Search Texas court records in 2026 using the correct official path: re:SearchTX for many statewide e-filed court records, Texas appellate case search for Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals matters, county district clerk portals for local trial court records, DPS for public criminal history, and PACER for federal cases. Texas does not work like a one-button statewide free database, so choosing the right court and clerk is the key.
Need Texas Court Records Right Now?
Start with the exact record type. For many electronic court records, use re:SearchTX. For local district, county, probate, JP, municipal or traffic records, search the correct county or court clerk. For appeals, use the Texas Judicial Branch case search. For official criminal history, use Texas DPS. For federal cases, use PACER.
Texas Court Records Overview for Free Public Search in 2026
Texas court records are documents and case information created during lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family cases, probate matters, appeals, traffic cases, justice court cases, and municipal court cases. A record may include the case number, parties, filings, hearings, orders, judgments, docket entries, dispositions, and copies of court documents when public access is allowed.
The most important thing to understand is simple: Texas court records are not stored in one perfect statewide free database. Texas has 254 counties, several court levels, and many local clerks. Some counties offer excellent free portals. Some records appear in re:SearchTX. Some older files require a clerk request. Some traffic and municipal cases stay on city court websites. Some federal cases are only in PACER.
Quick answer: best place to start for Texas court records
| What You Need | Best Official Starting Point | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide electronic case records | re:SearchTX | Search many Texas county records and e-filed documents in one place. |
| District court cases | County district clerk | District clerks usually maintain felony, district civil, family and divorce case files. |
| County court cases | County clerk or county court portal | County clerks may maintain misdemeanor, probate, civil county court and records. |
| Justice court cases | County JP court portal | Evictions, small claims, debt claims and some Class C misdemeanors are local. |
| Municipal tickets | City municipal court | Traffic and city ordinance cases are usually handled by the city court. |
| Appeals | Texas appellate case search | Used for Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals and appellate matters. |
| Criminal history | Texas DPS Criminal History Search | DPS is different from court case search and may require paid credits. |
| Federal cases | PACER | Federal district and bankruptcy cases are not in state court portals. |
Where to Search Texas Court Records Online by Name, Case Number or County
Texas users usually search in three ways: by case number, by party name, or by county. A case number search is the cleanest. A name search can return many people with similar names. A county search is often necessary because local clerks maintain official trial court files.
Texas case search by case number
If you have a case number, use it first. Enter the number exactly as shown on your notice, citation, filing, order or judgment. Texas county portals may call it a case number, cause number, docket number, citation number, or court file number. Do not remove letters, leading zeros, hyphens or year prefixes unless the portal requires a different format.
Texas court records by name search
Name search works best when you know the county and case type. Try full legal name, maiden name, middle initial, business name, company suffix, and spelling variations. If you are checking a common Texas name, verify the county, birth year if shown, party role, filing date and case type before relying on the record.
Texas court records by county search
For trial court records, county matters heavily. A felony in Harris County, a divorce in Travis County, a probate case in Bexar County, a debt claim in Tarrant County and a traffic case in Dallas Municipal Court may all use different official search systems.
re:SearchTX Free Public Case Search for Texas Court Records
re:SearchTX is the main statewide search tool for many Texas court records and court documents. It is powered by Texas court e-filing data and is designed to help users search case information, hearings and documents from counties across Texas. Access can vary by court, case type, document type and user role.
How to use re:SearchTX for Texas case lookup
- Open the official re:SearchTX site Go to research.txcourts.gov/CourtRecordsSearch/Home. Avoid private background-check websites before checking official portals.
- Create or sign in to your account if required Some search and document features require a user account. Attorneys, parties and public users may see different access levels.
- Search by name, business name or case number Use the narrowest accurate information available. Case number usually gives better results than name-only search.
- Open the matching case carefully Confirm the court, county, case style, parties, filing date, case type, hearings, and available documents.
- Contact the clerk for official copies If the document you need is not available or you need certification, request copies from the district clerk, county clerk or court that maintains the case.
