Bastrop County Court Records Search
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Bastrop County sits along the Colorado River in central Texas, east of Austin, with the county seat in the city of Bastrop. The county’s judicial system processes thousands of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters each year across its district courts, county court at law, justice courts, and municipal courts. Two primary clerks — the District Clerk and the County Clerk — serve as custodians for different categories of court records, and understanding which office holds the records you need is the first step toward a successful search.
Records generated by Bastrop County courts can be located through several channels, including the clerk offices at the courthouse, the county’s online case records portal, and statewide electronic tools. In Texas, TexasStateCourts.us can help users identify court resources and publicly available case information at both the state and county level. The Bastrop County District Clerk and County Clerk each maintain searchable databases, and the state’s electronic filing system also provides remote access to certain court documents. Public access terminals, in-person visits, mail-in requests, and telephone inquiries round out the available options depending on the type of record sought.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Bastrop County?
Bastrop County provides multiple methods for locating case records, depending on whether you need criminal, civil, family, or probate information.
Online Case Search
The most direct electronic option is the Bastrop County Case Records Search portal, powered by the Odyssey Public Access system. This free tool allows searches across all Bastrop County courts — including criminal, civil, family, and probate divisions — by party name, case number, or attorney name. Users can also view court calendars and docket information.
For broader searches spanning multiple Texas counties, the state’s re:SearchTX platform provides access to electronic court case data from courts that participate in the Texas e-filing system. Registration is required, and a free subscription plan is available for basic searches of civil cases from district, county, and justice courts.
In-Person Requests
Court records can be obtained in person at either the District Clerk’s office or the County Clerk’s office at the Bastrop County Courthouse. Which office you visit depends on the type of case:
- District Clerk — maintains records for the four District Courts (21st, 335th, 423rd, and 465th) and the County Court at Law, covering felony criminal cases, civil suits, divorce proceedings, and family law matters
- County Clerk — serves as clerk of the County Court (Probate) and handles official public records, vital records, marriage licenses, and misdemeanor cases
Bastrop County District Clerk
Address: 804 Pecan Street, Bastrop, TX 78602 (first floor, courthouse annex)
Mailing: P.O. Box 770, Bastrop, TX 78602
Phone: (512) 332-7244
Fax: (512) 332-7249
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM; Friday 8:00 AM–3:30 PM
District Clerk: Sarah Loucks
Bastrop County Clerk
Address: 803 Pine Street, P.O. Box 577, Bastrop, TX 78602
Phone: (512) 332-7234
Fax: (512) 332-7241
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
County Clerk: Krista Bartsch
Payment Methods at the District Clerk’s Office
The District Clerk accepts debit/credit cards (in person, by phone, and online), money orders, cashier’s checks, and exact cash. Personal checks are not accepted. Attorneys must e-file civil and criminal documents; pro se (self-represented) litigants may file paper documents in person. Fax filings are not accepted.
Key Fees for Record Requests (District Clerk):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search fee (per search) | $5.00 |
| Certify a document | $5.00 |
| Copies (per page) | $1.00 |
| Abstract of judgment | $8.00 |
| Subpoena (plus $10 witness fee) | $8.00 |
The complete District Clerk Fee Schedule, effective September 1, 2025, is published on the county website.
Are Court Records Public in Bastrop County?
Court records in Bastrop County are presumed public under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552). This statute provides citizens the right to access records held by governmental bodies, including court clerks. Access to judicial records specifically is governed by Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, which establishes standards for which court records are accessible and the procedures courts must follow when responding to access requests.
Certain categories of records are restricted or redacted to protect individual privacy and safety. In Bastrop County, as throughout Texas, the following types of information are generally shielded from public disclosure:
- Juvenile case records
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health case files
- Sealed or expunged criminal records
- Nondisclosure orders (records sealed under Texas Government Code § 411.072 and related provisions)
- Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and financial account numbers
- Certain domestic violence case details
A person who is not an authorized party to a restricted case would need to obtain a court order to access sealed files. When records contain both public and protected information, the court redacts confidential elements while releasing the remaining content.
