Houston County Court Records

Houston County court records are documents maintained by a court starting when a case is filed until adjudication. The presence of Houston court records allows the public insight into court functioning and ensures fairness in legal proceedings. These records include dockets, judgments, case files, and other papers submitted about court cases. Persons who obtain court records can expect to find information about the case parties, the case summary, case facts, actions taken throughout case history, and the case outcome.

Are Court Records Public in Houston County?

Yes. Per Rule 12 of the Rules of Judicial Administration, court records are generally open to the general public for inspection and copying during regular business hours. However, the following court records are exempt from disclosure under this rule:

• Information is confidential under other law
• Litigation or settlement negotiations
• Judicial work product and drafts
• Private information such as social security number, home address, and family information
• Any personnel record that, if disclosed, would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
• Internal deliberations on court or judicial administration matters.

Houston County Court Records Search

Persons looking for Houston County court records may use the following options:

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

Houston County Courts

The Houston County District Court is the principal trial court with general jurisdiction. It handles various cases, such as civil cases worth more than $200, divorces, property title disputes, and felonies. The Constitutional County Court and the Statutory County Court at law handle a variety of criminal and civil proceedings and occasionally deal with probate cases. The Justice Courts handle small claims, minor civil cases, and some criminal cases, like moving offenses. City ordinance breaches and some offenses are handled by municipal courts.

Houston County 3rd District Court
Houston County Courthouse
401 East Houston Avenue
Crockett, TX 75835
Phone: (936) 544-3255 ext. 325
Fax: (936) 544-9523

Houston County 349th District Court
Houston County Courthouse
401 East Houston Avenue
Crockett, TX 75835
Phone: (936) 544-3255 ext. 235
Fax: (936) 544-9523

Houston County Constitutional Court
Houston County Courthouse
401 East Houston Avenue
P.O. Box 370
Crockett, TX 75835
Phone: (936) 544-3255 ext. 240
Fax: (936) 544-1954

Houston County Court at Law
Houston County Courthouse
401 East Houston Avenue
P.O. Box 370
Crockett, TX 75835
Phone: (936) 544-3255 ext. 240
Fax: (936) 544-1954

Houston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
700 South 4th Street
Crockett, TX 75835
Phone: (936) 544-2564
Fax: (936) 544-1460

Houston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
700 South 4th Street
Crockett, TX 75835
Phone: (936) 544-9561
Fax: (936) 544-1460

Crockett Municipal Court
200 North 5th Street
Crockett, TX 75835
Phone: (936) 544-5156 ext. 211
Fax: (936) 544-4976

Grapeland Municipal Court
P.O. Box 62
Grapeland, TX 75844
Phone: (936) 687-5141

Houston County Criminal and Civil Records

The Houston County District Clerk is the office for all District Court hearings, as well as some civil and family cases held in Houston County's County Courts at Law. Anyone who wishes to obtain a Houston County criminal record or a civil record may contact the District Clerk via mail or in person at:

District Clerk's Office
401 East Houston Avenue Suite E
Crockett, Texas 75835
Office (936) 544-3255 Ext 235
Fax: (936) 544-9523

Registered users may also utilize the Online Criminal & Civil Records search portal to look up Houston criminal records or civil records. Furthermore, interested persons may contact the courthouse where the criminal or civil case was filed.

Houston County's civil court records cover a wide range of case categories, such as debt collection, property disputes, and family concerns. Cases involving property damage or outstanding bills, child support or custody conflicts, and divorce are a few examples.

Houston County Marriage Records

Houston County marriage records are public information in line with the Texas Public Information Act. To obtain a Houston County marriage certificate, record seekers may contact the Houston County Clerk's Office. Certified copies of marriage licenses are typically only available from the county clerk's office where the license was originally issued. To request a marriage certificate, one must fill out and submit the Application for a Certified Copy of the Marriage License to:

Houston County Clerk
401 East Houston Avenue
Suite D
Crockett, TX 75835
Phone: (936) 544-3255 Option 2.

To complete the request, applicants must provide a valid photo ID along with a fee of $21 per certified copy. One can also order a Texas marriage verification letter online through the Vital Statistics Department of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Record seekers may also look up the public indexes of Texas marriages maintained by the Vital Statistics Section since 1966.

Houston County Divorce Records

Anyone seeking a Houston County divorce record may contact the District Clerk's Office as it maintains divorce records. One may either visit in person, mail a request, or utilize the online search portal. Alternatively, One may also order a Texas divorce verification letter online through the Vital Statistics department. Like the marriage verification letter, requests may be made online, via mail, or in person. Requesters are required to provide a valid photo ID.

Houston County Birth Records

Only the person listed on the document, their immediate relatives, their legal guardian, or their legal representative have access to Houston County birth records. According to Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth records must be made public after 75 years.

Anyone seeking a Houston County Birth Certificate may contact the County Clerk's Office to obtain one. Requests may be made in person during business hours or by mail. To request by mail, download, fill, and submit the Application for Birth Certificate form. Attach a photocopy of a valid photo ID along with a fee of $23.

Alternatively, one may contact the Vital Statistics Section of the TDSHS. Eligible requesters may order a birth certificate or verification online, via mail by downloading, filling, and submitting the Application Form, or in person.

Birth certificates are essential documents for several purposes, such as getting driver's licenses, passports, and government benefits.

Houston County Death Records

Access to death certificates is restricted to eligible individuals. Under Texas law, death records become public records after 25 years. A death certificate can be obtained by contacting the County Clerk's Office. Requests can be mailed or submitted in person during work hours. To request by mail, download, complete, and submit the Application for Death Certificate form. Attach a valid photo ID along with a fee of $21. Eligible individuals may also contact the Vital Statistics Section to obtain a death certificate or verification. Requests may be made online, via mail by downloading, completing, and submitting the application form, or in person.

Houston County Probate Court Records

A probate court record is a legal document about mental health issues, guardianship of incapable people, or the administration of a deceased person's inheritance. According to Texas law, these documents record the procedures for establishing a will, allocating assets, and overseeing estates and guardianships.

The Houston County Clerk's Office maintains probate records filed within the county. To obtain a Houston County probate record, interested persons may contact the County Clerk's Office in person during working hours.

Houston County Property Records

Interested persons may contact the Property Appraiser District to look up Houston County property records. To search for property records, members of the public may utilize the Property Search online portal maintained by the PAD. Input the name of the property owner to complete a basic search. One may also contact the PAD via mail or in person at:

Houston County Appraisal District
1512-B E. Loop 304
P.O. Box 112
Crockett, TX 75835-0112.

Alternatively, one may contact the Houston County Tax Assessor/Collector's Office. Individuals may conduct a Property Search online by inputting the first and last name of the property owner or contacting the office via mail or in person at:

Houston County Tax Office
401 East Goliad Avenue Suite 101
Crockett, TX 75835
Phone: (936) 544-3255, Ext. 244, 257 & 277.

Furthermore, interested persons may contact the Houston County District Clerk's Office to search for property records in the county. Types of property-related information available in Houston County include owner name, owner ID, property ID, property address, tax status, appraised amount, Geographic ID, legal description, etc.

Houston County Court Records Online

The public can look up Houston County court online by visiting third-party public records websites like Texascourtrecords.us. These websites are easy to use and may be accessed remotely, saving time and effort. Other types of Houston County public records collected from different sources may also be accessed on third-party websites. While it is possible to obtain court records for free on third-party websites, free access is typically limited. A searcher may need to pay or subscribe for comprehensive results.