Brazoria County Court Records

Brazoria County courts create, collate, and maintain records of legal proceedings held in the county. These records include case numbers and descriptions, party information, motions, pleadings, orders, judgments, and transcripts.

Members of the public often require access to court records to stay updated on legal matters and prepare for cases. Court records also provide legal precedents—useful for determining future cases—and ensure the justice system remains fair and open to all.

The Texas Supreme Court regulates access to Texas court records, covering records from Brazoria County. People can view and copy these records through the court clerks' offices.

Are Court Records Public in Brazoria County?

Yes. Brazoria County court records are public under Rule 76a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. The rule presumes court records to be open to the public, even though the judiciary is exempt from the Texas Public Information Law.

However, certain records are determined confidential and inaccessible to the public. For instance, case files tied to ongoing investigations, sealed by court order or statute, and connected to juvenile proceedings may be unavailable to the public. Also, sensitive personal and financial information is often restricted to secure privacy interests.

Brazoria County Court Records Search

A court records search in Brazoria County enables the public to find information about legal cases filed within the county's court system. Ideally, one must know the court that handled a case, the name of someone involved, or the type of case to ensure a successful search. Other information, such as the case number, attorney of record's name, and filing date, can also aid the search.

Individuals can generally obtain Brazoria County court records from the following places:

• The Brazoria County Court Records Inquiry portal. However, users can only look up case information or collect pertinent information (like a case number) to request copies.
• The County or District Clerk's office. Staff can assist with accessing the court's record systems.
• Third-Party Websites. Some private websites specialize in court record searches and allow customers to search by name. However, they often charge a fee.

Brazoria County Court Records Search by Name

A name-based court records search in Brazoria County retrieves case information about a specific person. Members of the public can perform name searches online, visit clerks' offices, or send mail requests to obtain publicly available court records.

Online searches are free, but fees are incurred to obtain copies of court documents or certify them. The Brazoria District and County Clerks also charge for name searches that they perform for individuals. The cost is usually determined by the volume of copies needed and the search duration.

Brazoria County Courts

Brazoria County's court system comprises district, county (county courts at law), and justice of the peace courts. Below are their addresses and contact information:

District Courts
Brazoria County Courthouse
111 East Locust Street
Angleton, Texas 77515
Phone: (979) 864-1263, (281) 756-1263

County Courts at Law
Brazoria County Courthouse
111 East Locust Street
Angleton, Texas 77515
Phone: (979) 849-5711

Justice of the Peace Courts

Precinct 1, Place 1
202 Peach Street
Lake Jackson, Texas 77566
Phone: (979) 297-4650
Fax: (979) 297-4599

Precinct 1, Place 2
210 West 1st Street A
Freeport, Texas 77541
Phone: (979) 233-4700
Fax: (979) 233-8008

Precinct 2, Place 1
7313 Corporate Drive
Manvel, Texas 77578
Phone: (281) 756-2410
Fax: (281) 489-4435

Precinct 2, Place 2
111 East Locust Room 110
Angleton, Texas 77515
Phone: (979) 864-1402
Fax: (979) 864-1637

Precinct 3, Place 1
260 George Street
Alvin, Texas 77511
Phone: (281) 331-3524
Fax: (281) 756-0830

Precinct 3, Place 2
2436 South Grand, Suite 110
Pearland, Texas 77581
Phone: (281) 485-1528
Fax: (281) 485-8720

Precinct 4, Place 1
3633 County Road 58
Manvel, Texas 77578
Phone: (713) 844-1777, (281) 756-2499
Fax: (281) 489-5274

Precinct 4, Place 2
121 North 10th Street
West Columbia, Texas 77486
Phone: (979) 345-2671
Fax: (979) 345-3013

Brazoria County Superior Court Case Search

In Brazoria County, district courts adjudicate cases that superior courts usually do in other U.S. states, like Washington. The subsequent header bears information about obtaining records of the county's district courts.

Brazoria County District Court Records

District courts in Brazoria County have original jurisdiction over serious criminal and civil matters. They are the highest trial courts in the county, followed by county courts at law.

The Brazoria District Courts handle juvenile, felony, family, and divorce cases. They also hear civil cases worth more than $500 but share this jurisdiction with County Courts at Law unless the amount involved is more than $200,000.

Finding District Court Records

The Brazoria County District Clerk manages records from the county's five district courts. The office offers free online access to civil, criminal, and family case records via the Court Records Inquiry web portal.

