Polk County Court Records

Polk County court records are government files regarding court activities, such as case proceedings and judicial issues. The records generally provide information on case subjects, document-identifying numbers, case summaries, jury verdicts, and court orders.

Polk court records are important documents in legal matters because they ensure standard and fair conduct in court activities and function as evidence of court events. For instance, criminal court records may include Polk County arrest records, trial transcripts, court convictions, and exhibits.

Are Court Records Public in Polk County?

Polk County court records are mostly classified as public documents. Under the Texas Public Information Act, the general public may inspect and obtain court records from specific government entities. The entities generally safeguard and release court records upon requests from the public.

In some cases, government entities may redact parts or completely withhold certain court documents. The document in question may contain information that is exempt under state or federal laws. Examples of exempt court records in Polk County include:

• Personnel information on court-appointed or elected officials
• Court documents that reveal personal details on crime victims, minors, or witnesses
• Internal deliberations on court administration issues
• Court documents containing settlement delegations
• Court documents that are generally exempt under state or federal laws

Polk County Court Records Search

In Polk County, inquiries for court records must begin with the agency assigned to hold such records. For instance, the Polk County district court clerk’s office holds records of cases tried at the district court. The court clerk also releases copies of court documents upon requests from interested parties.

To obtain the record, requesters must visit the clerk’s office during open hours. The clerk typically requests search details, such as the case party's name and number, to retrieve court documents.

Polk County Courts

Polk County’s court system consists of district, municipal, justice, county, and constitutional county courts.

Polk County 258th District Court
101 West Mill Street
#216
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: (936) 327-6814
Fax: (936) 327-6851

Polk County 411th District Court
101 West Mill Street
#216
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: (936) 327-6814
Fax: (936) 327-6851

Polk County Constitutional Court
PO Drawer 2119
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: (936) 327-6805
Fax: (936) 327-6855

Polk County Court at Law
PO Drawer 2119
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: (936) 327-6805
Fax: (936) 327-6855

Polk County Justice Courts
Polk County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
101 West Mill Street
#152
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: (936) 327-6841
Fax: (936) 327-6884

Polk County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
14115 US Highway 190 West
P.O. Box 1417
Onalaska, TX 77360
Phone: 9936) 646-3674
Fax: (936) 646-4197

Polk County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
201 West Ben Franklin
Corrigan, TX 75939
Phone: (936) 398-4114
Fax: (93) 398-5574

Polk County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
602 East Church Street
#135
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: (936) 327-6865
Fax: (936) 327-6861

Polk County Municipal Courts
Corrigan Municipal Court
1001 North Home Street
Corrigan, TX 75939
Phone: (936) 398-5923

Goodrich Municipal Court
P.O. Box 277
Goodrich, TX 77335
Phone: (936) 365-6841

Livingston Municipal Court
200 West Church Street
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: (936) 327-9322

Onalaska Municipal Court
372 South FM 356
P.O. Box 880
Onalaska, TX 77360
Phone: (936) 646-5376
Fax: (936) 646-2833

Polk County Criminal and Civil Records

In Polk County, civil and criminal court records are under the jurisdiction of the county courts. The courts may have sole or shared jurisdiction over cases in these categories. For instance, the district court oversees civil court cases like civil equity, complex commercial, and general civil-unlimited. To obtain Polk County court records, inquirers must request the record in person at the court that handled the case.

In contrast, the Texas Judicial Branch hosts a searchable portal for civil and criminal cases tried at the district courts. To view records on the portal, users must first select the district court that handled the case. Next, they must input other relevant search information.

Polk County Marriage Records

The Polk County Clerk’s Office keeps records of marriage licenses issued in the county. To obtain copies of marriage licenses, interested public members must submit a request in person to the agency at:

Polk County Clerk
101 West Mill Street
Suite 265
Livingston, Texas 77351
Phone: (936) 327-6805

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is also a custodian of marriage records. The state-level agency issues marriage verification documents to the record subject, immediate family relations, legal guardians, or representatives. To get the record, eligible parties must send a mail request to the agency at:

DSHS - VSS
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX
78711-2040

The request must contain:

• A completed application for Polk County marriage records
• A $20 money order or check for the marriage verification document
• Copy of a valid ID

Polk County Divorce Records

Polk County divorce records are accessible through the county district court clerk’s office. Public members may obtain the records by submitting a request in person to the court clerk at:

101 West Mill Street
Suite 216
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: (936) 327-6814

The request must include information on the record subjects and other relevant information about the divorce event.

In contrast, you may obtain divorce verification documents by sending a mail request to the DSHS at:

DSHS - VSS
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX
78711-2040

The mail request must contain a completed request form, a copy of a valid ID, and a $20 money order or check.

Polk Birth Records

In Polk County, the county clerk’s office maintains records of birth events that occurred in the county. The agency issues birth records below 75 years old to only the following parties:

• The record subject
• Immediate family members
• Legal guardians
• Legal agents or representatives.

Eligible applicants may obtain Polk County birth records by following these steps:

1. Fill out and download an application for a birth record.
2. Attach a valid photo ID.
3. Third-party requesters must include an authorization letter signed by the record subject.
4. Enclose a $23 money order or check to the Polk County Clerk:

101 West Mill Street
Suite 265
Livingston, TX 77351

Polk County birth records are important documents for verifying your identity and obtaining basic citizen rights.

Polk Death Records

Polk County death certificates generated in the last 25 years are not public records. The county clerk’s office will only release such records to the deceased’s immediate family relations, legal guardians, or representatives. To order Polk County death records, eligible parties must submit a mail request to the county clerk’s office at:

101 West Mill Street
Suite 265
Livingston, TX 77351

The request must include:

• A completed death certificate application form.
• A signed authorization form if the inquirer is a third party.
• Photocopy of a valid photo ID
• A $21 money order or check made payable to the Polk County Clerk.

Note: Polk County death certificates enable persons or entities to obtain the deceased’s assets or properties.

Polk County Probate Court Records

The Polk County Court at Law hears probate issues such as guardianship of incapacitated persons, administration of estates, and mental health commitments. To obtain probate court records, inquirers must submit a request in person to the Polk County clerk’s office at:

Polk County Courthouse
101 West Church Street
Livingston, TX 77351

Polk County Property Records

In Polk County, the county clerk’s office and the tax office oversee all property-related records, including property ID, owner’s name, and market value. To obtain property records, requesters must inquire in person at the location below:

Polk County Clerk’s Office
Polk County Courthouse
101 West Church Street
Livingston, TX 77351

Polk County Tax Office
416 North Washington Avenue
Livingston, TX, 77351
Phone: (936) 327-6801
Phone: (936) 327-6885

In contrast, Polk County’s tax office maintains a searchable portal for property information. To use the portal, inquirers must use any of these search options:

• Search by name
• Search by address
• Search by ID.

Polk County Court Records Online

The Texas Judicial Branch’s search portal provides access to online court records. Alternatively, citizens may find court records on third-party search sites like the texascourtrecords.us website. Such sites have a typical user-friendly interface that enables users to easily find court documents. Users may access download options on some third-party search sites. Despite the perks, users should note that the sites are unregulated and may not offer accurate court data.