Walker County Court Records

According to rule 12 of the Texas Judicial Administration statutes, a Walker County court record is any document, letter, map, book, tape, picture, film recording, or other item created by a Walker County court that contains details regarding any legal matters the court has heard. Court documents are considered court records, regardless of the form or method of transmission—electronic or physical. Generally, any document prepared or produced about a subject that is or has been before a court or relates to the adjudicative function of a court is referred to as a court record.

A Walker County court record is legal documentation of the court's activities. It has an active and historical function within the court system. It is used as a reference for future lawsuits and trials and is held to keep track of the decisions passed by a judge. Additionally, court records encourage accountability and fairness within the judicial branch by reassuring the public that legal matters are handled properly and justly and that the parties' rights are upheld.

Are Court Records Public in Walker County?

Yes. As per section 12.4 of Texas Access to Judicial Records rules, Walker County court records are generally regarded as public records and are to be made available to interested members of the public for inspection and copying during regular business hours. Court record custodians and judicial agencies in Walker County are required to:

• Maintain both paper and electronic copies of court records;
• Print computerized copies of court records information;
• Hold onto judicial records for the duration specified in their retention schedule.

However, certain Walker County court records categories are exempt from public disclosure. Some of these include:

• Judicial administrative records
• Juvenile court records
• Court records that show the personal information of witnesses
• Court records that contain trade secrets
• Civil or criminal settlement negotiation court records
• Court records showing identifying information of a victim of a sexual crime

Walker County Court Records Search

Interested individuals can find Walker County court records at the following locations:

• The main office of the district court clerk.
• The records and research division of the district court records (historical court records).
• Online using the justice and county sheriff's records database.
• Using third-party databases.

Walker County Courts

Walker County's court system comprises four main courts—the Walker County Court of Law, 2 district courts, and 1 municipal court. The Courts at Law is the biggest court in Walker County and has different departments, including the probate court, family court, and civil and criminal departments. The district courts handle civil and criminal matters, while the municipal courts hear class C offenses. Below are the county courthouse locations:

District courts

278th Judicial District
1100 University Ave
Suite 202
Huntsville, TX 77340

12th Judicial District Court
1100 University Ave
Suite 303
Huntsville, TX 77340

County court at law

1100 University Ave
Suite 102
Huntsville, TX 77320

Municipal Court
717 FM 2821
W Suite 200
Huntsville, TX 77320

Walker County Criminal Records

A Walker County criminal record is a document that shows the comprehensive criminal history of an individual who has been arrested by law enforcement in the county, tried and convicted by a criminal court within the county's judicial jurisdiction, and, in certain cases, served time in any prisons in Walker County. Walker County criminal records are public records that are available to persons who are interested in such information.

The first place to look for Walker County arrest or criminal records is at the county sheriff's office, which allows people to look up the criminal records of any individual that has been processed within its system. The search process involves visiting the office to make a written request for criminal records. Staff will provide individuals at the office with the request form and guide requesters in making requests properly. Persons can also write requests and send them by mail to the county sheriff's office. Mail requests should be addressed as follows.

ATTN: PIA Request,
717 FM 2821 Rd W,
Huntsville, TX 77320

Interested persons can also obtain misdemeanor criminal records from the Division of Misdemeanor Records, Walker County "court at law" Clerk's Office, and felony criminal records from the Walker County District Clerk's Office. This department keeps track of criminal records for felonies and Class A and B misdemeanors, including assaults, thefts, and DWIs. The office charges $5.00 per case for criminal record search requests and accepts requests made in person or by mail. When making a search request, requestors should provide three identifiers—their name, DL, and SSN.

It is important to note that criminal records obtained from the Walker County sheriff's office and the county court clerk's office are limited to records generated by Walker County law enforcement and judiciary. Individuals should contact the Texas Department of Public Safety for more comprehensive criminal records.

Get Walker County Civil Court Records

Civil cases usually deal with disputes between parties, which eventually lead to personal action brought by one party (the plaintiff) against the other (the defendant) to demand money or the execution of an act.

Generally, Walker County civil court records can be obtained at the county clerk's office where the civil case proceeding occurred.

