Wood County Court Records

In Wood County, courts serve as the ideal forum for settling conflicts and filing petitions. As a result, the court system handles a variety of disputes and processes a significant number of petitions each year.

Records of these petitions and disputes are managed by the Wood County District Clerk’s Office, which maintains information on a wide category of cases, including:

• Civil matters
• Criminal trials
• Probate issues
• Property disputes
• Family proceedings

A typical court record contains information about the parties involved, their claims, defenses, allegations, the dispute's subject matter, and the relief sought from the court.

Are Court Records Public in Wood County?

The Public Information Act maintains the public’s right to access court records at all times. Citizens may request court records, and the relevant governmental body must oblige by promptly releasing records to the requestor. However, this right is subject to limitations in the sense that certain court records are exempted from public disclosure, including:

• Records relating to a pending criminal case
• Information considered confidential under statute
• Sealed juvenile records
• Expunged records

Wood County Court Records Search

Court records are typically searchable on government-sponsored platforms, which allows users to search and request specific records via the Wood County Clerk self-service system. Public access terminals at the courthouse also provide on-site access to a database where individuals may search for specific records. Alternatively, individuals may visit the District Clerk’s Office in person to request records over the counter.

Wood County Courts

Adjudication in Wood County is managed by a combination of state and locally funded courts, including the District Court, the Criminal District Court, the Constitutional County Court, the County Court at Law, the Statutory Probate Court, the Justice Court, and the Municipal Court. Each court handles specific legal categories, such as criminal trials, misdemeanors, small claims cases, traffic offenses, ordinance violations, probate issues, family matters, and other civil disputes.

The addresses below provide information relevant to where these courts are located:

District Courts in Wood County

Wood County 402nd District Court
100 S Main St,
P.O. Box 1707, Quitman, TX 75783
Phone: (903) 763-2361

Constitutional County Courts in Wood County

Wood County Constitutional Court
100 S Main St,
P.O. Box 1796, Quitman, TX 75783
Phone: (903) 763-2711

Justice Courts in Wood County

Wood County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
402 S Stephens,
P.O. Box 172, Quitman, TX 75783
Phone: (903) 763-2713

Wood County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
716 Greenville Ave,
P.O. Box 325,
Mineola, TX 75773
Phone: (903) 569-3802

Wood County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
P.O. Box 470,
Hawkins, TX 75765
Phone: (903) 769-3517

Wood County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
1001 E Coke Rd,
P.O. Box 134,
Winnsboro, TX 75494
Phone: (903) 342-3079

Municipal Courts in Wood County
Hawkins Municipal Court
208 Green St,
P.O. Box 329, Hawkins, TX 75765
Phone: (903) 769-2063

Mineola Municipal Court
300 Greenville Ave,
P.O. Box 179, Mineola, TX 75773
Phone: (903) 569-6603

Quitman Municipal Court
410 E Goode,
P.O. Box 1855, Quitman, TX 75783
Phone: (903) 763-2223

Winnsboro Municipal Court
501 S Main St,
Winnsboro, TX 75494
Phone: (903) 342-6033

Wood County Criminal and Civil Records

Wood County public records are searchable and may be reviewed electronically on the Wood County Clerk self-service system. To access court records through this system, users will need to follow these steps:

• Log into the self-service portal
• Indicate the court that heard the case by clicking the drop-down button on the landing page to select the relevant court.
• Proceed to identify the record type by clicking the criminal or civil record option.
• On the follow-up page, inquirers must enter the business name or full name of one of the parties, the filing date, case number, and other required details. The information will help sift through the thousands of records in the database.
• Once the specific record has been located and isolated, copies of the record may be requested.
• Documents requested via this system must be purchased in the office within 24 hours of submission. Fees may vary depending on the type and number of documents requested.

Wood County Court records are also obtainable in person. The District Clerk is responsible for maintaining and providing access to court records in Wood County. Individuals seeking court records may visit the District Clerk’s Office to submit a request over the counter.

