Matagorda County Court Records

Matagorda court records are the official files describing the proceedings, decisions, and judgments of all cases within the county's courts that deal with civil actions, criminal cases, family issues, and probate matters. Case numbers, filing dates, party names, case statuses, court rulings, evidence, and witness testimonies, among others, are the typical contents of most Matagorda court records. They also record the sentence of criminal cases, the settlement of civil cases, and custody or division of property in family court cases. Accessible through the Matagorda County Clerk's Office or relevant court offices, these records provide insight into legal precedents and support various legal, personal, and research needs while adhering to Texas laws regarding public information and privacy protections.

Are Court Records Public in Matagorda County?

Matagorda County court records are public and available under Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, governing how to provide the public with access to judicial records in Texas. On the other hand, Rule 12 provides certain limitations toward sensitive information, privacy, and confidentiality in specific matters, such as juvenile cases, adoption cases, and those with sealed or expunged court records. Likewise, other documents containing private information, like Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or medical records, may be redacted or unavailable. In some cases, access to restricted records may require a court order.

Matagorda County Court Records Search

There are several ways to search for Matagorda County court records. For in-person records search, applicants must visit either the Matagorda County Clerk's Office or the proper court office. Online options are also provided to access the records over a county portal or third-party websites. Searches usually require primary information like case numbers, parties' names, or filing dates. Applicants must be aware that some of these records are not as accessible, and a person may need to follow specific procedures or make a formal request for the same.

Matagorda County Courts

Matagorda County’s court system includes several types of courts that handle different matters within the legal system. The addresses of these courts are as follows:

Matagorda County District Court (23 District Court and 103 District Court)
1700 7th Street
Bay City, TX 77414
Phone: (979) 244-7635

Matagorda County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1
1700 7th Street
Room 201
Bay City, TX 77414-5091
Phone: (979) 244-7660, (979) 244-7666

Matagorda County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2
2200 7th Street
4th Floor
Bay City, TX 77414
Phone: (979) 863-2035

Matagorda County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3
405 Commerce Street
Palacios, TX 77465
Phone: (361) 972-5313

Matagorda County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4
Corner of 3rd and Avenue F
Markham, TX 77456
Phone: (979) 843-5601/5602

Matagorda County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6
22001 FM 457
Sargent, TX 77414
Phone: (979) 245-0358

Municipal Courts in Matagorda County, TX
Bay City Municipal Court
1824 6th Street
Bay City, TX 77414
Phone: (979) 245-0035
Fax: (979) 323-9711

Palacios Municipal Court
313 Henderson
Palacios, TX 77465
Phone: (361) 972-2583

Matagorda County Criminal and Civil Records

Various means exist to access Matagorda County criminal court records and civil court records. Examples of criminal records include documents from arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences, such as Matagorda County arrest records. To obtain these records, requesters may contact the Matagorda County Clerk's Office, the district court where the case was heard, or online through the Matagorda County Judicial Records portal. A request for a Matagorda criminal record may require an individual to provide an identifying number or party name, a formal request and sometimes authorization are also necessary in certain situations. A Matagorda arrest record, if not sealed or expunged by the court, is usually available to the public for review and provides information regarding the arrested subject, charges filed, and any subsequent court action and disposition.

Matagorda County civil court records pertain to issues, not criminal matters, such as property disputes, family law cases (divorce and child custody), contracts, and probate matters. This can be done the same way as retrieving criminal records (both at the county clerk's office or online). Documents relating to the case may include petitions, motions, judgments, and orders. The district court and sometimes the county clerk may charge a fee to research and/or certify the document.

Matagorda County Marriage Records

Matagorda County marriage records can be obtained from the Matagorda County Clerk. These are Matagorda County public records that anyone may request a certified copy of, either appearing in person or by mail. Requestors must provide identifying information, such as the names of the individuals and the date of marriage, to aid in locating the record. Getting a certified copy of the Matagorda County marriage certificate is usually a charge. A valid form of identification and proper payment is required at the time of request if it is an in-person search.

