Cameron County Court Records Search
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Cameron County, Texas is one of the state’s most populous counties, anchored by the city of Brownsville along the U.S.-Mexico border. Its court system encompasses District Courts, Constitutional County Courts, County Courts at Law, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts, each with distinct jurisdictional roles. Records generated through these courts — including case filings, dockets, orders, judgments, hearing transcripts, and exhibits — are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk, depending on the type of proceeding involved.
Residents of Texas looking to search for court case information have several options available to them. Records may be accessed through clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, or online search tools. The TexasStateCourts.us website can assist users in locating publicly available court case information from Cameron County and across Texas. Official portals maintained by the Cameron County District Clerk and County Clerk provide direct, no-cost access to many public records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cameron County?
Cameron County provides multiple methods for locating court records, including online searches, in-person visits, telephone inquiries, and mail or email requests.
Online Search
The Cameron County District Clerk’s online case search portal allows free searches of District Court records by case number, party name, or attorney information. The county also maintains a broader web portals page linking to additional resources, including the statewide Texas judicial records search portal, which covers case information across Texas courts. For County Clerk records — including property records, plats, marriages, foreclosures, and assumed names — users can access the Cameron County Public Records Search portal.
By Phone
- Case information by case number: Call (956) 544-0838
- Name-based search (District Clerk): Call (956) 544-0838 — a $5 search fee applies for name searches by phone
- Civil matters (District Clerk): (956) 574-8130
In Person, by Mail, or by Email
To request copies of District Court records in person, by mail, or by email, complete the Copy Request Form and submit it with payment to:
Cameron County District Clerk
Address: 974 East Harrison Street, Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone: (956) 544-0838 / (956) 574-8130
Fax: (956) 544-0841
Email: dcrecords@co.cameron.tx.us
For County Clerk records (including criminal misdemeanor, civil, probate, and vital records), requests are directed to:
Cameron County Clerk
Address: 974 East Harrison Street, 2nd Floor, Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone: (956) 544-0826 (Civil/Probate) | (956) 544-0848 (Criminal)
Are Court Records Public in Cameron County?
Under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552), members of the public have a right to inspect and obtain copies of government records, including most court records maintained by Cameron County clerks. This right applies broadly to civil, criminal, family, and probate records unless a specific statutory or judicial exception applies.
Records that are commonly restricted or withheld from public access include:
- Sealed case files and expunged criminal records
- Records subject to nondisclosure orders under Texas law
- Juvenile records (generally confidential under the Texas Family Code)
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Certain domestic violence protective order details
- Personally sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and birth dates where redaction is required
Criminal history records subject to an order of nondisclosure are specifically excepted from required disclosure under the Public Information Act. Members of the public seeking to access restricted or potentially sealed records should contact the relevant clerk’s office for guidance on what may be available.
Cameron County Criminal Court Records
Cameron County’s criminal court system handles everything from Class C misdemeanor traffic offenses in Municipal Courts to serious felony matters in the District Courts. Understanding which court heard a case determines where to direct a records request.
Court Jurisdiction Overview
| Court Type | Criminal Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| District Courts | Felony offenses |
| County Courts at Law | Class A and B misdemeanors |
| Justice Courts | Misdemeanors punishable by fine only |
| Municipal Courts | Class C misdemeanors, city ordinance violations |
District Court Criminal Records
The Cameron County District Clerk’s Office is the custodian of District Court criminal records, including felony case files. Requests can be made online through the case search portal, by phone at (956) 544-0839 (criminal line), or by submitting the Copy Request Form with payment to the District Clerk at 974 East Harrison Street, Brownsville, TX 78520.
County Clerk Criminal Records (Class A & B Misdemeanors)
Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Cameron County are filed with the County Clerk’s Criminal Department. To request these records, complete the Criminal Department Search Request Form and submit it with payment to:
Cameron County Clerk – Criminal Department
Address: 974 East Harrison Street, 2nd Floor, Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone: (956) 544-0848
Email: countyclerkcriminalrequests@co.cameron.tx.us
Statewide Criminal History Records
For full criminal history background checks beyond individual court case records, the Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Name-based searches for offenders with Class B misdemeanor convictions or higher can be conducted through the DPS Criminal History Search website. Users must create an account and purchase search credits; each credit costs $1.00, with an additional 2.25% processing fee plus $0.25 per transaction when purchasing by credit card. Name-based offline searches through DPS cost $10.00. For assistance, call DPS Crime Records at (512) 424-2474.
Cameron County District Courts
All eight District Courts are located at the Cameron County Courthouse – Judicial Building, 974 E. Harrison Street, Brownsville, TX 78520:
| Court | Phone | Floor |
|---|---|---|
| 103rd District Court | (956) 544-0844 | 3rd Floor |
| 107th District Court | (956) 544-0845 | 3rd Floor |
| 138th District Court | (956) 544-0877 | 3rd Floor |
| 197th District Court | (956) 574-8150 | 3rd Floor |
| 357th District Court | (956) 548-9522 | 1st Floor |
| 404th District Court | (956) 544-0837 | 3rd Floor |
| 444th District Court | (956) 547-7034 | 3rd Floor |
| 445th District Court | (956) 547-7070 | 2nd Floor |
Cameron County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Cameron County are divided between the District Courts and the County Courts at Law, depending on the amount in dispute and the type of case.