Before clicking the civil or criminal court option, it is important to note the distinction between the two record types. Criminal court records document instances where law enforcement has presented an individual before a court to answer a criminal charge. Conversely, civil court records denote legal disputes between two or more private individuals over a particular subject matter. Civil court records vary but typically encompass land and property records, family law records, probate records, small claims, and commercial disputes.

Wood County Marriage Records

Wood County marriage records are open and available for public inspection and copying at the Wood County Clerk’s Office. No application form is required. The application process requires inquirers to submit a request detailing the bride and groom’s name and the marriage date, enclosed with the applicable fee. The Office charges a $21.00 fee for each certified copy. Only certified copies are issued. The Office does not issue plain copies. Inquirers are required to arrive at the office at 3:45 pm to submit their application.

Mail requests are also accepted with an enclosed cashier’s check or money order payable to Wood County Clerk. Email requests and personal checks are not acceptable.

Wood County Divorce Records

In Wood County, requestors may access divorce records by visiting the Wood County District Clerk’s Office. At the office, they must fill out a request form that requires details such as the case number, names of the parties involved, and the date of the divorce. Once they complete the form, they must submit it over the counter along with payment (money order or cashier check) to obtain a certified copy.

Wood Birth Records

To access birth records in Wood County, requestors must complete an application form. The form is available through the Wood County website. Requestors are required to print, fill out, and mail the form along with payment (money order or cashier check) and a copy of their driver’s license or state-issued ID to:

Wood County Clerk
Vital Records
P.O. Box 1796
Quitman TX, 75783
(903) 763-2711

A $23.00 fee applies per certified copy. Personal checks and email requests are not acceptable.

Birth records are not open to the general public. The records are available only to individuals named on the certificate or their immediate family members. Genealogy researchers may obtain a birth record if the record is over 75 years old.

Wood Death Records

To obtain a birth record, requestors are required to mail in a duly completed application form enclosed with payment and a copy of their driver’s license or state-issued ID to the Wood County Clerk’s Office. A $21.00 fee applies for the first certified copy and $4.00 for each additional certified copy ordered at the same time.

Like birth records, death records are closed and available only to immediate family members. Genealogy researchers may obtain a death record if the record is over 25 years old.

Wood County Probate Court Records

The Probate Court in Wood County handles various cases, including:

• Wills and Estates
• Guardianships and Conservatorships
• Adoptions
• Name Changes
• Minor Settlement Cases
• Wrongful Death Cases

Individuals who wish to access Wood County probate court records may visit the Wood County District Clerk’s Office at:

100 S. Main Street
(Intersection of SH 154 and SH 37)
Quitman, Texas 75783
(903) 763-1236

To facilitate a request at the office, requestors must fill out and submit a request form. This involves providing details such as the case number, name, or file date. The request process may also be facilitated online through the self-service system.

Wood County Property Records

Inquirers may search real property records filed in the Wood County Clerk’s office through the self-service system. To access this system, users need to log into the portal, navigate to the 'Official Records Search and Copies' option, and click on it. Depending on the type of property, they may select either the “Official Public Records Search and Copy” or “Plat Search and Copy” option from the landing page.

The follow-up page contains a digital form where requesters must provide:

• Grantor's name
• Grantee's name
• Document number
• Other relevant details

Alternatively, individuals may visit the Wood County Clerk’s Office in person to submit a request.

Wood County Court Records Online

Third-party websites like Texascourtrecords.us may offer a suitable option for accessing court records online. These platforms aggregate court records from various jurisdictions and make them accessible to the public. They provide a convenient, easy-to-use interface that allows inquirers to access court records from the comfort of their homes without hassle. However, information accessed on these websites may not be up to date. Plus, they do not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Additionally, these sites typically charge fees for accessing records, which may add up when multiple document requests are made.