Individuals can also request copies by mail, email, or online. People ordering copies by mail or email can use the following address information:

Brazoria County District Clerk
Attention: Copy Request
111 East Locust, Suite 304
Angleton, Texas 77515
Email: dconlineforms@brazoriacountytx.gov

Individuals requesting copies online should review the guidelines on the District Clerk's Copy Request webpage.

Each requester is expected to have the cause (case) number of the proceeding they seek. They can use the Court Records Inquiry portal to find that information. Otherwise, they must pay $5 for a 10-year duration name search.

Copy requests are also not free. Requestors should be mindful of the following fees:

• Non-certified copies: $1 per page
• Certification (optional): $5 per document
• Exemplified copy (optional): $3 per document
• Research: $5 to locate records if the case number is not provided
• Microfilm: Copies of microfilmed records cost $1 per page.

Brazoria County Criminal Records

Individuals looking to obtain criminal records, such as Brazoria County Arrest Records or booking information, can query local law enforcement agencies in the county. These include municipal police departments and the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office.

A person can also approach the Brazoria County District Attorney's office for criminal records if the search subject was charged.

Interested parties must understand that some Brazoria criminal records may be restricted because of ongoing criminal investigations or to protect sensitive information.

Brazoria County Criminal Court Case Lookup

In Brazoria County, individuals can approach a court clerk's office to obtain records of misdemeanor and felony cases filed in the county.

The District Clerk's office maintains records of felony criminal and juvenile cases filed in the district courts. Meanwhile, one can use any of the court records search and request methods provided by the Brazoria County Clerk to look up adult criminal misdemeanor and juvenile cases. Note that juvenile records generally have public access restrictions.

Get Brazoria County Civil Court Records

Civil cases are disputes involving two or more entities. They do not include charges for breaking the law.

As mentioned, the county courts at law and district courts in Brazoria County share concurrent jurisdictions in some civil matters and have original jurisdiction in others. For instance, county courts at law handle most eminent domain matters, but civil matters above $200,000 can only be heard in the district courts.

People looking to find civil court records can query the Brazoria District or County Clerk's office, depending on where the case was filed. If unsure of the presiding court, the inquirer can use the Court Records Inquiry portal, select the Civil, Family, and Probate Case Records option, and search for the case using a plaintiff, defendant, or attorney's name. They can also provide the case status and filing date to filter the search.

The search results show court cases matching the provided parameters, including the case number, filing location, filed documents, and case type.

Brazoria County Family Court Records

The 300th and 461st district courts handle most family law cases in Brazoria County. The county courts at law also have jurisdiction over certain family cases.

Individuals can use the above-mentioned methods to find family case records in Brazoria. However, certain documents, including those related to child welfare and juvenile proceedings, are only accessible to eligible individuals.

Brazoria Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records are generated during divorce and annulment proceedings. The 300th District Court primarily handles these proceedings, and the Brazoria County District Clerk maintains related records.

Individuals can use the District Clerk's online, in-person, or mail-in request options to obtain divorce decrees and other records pertaining to dissolution of marriage proceedings.

The Texas Department of State Health Services also provides verification letters and an index for divorces issued from 1968 through its Office of Vital Statistics. Individuals can download and view the index or order divorce verification letters from the office by mail, in person, or online.

Brazoria County Marriage and Divorce Records

Individuals who want to obtain divorce records can follow the steps explained earlier. However, obtaining Brazoria County marriage records, such as marriage licenses and certificates, involves a different process.

Members of the public can request copies of marriage licenses purchased in Brazoria County through the County Clerk's office. Plain copies cost $1, while certified copies cost $20 each.

Interested individuals can apply by mail, email, or in person. People who want to request copies in person can visit any of these addresses during business hours:

Angleton - Main Office
East Annex (old Walmart building on Highway. 35)
1524 East Mulberry 152
Angleton, Texas 77515
Phone: (979) 864-1355 (Angleton Area), (979) 388-1355 (Brazosport Area), (281) 756-1355 (Houston Area)

Lake Jackson Substation
202 Peach Street
Lake Jackson, Texas 77566
Phone: (979) 864-2728 (Angleton Area), (979) 388-2728 (Brazosport Area), (281) 756-2728 (Houston Area)
Fax: (979) 388-2729

Manvel Substation
7313 Corporate Drive
Manvel, Texas 77578
Phone: (281) 756-2426 (Houston Area)
Fax: (281) 692-1372

