Search Court Records by Name
Enter first name, last name, and state to prepare a court records search.
Search Texas Court Records by the Right Court, Not Just the Name
Texas court records are split across statewide systems, county clerks, district clerks, justice courts, municipal courts, appellate courts, DPS, and federal PACER. The fastest safe search is not “type a name anywhere.” It is: identify the court type, search the official source, verify the case, then request certified copies from the clerk if the record will be used officially.
This refreshed guide explains Texas court case search by name, Harris court dates, Tarrant, Travis and Comal online records, DPS criminal history, Rule 12 access limits, copy fees, sealed records, and how to avoid private sites that look official.
Quick answer: For a Texas court case search by name, start with re:SearchTX when you need a broad official search, then confirm the record with the county clerk, district clerk, JP court, or municipal court that maintains the case. Use Texas Judicial Branch appellate search for appeals, Texas DPS Criminal History for public criminal-history name search, and PACER for federal Texas cases.
Best Place to Search Texas Court Records Online
The right Texas court records search depends on the type of record. A felony, divorce decree, probate matter, traffic ticket, eviction, appeal, DPS background search, and federal bankruptcy case can all require different systems.
🔎 Unknown county
Use re:SearchTX first to find a possible lead, then verify with the local clerk.
🏛️ Known county
Use that county’s district clerk or county clerk portal before paying a private site.
🚗 Ticket or eviction
Use the municipal court or justice court printed on the ticket, citation, or notice.
✅ Official proof
Request certified copies from the clerk that keeps the case file.
| Search need | Best official route | Search details to prepare | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas court case search by name | re:SearchTX or county clerk / district clerk | Full name, business name, maiden name, county, court type, filing year. | Identity, cause number, court, party role, filing date, disposition. |
| Felony, divorce, family, district civil | County district clerk | Cause number, party names, filing county, document title. | Access limits, certified copy rules, family-document restrictions. |
| Misdemeanor, probate, county civil | County clerk, probate court, or county court at law | Case number, party name, estate name, decedent name, court. | Whether the record is in county clerk, statutory probate, or district clerk system. |
| Eviction, small claim, debt claim | Justice of the Peace court | JP precinct, case number, tenant/landlord name, notice date. | Answer date, hearing date, appeal deadline, judgment status. |
| Traffic ticket or city citation | Municipal court or JP court listed on citation | Citation number, driver license, name, date of birth, court name. | Appearance date, plea options, payment deadline, deferral/defensive driving rules. |
| Appeal | Texas appellate case search | Appellate case number, trial court county, party, attorney. | Trial cause number and appellate cause number may differ. |
| Criminal history | Texas DPS Criminal History | Name, date of birth details, DPS account/search credits. | DPS search is not the same as a certified court disposition. |
| Federal Texas case | PACER | Federal court, case number, party, attorney. | Federal cases are not maintained by Texas county clerks. |
Texas Court Case Search by Name: Safe Step-by-Step Method
A name search is useful when you do not have a cause number, but it is not final proof. Texas has common names, businesses with similar names, former names, initials, aliases, and multiple courts in the same county. Treat a name result as a lead until the official docket confirms it.
re:SearchTX Free Public Case Search: What It Can and Cannot Do
re:SearchTX is the main statewide electronic case-search route for many Texas court records. It can help users search case information, hearings, and documents across participating courts, but access can depend on county participation, court type, user role, document type, security settings, and whether the document was captured through e-filing.
Use re:SearchTX when you need to…
- Search possible Texas case records across more than one county.
- Find a cause number before contacting a clerk.
- Look for electronic civil, family, probate, or other e-filed case records where available.
- Check hearing information or accessible documents on participating cases.
Do not rely on re:SearchTX alone when…
- The case may be old, archived, sealed, confidential, or restricted.
- The matter is a municipal ticket, JP case, or local citation.
- You need a certified copy or official clerk certification.
- The county portal has more current local instructions or copy fees.
