Cass County, Texas Court Records
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Cass County maintains an active court system spread across several tiers, from the 5th District Court in Linden down to four Justice of the Peace precincts and six municipal courts. Records produced by these courts — case filings, orders, warrants, decrees, and dockets — document every stage of the legal process and stand as the official record of court proceedings in the county. You might use these records to verify case dispositions, research legal history, or support an appeal.
Texas court records can be searched through clerk offices, online county portals, and statewide judicial systems. TexasStateCourts.us is one resource that can help you locate publicly available case information for counties across the state. That said, official access channels — courthouse public terminals, the County Clerk's online portal, and the District Clerk's docket pages — remain the most reliable sources for verified Cass County records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cass County?
Cass County offers several ways to search court records depending on the type of case and which court handled it.
Online Resources
- Search Cass County Public Records — The County Clerk's official online portal lets you search Official Public Records (OPR), probate, criminal, and marriage records. You can pay by debit or credit card and print copies directly from the site.
- 5th District Court Dockets — View current docket calendars for the District Court.
- County Court at Law Dockets — View scheduled dockets for the County Court at Law.
- re:SearchTX — The Texas judiciary's statewide case search platform lets you find case information and court documents from all 254 Texas counties, including civil, criminal, and family cases filed in Cass County's district and county courts.
In-Person Access
For records that aren't available on the County Clerk's website, you'll need to visit the appropriate clerk's office in person. The County Clerk's office is not required by law to perform record searches on a requester's behalf (other than federal tax lien searches), so in-person review at public terminals is necessary for many inquiries. Probate records filed before 2005 are only accessible in person by searching the physical indexes at the County Clerk's office.
Mail Requests
Mail requests for copies are accepted, but fees must be received before copies are sent. The County Clerk does not fax copies. Requests for birth, death, and military discharge records must include a copy of a driver's license or government-issued ID. If you're mailing a request, include a pre-paid FedEx, UPS, or Priority Mail return envelope to speed up the process.
Payment Methods
- County Clerk: Cash, debit/credit cards, money orders, cashier's checks, or attorney/business checks (no personal checks)
- District Clerk: Cashier's checks, money orders, Visa, Mastercard, or cash (U.S. currency only)
Are Court Records Public in Cass County?
Under the Texas Public Information Act, government records — including most court records — are presumed public. Any person may inspect, view, or obtain copies of public court records upon request to the appropriate custodian. Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration separately governs access to judicial records held by courts and judges, and sets out procedures for both inspection and copying during regular business hours.
Restricted and Confidential Records
Not all court records are open. The Public Information Act, applicable court rules, and state or federal law authorize custodians to withhold specific categories of information, including:
- Sealed or court-protected records
- Active law enforcement investigatory files
- Crime victim identifying information
- Sensitive crime scene photographs and images
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Social Security numbers, personal contact details, and home addresses
- Motor vehicle records and inspection information
- Juvenile case records (restricted under separate statutory protections)
- Birth certificates (private for 75 years; access limited to immediate family and eligible parties)
- Death certificates (private for 25 years; access limited to immediate family and eligible parties)
The County Clerk also does not certify copies provided by requesters — the office only certifies copies made by its own staff.
Cass County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Cass County is divided between the 5th District Court (felonies and serious misdemeanors) and the County Court at Law (Class A and B misdemeanors). Justice of the Peace courts handle Class C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and other minor criminal matters at the precinct level.
District Clerk Criminal Records
The District Clerk maintains all criminal case files heard in the 5th District Court and County Court at Law. You can submit requests for criminal case copies in person or by mail.
Cass County District Clerk
Address: 604 Highway 8 North, P.O. Box 510, Linden, TX 75563
Phone: (903) 756-7514 | Fax: (903) 756-5253
Email (District Criminal): amanda.hunt@casscountytx.gov
Email (CCL Criminal): joy.jones@casscountytx.gov
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Copy Fees (Criminal Records — County Clerk)
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee per document |
Criminal History Searches
For formal criminal background checks, use the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Name Search. The DPS Crime Records Division collects data from criminal justice agencies statewide. An online name-based search costs approximately $1.00 per search credit; an offline name-based search through DPS costs $10.00. Fingerprint-based background checks are available for a higher fee and produce more comprehensive results.
Sheriff's Office
The Cass County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement and maintains arrest and incident records at the county level.
Cass County Sheriff's Office
Address: 604 Hwy 8N, Linden, TX 75563
Mailing: P.O. Box 180, Linden, TX 75563
Phone: (903) 756-7511 | Fax: (903) 756-5434
To check the custody status of an incarcerated individual in Texas, visit the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Search.
Cass County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Cass County are divided across several courts based on the claim amount and the nature of the dispute.
