Fayette County Court Records

A Fayette County court record is any document, physical or electronic, created or retained for a court or judicial agency during its regular course of business. The types of information typically found in Fayette court records include the names of judges and attorneys, docket numbers, complaint or indictment details, sworn statements (affidavits), depositions, transcripts of proceedings, and the final outcome of the case. Court records are essential for legal documentation because they offer proof of court processes and decisions, support legal research, and promote accountability.

Are Court Records Public in Fayette County?

Yes, According to Rule 12 of the Texas Public Access to Judicial Records, court records are generally open to members of the public for inspection and copying during working hours. However, there are restrictions and limitations on accessing certain types of court records. The following records are exempt from public disclosure:

• Judicial work products and drafts
• Personnel information
• Home Address and Family Information
• Any record whose release would jeopardize the security of an individual.

Fayette County Court Records Search

Interested persons may conduct a Fayette County court records search using the following available options:

• The courthouse where the case was filed
• Fayette County Clerk's Office
• Fayette County District Court Clerk's Office
• Third-party websites.

Fayette County Courts

Courts operating in Fayette County include the county's District Court, Constitutional Court, Justice of Peace Court, and Municipal Court. The District Court is the highest court operating within the county and has jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases. The County Constitutional Court has jurisdiction over probate cases and shares jurisdiction with the Justice Court over civil cases. This court handles criminal cases such as misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by a jail sentence of less than one year. The Justice of Peace Court handles certain types of criminal and civil cases, but jurisdiction may differ from court to court. Below are the courts operating within Fayette County:

Fayette County 155th District Court
Fayette County Courthouse
151 North Washington Street, #102
La Grange, TX 78945
Phone: (979) 968-3548
Fax: (979) 968-2618

Fayette County Constitutional Court
246 West Colorado Street
P.O. Box 59
La Grange, TX 78945
Phone: (979) 968-3251
Fax: (979) 968-8531

Fayette County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
1646 North Jefferson Street
La Grange, TX 78945
Phone: (979) 968-3648
Fax: (979) 968-9258

Fayette County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
P.O. Box 458
Fayetteville, TX 78940
Phone: (979) 378-2573
Fax: (979) 378-2824

Fayette County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
P.O. Box A
Flatonia, TX 78941
Phone: (361) 865-3500
Fax: (361) 865-2975

Fayette County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
312 Paulus Street
Schulenburg, TX 78956
Phone: (979) 743-4041
Fax: (979) 743-3014

Flatonia Municipal Court
P.O. Box 329
Flatonia, TX 78941
Phone: (361) 865-2510

La Grange Municipal Court
243 South College Street
La Grange, TX 78945
Phone: (979) 968-5806
Fax: (979) 968-2672

Schulenburg Municipal Court
535 North Main Street
P.O. Box 8
Schulenburg, TX 78956
Phone: (979) 743-4126
Fax: (979) 743-4760

Fayette County Criminal and Civil Records

The District Clerk of Court is the primary custodian of Fayette County criminal records and civil records. Interested persons may obtain a Fayette County criminal record by contacting the Clerk's Office. Requests may be made in person or via mail. One may also utilize the computer portal provided by the office, which displays cases open to the public. Record searches may be carried out during working hours.

Alternatively, interested persons may contact the Fayette County Clerk's Office during working hours. This agency manages civil court records and misdemeanor criminal cases. Requests may be made via mail, phone, or in person at:

Fayette County Clerk's Office
246 West Colorado Street
La Grange, TX 78945
Phone: (979) 968-3251
Fax: (979) 968-8531

Furthermore, record seekers may directly contact the courthouse where the civil or criminal case was filed.

Fayette County Marriage Records

Anyone who wishes to obtain a Fayette County marriage certificate may contact the County Clerk's Office. Certified copies of a marriage license may only be obtained by the individuals involved. To make a request, complete and submit the Marriage License - Certified Copy Application Form in person or via mail to the Clerk's Office. Requesters are required to provide a copy of a Photo ID/Driver's license, a payment of $7 per copy requested, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for mail requests.

Alternatively, anyone seeking Fayette County marriage records can contact the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The Vital Statistics Section maintains public indexes of Texas marriages since 1966. This organization issues marriage verification letters to requesters. Interested persons may obtain a marriage verification letter online or fill and submit an application form via mail or in person, along with a fee of $20. Only immediate family members of the subject may obtain a marriage verification letter. Requesters are required to provide a photocopy of a valid photo ID.

Furthermore, interested persons may look up the marriage license application index by year.

Fayette County Divorce Records

The Texas DSHS issues divorce verification letters to eligible requesters, such as immediate family members. Requesters are required to provide a photocopy of a valid photo ID.

Interested parties can also look up the divorce application index by year. One may obtain a divorce verification letter online or fill out an application form and submit it by mail or in person with a $20 fee.

The District Clerk of Court maintains the records of divorce cases filed within the county. Interested persons may contact the Clerk's Office in person to obtain a certified copy of a divorce record. Requesters are required to provide a valid photo ID when making a request.

Fayette County Birth Records

Title 3 of the Health and Safety Code and Chapter 552 of the Government Code govern access to Fayette County vital records in Texas. They specify who can access records, what kinds of records can be accessed, and when they become public information.

Record seekers may access Fayette County birth certificates by contacting the County Clerk's Office. To request, one may visit the organization in person during working hours or complete and submit a Birth Certificate Request by Mail. Eligible individuals requesting by mail are required to provide a valid photo ID, a $23 fee, and an original notarized proof of identification.

Requesters may also obtain a Fayette County birth record from the state's DSHS. Eligible requesters can obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate or birth verification letter from this organization. Requests can be made in person, via mail, or online.

Members of the public may use a copy of their birth certificate to verify their identity when getting a government-issued ID.

Fayette County Death Records

Access to Fayette County vital records is governed by Chapter 552 of the Government Code and Title 3 of the Health and Safety Code. One may request a death certificate from the Fayette County Clerk's Office in person during business hours or by filling out and mailing a Death Certificate Request by Mail form. Those who are eligible to request by mail must submit a valid photo ID, a $23 fee, and an original notarized proof of identification.

One may also retrieve a birth record from the state's DSHS. Eligible requesters can obtain a death certificate or a death verification letter in person, via mail, or online.

Fayette County Probate Court Records

Fayette County probate court case records are filed with the County Clerk's Office. The Fayette County court has jurisdiction over probate cases, including matters related to wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. To obtain a probate record, one may visit the County Clerk's Office in person.

Fayette County Property Records

One may contact the Fayette County Clerk's Office to obtain property records. Requests may be made in person during working hours or via mail. Interested persons may also look up deed records online. Searches can be conducted by inputting the grantor's and grantee's names. Requests may also be made via email at county.clerk@co.fayette.tx.us

Record seekers may also contact the Fayette County Appraisal District to access property records. Requests may be made in person or via phone at (979) 968-8383. One may look up property records online.

Common types of property-related records include deeds, tax records, marriage licenses, and records related to homeowners' associations (HOAs).

Fayette County Court Records Online

Anyone seeking Fayette court records may access third-party websites such as Texascourtrecords.us. Users may need to supply the first and last name of the subject or a case number to complete a court record search. Users may conveniently view court records and other Fayette County public records compiled from various sources on these unofficial websites remotely. However, search results should be verified as some third-party records may not be complete or up-to-date.