Texas County Clerk vs District Clerk Court Records
Texas court record searches often fail because people contact the wrong clerk. In many Texas counties, the district clerk maintains district court records, while the county clerk maintains county court, probate, misdemeanor, county civil or official public records depending on the county. The division is not identical everywhere, so always check the county’s official clerk page.
Which Texas clerk keeps which court records?
| Record Type | Usually Maintained By | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Felony criminal cases | District Clerk | Felony indictments, felony dispositions, felony judgments |
| District civil cases | District Clerk | Large civil lawsuits, tax suits, injury cases, contract disputes |
| Family and divorce cases | District Clerk | Divorce decrees, custody, child support, protective orders |
| County criminal cases | County Clerk or County Criminal Clerk | Misdemeanor cases and county court matters |
| Probate cases | County Clerk, Probate Court or Statutory Probate Clerk | Estates, guardianships, wills, administrations |
| Justice court cases | Justice of the Peace Court | Evictions, debt claims, small claims, Class C misdemeanors |
| Municipal court cases | City Municipal Court | City tickets, traffic violations, ordinance violations |
Texas Criminal Court Records Search by Name, County and Case Number
Texas criminal court records may include charges, case number, filing court, hearings, docket entries, plea information, disposition, judgment, sentence, bond entries and public orders. Criminal records can be spread across district courts, county courts, justice courts and municipal courts depending on whether the case is felony, misdemeanor, Class C, traffic or ordinance-related.
How to search Texas criminal court records online
- Identify the level of the case Felonies are usually in district court. Misdemeanors are often in county court. Class C tickets may be in justice or municipal court.
- Search re:SearchTX first Use re:SearchTX for broad case search when you do not know the exact county portal.
- Search the county district clerk or county clerk For official local details, use the county where the case was filed. Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Travis and other large counties have dedicated portals.
- Use DPS for statewide criminal history If you need public criminal history rather than a court case, use the Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search.
- Request certified copies if needed For court-proof copies, contact the clerk that maintains the file. Online screenshots are not the same as certified court records.
Texas Civil Court Records Search for Lawsuits, Judgments and Debt Cases
Texas civil court records include lawsuits between people, businesses, landlords, tenants, creditors, debtors, property owners, contractors and government entities. Depending on the amount, claim type and court, civil records may be in district court, county court at law, justice court or a specialized court.
Common Texas civil record searches
| Search Intent | Where to Search | What to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Texas civil case search by name | re:SearchTX or county portal | Party name, court, cause number, filing date |
| Texas judgment search | County district clerk, county clerk or case portal | Judgment amount, debtor, creditor, date, satisfaction |
| Texas eviction records search | Justice of the Peace court | JP precinct, case number, landlord, tenant, judgment |
| Texas small claims records | Justice court records | Debt claim, small claim, repair and remedy, eviction |
| Texas business lawsuit search | re:SearchTX and county district clerk | Legal entity name, assumed name, registered agent |
Micro steps for civil case lookup
- Search the party name and county Use the defendant or plaintiff name with the county where the dispute happened or where the defendant lives.
- Check both district and county court portals Civil cases can be in district court, county court at law or justice court. Do not stop after searching only one portal.
- Open docket and document tabs Look for petitions, answers, motions, notices, hearings, orders, judgments and satisfaction entries.
- Ask for certified copies when relying legally If you need the record for lien, title, appeal, employment, housing or official filing, request certified copies from the clerk.
Texas Family Court Records and Divorce Records Search
Texas family court records may include divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, protective orders, parentage, enforcement and modification cases. Some family case information may be searchable online, but sensitive documents and child-related information may be restricted from public access.
How to search Texas divorce records online
- Find the county where the divorce was filed Texas divorce decrees are usually maintained by the district clerk in the county where the divorce case was handled.
- Use the county district clerk portal Search by party name or case number. Some counties show docket details but restrict document images.
- Request the decree from the district clerk For legal use, request a certified copy of the final decree or order directly from the district clerk.