Bastrop County also maintains a Public Information Request process for records held by county departments and the Sheriff’s Office. Written requests can be submitted by email to public.information@co.bastrop.tx.us, by fax to (512) 549-5195, or by mail to the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Open Records Division, 200 Jackson Street, Bastrop, TX 78602. Some requests may incur costs under the Texas Office of Attorney General fee guidelines, and requesters are notified of estimated charges before fulfillment.
Bastrop County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Bastrop County are divided between the District Courts and the County Court at Law based on the severity of the offense. The four District Courts — the 21st, 335th, 423rd, and 465th — handle felony prosecutions, while the County Court at Law adjudicates misdemeanor offenses above Class C. Class C misdemeanors — including most traffic violations — are processed by the four Justice of the Peace courts and the municipal courts in Bastrop, Smithville, and Elgin.
Bastrop County Court at Law
Address: 804 Pecan Street, Bastrop, TX 78602
Phone: (512) 581-4277
Fax: (512) 332-7291
Judge: Benton Eskew
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case records from the District Courts and County Court at Law can be searched on the Bastrop County Case Records Search portal under the “Criminal Case Records” tab. Searches can be conducted by defendant name or case number. The re:SearchTX platform also indexes electronic criminal filings from participating courts.
Arrest Records
Arrest records and incident reports are maintained by the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office. Requests for these records should be directed to the Open Records Division:
Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Open Records
200 Jackson Street, Bastrop, TX 78602
Phone: (512) 549-5195
Email: SORecords@co.bastrop.tx.us
Statewide Criminal History
For comprehensive criminal history reports, the Texas Department of Public Safety offers two options:
- Fingerprint-based search — Individuals can submit fingerprints at a Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) location. The electronic capture costs $10, plus a $15 search fee. Results are mailed or emailed. If no response arrives within 14 days, contact DPS at (512) 424-2474.
- Conviction Name Search — A publicly accessible online tool disclosing arrest, prosecution, and disposition data for persons arrested for Class B misdemeanors or above. Name-based searches are available for a fee.
Expunctions and Nondisclosures
The District Clerk’s office provides nondisclosure forms for individuals seeking to seal eligible criminal records. The filing fee for an expunction is $350.00 (plus $25 per agency for each notice and order mailed). The nondisclosure filing fee is $350.00, plus a $28 statutory fee for orders under Government Code § 411.072. An updated list of agencies that receive expunction notices is also available on the District Clerk’s website.
Bastrop County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Bastrop County are heard in the District Courts and the County Court at Law. District courts have original jurisdiction over civil matters involving $200 or more, cases involving title to land, and workers’ compensation claims. The County Court at Law shares concurrent jurisdiction in many civil matters and also handles appeals from the Justice of the Peace courts.
The four Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims, debt claims, evictions, and repair-and-remedy cases with contested amounts up to $20,000.
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 (Judge Cindy Allen) | 804 Pecan Street, Bastrop, TX 78602 | (512) 581-4258 |
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 (Judge Zachary Carter) | 1624 NE Loop 230, Smithville, TX 78957 | (512) 581-7112 |
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3 (Judge Krystal Stabeno) | 5785 FM 535, Cedar Creek, TX 78612 | (512) 332-7288 |
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4 (Judge Larry Dunne) | 1125 Dildy Drive, Elgin, TX 78621 | (512) 581-7162 |
Civil Filing Fees (District Courts and County Court at Law, effective September 1, 2025):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil suit (10 plaintiffs or less) | $350.00 |
| Workers’ compensation | $350.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $350.00 |
| Appeal from JP court | $350.00 |
| Civil motions (cross-action, contempt, intervention, new trial, etc.) | $80.00 |
| Jury fee | $75.00 |
| Temporary restraining order | $8.00 |
Civil case records from all Bastrop County courts are searchable through the Case Records Search portal under “Civil, Family & Probate Case Records”. Users can filter results by court, party name, case number, or attorney.
