Austin County, Texas Court Records
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Austin County, Texas is served by a multilayered court system centered in the county seat of Bellville. The 155th Judicial District Court handles felony prosecutions and major civil disputes, the County Court at Law addresses misdemeanors and probate matters, and four Justice of the Peace precincts handle small claims and minor civil cases — each generating its own set of records maintained by separate clerks. Knowing which office holds the records you need and how to reach it efficiently is the key to any successful records search in Austin County.
Texas court records can be accessed through clerk's offices, in-court public terminals, and several online systems. TexasStateCourts.us can help you identify which court handled a particular case type and find publicly available case information before contacting a court directly. Official clerk's offices in Austin County also offer both in-person and remote access to most non-restricted case files.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Austin County?
Austin County maintains a public online case search portal covering multiple court divisions. The Austin County Public Access Portal, powered by Tyler Technologies, provides searchable access to probate, civil and family, and criminal case records filed in Austin County courts. You can search by party name, case number, attorney information, or filing date — making it the fastest remote option for most case types.
For cases not yet indexed online, or when you need certified copies or detailed file contents, there are three main search channels:
- Online portal: Use the Austin County Public Access Portal to search probate, civil/family, and criminal case records by name or case number.
- In person at the District Clerk's Office: A public computer terminal in the lobby allows self-service searches. Staff can also conduct searches on your behalf for a $5.00 fee per person.
- By mail: Submit a written request specifying the party name, date range, and records needed, along with a personal or cashier's check or money order and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Austin County's courts are consolidated at the Bellville courthouse complex. Key court contacts are listed below:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 155th District Court (Austin County hearings) | 265 N. Chesley St., Bellville, TX 77418 | (979) 865-5911 |
| County Court at Law | 265 N. Chesley St., Suite 3, Bellville, TX 77418 | (979) 227-3131 |
| Austin County District Clerk (Sue Murphy) | 265 N. Chesley St., Suite 1, Bellville, TX 77418 | (979) 270-6830 |
| Austin County Clerk (Diane Day) | 265 N. Chesley St., Suite 7, Bellville, TX 77418 | (979) 227-3144 |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 | 265 N. Chesley St., Suite 2, Bellville, TX 77418 | (979) 865-9171 |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 | 1646 Main Street, Industry, TX 78944 | (979) 357-4477 |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 | 201 Atchison, Sealy, TX 77474 | (979) 885-3195 |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 | 19 Birch Street, Wallis, TX 77485 | (979) 478-6723 |
The District Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The County Clerk's Office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Austin County?
Texas court records are primarily subject to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552), which establishes a broad presumption of public access to government records. The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure — particularly Rule 76a — also address the sealing of court records in civil proceedings.
Under Rule 76a, court records are presumed open to the public. A party seeking to seal records must file a written motion and show that the private interest in sealing outweighs the public's right of access. A court may grant the motion only after a public hearing and upon making specific findings required by the rule. Sealed records are not available to the public.
Categories of records commonly restricted or confidential in Texas courts include:
- Juvenile case files and proceedings
- Adoption records
- Mental health commitment records
- Records sealed by court order under Rule 76a
- Records relating to victims of sexual offenses
- Ongoing criminal investigative files
- Records protected by attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine
If you believe a records request was improperly denied, you can seek an opinion from the Texas Attorney General's Office, which has oversight authority under Chapter 552. Fees for records production may not exceed the actual cost to the governmental body of locating, compiling, and producing the records.
Austin County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Austin County are handled exclusively by the 155th Judicial District Court, which covers both Austin and Fayette Counties. Austin County hearings are held at 265 N. Chesley Street, Bellville, TX 77418. Felony cases proceed by indictment from a grand jury, and once indicted, the records are filed with and maintained by the Austin County District Clerk.
Misdemeanor criminal matters — Class A and Class B offenses — fall under the jurisdiction of the County Court at Law and the Constitutional County Court. Misdemeanor records are maintained by the Austin County Clerk's Office, not the District Clerk.
To search criminal records in Austin County:
- Use the Austin County Public Access Portal and select Criminal Case Records under the Austin County location.
- Visit the District Clerk's Office in person (265 N. Chesley St., Suite 1) and use the public terminal or request staff assistance for a $5.00 research fee.
- For misdemeanor records, contact the Austin County Clerk at Suite 7 of the same address, (979) 227-3144, or email countyc@austincounty.com.
- Submit a mail request to either clerk's office, enclosing the required payment and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
For arrest and booking records, contact the Austin County Sheriff's Office directly. Sheriff Jack W. Brandes leads the agency, whose mission includes maintaining social order and providing professional law enforcement services to Austin County residents. The Sheriff's Office maintains custody records, jail rosters, and arrest documentation that may supplement court case files.
Attorneys and frequent filers can use eFileTexas.gov, the official state e-filing platform, which is now mandatory for all licensed attorneys filing civil, family, probate, or criminal matters in Texas courts. The District Clerk's Office also maintains a list of local agencies relevant to expunction petitions, which is useful for those seeking to clear eligible criminal records.