- Protect child and family details Do not republish sensitive child, address, financial or protective-order information from family records.
Texas Probate Court Records Search for Wills, Estates and Guardianships
Probate records in Texas can include wills, estate administrations, guardianships, inventories, orders, letters testamentary, heirship proceedings and related filings. In large counties, statutory probate courts may have their own pages or portals. In smaller counties, probate may be handled through the county court or county clerk.
How to find Texas probate records by county
- Search the county clerk first Many probate records are maintained by the county clerk or probate clerk.
- Use decedent name and case number Search by the deceased person’s name, estate name, executor name or probate cause number.
- Check whether documents are online Some counties allow online viewing. Others require request by mail, phone, email or in person.
- Ask for certified copies for banks or title work Letters testamentary, orders and heirship documents often need certification for official use.
Texas Traffic Ticket, JP Court and Municipal Court Records
Traffic tickets and local ordinance violations in Texas are usually handled by municipal courts or justice of the peace courts. A statewide district clerk search may not show these records. Search the city or JP court listed on the citation.
How to look up a Texas traffic ticket online
- Read the citation carefully Find the court name, citation number, city, county, precinct and appearance date.
- Search the court listed on the ticket Use the city municipal court portal or JP court website, not a general district court search.
- Check payment and appearance options You may be able to pay, request a hearing, ask for deferred disposition, request defensive driving, or contest the ticket.
- Do not miss the deadline Ignoring a citation can create extra fees, warrants, license issues or collections depending on the court.
Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals and Appellate Case Search
Texas has a unique appellate structure. The Supreme Court of Texas is the highest court for civil matters, while the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest court for criminal matters. Texas also has intermediate courts of appeals that review many civil and criminal appeals from lower courts.
How to search Texas appellate court records
- Open Texas Judicial Branch case search Use search.txcourts.gov for Texas appellate and high-court case search.
- Search by case number or party name Appellate case numbers often differ from trial court cause numbers, so search both if needed.
- Review events and documents Look for petitions, briefs, orders, opinions, submissions, mandates and case status.
- Check the correct appellate court Civil and criminal appeals may move through different appellate paths, especially after final trial court judgment.
Certified Copies of Texas Court Records
A certified copy is an official copy issued by the clerk with certification or seal. It is different from an online case search result. Certified copies may be needed for immigration, school, employment, licensing, expunction, name change, divorce proof, probate, banking, title transfer, background review, appeal or government filing.
How to request certified Texas court records
- Find the exact court and clerk Identify the county, court level, cause number and document title.
- Check the clerk’s copy request page Many district clerks and county clerks provide online, mail, email or in-person copy request instructions.
- Ask for certified copy, not plain copy If you need legal proof, say “certified copy” clearly in the request.
- Pay the clerk’s fee Fees vary by county and copy type. Many Texas clerks charge per page plus certification or seal fees.
- Verify turnaround time Old, archived, sealed or offsite records may take longer than documents available online.
Sealed, Restricted and Confidential Texas Court Records
Not every Texas court record is public online. Some records are confidential by law. Others are sealed by court order. Some documents are visible only to parties, attorneys, clerks, judges, agencies or users with special access. A public case number may exist even when the documents are restricted.
Texas records that may be restricted
- Juvenile records and juvenile justice information
- Adoption records and certain parent-child records
- Child protection and CPS-related records
- Protective-order sensitive information
- Medical, mental health and financial records
- Sealed criminal records after expunction or nondisclosure orders
- Confidential identifiers such as Social Security numbers and protected addresses
- Documents restricted by local rules, statute or court order
Texas Expunction and Orders of Nondisclosure
Texas has legal procedures that may limit public access to certain criminal records. Two common terms are expunction and order of nondisclosure. Expunction can remove or destroy qualifying records. Nondisclosure generally seals eligible records from public disclosure but may still allow access by certain agencies.
