Colorado County Court Records Search
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Colorado County, Texas is a rural county in the southeastern part of the state, with Columbus as its county seat. Like all Texas counties, it runs a multi-tiered court system — district courts, county courts, justice courts, and municipal courts — each responsible for distinct categories of cases and the records they produce. Those case files, dockets, court orders, and related documents are generally accessible to the public, subject to specific statutory and court-ordered restrictions.
Court records in Colorado County cover a wide range of matters, from civil complaints and divorce decrees to criminal judgments, probate filings, and property instruments. These materials are created and maintained by the county's court clerks and are available through in-person requests, mail, and online access portals. Both residents and non-residents have the right to inspect and copy public court records under Texas law.
If you're starting a records search, TexasStateCourts.us is a useful place to locate court case information, identify county clerk offices, and navigate the court system. Texas also operates statewide online platforms discussed below that allow case searches across all 254 counties.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Colorado County?
Court cases in Colorado County are spread across several offices depending on the type and level of the case. Identifying which court holds the records you need is the right first step.
Colorado County District Clerk's Office
Address: 400 Spring Street, Room 103, Columbus, Texas 78934
Phone: (979) 732-2536
Email: districtclerk@co.colorado.tx.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Colorado County Clerk's Office
Address: 318 Spring Street, Room 103, Columbus, Texas 78934
Phone: (979) 732-2155
Fax: (979) 732-8852
Email: countyclerk@co.colorado.tx.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Once you've identified the right office, records can be accessed in the following ways:
- In person — Visit the District Clerk's or County Clerk's office during business hours. Public search terminals are available in the District Clerk's office. Copy fees are $1.00 per page; credit and debit cards are accepted.
- Online via re:SearchTX — The re:SearchTX platform is the official statewide case search system maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration. It covers civil, criminal, and probate records from district, county, and justice courts across all 254 counties, including Colorado County. Case information, upcoming hearings, and court documents are accessible through this system.
- Online via iDocket — The county also provides access through the iDocket platform for county-level court records, including probate and civil filings handled by the County Clerk.
- Online filing via eFileTexas — Attorneys and parties may use eFileTexas to submit documents electronically to district and county courts.
- By mail — Written requests may be directed to the District Clerk or County Clerk. Include the case number, party name, or other identifying information along with a check or money order for copy fees.
For scheduling civil or family hearings in the District Court, contact the respective court administrator directly by email:
- 25th Judicial District Court (Judge William D. Old, III) — Lynn Bothe: lynnb@guadalupetx.gov; (830) 303-4188 Ext. 1265
- 2nd 25th Judicial District Court (Judge Jessica R. Crawford) — Rachel Luna: rachel.luna@guadalupetx.gov; (830) 303-4188 Ext. 1300
Are Court Records Public in Colorado County?
Court records in Colorado County are public records under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552). The Act gives any person — regardless of citizenship, residency, or stated purpose — the right to inspect and copy records held by governmental bodies, including court clerks' offices. Government bodies must make public records available at a minimum during normal business hours.
Despite that broad right of access, certain categories of records are shielded from public disclosure by statute or court order. In Colorado County, restricted record types include:
- Juvenile records — Confidential under the Texas Family Code
- Adoption records — Sealed by default; access requires a court order
- Expunged records — Destroyed or returned to the petitioner per Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55; the underlying arrest and case information is legally treated as though it never occurred
- Non-disclosure orders — Records subject to an Order of Nondisclosure are withheld from most public inquiries; information about obtaining or sealing such orders is available through the Texas Office of Court Administration
- Records sealed by court order — A judge may seal specific case files where a sufficient legal basis exists
- Sensitive personal information — Records containing Social Security numbers, financial account information, or personal identifiers are redacted before release per court rules
Any person denied access to a public record may seek a determination from the Texas Attorney General's Office. The AG's Open Records Division issues rulings on disputed access requests within ten business days.
Colorado County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Colorado County are handled by two court tiers: the District Courts for felonies and serious offenses, and the Justice Courts for Class C misdemeanors punishable by fine only. Class A and B misdemeanors are prosecuted in County Court.
The following agencies file criminal complaints in Colorado County Justice Courts: the Colorado County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, county constables, Parks & Wildlife wardens, the Alcohol Beverage Commission, and the Environmental Department.
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal court records filed in District Court are searchable through the public search terminals in the District Clerk's office or online via re:SearchTX. The County Clerk's iDocket portal covers records in the County Court at Law, which handles misdemeanor and some probate matters.
Justice Court criminal records — covering Class C misdemeanor traffic and penal code violations — must be requested directly from the relevant Justice of the Peace precinct office (see court directory below).
Colorado County Sheriff's Office
Address: 2215 Walnut Street, Columbus, Texas 78934
Phone: (979) 732-2388
Fax: (979) 732-6431
Website: coloradoso.net
Arrest records and jail booking information are maintained by the Sheriff's Office. You can submit requests for arrest records in person or by contacting the Records Section during regular business hours. The Sheriff's Office also enforces process served by the courts and has a published fee schedule for sheriff and constable services effective through December 31, 2026.
Expunctions
Individuals seeking to have criminal records removed may petition for an expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55. Eligibility depends on the specific circumstances of the arrest and case and is not automatic. The District Clerk's office provides a list of local agencies to be named in the petition. For each named agency without an email address, a $25 certified mail fee applies. A complete list of local agencies for the expunction process is available from the District Clerk.
