Bexar County Court Records Search

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    Bexar County, home to San Antonio and one of the most populous counties in Texas, operates an extensive court system that generates a high volume of records each year. The county’s courts range from district-level tribunals handling serious felonies and complex civil litigation to justice of the peace courts adjudicating small claims and minor offenses. Two primary offices serve as custodians of these records: the Bexar County District Clerk’s Office manages filings from district courts, while the Bexar County Clerk’s Office maintains records from county courts, county courts at law, and probate courts.

    Residents, attorneys, and members of the public seeking court records in Texas can use a combination of official clerk offices, in-person public access terminals, and online databases. The TexasStateCourts.us website provides statewide court information and links to case search tools. The Office of Court Administration also operates re:SearchTX, a platform that aggregates case data from district, county, and probate courts across all 254 Texas counties. For Bexar County specifically, both the District Clerk and the County Clerk offer dedicated online portals for searching case records, docket information, and recorded documents.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Bexar County?

    Bexar County provides multiple pathways for locating court case information, whether a person needs a criminal docket sheet, a civil filing, or a probate record.

    Online Search Tools

    1. Bexar County District Clerk Records Search — The Bexar County District Clerk maintains an online records portal where users can search district court civil, criminal, and family cases. Searches can be conducted by party name, case number, or filing date. The system displays docket information, case status, and filing histories.
    2. Bexar County Clerk Records Search — The Bexar County Clerk’s website provides access to county court case records, including misdemeanor criminal matters, civil cases in county courts at law, and probate filings. The county also maintains an official public records search portal for deeds, liens, and other recorded instruments.
    3. re:SearchTX — The re:SearchTX platform allows users to search case records from multiple Texas counties simultaneously. A free subscription tier covers basic searches, though access to full documents may require a paid plan. The system includes civil cases from district, county, and probate courts but may not contain every record from every jurisdiction.
    4. TAMES Case Search — Appellate records from the Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and intermediate courts of appeals (including the Fourth Court of Appeals, which sits in San Antonio) can be searched through the Texas Appeals Management and eFiling System.

    In-Person Access

    Requesters may visit either clerk’s office during business hours to search records on public-access terminals or request copies directly from staff. Both the District Clerk and the County Clerk are located in downtown San Antonio.

    Bexar County District Clerk’s Office
    Address: Paul Elizondo Tower, 101 W. Nueva St., Suite 217, San Antonio, TX 78205
    Phone: (210) 335-2113

    Bexar County Clerk’s Office
    Address: Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa St., Suite 104, San Antonio, TX 78205
    Phone: (210) 335-2216

    Office hours for both offices are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requesters should provide as much identifying detail as possible when requesting records, including full party names, case numbers, dates of filing, and the type of case. Written requests may also be submitted by mail or fax.

    Requesting Copies

    Certified and non-certified copies of court documents can be obtained in person, by mail, or through online ordering systems. The Bexar County Clerk participates in the Clerk E-Certify program, allowing users to order certified copies of recorded documents electronically. For district court records, requests can be directed to the District Clerk’s Office. Copy fees vary by document type, with non-certified copies generally costing $1.00 per page and certified copies costing $5.00 per document plus $1.00 for each additional page, consistent with statewide fee structures under the Texas Local Government Code.

    Are Court Records Public in Bexar County?

    Court records in Bexar County are presumed open to the public under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code. This law guarantees that any person may request access to government records, including court filings, without stating a reason for the request.

    Despite this broad presumption of openness, specific categories of records are restricted by statute or court order:

    • Sealed records — Courts may seal case files when necessary to protect sensitive information, ongoing investigations, or fair trial rights. Access to sealed records requires court authorization.
    • Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors under Title 3 of the Texas Family Code are confidential and unavailable for general public inspection.
    • Adoption records — All filings related to adoption proceedings are sealed and may be accessed only by court order or by qualifying parties under limited statutory exceptions.
    • Mental health proceedings — Records from involuntary commitment hearings and related mental health cases are restricted.
    • Expunged records — Criminal records that have been expunged under Article 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure are destroyed or removed from public access.
    • Nondisclosure orders — Records subject to an order of nondisclosure under Section 411.072 of the Texas Government Code are withheld from public disclosure, though they remain accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies.

    Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration further exempts internal court materials from public disclosure, including judicial deliberation notes, preliminary drafts, court security strategies, personnel files, and personal information about judges and their families.

    Before releasing documents, clerk staff may redact personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver’s license numbers in accordance with Texas Property Code Section 11.008 and other applicable provisions. Fees for copying and retrieval apply, and processing times depend on the volume and complexity of the request.

    Bexar County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal prosecutions in Bexar County are handled at multiple court levels. Felony cases are tried in the district courts, while misdemeanor offenses proceed through the county courts at law. Bexar County has numerous district courts with criminal jurisdiction and multiple county courts at law handling Class A and Class B misdemeanors.

    Where Criminal Records Are Held

    Felony case records (indictments, plea agreements, judgments, sentencing orders) are maintained by the Bexar County District Clerk’s Office. Misdemeanor case records are held by the Bexar County Clerk’s Office. Justice of the peace courts handle Class C misdemeanors (fine-only offenses), and their records are maintained at the individual JP court location.

    Searching Criminal Case Records

    • Online — The Bexar County District Clerk’s records portal provides searchable access to district court criminal case information, including docket entries, charges, and case disposition. County court criminal cases can be searched through the County Clerk’s case records system.
    • In person — Requesters may visit the District Clerk’s Office at 101 W. Nueva St., Suite 217, or the County Clerk’s Office at 100 Dolorosa St. to review criminal files on public terminals or request paper copies.
    • By mail — Written requests should include the defendant’s full legal name, date of birth (if known), case number, and the specific documents requested.

    Statewide Criminal History Checks

    For a criminal background check that extends beyond Bexar County, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains the state’s centralized criminal records repository. A public name-based search is available online for $3.00. Fingerprint-based personal reviews require scheduling through IDEMIA’s Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) by calling (888) 467-2080 or visiting a FAST enrollment location. The fingerprinting fee