Washington County Court Records

Texas Administrative Code §7.161 (1) defines Washington County court records as any instrument, document, paper, or other record filed with, otherwise presented to, or produced by a court in this county. Washington County court records are valuable resources for legal professionals, researchers, and the general public. These records include documents from civil, criminal, probate, domestic relations, mental health, and juvenile cases.

The information found in Washington County court records includes the following:

• Complaints
• Petitions
• Motions.
• Pleadings
• Case numbers
• Filing dates
• Parties involved
• Briefs
• Transcripts of court hearings and trials.
• Docket
• Rulings
• Judgments

Are Court Records Public in Washington County?

Yes. As seen in the Texas State Law Library Court Record Guide, anyone can inspect and copy court records in Washington County, as most case files, court records, docket sheets, trial dates, etc., are considered public records. It is important to note that the Public Information Act, which provides access to most government records in Washington County, does not make provision for judiciary records. Still, this access is provided by common law, statutory law, and court rules.

The Texas State Law Library Court Record Guide also highlights some constraints and restrictions that apply to the copying and inspection of court records, which affect the following records:

• Sealed Records: Judges seal certain court documents, making them inaccessible to the public. They often seal cases involving sensitive material, such as juvenile records, family matters, adoption proceedings, or unresolved criminal cases.

• Confidential records: Certain material in such documents may not be made public due to privacy concerns or other legal factors. For example, the personally identifiable information of minors or victims of certain crimes may need to be redacted or withheld.

Washington County Court Records Search

In Washington County, there are several ways to search court records. The most common ones include:

• Office of the County Clerk for Washington County.
• Office of the District Clerk for Washington County.
• Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
• Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Office.
• Texas Judiciary Branch CaseSearch

Washington County Courts

The Washington County court system is captured within Texas's 2nd Administrative Judicial Region. This system includes District Courts, Constitutional County Courts, County Courts of Law, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts, each with specific jurisdiction and responsibilities. District Courts handle all criminal and civil cases and typically handle cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. Constitutional County Courts hear cases that are related to probate matters only. County Courts at Law have jurisdiction over civil, criminal, and family-related cases. Justice of the Peace Courts deals with certain civil and criminal cases. Violation of city ordinances and some civil cases are tried in municipal courts.

Washington County Courts hear their cases in the following courthouses:

Washington County 21st District Court
100 E Main, #304,
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200 ext. 5338

Washington County 335th District Court
100 E Main, #304,
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200 ext. 5338

Washington County Constitutional Court
100 E Main, #102,
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200 ext. 5306
Fax: (979) 277-6278

Washington County Court at Law
100 E Main, #102,
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200 ext. 5306
Fax: (979) 277-6278

Washington County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
1305 E Blue Bell Rd, #114,
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6260
Fax: (979) 277-6296

Washington County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
4260 Sausage Ln,
Chappell Hill, TX 77426
Phone: (979) 836-5008
Fax: (979) 353-0041

Washington County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
100 E Main St, #202,
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200 ext. 5320

Washington County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
402 N Main St,
P.O. Box 120,
Burton, TX 77835
Phone: (979) 289-2921
Fax: (979) 289-5001

Brenham Municipal Court
200 W Vulcan,
P.O. Box 1059,
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 337-7599
Fax: (979) 337-7504

Burton Municipal Court
12200 E Mulberry Spur 125,
P.O. Box 255,
Burton, TX 77835
Phone: (979) 289-3402

Washington County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal and civil court records are any documentation associated with a criminal and civil case presented before a court in Washington County. Washington County District Court deals with a wide variety of criminal and civil cases, such as divorce, election disputes, slander, defamation, land disputes, general civil claims beyond the jurisdiction of other courts, felonies, lesser-included offenses, and certain types of misdemeanors, including official misconduct. Washington County Court at Law has similar jurisdiction and hears criminal and civil cases. Both court levels offer thorough protection for criminal and civil matters in Maverick County, and their Clerks maintain the records generated from these cases.