Texas Rule 12 and Official PDF Notes: Why “Court Records” Can Mean Different Things
Many Texas record searches fail because users mix up “judicial records,” “court case records,” “criminal history,” “public information,” and “certified copies.” Texas Rule 12 is important, but it does not mean every court-case document will be instantly available online.
| Official source / document | Plain-English meaning | What the user should do |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 12 PDF | Rule 12 covers public access to judicial records, but it also defines exclusions and explains that some records are controlled by other laws, court rules, or orders. | Use Rule 12/open-records routing for judicial records. For case-file copies, start with the clerk that maintains the case. |
| Rule 12 access language | Judicial records that are not excluded are generally open for inspection and copying during regular business hours, but the rule does not require the custodian to create a new record or retain records for a specific period. | Ask for an existing record clearly. Do not ask the clerk to “research everything” without case identifiers. |
| Comal County copy-request PDF | Comal’s county court at law request form requires legible written requests, one research form per case, document-specific identifiers, and lists copy/certification rules. | Prepare case number, party name, document name, document date, delivery method, and whether certification is needed. |
| Comal District Clerk fee PDF | The fee sheet lists copy, certification, exemplification, civil/family filing, records search, and service fees, with fees marked non-refundable. | Use the fee PDF for planning, but confirm current totals with the clerk before paying. |
Harris, Tarrant, Travis and Comal County Court Records Online
County searches are not just local keywords. They represent different official portals, different clerks, different document availability, and different copy rules. Use this table when the search intent is Harris County court records, Tarrant County court case search by name, Travis County court records online, Comal County court records online, or Comal County civil court records.
| County intent | Use this official source | What it helps with | Important user-help note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harris County court records | Harris District Clerk search | District civil, family and criminal case information, costs, documents, parties, and file location where public access is allowed. | Harris says public case information is viewable free after login, but family documents are not available for review through that search. |
| Find my court date Harris County | Harris JP docket display | Justice Court docket displays and local case routing. | Court dates can also depend on district, county criminal, county civil, JP, or municipal court. Match the court number and cause number. |
| Tarrant County court case search by name | Tarrant County Records Search | County Courts at Law, Probate Courts, and Justice of the Peace case records/calendars. | Tarrant warns that official records should be consulted when legal reliance is required. |
| Tarrant district records | Tarrant District Clerk | Civil/tax, family, criminal, felony/civil, copies, court document lookup, web access, and payments. | The District Clerk lists 817-884-1574, 100 N. Calhoun St., Fort Worth, and Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. |
| Travis County court records online | Travis District Clerk records | Free online viewing of eligible public records and paid requests for physical official/certified copies. | Travis lists online coverage for Family/Civil from 2006-present and Criminal from 2008-present. |
| Comal County court records online | Comal Records & Resources | Comal Judicial Record Search, District Clerk records, re:SearchTX integration, and copies. | Comal says certified copies can be paid by phone, then picked up or mailed for added mailing cost. |
| Comal County civil court records | Comal District Clerk | District court records, civil/family case documentation, certified copies, subpoenas, summons and official court paperwork. | Use the case number, party name, document name, and document date to reduce delays. |
Find My Court Date Harris County: Which Search to Use
Harris County court-date searches depend on the court type. A district civil case, felony case, county criminal matter, JP eviction, JP traffic case, or municipal citation can use different court tools. Do not rely on one Harris search for every court date.
🏛️ District Clerk
Use for Harris district civil, family, and criminal case information. Check public details after login and verify family-document limits.
⚖️ Justice Courts
Use JP docket display or JP case search for justice court dockets, evictions, small claims, and JP citations.
📞 Time-sensitive case
If the hearing is close, call the court listed on your notice. Portal trouble does not automatically extend a deadline.
Texas County Clerk vs District Clerk: Which Office Has the Record?
Do not send every Texas court-record request to “the courthouse.” The county clerk and district clerk often maintain different records. The wrong office may not be able to search, certify, or copy the file you need.
📁 District clerk is usually right for
- Felony criminal cases.
- District civil lawsuits.
- Family law and divorce records.
- Child custody or child support matters.
- District court judgments, orders, and decrees.
- Certified divorce decrees in many counties.
🏛️ County clerk is usually right for
- County court at law records.
- Misdemeanor cases in many counties.
- Probate and estate cases in many counties.
