Austin County Court Records

Austin County court records refer to documents and information compiled and maintained by the Clerk of Court to preserve the official history of a specific civil or criminal case. These records may include pleadings, motions, exhibits, court rulings, and, in criminal cases, excerpts of the Austin County arrest records.

Are Court Records Public in Austin County?

According to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, all documents filed in connection with a court case are presumed to be open and publicly accessible. However, a party may file a written motion asking the court to seal specific records. The court will honor the request where the need to protect the relevant interest outweighs the public's right to inspect court documents. Sealed records are not open to the public.

Austin County Court Records Search

There are multiple options for searching Austin County court records. Individuals may use indexes or the searchable computer terminal available in the District Clerk’s office to find records. Those who prefer to access court records in person may visit the District Clerk’s office and have the District Clerk or Deputy District Clerk perform the record research on their behalf. This service has an associated $5.00 fee (per person). A request for record research may also be submitted via mail.

Austin County Courts

Austin County has a District Court and a County Court, which are responsible for handling criminal, family law, and civil cases involving claims worth over $200. These courts' jurisdiction feeds into the State Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction, which can overrule the decisions of both the District and County Courts.

Austin County 155th District Court
Austin County Courthouse
1 E Main St, Bellville, TX 77418
Phone: (979) 865-5911

Austin County Constitutional Court
Austin County Courthouse
1 E Main St, Bellville, TX 77418
Phone: (979) 865-5911
Fax: (979) 865-0336

Austin County Court at Law
Austin County Courthouse
1 E Main St, Bellville, TX 77418
Phone: (979) 865-5911
Fax: (979) 865-0336

Austin County Criminal and Civil Records

Most court records from the 155th Judicial District Court and the County Courts have been filed with the District Clerk's office, the official custodian of court records in Austin County. The clerk’s office offers electronic access to court records through a computer terminal available in the office lobby. This device allows individuals to search for criminal or civil records by name, record number, and other case identifiers.

If a researcher wants physical copies of court records, they may visit the clerk’s office and make an over-the-counter request for specific cases. The District Clerk or Deputy District Clerk will perform the record research on their behalf and provide them with the search results. Search results for criminal records may include excerpts of the Austin County arrest records.

The Austin County District Clerk's Office is located at:

265 N. Chesley Street, Suite 1,
Bellville, Texas 77418
Direct Line: 979-270-830
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

If the record being sought is a misdemeanor, individuals may contact:

Austin County Clerk
One East Main
Bellville, Texas 77418
(979) 865-5911

Instead of visiting the courthouse, requestors may send mail accompanied by a written request specifying the name, the date range of interest, and specific results needed from the search. The mail should include a personal or cashier's check or money order, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope so that results may be returned promptly.

Court records may be accessed remotely through the online public access portal for added convenience. Individuals can initiate a database query using a party name, case number, attorney information, and date filed.

Austin County Marriage Records

In Austin, marriage records are classified as vital records. Vital records are confidential and not available to the general public. Only authorized individuals, such as the couple named on the record and their immediate family members, can access marriage records. A legal representative of a qualified applicant must provide a document showing permission to access the records on their behalf.

As the custodian of vital records, including marriage records, the County Clerk’s office offers online convenience for court record searches through the Austin County, TX Vitals Search portal. Users will need to enter search criteria such as name and other unique identifiers into the search field to facilitate a database query. Copy requests can also be made via email or in person by visiting the clerk’s office:

Austin County Clerk
265N. Chesley Street, Ste. 7
Bellville, TX 77418
Phone: (979) 227-3144

Austin County Divorce Records

Since the courts typically issue divorce decrees, Austin County divorce records are classified as court records and are accessible through designated record access platforms. They can be viewed using the public computer terminal in the District Clerk’s office lobby or by a person at the clerk’s office.

Alternatively, individuals may perform a search for divorce records through the online public access portal or by mailing a written request, enclosed with a personal or cashier's check or money order, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a copy of a valid ID.

Austin Birth Records

Birth records are vital records, meaning they are not available to the general public. Access to death records is restricted for 75 years from the date of death. Within this period, only the immediate family members of the named applicant are eligible to request copies. These include the applicant’s spouse, children, parents, and siblings (grandchildren do not qualify). Third parties may access birth records only if they hold a notarized statement signed by an immediate family member expressly stating that they should be granted access.

The Austin County, TX Vitals Search portal provides a searchable platform for accessing vital records. Users can locate specific records using search criteria such as name, document number, and other unique identifiers to facilitate a database query.

Alternatively, individuals may request copies of birth certificates by completing a Birth certificate application form and mailing it along with payment (money order or cashier's check) and a photocopy of a valid photo ID to:

Austin County Clerk
265N. Chesley Street, Ste. 7
Bellville, TX 77418
Phone: (979) 227-3144

Austin Death Records

Austin County death records are vital records subject to access restrictions similar to those for marriage and birth records, except that the access restriction period for death records is 25 years from the date of death.

Individuals who wish to review specific death records may go online or complete the county clerk death certificate application form and mail it along with payment (money order or cashier's check) and a photocopy of a valid photo ID to:

Austin County Clerk
265N. Chesley Street, Ste. 7
Bellville, TX 77418
Phone: (979) 227-3144

Austin County Probate Court Records

Austin County probate records encompass the administration of wills, guardianships, estate settlements, and conservatorships. These records may include wills, inventories, petitions, decrees, and other relevant documents. Probate records can be accessed online through the public access portal or in person at the District Clerk’s office:

The Austin County District Clerk's Office is located at:

265 N. Chesley Street, Suite 1,
Bellville, Texas 77418
Direct Line: 979-270-830
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Researchers can also mail a written request. It should include a personal or cashier's check or money order, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a copy of a valid ID.

Austin County Property Records

The County Clerk doubles as the custodian of property records, which include deeds, plats, liens, leases, and mortgages. Property record seekers in Austin have multiple options to choose from. They may perform a record search using the Austin CAD Property Search tool or submit a completed request form to the clerk’s office via email, or mail to:

Austin County Clerk
265N. Chesley Street, Ste. 7
Bellville, TX 77418
Phone: (979) 227-3144

Austin County Court Records Online

Generally, Austin County court records may be accessed remotely through the online public access portal. Third-party sites like Texascourtrecords.us may also provide access to Austin County court records. In addition to offering a user-friendly interface, these platforms provide added convenience by serving as a one-stop shop for all types of records. However, because they merely collect recorded information and disseminate it as obtained, such sites cannot guarantee that the record provided is comprehensive, error-free, or reliable.