Kaufman County Court Records

Kaufman County court records refer to documents submitted to or generated by the courts during a civil or criminal court proceeding. Court records catalog the events, actions, and decisions made during a judicial process. They also contain the case details, including the parties' names, case numbers, court locations, filing, and hearing dates. Examples include pleadings, motions, petitions, complaints, transcripts, evidence, exhibits, rulings, and judgments.

Texas Court records play a vital role in the state's legal process. They help provide insights into what transpired in court, promoting accountability and openness of the legal process. Court records serve as legal precedents for current and future court cases. Lastly, documenting the court proceedings helps to enforce legal decisions such as judgments and injunctions.

Are Court Records Public in Kaufman County?

Yes, court records are considered public records in Kaufman County. Under the Texas Government Code (chapter 522), papers, documents, or any material information a public agency holds concerning the governmental body's official business are open to the public. Records collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental agencies, such as court records, are also open to the public for inspection, viewing, and copying.

While the Code promotes government openness to its citizenry, the law determines that certain records should be restricted from the public view. Consequently, the following court records are exempted from the public:

• Court records sealed by a federal or state statute
• Court records sealed by a court order
• Court records containing personal identifying information where disclosure would amount to an invasion of personal privacy
• Health information contained in a court record

Accordingly, Kaufman County public records do not include juvenile court, child custody, paternity, guardianship, adoption, or mental health records. Furthermore, confidential information such as social security number, driver's license number, tax returns, bank account details, and insurance information contained within a court record is redacted before the record is released to the requesters.

Kaufman County Court Records Search

Several options are open to persons searching for Kaufman County court records.

• The county clerk provides an online repository to search and copy court records filed and heard in the county.
• Court records are available at the courthouses across the state where the case was filed. The records are open for in-person viewing.
• Record seekers may also mail or fax the record custodian with details of the desired record so that the search can be performed.

Kaufman County Court Records Search by Name

The Kaufman County Clerk of Court is the record custodian for court records in the county. The office permits record seekers to conduct an in-person search of court records at no charge at the clerk's office. Record seekers may only conduct name-based searches at the county office. Although searches are free, the County Clerk charges $1.00 per page for plain copies and $5.00 for certified copies of the record.

Kaufman County Courts

The court system in Kaufman County comprises a Constitutional County Court, three District and County Courts, four Justice Courts, and eight Municipal Courts.

Kaufman County District Court Records

The Kaufman County District Courts are trial courts with general jurisdiction over criminal, civil, family law, probate, and juvenile cases. The civil cases heard at the Kaufman County District Courts include contract disputes, property disputes, enforcement of liens on land, and slander cases.

The District Court presides over most felony criminal cases and conducts preliminary hearings for criminal cases. Other cases heard at the District Courts include divorce, adoption, child custody disputes, juvenile matters, wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health cases.

The Kaufman County District Court Clerk maintains the court records from the courts and grants access to the records. Record seekers may obtain the record in person by visiting the Clerk’s Office during business hours or mailing a written request for the record. The record custodian uses the name of the record and the approximate date of the event to conduct the record search. Therefore, written requests must include this information.

Kaufman County Criminal Records

Criminal records, also known as arrest records, are official documents maintained by law enforcement agencies that detail a person's arrests, charges, and possible convictions. Per state law, Kaufman County arrest records are public records and persons seeking criminal records may order them from the County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Office provides an online platform, Open Records, to request Kaufman County criminal records. Requesters may receive the record by mail, email, or fax.

Record seekers may also visit the office of the County Sheriff to obtain the record in person. Walk-in requesters for Kaufman arrest records may contact the office during their business hours at:

1900 East US-175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (972) 932-4337
Fax: (972) 932-9751

Kaufman County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal court records refer to the documents received or generated by the courts during a criminal court proceeding. Criminal court records are public records and available to interested persons. Depending on the nature and severity of the criminal case, the Kaufman District Court, Constitutional Courts, and the Justice of Peace Courts have jurisdiction over Kaufman County criminal cases.

The Clerk of Court is the record custodian for Kaufman County criminal records. To obtain the records, interested persons must first determine which court has jurisdiction over the court records sought. Record seekers may proceed to request the record in person at the courthouse or mail a request for the record.

