Brown County, Texas Court Records
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Brown County sits at the geographical heart of Texas, with Brownwood as the county seat and the hub of its judicial system. Court records from proceedings in this county document every stage of the legal process—from initial filings and pleadings through final judgments, sentencing orders, and probate decrees. Attorneys, researchers, employers, and members of the public rely on these records for background verification, genealogical research, active case preparation, and estate administration.
Anyone needing to locate court case information in Texas has several official routes to explore. Clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and statewide online systems all open doors into the record. TexasStateCourts.us can help orient you to the Texas court structure and point toward publicly available case information. The Texas Office of Court Administration also maintains re:SearchTX, a statewide portal covering civil cases from district, county, and justice courts across all 254 Texas counties—one of the most practical starting points for an online records search.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Brown County?
Court records in Brown County are split between two offices depending on the case type. The District Clerk handles felony criminal matters along with major civil and family law cases. The County Clerk manages county court filings, probate proceedings, vital records, property instruments, and marriage licenses.
Brown County District Clerk
Address: 200 South Broadway, Suite 216, Brownwood, TX 76801
Phone: (325) 646-5514 | Fax: (325) 646-0878
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
District Clerk: Honorable Cheryl Jones
Brown County Clerk
Address: 200 South Broadway, Suite 101, Brownwood, TX 76801
Phone: (325) 643-2594 | Fax: (325) 643-2595
County Clerk: Sharon Ferguson
Online Search Options
- re:SearchTX — Statewide case search covering district and county court civil records; search by case number, party name, or attorney.
- Brown County Real Property Records Search — The County Clerk's official online portal for property records dating back to January 1929.
- Brown County Clerk webpage — Access to fee schedules, applications, marriage license records, and vital records information.
In-Person Requests
When visiting either clerk's office at the Brown County Courthouse, bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, if possible, the case number, party names, or approximate filing date to help staff conduct an efficient search.
Mail Requests
Both offices accept written requests by mail. For vital records requests specifically, you'll need to include a notarized statement and pay by cashier's check or money order—personal checks are not accepted for these requests.
Are Court Records Public in Brown County?
The governing authority for public access to Texas court records is Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, which directs courts to make judicial records open to the public for inspection and copying during regular business hours. This rule operates alongside the broader transparency framework of the Texas Constitution.
Despite this general openness, several categories of records carry statutory restrictions:
- Expunged records — Once a court orders expunction, the record is legally destroyed or returned to the petitioner and may not be disclosed; releasing expunged records is a criminal offense under Texas law.
- Nondisclosure orders — Sealed records subject to a nondisclosure order under Texas Government Code Chapter 411 are not accessible to the general public.
- Ongoing criminal proceedings — Active investigative materials and certain pre-trial records may be withheld to protect the integrity of the proceeding.
- Adoption records — Adoption files are confidential by statute and accessible only by court order or to specifically authorized parties.
- Juvenile records — Records involving minor defendants are generally sealed and available only to authorized individuals.
- Birth and death records within statutory periods — Birth records are restricted for 75 years from the date of birth; death records are restricted for 25 years from the date of death under the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapters 192 and 193 respectively.
- Personal sensitive information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and passwords are redacted from publicly accessible court documents.
Brown County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases prosecuted in Brown County are heard in the 35th District Court, which handles the full range of serious criminal offenses as well as civil matters and family law cases.
35th District Court
Address: 200 South Broadway, Suite 212, Brownwood, TX 76801
Phone: (325) 646-1987 | Fax: (325) 643-6396
Misdemeanor criminal offenses fall under the jurisdiction of the County Court at Law, located at Suite 208 of the same courthouse, Phone: (325) 646-5859 Class C misdemeanors and minor criminal matters are handled by the Justice of the Peace Courts, which operate out of 200 South Broadway, Room 200.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The Brown County District Clerk's office is the official custodian of felony case files. Case records can be searched in person at the courthouse or through re:SearchTX for civil-side matters. The District Clerk's office implemented mandatory e-filing for criminal matters effective July 1, 2019; pro se litigants are exempt from the e-filing requirement and may continue to file over the counter.
Statewide Criminal History
For a formal background check that spans all Texas jurisdictions, the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) Criminal History Name Search provides an online lookup. This resource covers convictions and deferred adjudications reported statewide and is commonly used for employment screening and licensing purposes.
Arrest and Custody Information
Current custody status for individuals held at the Brown County Jail can be checked through the Online Inmate Custody List linked from the county's official website. The Brown County Sheriff's Office also directs the public to VINELink.com for offender custody notifications.
Brown County Sheriff's Office
Address: 1050 West Commerce, Brownwood, TX 76801
Phone: (325) 646-5510 | Jail: (325) 641-2481 | Fax: (325) 643-3238
Brown County Civil Court Records
Civil cases are distributed across Brown County's courts based on the nature and value of the claim.