- District Courts handle civil disputes involving $200 or more, including unlimited civil cases.
- County Courts at Law handle civil disputes involving amounts over $10,000, with concurrent jurisdiction over many cases alongside the District Courts.
- Justice Courts handle small claims and civil matters involving $20,000 or less.
Requesting District Court Civil Records
The District Clerk maintains civil records for District Court cases. To search online, use the case search portal. For copies, complete the Copy Request Form and submit it with payment to the District Clerk at 974 East Harrison Street, Brownsville, TX 78520. Telephone requests for civil case information can be made by calling (956) 544-0838 with the case number on hand.
Requesting County Court Civil Records
Civil court records where the disputed sum falls between $5,000 and $1,000,000 and is handled by a County Court at Law are filed with the Cameron County Clerk. To request these records, complete the Civil Court Records request form, attach payment, and submit to:
Cameron County Clerk – Civil/Probate
Address: 974 East Harrison Street, 2nd Floor, Brownsville, Texas 78520
Phone: (956) 544-0826
Email: countyclerkcivilprobatesearches@co.cameron.tx.us
County Courts at Law
| Court | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|
| Court at Law No. 1 | (956) 544-0855 | (956) 548-9542 |
| Court at Law No. 2 | (956) 544-0856 | (956) 504-3678 |
| Court at Law No. 3 | (956) 574-8136 | (956) 574-8140 |
All three courts are located at the Cameron County Courthouse – Judicial Building, 974 E. Harrison Street, Brownsville, TX 78520.
Cameron County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Cameron County are heard by both the District Courts and the County Courts at Law. These proceedings include dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, spousal support, adoption, and domestic violence protective orders.
Where Records Are Maintained
- District Court family records (including divorces, custody, and paternity) are maintained by the Cameron County District Clerk.
- County Court at Law family records are maintained by the Cameron County Clerk.
How to Request Family Court Records
For District Court family records, complete the Copy Request Form and submit it with payment in person, by mail, or by email to the District Clerk at 974 East Harrison Street, Brownsville, TX 78520, or email dcrecords@co.cameron.tx.us. Online searches are available through the case search portal.
For County Court at Law family records, use the Civil Court Records request form and submit it with payment to the County Clerk at 974 East Harrison Street, 2nd Floor, Brownsville, TX 78520, or email countyclerkcivilprobatesearches@co.cameron.tx.us.
Important access note: Records involving minors — including adoption files and most juvenile proceedings — are not publicly accessible under Texas law. Certain domestic violence protective order details may also be withheld to protect victim safety.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Cameron County marriage records are restricted to the subject and their immediate family members, authorized agents, or legal representatives. Certified copies of Cameron County marriage certificates cost $21 per copy and can be ordered online through the Request for Vital Records portal. Cameron County divorce records, by contrast, are available to the general public through the District Clerk using the Copy Request Form.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records are restricted to the subject and qualifying family members. The County Clerk’s Vital Statistics Department issues certified copies, which can be ordered through the Request for Vital Records portal. Fees are $23 for a certified birth certificate and $21 for a certified death certificate. A long-form birth certificate — required for passports, dual citizenship applications, and certain licensing purposes — includes original birth information and any subsequent corrections, while a certified abstract reflects only current information.
Cameron County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Cameron County are overseen by Cameron County Probate Court No. 1 and handled through the County Clerk’s Probate Department. The types of cases administered include:
- Probate of a will and issuance of letters testamentary
- Probate of a will as a muniment of title
- Letters of administration
- Determination of heirship
- Small estate affidavits (for estates under $75,000 with no real property)
- Guardianship of the person and/or estate
- Mental health proceedings
Cameron County Probate Court No. 1
Address: 974 E. Harrison St., Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone: (Probate Court): (956) 574-8116
Phone: (Probate Case Inquiries): (956) 574-8732
Cameron County Clerk – Probate Department
Address: 974 East Harrison Street, 2nd Floor, Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone: (956) 544-0826
Email: countyclerkcivilprobatesearches@co.cameron.tx.us
Court proceedings at Probate Court No. 1 are conducted as hybrid hearings, meaning participants may appear in person or via Zoom. All remote proceedings are livestreamed into the courtroom for public observation.
Requesting Probate Records
To request probate records maintained by the County Clerk, complete the Civil-Probate Request Form, attach payment, and submit it in person or by mail to the County Clerk’s Probate Department. The current Fee Schedule 2026, updated pursuant to Senate Bill 41 passed during the 88th Legislative Session and effective January 1, 2024, governs applicable copy and search fees. Existing probate cases can also be searched online through the Texas judicial records search portal. For probate matters that were adjudicated in a District Court rather than a County Court, direct your request to the District Clerk using the standard Copy Request Form.
Guardianship-related forms available through the County Clerk include the Guardianship Registration Form, the Annual Report on the Condition and Well-Being of a Ward, and the Annual Account for Guardianship. The Small Estate Affidavit Form is available for qualifying estates valued under $75,000 with no real property involved.