Expunction vs nondisclosure in Texas
| Relief Type | Basic Meaning | Public Search Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Expunction | Qualifying records may be removed or destroyed under court order. | Public portals may no longer show the record after processing. |
| Order of nondisclosure | Qualifying records may be sealed from public disclosure. | General public access may be blocked, but some agencies may still access. |
| Juvenile sealing | Juvenile records may be sealed under specific rules. | Public access is restricted if the court orders sealing or law restricts access. |
Micro steps before filing for record clearing
- Collect your case records Find the cause number, arresting agency, charge, disposition, final order and sentence details.
- Check eligibility carefully Texas eligibility rules depend on outcome, waiting periods, charge type, sentence and criminal history.
- Use the correct court File in the court with jurisdiction over the case or as directed by Texas law.
- Notify required agencies Expunction and nondisclosure filings may require notices to prosecutors, DPS, law enforcement, jail, clerk or other agencies.
- Confirm removal after order Even after an order, agencies and databases may need time to update records.
Texas Court Records vs DPS Criminal History Search
Texas court records and DPS criminal history are not the same thing. A court record shows what happened in a court case. DPS criminal history comes from the Texas Department of Public Safety’s crime records system and is used for criminal history name searches and authorized background processes.
Which one should you use?
| Need | Use This | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| Search a court case docket | re:SearchTX or county court portal | re:SearchTX |
| Search public criminal history by name | Texas DPS Criminal History Search | DPS Criminal History |
| Search felony court file | County district clerk | Use the county where filed |
| Search misdemeanor court file | County clerk or county criminal court portal | Use the county where filed |
| Search traffic ticket | Municipal court or JP court | Use the court listed on citation |
| Search federal case | PACER | PACER |
Federal Court Records in Texas Through PACER
Federal court records in Texas are not searched through Texas county clerks or re:SearchTX. They are searched through PACER and the relevant U.S. District Court. Texas has four federal district court systems: Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas.
Texas federal court districts
| Federal District | Official Court Website | Common Cities / Divisions |
|---|---|---|
| Northern District of Texas | txnd.uscourts.gov | Dallas, Fort Worth, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, San Angelo, Wichita Falls |
| Southern District of Texas | txs.uscourts.gov | Houston, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Laredo, McAllen, Victoria |
| Eastern District of Texas | txed.uscourts.gov | Tyler, Beaumont, Lufkin, Marshall, Sherman, Plano, Texarkana |
| Western District of Texas | txwd.uscourts.gov | Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Waco, Midland, Pecos, Del Rio, Alpine |
How to search federal court records in Texas
- Create a PACER account Go to pacer.uscourts.gov and register.
- Choose the correct district Search the Northern, Southern, Eastern or Western District of Texas depending on where the federal case was filed.
- Search by party name or case number Federal case numbers and state court cause numbers are different. Use party name if you do not know the federal number.
- Download docket entries or documents PACER may charge usage fees for pages, documents and reports depending on current federal court policy.
Major Texas County Court Record Portals
Texas court records are highly county-based. Below are official examples for larger counties. Use these links as starting points, but always verify the exact clerk and court type before ordering copies or relying on a case result.
| County | Official Record Portal / Clerk Page | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Harris County | District Clerk Search | Civil, family and criminal district clerk records |
| Dallas County | Civil Court Records | District and county case information portal access |
| Tarrant County | Online Searches | County courts at law, probate and justice court records |
| Bexar County | Records Page | Civil, criminal, dockets, attorney search and magistrate search |
| Travis County | Case Information & Records | District clerk civil, family and criminal records |
| Collin County | Case Information | Case and scheduling information by court type |
| Nueces County | Case Search | District clerk records and re:SearchTX access |
Texas Judicial Branch Address and Map
For statewide court administration, rules, judicial directory information and Texas court system resources, the Texas Office of Court Administration is the central state judicial branch agency. For a specific case record, contact the actual clerk that maintains the file.