- County civil cases.
- Official public records and property records.
- Marriage-record routing in many counties.
Texas Criminal, Civil, Family, Probate, Traffic and Appellate Records
| Record type | What it may show | Search first | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal court records | Charges, bond, hearings, pleas, disposition, judgment, sentence, docket events. | District clerk, county clerk, JP/municipal court, re:SearchTX, or DPS depending on need. | Arrest vs charge vs conviction, identity, final status, expunction/nondisclosure. |
| Civil court records | Petitions, answers, motions, judgments, satisfactions, liens, orders. | District clerk, county court at law, justice court, or re:SearchTX. | Judgment status, party role, amount, satisfaction, appeal, current order. |
| Family and divorce records | Divorce decree, custody, support, protective order, modification, enforcement. | District clerk in the filing county. | Sensitive documents may be restricted; certified decree may be required. |
| Probate records | Wills, estates, guardianships, heirship, orders, inventories, letters testamentary. | County clerk, probate court, or statutory probate court. | Certified letters or orders may be required by banks, title companies, or agencies. |
| Traffic / JP / municipal | Citation, court date, plea options, fine, compliance, warrant, dismissal after deferral. | Court printed on the ticket or notice. | Deadline, payment status, deferred disposition, defensive driving eligibility. |
| Appellate records | Petitions, briefs, opinions, orders, mandates, appellate events. | Texas appellate case search. | Appellate number may differ from trial court cause number. |
Texas DPS Criminal History Search vs Texas Court Records
A Texas court record shows information about a specific court case. A Texas DPS criminal history name search is a separate search system for public criminal-history information. The two can overlap, but they are not substitutes.
Use court records when you need…
- Cause number or docket sheet.
- Certified judgment, dismissal, order, or sentence.
- Divorce decree, probate order, or civil judgment.
- Specific court filing or case event.
Use DPS when you need…
- Public criminal history name search.
- DPS search result, hit/no-hit response, or search credit receipt.
- Name and date-of-birth-based criminal-history search.
- Personal review or dispute instructions from DPS.
Certified Copies, Court Record Fees and Copy Request Details
Certified Texas court records come from the clerk or court that maintains the file. Do not assume an online docket printout is enough for immigration, employment, licensing, title work, probate, divorce proof, school, government filing, or court submission.
| Fee / request example | Official detail users should know | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Comal County Court at Law copy request | The request form says requests must be written and legible, one research form per case, and document-specific identifiers should be provided. | Use case number, party name, document name, and document date to avoid delays. |
| Comal certified copies | The Comal County Court at Law form lists a $5 certification fee per document for paper certified copies and notes electronic copies cannot be certified. | Request paper certified copies if certification is required. |
| Comal District Clerk copies | The 2025 District Clerk fee sheet lists paper copies, digital/electronic copies, certified copies, exemplified copies, records searches, and filing fees. | Confirm current totals before payment because fees can change and may be non-refundable. |
| Travis physical copies | Travis directs users to paid request options for official, certified, and authenticated physical copies. | Use the online form, mail, or in-person route for legal-use physical copies. |
| Tarrant legal reliance | Tarrant County warns that official records should be consulted when legal reliance is required. | Use online search for locating a case, then request official copies before relying legally. |
Sealed, Restricted, Expunged and Confidential Texas Court Records
Not every Texas court record is public online. Some records are sealed by court order, confidential by law, restricted by role, redacted for privacy, or removed from public search after expunction or nondisclosure processing.
🔒 Commonly restricted
Juvenile records, adoption and child-protection records, protected addresses, medical details, mental-health details, financial identifiers, and sensitive family documents.
🧾 Expunction
Expunction can remove or destroy qualifying records under a court order if legal requirements are met. Eligibility depends on charge, result, waiting period, and history.
🚪 Nondisclosure
An order of nondisclosure can block public disclosure of eligible records, but some agencies may still have access under Texas law.