To access civil court records in Washington County, requesters should contact the Washington County Court at Law or the Washington District Clerk's Office using the contact details below:

Washington County Court at Law
100 E Main Street,
Suite 203 Brenham, TX 77833
(979) 277-6200, ext. 5323
Fax: (979) 277-6285

Washington County District Clerk
100 E. Main, Suite 304
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200

Washington County Marriage Records

Washington County marriage records are maintained by the Office of the County Clerk for Washington County and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Office. These records include a marriage license, marriage verification letter, marriage license application index, and heirloom anniversary certificate. Of all these records, the marriage license is the only certified record. Certified copies of these records may only be accessed through an in-person request by eligible requesters during official working hours at the County Clerk's office located at the address given below:

Washington County Clerk
100 E. Main, Suite 102
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200
Fax: (979) 277-6278

Eligible persons may access uncertified marriage records from the DSHS Vital Statistics Office using online access and mail application options. Requesters who seek the fastest and most convenient option may use the online application to access these records remotely. They may be required to submit details about the subject of the record and pay a $20 processing fee via credit card. The alternative mail-in application option requires requesters to download the Mail Application for Marriage or Divorce Record form, fill it out, and send it along with a $22 check or money order payable to "DSHS – Vital Statistics" for the processing fee to the address below:

Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040

Expedited Processing
Texas Vital Statistics
MC 2096

Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756

Washington County Divorce Records

Washington County divorce records are maintained by the Office of the District Clerk for Washington County and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Office. These records include divorce case records and reports of divorce or annulment Index. Certified copies of these records filed during divorce cases may only be accessed through an in-person request by eligible requesters during official working hours at the District Clerk's office located at the address given below:

Washington County District Clerk
100 E. Main, Suite 304
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200

Eligible persons may access uncertified marriage records from the DSHS Vital Statistics Office using online access and mail application options. The process required for accessing them is identical to the one highlighted in the "Washington County Marriage Records" section above.

Washington County Birth Records

Washington County birth records are vital documents maintained by the Office of the County Clerk for Washington County and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Office that record a person's birth. Per Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth records are public on and after 75 years of the date of birth. However, eligible requesters, which include the subject of the record and other persons of interest, may access these records at any time. Birth records serve as important information on personal history and are vital for acquiring a driver's license, the U.S. Passport, dual citizenship, employment, and school registration.

Birth records may be accessed in person by eligible requesters during official working hours at the County Clerk's office located at the address given below:

Washington County Clerk
100 E. Main, Suite 102
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200
Fax: (979) 277-6278

Eligible persons may also access birth records from the DSHS Vital Statistics Office using online access and mail application options. Requesters who seek the fastest and most convenient option may use the online application to access these records remotely. They may be required to provide details about the subject of the record, such as names, dates, birth location, etc. Then, submit the application along with a payment of $20 processing fee via credit card. The alternative mail-in application option requires requesters to download the birth record application form, fill it out, and send it along with a $22 check or money order payable to "DSHS – Vital Statistics" for the processing fee to the address below:

Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040

Washington County Death Records

Washington County death records are vital documents maintained by the Office of the County Clerk for Washington County and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Office that record a person's death. Per Texas Government Code Section 552.115, death records are public on and after 25 years of the date of death. However, eligible requesters, which include the immediate family of the subject of the record and other persons of interest, may access these records at any time. Death records serve as important personal history information and are vital for settling estate disputes, claiming life insurance policies, etc.

Death records may be accessed in person by eligible requesters during official working hours at the County Clerk's office located at the address given below:

Washington County Clerk
100 E. Main, Suite 102
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200
Fax: (979) 277-6278

Eligible persons may also access birth records from the DSHS Vital Statistics Office using online access and mail application options. Requesters who seek the fastest and most convenient option may use the online application to access these records remotely. They may be required to provide details about the subject of the record, such as names, dates and locations of birth, etc. Then, apply along with a $20 processing fee payment via credit card. The alternative mail-in application option requires requesters to download the death record application form, fill it out, and send it along with a $22 check or money order payable to "DSHS – Vital Statistics" for the processing fee to the address below:

Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040

Washington County Probate Court Records

The Washington County Court handles all the probate court cases within the county, as no dedicated probate courts are available. This court hears and maintains records of probate cases such as guardianships and conservatorship, trust, name changes, administration of wills and estates, and others. Requesters may access these records by contacting the Office of the County Clerk for Washington County using the details below:

Washington County Clerk
100 E. Main, Suite 102
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200
Fax: (979) 277-6278

Washington County Property Records

Washington County property records are important in matters relating to property investigations, real estate transactions, and legal issues within the county. These records contain information about property limits, land possession, evaluated worth, and other relevant details. The Office of the County Clerk for Washington County is the custodian of the Washington County Property records. These records may be accessed via the Deed Records and Vital Statistics Index portal or an in-person visit to the Clerk's Office located at:

Washington County Clerk
100 E. Main, Suite 102
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-6200
Fax: (979) 277-6278

Washington County Court Records Online

Third-party websites like Texascourtrecords.us offer a streamlined platform for accessing Washington County Court Records online, serving as a convenient and user-friendly alternative to official sources for some information.

However, users should approach third-party platforms carefully, as they may have drawbacks such as incomplete or incorrect data and potentially higher fees for comprehensive access.