Aransas County Court Records Search
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Aransas County, Texas sits along the Gulf Coast with Rockport as its county seat, home to the court and clerk offices that manage the county's legal records. Court records in Aransas County span criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family proceedings, and probate matters. They are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk offices and include case filings, dockets, judgments, orders, and court transcripts. Most of these documents are official instruments of the Texas judicial system and are open to inspection by any member of the public under state law.
Locating court records in Texas generally starts with identifying which court handled the case, since different courts maintain their own files. Records can be found through clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online search tools. TexasStateCourts.us is a useful starting point for finding publicly available court case information and connecting to county-level clerk resources and statewide judicial directories. For Aransas County specifically, most records are held by either the District Clerk or the County Clerk, each responsible for a distinct category of proceedings.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Aransas County?
Searching for a court case in Aransas County requires knowing whether the matter was handled in the District Court, the County Court at Law, or Rockport Municipal Court. Aransas County does not operate a centralized online case management system for public searches, so most lookups are conducted by contacting the relevant clerk's office directly or visiting in person.
Step-by-Step: In-Person or Written Request
- Identify the court that handled the case — District Court for felonies and major civil matters, County Court at Law for misdemeanors, probate, and lower-value civil claims, or Municipal Court for Class C violations and ordinance offenses.
- Prepare identifying information about the case: the full name of at least one party, the approximate filing date, or the case number if known.
- Visit or contact the appropriate clerk's office during business hours. Both the District Clerk's Office and County Clerk's Office accept walk-in requests and written mail or fax submissions.
- Request copies of the case file, docket entries, or specific documents. Fees for copies may apply.
- For marriage records and official public records, use the Aransas County Clerk's Self-Service portal to search online before visiting in person.
Aransas County Court Locations:
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aransas County District Clerk | 308 N. Live Oak St., Rockport, TX 78382 | (361) 790-0128 | (361) 790-5211 |
| Aransas County Court at Law | 2718 Highway 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382-5709 | (361) 790-0138 | (361) 790-0185 |
| Aransas County Clerk's Office | 2718 Highway 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382-5709 | (361) 790-0122 | (361) 790-0119 |
| Rockport Municipal Court | 402 East Laurel Street, Rockport, TX 78382 | (361) 729-2213 ext. 237 | (361) 729-9645 |
The District Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The County Clerk's Office observes hours of 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Municipal Court can be reached by email at court@cityofrockport.com.
The Aransas County District Clerk's Office recently relocated to the new Aransas County Courthouse at 308 N. Live Oak Street. The Aransas County Clerk's Office is currently operating from 2718 Highway 35 N while courthouse transition arrangements remain in place — confirm current locations before visiting.
Are Court Records Public in Aransas County?
Texas grants broad public access to government records through the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Under this law, any person may inspect, copy, or request copies of government records — including court documents — without being required to state a reason. Government agencies and court clerks are obligated to create reasonable procedures for the public to access these records and to respond to requests within a defined timeframe.
When a record custodian believes a record falls under a statutory exemption, they must notify the requester in writing and, in many cases, seek an attorney general ruling before withholding the document. The following categories are commonly withheld from public disclosure under the Act:
- Social Security numbers, personal financial account information, and similar identifying data
- Personal information relating to minors
- Victim information in criminal cases
- Information protected by attorney-client privilege
- Mental illness commitment records, which are sealed and confidential under Texas law
- Law enforcement investigative records where disclosure could interfere with an ongoing investigation or prosecution
- Information made confidential by court order or other state or federal law
When a document contains both public and protected information, clerks typically produce a redacted version rather than withholding the entire record. Researchers who believe access has been improperly denied may request a review by the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
Aransas County Criminal Court Records
Criminal proceedings in Aransas County are divided based on offense severity. Felony cases — including indictments and serious criminal appeals — are filed with and managed by the District Clerk under the jurisdiction of the 36th, 156th, and 343rd District Courts. Misdemeanor criminal cases, such as DWIs, theft by check, possession of marijuana, criminal trespass, and tampering with government records, are filed with and processed through the Aransas County Clerk's Office, which also serves as clerk for the County Court at Law. Class C misdemeanor offenses — minor traffic violations and city ordinance violations — are handled by the Rockport Municipal Court.
Requesting Criminal Court Records
Criminal case files for District Court matters are available through the Aransas County District Clerk's Office at 308 N. Live Oak Street, Rockport. You may submit requests in person, by mail, or by fax during business hours. The District Clerk's dockets page also links to the iDocket Court Record Search, a statewide platform that may allow online access to case docket information for the 36th, 156th, and 343rd District Courts.
For misdemeanor records managed through the County Clerk's office, direct requests to the County Clerk at 2718 Highway 35 N.