Is Texas Court Records US Legit? Official vs Private Record Sites
People search “is Texas Court Records US legit” because many private sites use official-sounding names. A website that says “Texas court records,” “case search,” “background report,” or “instant public records” is not automatically official. Official records come from courts, clerks, Texas DPS, Texas Judicial Branch, Texas.gov, or federal courts.
| Site type | Trust signal | Safe action |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Judicial Branch / txcourts.gov | Official Texas court system source. | Use for court directories, appellate search, rules, OCA, and statewide court information. |
| County or city court portal | Clear court/clerk owner, address, contact page, and official fee/copy instructions. | Use for local dockets, court dates, payments, copies, and clerk records. |
| Texas DPS | Official state public-safety source. | Use for public criminal-history name search and DPS record guidance. |
| Private public-record/background-check site | May be informational or commercial, but not the official custodian. | Do not pay or rely before checking the official court source. |
Federal Court Records in Texas Through PACER
Federal Texas cases are not searched through Texas county clerks, district clerks, or re:SearchTX. Use PACER and the correct federal district or bankruptcy court.
| Federal district | Common divisions | Official court route |
|---|---|---|
| Northern District of Texas | Dallas, Fort Worth, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, San Angelo, Wichita Falls. | Open Northern District |
| Southern District of Texas | Houston, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Laredo, McAllen, Victoria. | Open Southern District |
| Eastern District of Texas | Tyler, Beaumont, Lufkin, Marshall, Sherman, Plano, Texarkana. | Open Eastern District |
| Western District of Texas | Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Waco, Midland-Odessa, Del Rio, Alpine. | Open Western District |
Texas Office of Court Administration Address and Map
The Office of Court Administration supports statewide judicial administration and court information. For a specific trial court case file, contact the county clerk, district clerk, JP court, municipal court, or federal court that maintains the record.
Office of Court Administration
Physical address: 205 W. 14th Street, Suite 600, Austin, TX 78701.
Phone: 512-463-1625.
Best use: statewide judicial information, directories, rules, forms, OCA resources, and court administration.
Do not use OCA for
- Certified copies of county trial court records.
- County clerk property or probate files.
- Municipal ticket payments.
- DPS criminal history searches.
Common Texas Court Records Search Mistakes
❌ Searching only one database
Texas records are split across statewide, county, JP, municipal, appellate, DPS, and federal systems.
❌ Assuming name match means identity match
Common names can produce wrong matches. Confirm county, court, party role, and cause number.
❌ Using DPS for court copies
DPS handles criminal-history searches. Court-certified documents come from the clerk.
❌ Ignoring court level
Felony, misdemeanor, JP, municipal, probate, family, and appellate records do not use one portal.
❌ Paying a private site first
Start with official portals. Private sites may be incomplete, stale, or mixed with non-court data.
❌ Waiting until the deadline
Court dates, tickets, evictions, answers, and appeals can have strict deadlines. Call the court if time is short.
Texas Court Record Not Found? Try These Fixes
| Problem | Likely reason | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Name search shows too many results | Common name, business name variation, missing county filter. | Add county, court type, filing date, case number, or party role. |
| No result in re:SearchTX | Local portal only, older file, restricted case, municipal/JP court, or non-integrated record. | Search the county clerk, district clerk, JP court, or municipal court directly. |
| Traffic ticket not found | Wrong city court, wrong citation number, recent citation, or JP court matter. | Use the exact court printed on the citation and call before the appearance date. |
| Divorce document unavailable online | Family documents may be restricted or older than online coverage. | Request the decree from the district clerk in the county where the divorce was filed. |
| Need official proof | Online docket is not enough for legal or agency use. | Ask the clerk for a certified copy of the exact document. |
Texas Court Records: Short Answer for Bing, Copilot and AI Search
Texas court records are searched by court type and county. Use re:SearchTX for many statewide electronic case records, county district clerks for felony, divorce, family, and district civil files, county clerks for probate, misdemeanor, and county civil matters, municipal or justice courts for traffic tickets, evictions, and small claims, Texas Judicial Branch appellate search for appeals, Texas DPS for public criminal history, and PACER for federal cases. Certified copies must come from the clerk or court that maintains the file.
Related Texas and Federal Court Record Guides
Use these related Court-Records.org guides when you already know the county or need a more focused record route.