The District Clerk’s forms page provides links to a variety of documents, including the Statement of Inability to Afford Court Costs for indigent litigants and the Pauper’s Oath Mandatory Requirements. Additional statewide legal resources are available through the Texas Law Help website.
County Clerk Filing Fees for Official Public Records (effective January 1, 2024):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page of each document filed | $25.00 |
| Each additional page of the same document | $4.00 |
| Copies per page | $1.00 |
| Certification per document | $5.00 |
| Plat copy per page | $5.00 |
Property Records
Real property records — including deeds, liens, and plat maps — are filed with the County Clerk and can be searched through the Bastrop County Public Records portal. This tool allows grantor/grantee searches and advanced queries using various criteria. Property valuations and ownership data can also be accessed through the Bastrop Central Appraisal District and its property search tool.
Bastrop County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, and other family law matters in Bastrop County are filed in the District Courts and administered through the District Clerk’s office. The Domestic Relations division handles these cases, which include Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCRs), adoptions, and name changes.
Family Law Filing Fees (effective September 1, 2025):
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce with waiver of service | $350.00 |
| Divorce with citation | $358.00 |
| Divorce with citation and TRO or notice | $366.00 |
| Parent-child suit (SAPCR) | $350.00 |
| Adoption | $350.00 |
| Family transfer-in (SAPCR) | $350.00 |
| Name change | $350.00 |
| Family motions (modify, enforce, contempt, transfer) | $80.00 |
The District Clerk provides pro se divorce information for self-represented individuals navigating the divorce process without an attorney.
Child Support
Child support enforcement and establishment of paternity cases in Bastrop County are handled through the Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General. The child support filing fee in the District Clerk’s schedule is $350.00 for new parent-child suits.
Marriage Records
The County Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains the official marriage index for Bastrop County. Marriage license information is available on the county website. Key details include:
- Formal marriage license fee: $81.00 (reduced to $21.00 with a Twogether in Texas premarital education certificate)
- Informal marriage license fee: $46.00
- Certified copy of marriage license: $6.00 (formal) or $6.00 (informal)
- License hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Friday 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
- Location: 803 Pine Street, Room 112, Bastrop, TX 78602; Phone: (512) 332-7234
Applicants must present valid photo identification and a Social Security number. A 72-hour waiting period applies after issuance unless waived for active military personnel or by court order. The license expires if no ceremony is conducted within 90 days. The marriage index can be searched online through the Bastrop County Public Records portal by applicant name, license number, application date, or marriage date.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates in Texas are restricted vital records — they are not available to the general public. Only the individual named on the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives may obtain certified copies. The County Clerk maintains local records, and certificates can be requested in person or by mailing a completed birth/death certificate application to the County Clerk along with a valid photo ID and payment.
- Birth certificate: $23.00 per copy
- Death certificate: $21.00 (first copy); $4.00 each additional copy of the same decedent purchased simultaneously
Online orders can be placed through the Bastrop County vital records portal. The birth and death index — which contains basic identifying data but not the full certificate — is publicly accessible and can also be searched through the County Clerk’s public records system.
Bastrop County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Bastrop County — including wills, estate administration, guardianships, and mental health proceedings — are heard by the County Probate Court, a division of the constitutional County Court. The County Clerk serves as the clerk for probate proceedings.
Bastrop County Probate Court
Address: 804 Pecan Street, Bastrop, TX 78602
Phone: (512) 581-7100
Probate case records can be searched on the Bastrop County Case Records Search portal under “Civil, Family & Probate Case Records”. Searches can be performed by decedent name, applicant/executor name, or case number.
To request copies of probate filings — such as wills, letters testamentary, inventories, or accountings — individuals should contact the County Clerk’s office. Standard copy and certification fees apply ($1.00 per page for copies, $5.00 per document for certification). Probate records are generally public unless they involve guardianship of a minor or an incapacitated person, in which case portions of the file may be sealed or redacted.
Individuals needing assistance with probate filings who cannot afford an attorney may consult the Texas Law Help website for self-help resources and referral information. The Third Court of Appeals, which serves Bastrop County, handles appeals from probate matters decided at the trial court level.