Court Jurisdiction by Claim Type
| Court | Civil Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| 5th District Court | Personal injury, major civil disputes, employment cases, large monetary claims |
| County Court at Law | Intermediate civil matters, appeals from Justice Courts |
| Justice of the Peace Courts | Small claims up to $20,000; landlord-tenant disputes; debt collection |
Texas Justice Courts handle small claims cases with monetary claims up to $20,000. Cass County has four Justice of the Peace precincts located in Linden, Hughes Springs, Queen City, and Atlanta — each handling civil matters within its geographic area.
Justice of the Peace Courts
| Precinct | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | P.O. Box 341, Linden, TX 75563 | (903) 756-5341 |
| Precinct 2 | P.O. Box 485, Hughes Springs, TX 75656 | (903) 639-7268 |
| Precinct 3 | 605 County Road 3433, Queen City, TX 75572 | (903) 796-3891 |
| Precinct 4 | P.O. Box 35, Atlanta, TX 75551 | (903) 796-8493 |
If you're representing yourself in a small claims matter, the county provides a Self-Help Legal Information Packet for Filing a Small Claims Case to walk you through the process.
E-Filing for Civil Cases
Under Texas Supreme Court Order 13-9092, attorneys filing civil and family cases in the 5th District Court and County Court at Law must use electronic filing. eFileTexas.gov is the official state e-filing platform for submitting civil, family, probate, and criminal case documents.
District Clerk Civil Filing Fees (2022 Schedule)
The District Clerk's 2022 filing fee schedule is available on the county website. New divorce and annulment filings carry a base fee of $350; suits to enforce divorce decrees are also $350. Civil case copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies and $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification.
Cass County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Cass County — including divorce, child custody, child support, and suits affecting the family relationship — are primarily handled by the 5th District Court and the County Court at Law. The District Clerk maintains all family case files.
Filing Family Cases
Attorneys and pro se litigants filing family cases must use the Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship form when initiating a case in District Court or County Court at Law. Electronic filing through eFileTexas.gov is mandatory for practicing attorneys in these courts.
Child support matters are administered through the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division. The District Clerk's office has a dedicated Jury/Child Support Division; the assigned staff contact is Ashley Alexander at ashley.alexander@casscountytx.gov.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and annulment records are maintained by the District Clerk at 604 Highway 8 North in Linden. To request records, provide the full names of both parties, the divorce date, and the case number if available. The District Clerk charges $5.00 per search and $1.00 per page for certified copies. The Texas Vital Statistics Section (VSS) also maintains a statewide divorce index from 1968 onward and issues verification letters, though these are not valid for legal or official purposes.
Marriage Records and Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued and marriage records are maintained by the Cass County Clerk at 100 East Houston Street in Linden. Both parties must appear in person with a valid driver's license, state ID, or certified birth certificate. A standard marriage license without a premarital education course costs $81.00 (cash only) and carries a mandatory 72-hour waiting period. Couples who complete a state-registered premarital education course pay a reduced fee of $21.00 (cash only) with the waiting period waived. An informal marriage license costs $46.00 (cash only). A duplicate marriage license (not a certified copy) is $30.00.
Certified copies of marriage records cost $10.00; plain copies are $1.00 per page. No marriage licenses are issued after 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or after 3:00 p.m. on Fridays. The Texas marriage index from the Texas VSS provides a statewide index for verification purposes.
Birth and Death Records
Certified birth and death certificates are issued by the County Clerk. Access is restricted to immediate family members and those with a valid legal claim.
| Record Type | County Clerk Fee | Texas VSS Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate (first copy) | $23.00 | $22.00 |
| Death certificate (first copy) | $21.00 | $20.00 |
| Additional death certificate (same request) | $4.00 | $3.00 |
| Birth/death verification | $10.00 |
Mail requests to the County Clerk must include a completed Birth/Death Certificate Application and a copy of a government-issued photo ID. Alternatively, the Texas Vital Statistics Section accepts mail applications for birth and death records at DSHS VSS, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040.
Cass County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Cass County rests with the Constitutional County Court and County Court at Law. The Cass County Clerk maintains all probate court records, including documents related to estate administration, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Cass County Clerk (Probate Records)
Address: 100 East Houston Street, P.O. Box 449, Linden, TX 75563
Phone: (903) 756-5071 | Fax: (903) 756-8057
Email: Amy.Varnell@casscountytx.gov
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Searching Probate Records
- Probate records from 2005 onward can be searched online through the Cass County Public Records portal.
- Probate records filed before 2005 are only available by visiting the County Clerk's office in person to search the physical indexes.
- Attorney e-filing for probate cases is mandatory under Texas Supreme Court Order 13-9092, using eFileTexas.gov.
Probate Copy Fees
Plain copies of probate records cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. The County Clerk only certifies copies made in-house — it will not certify photocopies provided by the requester, but will file-mark customer-provided copies upon request.
Types of Probate Matters Handled
- Testate and intestate estate administration
- Will filings and contests
- Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
- Trust administration matters
- Heirship determinations
When requesting probate records, come prepared with the decedent's full name, the approximate filing or death date, and a case number if you have one. For general guidance on Texas probate procedures, Texas Law Help offers free self-help resources.