Harris County
For Houston-area district, county, family, criminal, JP, and court-date routing.
Harris County court recordsTarrant County
For Fort Worth-area district, county, probate, JP, criminal, and civil case lookup.
Tarrant County court recordsTravis County
For Austin-area civil, family, felony, and District Clerk record routes.
Travis County court recordsComal County
For New Braunfels-area district clerk, civil records, and copy requests.
Comal County court recordsBexar County
For San Antonio-area county and district court record searches.
Bexar County court recordsUseful Official Texas Court Record Sources
Texas Judicial Branch
Use for court structure, judicial directory, appellate courts, rules, OCA, and statewide judicial resources.
Open Texas Judicial Branchre:SearchTX
Use for broad statewide electronic court case and document search where available.
Open re:SearchTXTexas Appellate Search
Use for Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and courts of appeals matters.
Open Appellate SearchTexas DPS
Use for public criminal-history name search, not general court docket copies.
Open DPS Criminal HistoryTexas State Law Library
Use for court records research guidance, access limits, and self-help legal research.
Open SLL Court Records GuideTexas Court Records FAQs
How do I search Texas court records by name?
Start with re:SearchTX or the county clerk/district clerk portal for the county where the case was filed. Search by full legal name, business name, maiden name, or case number if available. Verify county, court, cause number, filing date, party role, and disposition before relying on a name match.
Is there one free statewide Texas court case search?
No single free database covers every Texas court record. re:SearchTX is the broadest official statewide starting point for many electronic records, but local county clerks, district clerks, justice courts, municipal courts, DPS, and PACER may still be needed.
Where do I search Harris County court records?
Use the Harris County District Clerk for many district civil, family, and criminal records. Use Harris County JP tools for justice court cases and docket display. County Clerk and other county tools may be needed depending on case type.
How do I find my court date in Harris County?
Use the court or clerk connected to your case type. Search the Harris District Clerk, Justice Court docket display, county court source, or the court shown on your notice. Call the court if the hearing date affects a deadline or appearance.
How do I run a Tarrant County court case search by name?
Use Tarrant County Records Search for County Courts at Law, Probate Courts, and Justice of the Peace records. Use the Tarrant District Clerk for civil, family, and felony district records. Confirm official records when legal reliance is required.
Are Travis County court records online free?
Travis County District Clerk states eligible public court records are available for online viewing at no cost, with coverage limits by case type and year. Official, certified, and authenticated physical copies require a paid request.
Can I search Comal County court records online?
Yes. Comal County directs users to the Comal County Judicial Record Search page and notes integration with re:SearchTX. For regular or certified copies, contact the Comal County District Clerk or County Court at Law Clerk depending on the case.
Are Texas court records the same as DPS criminal history?
No. A court record shows information about a specific case. Texas DPS criminal history name search is a separate public criminal-history search. Use the source that matches your purpose.
How do I get certified copies of Texas court records?
Contact the clerk that maintains the case file. Provide county, court, cause number, party names, document title, document date, and whether you need a certified copy. Confirm the fee and delivery method before payment.
Why can’t I find a Texas court record online?
The case may be in another county, a different court level, a municipal or justice court, an older archive, a restricted family or juvenile record, a sealed or expunged record, a federal case, or filed under a different name.
Is Texas Court Records US legit?
Use caution with private court-record websites. Official Texas records come from Texas courts, county clerks, district clerks, city courts, Texas DPS, or federal courts. Private sites may be informational, but they are not official record custodians unless clearly operated by a government office.
Best Next Step for Texas Court Records
Start with the record type, not only the name. Use re:SearchTX for broad statewide court-record leads, county district clerks for felony, district civil, family and divorce records, county clerks for probate, misdemeanor and county civil matters, JP or municipal courts for tickets and small claims, Texas Judicial Branch for appeals, DPS for criminal history, and PACER for federal records. If the record will be used officially, request a certified copy from the clerk that maintains the file.
Official-source check completed July 23, 2026. Texas court portals, county pages, fees, copy rules, office hours, and access limits can change. Verify directly with the official court, clerk, DPS, or PACER before payment, filing, appearance, or legal reliance.
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