Interested persons can request Walker County civil court records from the following places:

• The Records and Research Division of the District Court Clerk Office: The records and research department of the District Court Clerk Office preserves civil case records from the 1950s to the present. Individuals who want these records can visit the office in person to make a request or mail in their requests containing the name on the required record and the required payment. Each certified copy of the record costs $1, while each civil case record search carries a $5 fee.
• The office of the county clerk for the Walker County "court at law".
• The county clerk's office at the municipal courts and justice of peace courts.
• Online access to using the Walker County Civil case management system

Walker County Marriage Records

Walker County marriage records include marriage certificates, marriage licenses, marriage verification documents, and general marriage information indexes. These records can be obtained from the Walker County clerk's office. Marriage records are confidential documents in Walker County; hence only the owners of a marriage record and persons who are directly related to them can request these records from the county clerk's office. However, marriage records that are older than 60 years have become public and can be accessed by members of the public. Requesters can visit the county clerk's office or make a mail request to the office for records.it is compulsory to provide valid identification such as a national passport, military passport, or driver's license when making a request for these records. The Walker County County clerk's office processes requests within seven working days.

Walker County Divorce Records

Walker County handles divorce proceedings at the District Court or County Court at Law. Individuals can apply for divorce in District Court or County Court by law. Divorce records from all these courts are maintained and preserved at the district court clerk's office. Divorce records obtainable at the district county clerk's office include Divorce verification letters, divorce decrees, divorce motions, and divorce certificates. All types of Walker County Divorce records serve as proof of the dissolution of a marriage or the termination of a marital union.

Requests for divorce records can be made in person at the district court clerk's office or by mail. Divorce records are public records that anyone can access except when made exempt from public viewing by a court order. Despite this, requesters are still required to submit requests to view the complete documentation of a divorce, even in cases where it is public information. Requestors are required to reveal and substantiate their link to the parties involved in the divorce process to have access to records.

Walker County Birth and Death Records

The Walker County Clerk's office provides access to the Walker County birth and death records. Any citizen has access to public records such as birth and death certificates. To submit a request, all that is required is to visit the county clerk's office with a valid form of identification. Alternatively, requesters can contact the county clerk's office's vital records department by phone at (936) 436-4902 to submit a request.

Walker County Probate Court Records

Walker County Probate Court is a division of Walker County Court at Law. The county clerk keeps probate court records, acting as the Clerk of the Court for the County Court at Law. Walker County Probate Court establishes guardianships for incapacitated persons and minors, declares the heirs of deceased persons who die without a will, and oversees court-ordered involuntary mental health commitments.

Records of Probate & Guardianship matters in Walker County are confidential records only available to persons involved in the probate case. There are three main ways to obtain probate records in Walker County:

• By making a request in person at the county court clerk's office: When requesting in person, it is important to provide valuable information about the case records, such as the case number, the name of the judge in charge of the case, and the names of the parties named in the probate matter.
• By using Online access to the Probate case management portal available on the county court clerk's website
• Make a request for records by calling the probate department at (936) 436-4974

Walker County Property Records

Walker County property records can be obtained from the offices of the register of deeds, which serves within the county clerk's office and the appraisal district's office. Interested persons can find documents such as real estate sale history, ownership history, deeds, plats, home improvement history, and permits at the office of the registry of deeds. In contrast, property tax data and appraisal history documents can be obtained at the appraisal district's office. Most Walker County property records are open to the public and available to view.

Walker County property records can be obtained online, by mail, fax, or in person at the county clerk's office for a fee. However, the district appraisal office offers several free internet services for property lookup. Members of the public may visit the district appraiser's office during business hours to request property information.

Walker County Court Records Online

Third-party web resources such as texascourtrecords.us provide a convenient remote option for accessing Walker County court records. These resources are helpful because they offer a user-friendly interface that anyone can understand. Users can use relevant keywords, including case numbers, party names, or dates, to search for records on these sites. Although some of these websites work with government agencies, most are independent; therefore, verifying the accuracy and dependability of some of the information they provide is crucial.