Bexar County Court Records
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Bexar County, home to San Antonio and one of the most populous counties in Texas, runs an extensive court system that generates a high volume of records each year. Its courts range from district-level tribunals handling serious felonies and complex civil litigation all the way down to justice of the peace courts adjudicating small claims and minor offenses. Two primary offices keep 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.
If you're searching for Bexar County court records, you 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 runs 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 offers several ways to locate court case information, whether you need a criminal docket sheet, a civil filing, or a probate record.
Online Search Tools
- Bexar County District Clerk Records Search — The Bexar County District Clerk maintains an online records portal for searching district court civil, criminal, and family cases. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. The system displays docket information, case status, and filing histories.
- 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.
- re:SearchTX — The re:SearchTX platform lets you search case records from multiple Texas counties at once. A free subscription covers basic searches, though full document access 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.
- 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
You can visit either clerk's office during business hours to search records on public-access terminals or request copies from staff. Both offices 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
Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. When requesting records, include as much identifying detail as you can—full party names, case numbers, filing dates, and the type of case. Written requests can 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, which lets you order certified copies of recorded documents electronically. For district court records, direct your request to the District Clerk's Office. Non-certified copies generally cost $1.00 per page and certified copies cost $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 having to explain why.
That said, 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 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 law enforcement and certain licensing agencies may still access them.
Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration also exempts internal court materials from public disclosure—judicial deliberation notes, preliminary drafts, court security strategies, personnel files, and personal information about judges and their families are all off-limits.
Before releasing documents, clerk staff may redact personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers under Texas Property Code Section 11.008 and other applicable provisions. Copy and retrieval fees apply, and processing times vary based on the volume and complexity of the request.
Bexar County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Bexar County move through multiple court levels. Felony cases go to the district courts, while misdemeanor offenses are handled by the county courts at law. Bexar County has numerous district courts with criminal jurisdiction and multiple county courts at law covering Class A and Class B misdemeanors.
Where Criminal Records Are Held
Felony case records—indictments, plea agreements, judgments, and sentencing orders—are maintained by the Bexar County District Clerk's Office. Misdemeanor case records are held by the Bexar County Clerk's Office. Class C misdemeanors (fine-only offenses) are heard by the justice of the peace courts, and those records are kept at the individual JP court location.
Searching Criminal Case Records
- Online — The Bexar County District Clerk's records portal gives you 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 — 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 — Include the defendant's full legal name, date of birth (if known), case number, and the specific documents you need.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For a background check that covers more than just 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.