Criminal Background Checks
Comprehensive criminal history information for Texas is maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) Crime Records Division. The TxDPS operates the Criminal History Name Search system, which is the primary public resource for statewide background checks. Name-based searches cost $1.00 per search credit online, with an additional 2.25% processing fee plus a $0.25 transaction fee. Offline name-based requests processed directly through DPS carry a $10.00 fee. Fingerprint-based checks, which provide a more complete record, are available for $15.00 and are typically required for employment or licensing purposes.
Aransas County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Aransas County fall under two courts depending on the dollar amount in dispute. The County Court at Law handles civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $100,000, excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages, penalties, attorney's fees, and costs as stated on the face of the petition. This court also handles bond forfeitures (judgment nisis) and occupational driver's license matters. Civil claims beyond that threshold — major personal injury suits, complex property disputes, contract litigation — are filed in the District Court.
For smaller money disputes, Texas Justice Courts serve as the small claims venue for disputes up to $20,000 under Texas Government Code Section 27.031. Landlord-tenant matters may also be filed in Justice Court.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case records for District Court proceedings are maintained by the Aransas County District Clerk at 308 N. Live Oak Street. Records for County Court at Law civil matters are held by the Aransas County Clerk's Office. Both offices accept in-person, mail, and fax requests for document copies during their respective business hours.
The Aransas County Clerk's Self-Service portal allows researchers to search official public records, assumed name (DBA) filings, marriage records, and certain other instruments online without visiting the office. This portal is a useful first step for locating property-related civil records and official filings. Property records — including deeds, plats, mortgages, liens, and easements — are maintained by the County Clerk and can also be searched through the Aransas County Appraisal District's online search tool for valuation and ownership data.
Aransas County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Aransas County fall under the jurisdiction of the County Court at Law, which handles divorce proceedings, child custody and visitation disputes, child support matters, adoptions, guardianships, and juvenile matters. The Aransas County Court at Law, presided over by Judge Richard P. Bianchi, serves as the primary forum for these proceedings, with Jennifer Edwards serving as Court Manager.
Family court records are maintained by the Aransas County Clerk's Office, which acts as clerk for the County Court at Law. Researchers seeking copies of divorce decrees, custody orders, or other family court documents should contact the County Clerk's Office at (361) 790-0122 or submit a written request by mail to 2718 Highway 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382-5709.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses issued in Aransas County are filed with and maintained by the Aransas County Clerk's Office. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be requested in person, by mail, or by fax. Researchers can also search marriage records and submit applications directly through the county's marriage search and application portal, which allows searches by party name or marriage date.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are public records in Texas and are held by the District Clerk for cases filed in District Court. Submit requests for certified copies of divorce decrees to the District Clerk's Office at 308 N. Live Oak Street.
Vital Records: Birth and Death Certificates
Birth certificates for individuals born in Aransas County can be requested through the County Clerk's Office or ordered online through the county's certified copies portal. Birth records are restricted — they are not public records and may only be issued to the person named on the record, a parent, adult child (18 or older), sibling, grandparent, legal guardian, or managing conservator. A valid government-issued photo ID and a $35.00 fee are required. Birth certificates are also available through the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit.
Death certificates may be requested through the County Clerk or the Texas DSHS. These records are non-disclosure until 25 years after the date of death. Qualified applicants — including the spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent of the deceased, or the informant or managing conservator — may request a certified copy. The fee is $31.00 for the first certified copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Mail requests for death records require submission of the Application for Death Record Form VS-142 along with a notary seal.
Aransas County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Aransas County are administered through the County Court at Law, which holds jurisdiction over estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and related matters. Judge Richard P. Bianchi presides, and the Aransas County Clerk's Office maintains all probate case filings.
Types of matters handled in Aransas County probate proceedings include:
- Validation and administration of last wills and testaments
- Distribution of decedents' assets to heirs
- Appointment of independent and dependent executors
- Establishment of guardianship for minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorship proceedings
- Mental illness and drug treatment commitments (these records are sealed and confidential)
- Trust administration matters
Requesting Probate Records
Probate records can be obtained by visiting the Aransas County Clerk's Office in person, or by submitting a written request by mail or fax. Provide the decedent's full name, approximate date of death or probate filing, and any case number if known. The office accepts requests during business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Mental illness commitment records filed through the probate docket are sealed and not subject to public disclosure. All other probate case records — including wills admitted to probate, estate inventories, and guardianship orders — are generally accessible to the public under the Texas Public Information Act. Death certificates, which are frequently required to open an estate, can be obtained through the County Clerk or the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit as described in the Family Court Records section above.