In addition, the County offers an online search tool, the Tyler Odyssey Portal, for Kaufman County criminal court records. The portal grants access to criminal records filed and heard in the county. Record seekers may query the database using the record number or full name on the record.

Get Kaufman County Civil Court Records

Civil court records are the papers and documents detailing the civil dispute proceedings. Typically, civil disputes are non-criminal and involve individuals and businesses. The Kaufman County District Court presides over civil court cases such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, civil equity lawsuits, real estate titles, and complex commercial cases.

Persons interested in obtaining Kaufman civil court records may contact the Clerk of the District Court. The office permits in-person requests for civil court records during its business hours. Alternatively, record seekers may order the record by mail.

Additionally, record seekers may utilize the Tyler Odyssey Portal provided by the Clerk’s Office to look up civil court records from the county. The platform requires record seekers to use the full name on the court record or the case number to access the record.

Kaufman County Family Court Records

Family records are the papers generated in court during a family dispute. Family records contain the court proceedings and judgment in divorce, alimony, paternity, child custody, child support, and domestic violence restraining orders. Kaufman Family Court records are considered public records. However, there are exemptions to the Family Court records readily available to the public. Per state law, sensitive or confidential Family Court records such as juvenile court records, child custody and visitation court records, and paternity records are inaccessible to the public.

There are no dedicated Family Courts in Texas. Family law matters in the state are heard at the District Courts. The District and Constitutional Courts preside over family law cases in Kaufman County. The Clerk of Court provides access to Family Court records using the Tyler Odyssey Portal. Record seekers can obtain Family Court records that are open to the public.

The Court Clerk also provides access to Family Court records to persons who make a request in person or mail written requests. Record seekers must furnish the record custodian with the full record name or case number to facilitate the search. The Court Clerk charges fees to obtain the records.

Kaufman Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage refers to the papers and documents issued by the courts bringing a marriage or civil union relationship to an end. Dissolution of marriage terminates marital responsibilities between the couple. Per Texas law, dissolution of marriage includes divorce and annulments. Kaufman County dissolution of marriage records are available at the District Court Clerk's Office.

Kaufman County Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage records are government-issued documents that legally certify the union of a couple. Divorce records are official documents that prove that a marital union has lawfully ended. Kaufman County marriage records and divorce records are public records, available at the Kaufman County District Clerk’s Office.

The Clerk provides free access to view the records online. Record seekers may view Kaufman County marriage certificates and Kaufman County divorce certificates online using the Tyler Odyssey Portal. Persons interested in obtaining certified copies of marriage and divorce records may order the record in person or by mail. Requests for the records must be written, containing the name on the marriage or divorce record and the approximate date of marriage or divorce. Certified copies of divorce and marriage records cost $5.00, while plain copies cost $1.00. Visit the office of the Court Clerk or mail the request to:

Court Department
Kaufman County Clerk
1902 US HWY 175
Kaufman, TX 75142

Kaufman Birth and Death Records

Birth records are documents containing information about an individual's birth, while death records contain vital information affirming the death of a person. The government issues birth and death records, constituting part of Kaufman County's vital records. They are legal documents that may be used for identification verification purposes and receiving government benefits -birth records, and administration of estate and insurance claims - death records.

Kaufman County birth records are closed to the public. Per state law, birth records only become public after the 75th birth anniversary. Therefore, only eligible persons such as those named on Kaufman County birth certificates, their parents named on the records, adult siblings, grandparents, or spouses may purchase certified copies of birth records.

Requests for certified copies of birth and death records from the Court Clerk may be made by mail or in person. Record seekers may complete the Birth/Death/Military Discharge Certificate Request Form. In addition, the application for the records must include a photocopy of a valid photo identification, an affidavit, and the fees. It costs $23 for certified birth records and $21 for death certificates. The physical and mailing address to order the records is at:

County Clerk’sOffice
P.O. Box 729
1902 US HWY 175
Kaufman, TX 75142

Kaufman County Probate Court Records

Probate Court records refer to the official documents received or generated by the courts during the administration of estates. Probate Courts have jurisdiction over wills contests, estate litigation cases, name changes, conservatorship, guardianships, and trusts disputes.

