Willacy County Court Records

Criminal and civil proceedings in Willacy County courts generate permanent records of case events and activities, which are maintained by the local courts. These court records include calendars, motions, orders, judgments, and similar materials generated from pretrial to post-verdict activities.

Willacy County court records are primarily generated from legal cases. However, certain documents, such as the Willacy County arrest records, may be incorporated into the case files.

Clerks of the various local courts diligently maintain all case filings and details, providing public access upon request. The public may request to inspect and obtain copies of court records for various purposes, including evidence and precedent research, background checks, and updates on case status.

Are Court Records Public in Willacy County?

Yes. The Texas judiciary, per common law and court rules, permits the public to view documents, materials, or information preserved as court case records.

While the judiciary is exempt from the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), clerks are still prohibited from releasing information marked as confidential under the PIA. Records restricted by other state and federal laws, as well as court rules, are also not open to members of the public.

Examples of restricted court records include juvenile delinquency records, certain victim information, and sealed proceedings.

Willacy County Court Records Search

Willacy County court records can be obtained by contacting or visiting the local county clerk, district clerk, or Justice of the Peace court. One can also review publicly available records through online case repositories.

Before a requester commences their search, it is advisable to know the name of a case party and whether the case is a civil or criminal matter. Case numbers may also be required to process an inquiry.

Importantly, one should confirm the court that managed the related case proceedings. Willacy County, like other Texas jurisdictions, has courts that handle different types of cases.

Willacy County Courts

Courts in Willacy County include the County Court, District Court, and Justices of the Peace. One can contact these courts at the following addresses:

Willacy County District Court
576 West Main Avenue
Room 112
Raymondville, Texas 78580
Phone: (956) 689-6250 ext. 116 (Civil), (956) 689-2095 (Criminal)
Fax: (956) 689-9151 (Civil), (956) 689-9151 (Criminal)

Willacy County Court
576 West Main Avenue
Room 152
Raymondville, Texas 78580
Phone: (956) 689-3393
Fax: (956) 689-4817

Willacy County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
576 West Main Avenue
Room 148
Raymondville, Texas 78580
Phone: (956) 699-5018
Fax: (956) 699-0103

Willacy County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
494 West Hidalgo Avenue
Raymondville, Texas 78580
Phone: (956) 689-3381
Fax: (956) 689-9524

Willacy County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
494 West Hidalgo Avenue
Raymondville, Texas 78580
Phone: (956) 689-6255
Fax: (956) 689-9524

Willacy County Criminal and Civil Records

Willacy County criminal and civil court records are distributed among several custodians.

The District Clerk manages records generated during civil suits (valued at more than $500) and felony criminal cases that fall under the District Court's jurisdiction.

The County Clerk maintains records filed and produced during County Court proceedings, such as Class A and B misdemeanors, small civil cases (worth above $200 but not more than $5,000), and probate matters.

Where misdemeanors only attract fines and civil disputes are worth less than $200, cases are handled by the county's Justices of the Peace. Requesters can contact the relevant Justice of the Peace Precinct to obtain these records.

Additionally, individuals can sign up to use the re:SearchTX portal provided by the state's judiciary to view case information online.

Certain criminal records, such as Willacy County arrest records, are accessible through regional law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff's office and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Willacy County Marriage Records

The County Clerk's office in Willacy County is responsible for issuing marriage licenses to couples intending to marry. Additionally, the office furnishes certified copies of these licenses, which serve as legal proof of the marriage. These documents are accepted in various legal settings, such as divorce and child custody proceedings, as well as for administrative purposes, including tax filings and inheritance claims.

Interested parties can contact the clerk's office to request copies of certified marriage licenses at a fee of $10. On the other hand, requesters interested in verifying Willacy County marriages can contact the Texas Department of State Health Services. The Vital Statistics Division releases verification letters from 1966 to members of the public for $20 per copy. These letters are not considered legal documents and cannot be used as proof of marriage in place of certified copies of marriage licenses.

Willacy County Divorce Records

Divorce records comprise case files, documents, and decrees generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings in the local district court. They are maintained by the district clerk's office and can be used to prove the termination of marital unions.

Like marriage records, one can obtain a divorce verification letter from the Department of Public Health for $20, provided the divorce does not precede 1968. However, only certified records purchased from the Willacy County District Clerk can be tendered as legal documents.

Interested parties can reach the district clerk's office using the following address details:

576 West Main Avenue
Room 102
Raymondville, Texas 78580
Phone: (956) 689-2532
Fax: (956) 689-5713

Willacy Birth Records

Willacy County birth records are among the vital records issued for significant life events. Specifically, birth certificates are created to document people's births in the county. They can then be used as proof of citizenship and age during sports participation, passport applications, and school enrollment.

Members of the public can also use birth certificates as proof of parenthood to settle probate matters, claim insurance benefits, and litigate inheritance disputes.

Birth records are maintained and disbursed by the Willacy County Clerk and the Vital Statistics office of the Department of Health. However, these custodians will only release certified copies of birth records to registrants or their relatives (by blood or adoption), spouses, legal guardians, or legal representatives.

Each copy costs $23 at the clerk's office and $22 at the state Department of Health's Vital Statistics office.

Willacy Death Records

Death records are created to document people's passing in Willacy County. Copies of these documents are often required during insurance benefit payouts, probate and estate settlements, payable-on-death (POD) beneficiary claims, and other similar situations.

To obtain a certified death certificate copy, the requester must be the deceased's immediate family member (by blood, adoption, or marriage), a legal representative (or agent), or a legal guardian.

Qualified requesters can order certified copies by contacting the Willacy County Clerk and paying the $21 fee. Death records requested using processes outlined by the Vital Statistics office of the Texas DPSHS cost $20 for an initial copy and $3 per additional copy in the same request.

Willacy County Probate Court Records

Probate matters, during which the estates of deceased individuals are settled, fall under the jurisdiction of the county court judge in Willacy County. Interested persons can query the clerk of the county court to view related documents or order copies.

Willacy County Property Records

Willacy County property records are documents and information that can be used to verify official ownership chains, taxes, appraisals, and transaction histories of properties in the county. Generally, one can request any type of property record through the county clerk's office. However, the Willacy County Tax Assessor/Collector's office can disburse information regarding property taxes and assessments.

Willacy County Court Records Online

Members of the public can visit sites like Texascourtrecords.us to view publicly available court, vital, and property records. These websites offer a more straightforward search process since users can retrieve information from centralized databases. However, it is essential to note that information obtained through these platforms is not validated by official custodians.