205 W. 14th St., Suite 600, Austin, TX 78701-1614
Main phone: 512-463-1625
Official website: txcourts.gov/oca
Judicial directory: txcourts.gov/judicial-directory
Insider Tips: How to Search Texas Court Records Without Wasting Time
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Court Records
How do I search Texas court records online for free?
Start with re:SearchTX for a broad statewide search, then check the correct county district clerk, county clerk, JP court or municipal court portal. Some public case information is free online, but document copies, certified copies or advanced searches may require fees.
Is there one free statewide Texas court records search?
No single public portal contains every Texas court record. re:SearchTX is the closest statewide search tool for many electronic records, but local county and court portals remain important for trial court, municipal, JP and older records.
What is re:SearchTX?
re:SearchTX is an official Texas court record search platform that lets users search case information, hearings and documents from many Texas courts and counties. Access depends on the court, case type, document type and user role.
Can I search Texas court records by name?
Yes. Many portals allow name search by person or business. For better accuracy, also use the county, case type, middle initial, business suffix, filing date or case number when available.
How do I find a Texas criminal court case?
Use re:SearchTX, the county district clerk for felony cases, the county clerk or county criminal court portal for misdemeanors, and the municipal or JP court for Class C and traffic matters.
Is a Texas court record search the same as a criminal background check?
No. A court record search shows court case information. A criminal history search is handled separately through Texas DPS or authorized background-check channels. Name-only court searches can be incomplete or mistaken.
How do I get Texas divorce records?
Divorce decrees are usually maintained by the district clerk in the county where the divorce was filed. Search the county district clerk portal or request a certified copy from that clerk.
How do I search Texas probate records?
Search the county clerk or probate court in the county where the estate or guardianship was filed. Use the decedent name, estate name, executor name or probate cause number.
How do I find a Texas traffic ticket online?
Use the court listed on the citation. Traffic tickets are often handled by municipal courts or justice of the peace courts, not district clerk portals.
How do I get certified copies of Texas court records?
Contact the clerk that maintains the case file. Ask specifically for a certified copy and provide the case number, document title, party names and your contact information. Fees vary by county and copy type.
Why can’t I find a Texas court case online?
The case may be sealed, confidential, filed in another county, in a municipal or JP court, too old, not digitized, under a different name, or only available by clerk request.
Are Texas juvenile records public?
Many juvenile records are restricted or confidential. Access depends on Texas law, case type, court order and requester role. Contact the proper juvenile court or attorney for case-specific access rules.
Can Texas records be removed from public search?
Some records may qualify for expunction or an order of nondisclosure. Eligibility depends on charge, outcome, waiting period, sentence and prior history. Court orders and agency updates are required.
How do I search Texas appellate court records?
Use the Texas Judicial Branch appellate case search at search.txcourts.gov. Search by appellate case number, party name or trial court details when available.
How do I search Texas federal court records?
Use PACER and choose the correct federal district: Northern, Southern, Eastern or Western District of Texas. Federal cases are not maintained by Texas county clerks.
Are Texas court records available on private background-check websites?
Some private sites collect public data, but they may be incomplete, outdated or mixed with non-court information. Use official court and clerk websites first, especially for legal or official use.
What is the official Texas courts website?
The official Texas Judicial Branch website is txcourts.gov. It provides statewide court information, judicial directory access, appellate case search and Office of Court Administration resources.
Which clerk handles Texas felony records?
Felony criminal records are usually maintained by the district clerk in the county where the case was filed. Always confirm on the county’s official district clerk page.
Final Summary
For texas court records, start with the correct official path. Use re:SearchTX for broad electronic court record search, county district clerk portals for felony, divorce, family and district civil files, county clerk portals for probate, misdemeanor and county civil matters, JP or municipal courts for traffic and local cases, Texas Judicial Branch case search for appeals, DPS for criminal history, and PACER for federal records.
The biggest mistake is assuming every Texas court record appears in one free statewide search. Texas records are divided by court level, county, clerk, case type and access rules. Search carefully, verify identity, confirm the court, and request certified copies from the proper clerk when the record is needed for official use.
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