Bastrop County Court Records
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Bastrop County runs along the Colorado River in central Texas, just east of Austin, with the city of Bastrop as its county seat. The county's courts process thousands of criminal, civil, family, and probate cases every year across its district courts, county court at law, justice courts, and municipal courts. Two clerks — the District Clerk and the County Clerk — each hold different categories of court records, so knowing which office you need before you show up will save you a trip.
You can locate Bastrop County court records through the clerk offices at the courthouse, the county's online case records portal, and statewide electronic tools. TexasStateCourts.us can help you identify court resources and publicly available case information at both the state and county level. Both the District Clerk and County Clerk maintain searchable databases, and the state's electronic filing system also provides remote access to certain documents. Depending on what you need, options range from public access terminals and in-person visits to mail-in requests and phone inquiries.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Bastrop County?
Bastrop County offers several ways to find case records. The right approach depends on whether you're looking for criminal, civil, family, or probate information.
Online Case Search
The most direct option is the Bastrop County Case Records Search portal, which runs on the Odyssey Public Access system and is free to use. You can search across all Bastrop County courts — criminal, civil, family, and probate — by party name, case number, or attorney name. Court calendars and docket information are also available here.
If you need to search across multiple Texas counties at once, the state's re:SearchTX platform indexes electronic court case data from participating courts. A free subscription plan covers basic civil case searches from district, county, and justice courts, though registration is required.
In-Person Requests
You can obtain records 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 case type:
- 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 generally public under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552), which gives citizens the right to access records held by governmental bodies, including court clerks. Access to judicial records specifically is also shaped by Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, which spells out which court records are accessible and what procedures courts must follow when someone requests access.
That said, certain categories of records are restricted or redacted to protect privacy and safety. Throughout Texas — and in Bastrop County — 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
If you are not an authorized party to a restricted case, you would need a court order to access sealed files. When records contain a mix of public and protected information, the court redacts confidential elements and releases the rest.
Bastrop County also runs 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 carry costs under the Texas Office of Attorney General fee guidelines, and you'll be notified of any estimated charges before the request is fulfilled.
Bastrop County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases 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. The County Court at Law takes 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, 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 held by the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office. Direct requests for these records 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 a comprehensive criminal history report, 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 that discloses 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
If you're looking to seal an eligible criminal record, the District Clerk's office provides nondisclosure forms for that process. 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 hears 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. You can filter results by court, party name, case number, or attorney.
The District Clerk's forms page includes a Statement of Inability to Afford Court Costs for litigants who cannot afford fees, along with 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 — deeds, liens, plat maps — are filed with the County Clerk and searchable through the Bastrop County Public Records portal. This tool supports grantor/grantee searches and advanced queries. Property valuations and ownership data are also available 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 are filed in the District Courts and administered through the District Clerk's office. The Domestic Relations division handles 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 anyone navigating the divorce process without an attorney.
Child Support
Child support enforcement and paternity establishment 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 takes place within 90 days. You can search the marriage index 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 — 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 clerk for all 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, by decedent name, applicant/executor name, or case number.
If you need copies of probate filings — wills, letters testamentary, inventories, or accountings — contact the County Clerk's office directly. Standard fees apply: $1.00 per page for copies and $5.00 per document for certification. Probate records are generally public, though portions of guardianship files involving a minor or an incapacitated person may be sealed or redacted.
If you need help with probate filings and can't afford an attorney, the Texas Law Help website offers self-help resources and referral information. Appeals from probate matters decided at the trial court level go to the Third Court of Appeals, which serves Bastrop County.