Court Jurisdiction Overview
| Court | Civil Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| 35th District Court | Civil cases; no upper monetary limit |
| County Court at Law | Civil cases between $500 and $100,000 |
| Justice of the Peace Courts | Small claims up to $20,000; evictions |
The Justice of the Peace Courts in Brown County operate across four precincts. All JP courts are located at 200 South Broadway, Room 200, Brownwood, TX 76801 with the following contacts:
- Precinct 1: (325) 643-2688 | Fax: (325) 641-2382
- Precinct 2: (325) 643-5962 | Fax: (325) 641-2382
- Precinct 3: (325) 646-6437 | Fax: (325) 641-2382
- Precinct 4: (325) 643-5962 | Fax: (325) 641-2382
Civil Filing Fees – County Court at Law (effective January 1, 2024)
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Original civil action (filing fee) | $50.00 |
| Records Management/Preservation | $30.00 |
| Courthouse Security | $20.00 |
| Law Library Facility | $35.00 |
| Jury Fee | $20.00 |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | $10.00 |
| Language Access Fee | $15.00 |
| Court Reporter Fee | $3.00 |
| Appellate Judicial System Fee | $25.00 |
| Subtotal (county fees) | $213.00 |
| Plus state fees to comptroller | $137.00 |
| Grand Total (original civil action) | $350.00 |
Additional service fees apply for each citation issued ($8.00) and for posting/service of each citation ($100.00, total $108.00 per citation). Subsequent actions filed after the original case are assessed a reduced combined fee of $80.00 plus state fees.
Property Records
The Brown County Clerk records and maintains all real estate instruments—deeds, liens, mortgages, easements, and plats. Property records from 1929 to the present are searchable through the Brown County Real Property Records Search portal. Copies cost $1.00 per page; certified copies require an additional $5.00 certification fee per document. Property tax data and appraisal information for Brown County can be searched through the Brown Central Appraisal District.
Recording Fees – Real Property (effective January 1, 2024)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page (deeds, mortgages, instruments) | $25.00 |
| Each additional page | $4.00 |
| Each additional name indexed (over 5) | $0.25 |
| Paper copies (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copies (per page + per document) | $1.00 + $5.00 |
Brown County Family Court Records
Family law matters—including divorce, child custody, child support, and protective orders—fall within the jurisdiction of the 35th District Court. The County Court at Law hears protective orders under Texas Family Code Chapter 71. The District Clerk's office at Suite 216 maintains all family case files as official records of those proceedings.
Divorce Records
Divorce records in Brown County are maintained by the Brown County District Clerk's Office. These records are generally public unless sealed by court order. A certified copy costs $7.00. To request a divorce record, contact the District Clerk at (325) 646-5514 or visit the office in person with the parties' names and the approximate filing year.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Brown County Clerk's Office. A certified copy of a marriage license costs $21.00 (including a $20.00 search/certificate fee and $1.00 preservation fee). Marriage license fees depend on whether applicants have completed a Texas Premarital Education Certificate:
- Without certificate: $81.00 (72-hour waiting period applies)
- With certificate: $21.00 (72-hour waiting period waived)
- Informal marriage license: $46.00
Applications and further information are available on the Brown County Clerk webpage.
Birth and Death Certificates
Birth and death records for Brown County are issued by the County Clerk's Office, which serves as a local registrar for the Texas Department of State Health Services. Fees and eligibility rules as of the 2024 fee schedule:
- Birth certificate: $23.00 per certified copy; restricted for 75 years from date of birth per Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 192
- Death certificate: $21.00 for the first certified copy; $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; restricted for 25 years from date of death per Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 193
- Birth/Death verification (Brown County only): $10.00 search fee
Qualified applicants for birth or death records include the registrant, immediate family members by blood, marriage, or adoption, and legal representatives such as court-appointed administrators or holders of power of attorney. Mail requests must include a notarized statement and payment by cashier's check or money order. The birth or death certificate application form is available on the county's website. Military discharge records (DD-214) are filed and certified at no charge.
Brown County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Brown County rests with the County Court at Law, which handles estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and protective placements. The County Clerk's Office at Suite 101 maintains all probate case files and accepts filings for these matters.
County Court at Law Probate
Address: 200 South Broadway, Room 208, Brownwood, TX 76801
Phone: (325) 646-5859 | Fax: (325) 646-5980
Probate Filing Fees (effective January 1, 2024)
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Probate Fee (original action) | $40.00 |
| Records Management/Preservation | $15.00 |
| Courthouse Security | $20.00 |
| Law Library Facility | $35.00 |
| Court Initiated Guardianship Fund | $20.00 |
| Public Probate Administration Fund | $20.00 |
| Jury Fee | $10.00 |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | $10.00 |
| Language Access Fee | $15.00 |
| Court Reporter Fee | $3.00 |
| Appellate Judicial System Fee | $25.00 |
| Judicial Education and Support Fund | $5.00 |
| Subtotal (county fees) | $223.00 |
| Plus state fees to comptroller | $137.00 |
| Grand Total (original probate filing) | $360.00 |
Additional fees apply throughout probate administration. Issuing each citation costs $8.00, plus $100.00 for posting/service ($108.00 total per citation). Other notable fees include:
- Subsequent filings (actions after original): $120.00 total (including state fees)
- Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims (filed late, after 90th day): $27.00
- Annual Account of Probate/Guardianship: $27.00
- Final Account of Probate/Guardianship (must be notarized): $135.00
- Annual or Final Report of Guardianship (person only, must be notarized): $12.00
- Application for Sale of Real or Personal Property: $135.00
- Letters Testamentary, Administration, or Guardianship (each): $2.00
- Judge's Fee (approving and recording bond): $5.00
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case files are public records unless restricted by court order. To request a probate document, contact the Brown County Clerk at (325) 643-2594 or visit the office at 200 South Broadway, Suite 101, Brownwood, TX 76801. Provide the decedent's full name and the approximate year of filing. Copies cost $1.00 per page, with an additional $5.00 certification fee for certified copies. Wills filed for safekeeping with the County Clerk prior to the testator's death are not public records until probate is opened.