact case details Use District Clerk, County Clerk or criminal docket search to find cause number, charge, court and disposition.
- Check eligibility carefully Not every dismissal, deferred adjudication, arrest or conviction qualifies. Texas expunction and nondisclosure rules are technical.
- Use the correct filing court A felony district case and a misdemeanor county court case may require different handling.
- Check filing fees and fee waiver options The District Clerk fee page lists expunction and nondisclosure petition fees and notes that other fees may apply.
Federal Court Records for Travis County
Federal court records are not searched through Travis County District Clerk, County Clerk or JP portals. If the case involves federal criminal charges, bankruptcy, federal civil rights, federal agencies, Social Security appeals, immigration-related federal litigation, patent/copyright matters or federal constitutional claims, search PACER.
Federal search path for Austin and Travis County
- Create or use a PACER account Go to pacer.uscourts.gov.
- Search the correct federal court Austin-area federal district cases are generally in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
- Use party name or federal case number Federal cause numbers are different from Travis County cause numbers, so do not mix them.
- Check bankruptcy separately Federal bankruptcy records use federal bankruptcy court systems and are not County Clerk or District Clerk case files.
Court Addresses, Phone Numbers and Map
Travis County court offices are located across downtown Austin and nearby facilities. Always check the official court page before visiting because hours, floors, security rules, parking access and records counters can differ by division.
Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility
1700 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas 78701
District Clerk Civil and Family records counter: 3rd Floor / Room references may vary by service
Phone listed by District Clerk contact page: 512-854-9457
Official site: Civil and Family Courts Facility
Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center
501 W. 11th Street / criminal court complex area, Austin, TX 78701
District Clerk felony records location listed on District Clerk records page: Gault Annex, 2nd Floor, Room 2.300
Criminal courts information: Travis County Criminal Courts
Travis County District Clerk records mailing address
P.O. Box 679003, Austin, TX 78767
Records page: Case Information & Records
Travis County Clerk
Court data and County Clerk records help: Court Data
Call Center listed by County Clerk Court Data page: 512-854-9188
Probate records: Probate Search + Records
Micro Search Tips for Better Results
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Travis County court records online for free?
Use the Travis County District Clerk Case Information & Records page for district civil, family and felony records, County Clerk Court Data for county clerk records, Probate Search + Records for probate records, and JP Public Access for Justice of the Peace cases.
What is the official Travis County court records website?
There is no single website for every court record. Start with traviscountytx.gov for District Clerk and court information, countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov for County Clerk court data, and odysseypa.traviscountytx.gov for Justice of the Peace public access.
Where do I search Travis County District Clerk records?
Use the Travis County District Clerk Case Information & Records page. The online portal includes public records for Family/Civil cases from 2006 to present and Criminal cases from 2008 to present, according to the District Clerk page.
Where do I search Travis County misdemeanor records?
Use the Travis County County Clerk misdemeanor resources. County Clerk misdemeanor searches include Travis County Class A and B misdemeanors and Class C misdemeanor cases appealed from municipal or Justice of the Peace courts.
How do I search Travis County probate records?
Use the Travis County Clerk Probate Search + Records page. Search by estate name, person name, guardianship name, case number or other probate details when available.
How do I search Travis County Justice of the Peace records?
Use the Travis County Justice of the Peace Judicial Records portal at odysseypa.traviscountytx.gov. Select the court location or all courts and search by name, case number or ticket details.
Can I check Travis County court dates online?
Yes. For criminal court settings, use the Travis County Criminal Docket Search. You can search future settings by client name, attorney name, court number, judge or case/cause number.
Can I search Travis County felony records by name?
Yes, start with the District Clerk online records search for felony district court records. Use the defendant’s full legal name and verify the case by cause number, court, filing date and docket entries.
Where can I find Travis County divorce records?
Start with the District Clerk records page and online portal. If you need official proof, request a certificate of divorce or certified copy through the District Clerk records request process.
How much are Travis County certified copies?
The District Clerk fee page lists certified copy per document at $5 and paper copy per page at $1. Certificate of divorce and certificate of name change are listed at $10. Always verify current fees before ordering.
Are Travis County JP records used for traffic tickets?
Some traffic and JP-level cases can be searched through the Justice of the Peace Judicial Records portal. The portal states that it is now only for case information and no longer accepts online payments, so use official JP pages for payment instructions.
Why can’t I find a Travis County court record online?
The case may be in a different court, sealed, confidential, outside the online date range, filed under a different name, too new, too old, a JP case, a County Clerk case, or a federal case that must be searched through PACER.
Are Travis County juvenile records public?
Juvenile records and child-related records are often restricted under Texas law and court rules. Contact the proper court or a licensed Texas attorney if you are a parent, party, attorney or authorized requester.
Can I use Travis County court records for a background check?
Court records can help with research, but they are not the same as a full Texas DPS, FBI or fingerprint-based background check. Use the correct official screening process for employment, housing, licensing or immigration.
How do I get a certified Travis County criminal record?
For felony records, request certified copies from the District Clerk. For misdemeanor records, use the County Clerk misdemeanor process. Provide full name, date of birth, cause number and other identifiers when available.
Do Travis County court portals show all documents?
No. Some portals show case data, register of actions or public documents, but official certified or authenticated physical copies must be requested from the proper clerk. Some sensitive documents are restricted.
Are federal court records included in Travis County court search?
No. Federal district, bankruptcy and federal appellate records are not included in Travis County District Clerk, County Clerk or JP portals. Use PACER for federal court records.
What is the main Travis County District Clerk records phone number?
The District Clerk contact page lists 512-854-9457 for District Clerk contact. For County Clerk court data help, the County Clerk Court Data page lists the Call Center at 512-854-9188.
Final Summary
For travis county court records, choose the correct court office first. Use District Clerk resources for district civil, family and felony records. Use County Clerk Court Data for county civil, misdemeanor and probate records. Use JP Public Access for Justice of the Peace cases. Use Criminal Docket Search for upcoming criminal court dates. Use PACER for federal court records.
Always verify the cause number, court division, party identity, filing date and official record source before relying on any result. If you need official proof, request certified or authenticated copies from the proper clerk. If a record is missing online, it may be sealed, confidential, too old, too new, filed in another court or federal.