There are no specialized Probate Courts in Kaufman County. Instead, the Kaufman County Court at Law and the Kaufman County Constitutional County Courts handle probate matters in the county. The County Clerk's offices maintain Kaufman County Probate Court records. Requests for regular or certified copies of the records are available at the Clerk's Office, and searchers may order the records in person or by mail. Requests for probate court records must include the record name and approximate date of filing. Certified copies of Probate Court records cost $5.00, while regular copies cost $1.00.

Kaufman County Property Records

Kaufman County property records are the documents maintained by the county that provide property information such as ownership, property value, tax information, and property characteristics (building type, size, square footage, etc). Property-related information in these records includes:

• Property address
• Name of owner and mailing address
• Legal description of the property
• Property type
• Year of construction
• Appraised value
• Liens and encumbrances such as property taxes and mortgages

Kaufman County property records are available through the Kaufman County Property Search tool on the Kaufman Central Appraisal District (KCAD) website. Users can search for entries by owner, address, or ID number. Kaufman property records are also available in person at the Kaufman County Clerk’s office at:

1902 US Highway 175
Kaufman, TX 75142

The County Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm except for county-approved holidays. Certified copies of property documents go for $6 ($5 for certification and $1 per page). Applicants can call (469) 376-4730 for property records-related matters.

Kaufman County Court Records Online

Members of the public may be able to access Kaufman court records online through third-party sources like Texascourtrecords.us. Such platforms operate independently of any government entity. Users of such services can access records at any time of the day using any device with an internet connection. Third-party online sources save time and offer search features that simplify users' records searches. However, users of third-party online sources should note that there might be a delay in the availability of some records online as the case file may be updated.

Kaufman County Courts

The court system in Kaufman County comprises a Constitutional County Court, 3 District and County Courts, 4 Justice Courts, and 8 Municipal Courts. The courthouse locations in Kaufman County are as follows:

District Courts in Kaufman County

Kaufman County 86th District Court
Kaufman County Courthouse
100 West Mulberry Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (972) 932-4331 ext 1274

Kaufman County 422nd District Court
Kaufman County Courthouse
1902 East US 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4666

Kaufman County 489th District Court
Kaufman County Courthouse
1902 US Highway 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4505

Constitutional County Court

Kaufman County Constitutional Court
Kaufman County Courthouse
100 West Mulberry Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (972) 932-4331 ext 1104
Fax: (972) 962-4086

County Courts at Law

Kaufman County Court at Law
Kaufman County Courthouse
100 West Mulberry Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (972) 932-4331 ext 1104
Fax: (972) 962-4086

Kaufman County Court at Law No., 2
Kaufman County Courthouse
100 West Mulberry Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (972) 932-4331 ext 1104
Fax: (972) 962-4086

Justice Courts

Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
3001 South Washington Street
P.O. Box 457
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (972) 932-9747 ext 1104
Fax: (972) 962-2653

Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Forney Sub Courthouse
200 East Main Street
Forney, TX 75126
Phone: (972) 564-3786

Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Terrell Sub Courthouse
408 East College Street
Terrell, TX 75160
Phone: (972) 563-9723

Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Kemp Sub Courthouse
103 North Main Street
Kemp, TX 75143
Phone: (469) 376-4620

Municipal Courts

Combine Municipal Court
123 Davis Road
Combine, TX 75159
Phone: (972) 476-1532

Crandall Municipal Court
114 South Main Street
P.O. Box 268
Crandall, TX 75114
Phone: (972) 427-4096
Fax: (972) 472-8904

Forney Municipal Court
Forney Justice Center
331 South FM 548
P.O. Box 826
Forney, TX 75126
Phone: (972) 564-7311
Fax: (972) 564-7321

Kaufman Municipal Court
3001 South Washington Street
P.O. Box 457, Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (972) 932-2216

Kemp Municipal Court
Kemp City Hall
304 South Main Street
P.O. Box 449
Kemp, TX 75143
Phone: (903) 498-3191

Mabank Municipal Court
P.O. Box 293
Mabank, TX 75147
Phone: (903) 887-8500

Talty Municipal Court
9550 Helms Trail, #400
Forney, TX 75126
Phone: (972) 552-9487
Fax: (972) 552-9060

Terrell Municipal Court
201 East Nash Street,
P.O. Box 310
Terrell, TX 75160
Phone: (972) 551-6680
Fax: (972) 551-1101