Further, there is an online search portal by Matagorda County where marriage records are obtainable online. Certain restrictions may apply to obtain marriage records if the record is sealed or under court order.

Matagorda County Divorce Records

Divorce records in Matagorda County are maintained by the Matagorda County District Clerk's Office, which is responsible for maintaining records of family law cases, including divorce cases. These records are generally considered public, although access may be restricted in cases where the court has ruled that certain information is sealed for privacy reasons. Individuals requesting access to a divorce record are generally required to provide specific information, including the complete names of the parties concerned and the date or approximate year in which the divorce occurred. The same may be requested personally at the District Clerk's Office or via mail with an extra fee for copies or certified documents.

Matagorda County Birth Records

The Matagorda County Clerk's Office maintains Matagorda County birth records and is responsible for issuing them under the laws of Texas. Birth records are confidential for 75 years from birth, and access is permitted only to the individual whose name appears on the record or to their immediate family members and legal representatives. Identification and proof of relationship through government-issued identification must be presented for a request to be fulfilled for a Matagorda County birth certificate. After 75 years, Matagorda County birth records become public and can be accessed by anyone.

Birth records serve important purposes, such as providing the identification needed to obtain a passport, register at an educational institution, apply for jobs, or resolve legal matters involving inheritance. Certified copies of birth records can be obtained by visiting in person, postal mail, or online. There are associated fees that may be charged.

Matagorda County Death Records

The county clerk at the Matagorda County courthouse is the custodian of Matagorda County vital records, including death records. The death record is confidential for 25 years from the date of death, and only eligible immediate family members, lawful representatives, or persons demonstrating a direct tangible interest can obtain an original. To obtain a certified copy, proof of relationship or legal interest is needed with a valid government-issued photo ID. Death records become public 25 years after the event and can be accessed by anyone.

Death records serve many useful purposes: the settlement of estates, proof of death for life insurance claims, and the updating of family medical histories. They contain important information such as the deceased's full name, date and place of death, and cause of death. Certified death certificates can usually be requested from the County Clerk's Office in person, by mail, or online. Fees may apply, and an applicant should make sure they qualify for a request.

Matagorda County Probate Court Records

Probate court records in Matagorda County include all cases involving the distribution of estates, guardianships, wills, and matters regarding incapacitated individuals. The custodian of the probate court records is the Matagorda County Clerk's Office, which maintains them for public access, subject to confidentiality restrictions.

One can obtain probate court records either in person at the Matagorda County Clerk's Office or by mailing a request. Usually, such requests call for information like the name of the deceased, case number, and case dates. These records are also available online. Some charges could be levied for availing copies or certifications from the documents.

Matagorda County Property Records

All property records in Matagorda County are kept by the Matagorda County Appraisal District and the Matagorda County Clerk's Office. These records document property ownership, transfers, assessments, and tax information. They are used to prove ownership, research the history of a certain property, and determine land boundaries and improvements. They are essential in real estate transactions, settling disputes in court, and taxation.

The Matagorda County Appraisal District office can be visited in person, or there is an online portal with property search tools that allows users to locate records by owner name, address, or account number. More records are housed at the Matagorda County Clerk's Office, including deeds, liens, and other legal documents related to property transactions. Some records may incur a fee for certified copies; some older records may be available only by in-person research.

Matagorda County Court Records Online

One does not necessarily have to go to the courthouse to search for court records, as Matagorda County court records can be found online on third-party sites like Texascourtrecords.us. These third-party websites allow searching by name, case number, or other identifiers for the most precise and fast information retrieval. However, they may not always contain the most up-to-date updates or full records compared to official court databases, and some records—for example, sealed or confidential cases—may not be available. Online services can also be a good starting point, although users might need to pay for deeper searches or certified copies.