Colorado County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Colorado County is distributed across three court levels based on the amount in dispute and the nature of the claim.
| Court | Civil Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| District Court (25th & 2nd 25th) | General civil jurisdiction; larger disputes, appeals |
| Justice of the Peace Courts (4 precincts) | Claims of $20,000 or less; evictions |
| County Court at Law | Civil appeals from Justice Courts; Class A/B misdemeanors |
District Court Civil Records
District Courts exercise general civil jurisdiction and handle cases involving personal injury, workers' compensation, contract disputes, real estate litigation, and name changes. Records are maintained by the District Clerk at 400 Spring Street, Room 103. The District Clerk Fee Schedule governs filing and copy costs; copies of records are $1.00 per page.
Civil and probate records from the District Court are searchable online via re:SearchTX. The County Clerk's office directs users to search civil and probate records through re:SearchTX and criminal court records through the Tyler Odyssey Portal.
Justice Court Civil Records (Small Claims)
The four Justice of the Peace courts in Colorado County hear civil cases with claims of $20,000.00 or less. These courts handle small claims, evictions, and actions to recover personal property.
- Filing fee for small claims and civil/eviction cases: $149.00 (defendant within Colorado County; out-of-county service may incur additional constable fees)
- Jury fee: $22.00 per requesting party
- Payment must be made by cashier's check or money order; personal checks are not accepted
Justice Court records are not part of re:SearchTX and must be requested directly from the appropriate precinct office.
Colorado County Justice Courts:
| Precinct | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | 2215 Walnut, P.O. Box 783, Columbus, TX 78934 | (979) 732-2734 |
| Precinct 2 | 105 E Main, P.O. Box 945, Weimar, TX 78962 | (979) 725-8833 |
| Precinct 3 | 1117 Travis St, Columbus, TX 78934 | (979) 732-8725 |
| Precinct 4 | 121 N McCarty, P.O. Drawer 396, Eagle Lake, TX 77434 | (979) 234-2042 |
Neither the judge nor court staff may offer legal advice. Persons needing legal assistance are directed to contact an attorney or use resources at TexasCourtHelp.gov or TexasLawHelp.org. Lone Star Legal Aid also conducts Pro Se clinics and can be reached at (979) 849-6464, 102 Oak Park Drive, Suite 103, Clute, Texas 77531.
Colorado County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Colorado County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic relations, and adoptions — are heard in the District Courts. The District Clerk's office at 400 Spring Street, Room 103 maintains all District Court family case files.
Divorce Proceedings
To start a divorce, a party files a petition with the District Clerk. The District Clerk's office does not provide divorce forms for self-represented litigants, but guidance is available in the Pro Se Divorce Instructions document published by the office. The court has a Standing Order in Family Law Cases Regarding Children, Property, and Conduct of the Parties that takes effect immediately upon filing and governs both parties throughout the case.
Parents involved in custody disputes may be required to complete a parenting class before the final hearing. Information is available through PuttingKidsFirst.org at 1-888-777-2298 or ParentClassOnline.com at 830-372-4555.
The Child Support Program of the Office of the Attorney General handles child support enforcement matters statewide, including Colorado County cases.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the County Clerk. For certified copies of marriage or divorce records, you can submit requests to the County Clerk's office or to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section. The DSHS Vital Statistics Section also accepts online orders through its official vital records order portal.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section, which processes requests by mail, in person, and online. County health authorities and hospitals maintain decentralized records of births and deaths at their facilities, and those records feed into the state's central repository.
Adoptions and Guardianships
Adoption proceedings are handled by the District Court and governed by the Texas Family Code. Adoption records are sealed by default. Guardianship petitions for minors may be filed in the County Court at Law, with records maintained by the County Clerk.
Colorado County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Colorado County fall under the jurisdiction of the County Court at Law, with records maintained by the County Clerk's office at 318 Spring Street, Room 103, Columbus, Texas 78934.
Probate proceedings in Colorado County can include:
- Estate administration — Full probate of estates with a will or via intestacy
- Small Estate Affidavits — A simplified process for qualifying small estates
- Independent and dependent administrations — The type of administration is determined by the will or by court order
- Guardianships — Appointment of a guardian for a minor or incapacitated adult
- Conservatorships — Management of assets for protected individuals
- Wills — Filing a will for probate or for safekeeping only
- Change of name — Handled in County Court
Probate Filing Fees
Based on currently available information for Colorado County, probate filing fees include approximately:
- Standard probate application: approximately $360
- Small Estate Affidavit: approximately $259
The County Clerk's published fee schedule governs all recording and filing fees in the County Clerk's office.
Searching Probate Records Online
Probate and civil records filed in the County Court at Law are searchable through the re:SearchTX platform and through the county's iDocket public services portal. The County Clerk's office directs users specifically to re:SearchTX for civil and probate records and to the Tyler Odyssey portal for criminal matters.
For in-person searches, visit the County Clerk's office at 318 Spring Street during regular business hours. Provide the decedent's or petitioner's name and any known case or filing dates to help staff locate the record. Certified copies of recorded instruments are available for a per-page fee.
Colorado County also publishes probate and guardianship public notices online through the county's official Probates/Guardianships Notices page, which can give you a preliminary indication of active or recently closed proceedings.