Austin County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Austin County is divided by the dollar amount at issue:
| Case Value | Court | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Over $200,000 | 155th District Court | General civil, tax, land title, delinquent taxes |
| $500.01 – $200,000 | County Court at Law | Civil matters, eminent domain, appeals from JP courts |
| $0 – $20,000 | Justice of the Peace Courts | Small claims, debt claim cases, evictions |
The 155th District Court has original jurisdiction over all major civil matters, including cases involving title to land, election contests, and civil suits filed by the state. The County Court at Law, established by Texas Government Code 25.0101, handles civil disputes from $500.01 to $200,000, eminent domain proceedings, and appeals from the Justice and Municipal Courts.
Justice of the Peace courts in Austin County's four precincts handle small claims and debt claim cases up to $20,000, along with eviction proceedings (forcible entry and detainer). A small claims packet with filing instructions is available from Austin County for those initiating small claims matters without an attorney.
Civil case records held by the District Clerk can be searched through the public access portal under Civil & Family Case Records. Fee schedules for civil filings are published on the District Clerk's page. The County Clerk maintains civil filings for County Court at Law matters not involving family law.
Accepted payment methods at both clerk offices include cash, debit/credit card (with a 2.85% convenience fee, minimum $2), cashier's check, money order, and personal check (with required identifiers per the District Attorney's office). Note that checks are not accepted for certain matters including criminal case fees. Returned checks incur a $30 returned check fee.
Austin County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Austin County are filed with the District Clerk's Office (Sue Murphy, (979) 270-6830), regardless of whether they are heard in the 155th District Court or the County Court at Law. The County Court at Law has concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court over all family law matters pursuant to Texas Government Code 25.0101, and the District Clerk maintains these records as the official custodian.
Family case types filed with the District Clerk include:
- Divorce proceedings
- Paternity and child support cases
- Conservatorship of children
- Termination of parental rights
- Adoptions
- Name changes
- Children's Protective Services (CPS) matters
- Protective orders
Family case records can be searched online through the Austin County Public Access Portal under Civil & Family Case Records. For in-person or mail access, contact the District Clerk at 265 N. Chesley Street, Suite 1, Bellville, TX 77418. Adoption records carry heightened confidentiality protections under Texas law and are generally not available through standard record searches.
Vital records tied to family matters — including marriage licenses and informal marriage records — are maintained by the Austin County Clerk, not the District Clerk. The County Clerk's Vitals Search portal allows online searches for vital records indexes. Marriage records are confidential and accessible only to the individuals named on the record, their immediate families, and authorized legal representatives. Records less than 25 years old are restricted to the named parties and their immediate families; records 25 years and older carry broader access.
Birth and death records are similarly maintained by the Austin County Clerk. Birth certificates cost $23.00 per copy (per the County Clerk's vital fees schedule effective January 1, 2024). Access to birth records is restricted for 75 years from the date of birth; during that period, only immediate family members — spouse, children, parents, and siblings — may obtain copies. Third parties need a notarized statement from an eligible immediate family member. Death records carry a 25-year restriction. To request birth or death certificates by mail, complete the applicable form — the Birth Certificate Application or the Death Certificate Application — and submit with payment (money order or cashier's check; personal checks are not accepted for vital records) and a photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID to the Austin County Clerk, 265 N. Chesley Street, Suite 7, Bellville, TX 77418.
Austin County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Austin County rests with the County Court at Law, which handles all matters under the Texas Probate Code by authority of Texas Government Code 25.0101. These proceedings include:
- Probate of wills and issuance of letters testamentary
- Administration of intestate estates
- Independent and dependent estate administration
- Guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships
- Mental health and chemical dependency commitments
Probate case records are filed with and maintained by the Austin County Clerk's Office (Diane Day, (979) 227-3144; countyc@austincounty.com). The County Clerk maintains all probate court filings that do not involve family law components. If you're unsure whether a probate matter has any family law elements, ask the District Clerk's Office to confirm the correct filing location.
Searching probate records:
- Online: Use the Austin County Public Access Portal and select Probate Case Records under the Austin County location to search by name, case number, or other identifiers.
- In person: Visit the Austin County Clerk at 265 N. Chesley Street, Suite 7, Bellville, TX 77418, during regular business hours. Bring relevant case identifiers including the decedent's name and approximate date of death.
- By mail: Send a written request to the County Clerk with full identifying information, payment (cashier's check or money order), and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. For deed records and official public records copies, email the Public Records Department at ccvault@austincounty.com.
Guardianship matters handled by the County Court at Law require an Annual Guardianship Report and Order, a fillable form available on the County Court at Law's page. A CPS Compensation Form and a list of attorneys available for ad litem appointments in guardianship proceedings are also available through the County Court at Law's resources. Fee schedules for probate filings are published separately on the County Clerk's website under Probate Fees.