Pearland Substation
2436 South Grand Boulevard
Suite 106
Pearland, Texas 77581
Phone: (281) 412-3399 (Houston Area)
Fax: (281) 412-6644

Those who want to request by mail must download and fill out an Application for Certified Copy of Marriage License, include their payment and return addresses, and mail all to the following address:

Brazoria County Clerk's Office
Attention: Vital Statistics
111 East Locust Street, Suite 200
Angleton, Texas 77515

People can also request certified copies via email, provided they can make credit card payments. They must complete the Certified Copy of Marriage License form, process their payments, and send it with their certified payment confirmation number to cclerkpublic@brazoriacountytx.gov.

Members of the public can also visit the Department of State Health Services' Vital Statistics to view an index of marriage records from 1966 or order marriage verification letters.

Brazoria Birth and Death Records

Brazoria County birth records are classified as vital records. They are often required to confirm people's citizenship status, identities, and age for legal purposes like healthcare, social security, employment, and driver's license issuance. Death records are also a crucial part of Brazoria County public records. They are needed in various legal situations, such as estate settlement, obtaining insurance or pension, and claiming inheritance.

Obtaining a Brazoria County Birth Certificate

Members of the public can approach the Brazoria County Clerk to request copies of long and short-form birth certificates. However, only the following individuals can access these records:

• The person whose name is on the record
• A parent
• A child over 18 years old
• Grandparent
• Legal guardian
• A managing conservator

Eligible applicants must provide a valid government-issued identification. Each certified copy of a birth certificate costs $23.

To request birth records, people can go to any of the County Clerk's locations listed in the previous section.Individuals who want to mail a written request must first print and fill out the Birth/Death Application form and submit a photocopy of their ID, notarized proof of identification form, payment, and return address to:

Brazoria County Clerk's Office
Attention: Vital Statistics
111 East Locust Street, Suite 200
Angleton, Texas 77515

They can also fill out the same form and send their requests via email to cclerkpublic@brazoriacountytx.gov if able to make credit card payments.

People can also request and obtain birth records through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Obtaining a Brazoria County Death Certificate

The Brazoria County Clerk's Office maintains records of deaths registered in the county since 1903. The office can only issue certified death certificates for people who passed away within Brazoria County.

Like birth records, death records can be obtained from the Clerk's Office by mail, email, or in person. Applicants must submit a Birth/Death Application form, notarized proof of identity, and valid ID (to prove their eligibility).

Note that death records can only be accessed by the deceased's parent, child, sibling, spouse, grandparent, informant, or managing conservator. However, death records become public information 25 years after the date of death.

Brazoria County Probate Court Records

The Brazoria County Courts at Law are primarily responsible for probate cases, which involve estate settlement, will execution, and conservatorships, among others.

To view or obtain probate court records, individuals can access the Court Records Inquiry portal or submit a request for copies to the County Clerk in person or via mail at:

Brazoria County Clerk's Office
111 East Locust Street
Suite 200
Angleton, TX 77515

Individuals can also request copies by email by filling out a form on the Clerk's website. They must pay an additional $5 fee if they do not have the case number and the Clerk's office helps them to perform a name search.

Other fees include:

• Emailed Electronic Copies: $1 per document up to 10 pages and 10 cents per additional page
• Mailed Paper Copies: $1 per page
• Mailed Certified Copies: $1 per page plus $5 per document for certification

Brazoria County Property Records

Individuals can search for property records in Brazoria County on the County Clerk's website or at the following address where public computers are available:

East Annex
1524 East Mulberry
Angleton, TX 77515

If searching online for the first time, new users must sign up for an account and verify their email before using the portal. After finding the needed records, they should note the document number and total number of pages. Each copy costs $1.

Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee. Payment must be made through the Clerk's verified payment provider using the Bureau Code 3433402.

After paying, the requester should email their request to cclerkpublic@brazoriacountytx.gov, indicating the document number, their mailing address, and their payment confirmation number. Certified copies will be mailed directly to the requester.

Brazoria County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like Texascourtrecords.us can be convenient for accessing Brazoria court records. These websites aggregate records from multiple courts and agencies to make public record searches easier and faster. Some services may offer additional features like background checks or alerts for new filings.

However, there are limitations to consider. Third-party sites often charge access fees and may not always have the most up-to-date records. Verifying the accuracy and currency of information found on these sites is crucial, as they are not affiliated with official Brazoria County agencies.