Cooke County, Texas Court Records
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Cooke County sits in north-central Texas along the Oklahoma border. Its court system handles everything from Class C misdemeanors in municipal courts to complex felony prosecutions and civil litigation in the 235th District Court. The records produced by these proceedings — case filings, docket entries, orders, judgments, pleadings, evidence, and transcripts — make up the official documented history of legal matters in the county, supporting law enforcement, legal proceedings, and public accountability.
If you're searching for court records in Texas, you can go through clerks' offices, public terminals at the courthouse, or online portals. TexasStateCourts.us can help you identify the right courts, understand jurisdiction, and locate publicly available case information across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cooke County?
Two offices maintain court records in Cooke County, and finding the right one matters. The District Clerk handles records for the 235th District Court, while the County Clerk keeps records for the County Court at Law, Justice of the Peace courts, and probate matters. Start by identifying which court handled your case, then contact the appropriate office.
Online Case Search Options
Two online systems cover Cooke County court records:
- Texas Online Records — Provides online access to District Clerk case records and County Clerk criminal/civil records. Separate portals exist for the District Clerk (office_id=102) and County Clerk (office_id=101).
- re:SearchTX — The official Texas court records search platform maintained by the Office of Court Administration, allowing searches across civil cases from district, county, and justice courts statewide.
Weekly Court Dockets
The 235th District Court weekly docket is posted online. For scheduling questions or to request a setting on uncontested matters, contact the Court Coordinator at (940) 668-5401 or (940) 668-5403, or email 235court@co.cooke.tx.us.
In-Person Record Requests District Clerk
You can submit requests in person at the District Clerk's office. The Records Request Form is available online — include as much identifying information as possible when submitting it. Mail requests require a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Cooke County 235th District Clerk
Address: 101 South Dixon, Room 207, Gainesville, TX 76240
Phone: (940) 668-5450 | Fax: (940) 668-5476
Email: districtclerk@co.cooke.tx.us
In-Person Record Requests County Clerk
Cooke County Clerk
Address: 101 South Dixon, Room 108, Gainesville, TX 76240
Phone: (940) 668-5474 (general); (940) 668-5421 (criminal/civil information)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:50 p.m. (including lunch hour)
Online Payments
Court costs, fines, and restitution can be paid online through GovRec Pay Direct. The County Clerk does not accept personal checks; accepted payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Are Court Records Public in Cooke County?
Under Title 5, Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code — the Texas Public Information Act — government records, including court records, are generally presumed open to the public. Anyone may request access, the government body must respond promptly, and officers for public information cannot ask why you want the records.
That said, several categories of records are shielded from public access under Texas law and court rules:
- Juvenile records — confidential by statute; not available to the general public
- Sealed or expunged records — inaccessible without a court order; the District Clerk's office will not provide sealed documents
- Certain family law matters — some case information in family proceedings may be restricted
- Social Security numbers — subject to mandatory redaction; a Redaction of SSN Request Form is available from the District Clerk
- Birth records less than 75 years old — restricted to the named individual, immediate family, and authorized persons
- Death records less than 25 years old — limited to immediate family, legal representatives, and funeral homes
When a record is only partially restricted, the custodian must redact the protected information and release the rest. The Texas Attorney General's Public Information Act Handbook provides detailed guidance on exemptions and requester rights.
Cooke County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Cooke County are filed in and heard by the 235th District Court. At the close of each felony case, the District Clerk is required to report all dispositions to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Misdemeanor matters go to the County Court at Law, while Class C misdemeanors and city ordinance violations are handled by the municipal courts.
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case records can be accessed through these channels:
- Online: Search via Texas Online Records (County Clerk criminal records) or re:SearchTX (statewide civil and criminal case information).
- In-Person: Visit the County Clerk's office at the Cooke County Courthouse, Room 108. The criminal/civil information line is (940) 668-5421, Fax: (940) 668-5522
- Mail/Written Request: Submit a written request with the subject's name, approximate date range, and cause number if known. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Copy and Research Fees (District Clerk)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (certified or uncertified) | $1.00 per page |
| Research fee (locating cause number or document) | $5.00 |
| Certification of a document | $5.00 additional |
Expungements and Non-Disclosures
Eligible individuals may petition the District Court to expunge arrest records or seal criminal history through an order of non-disclosure. Instructions for filing a Petition for Expunction are available from the District Clerk's office, and free forms can be found at Texas Law Help. Non-disclosure forms and information are available at txcourts.gov.
Municipal Courts
Municipal courts handle Class C misdemeanors and city ordinance violations in Cooke County's incorporated cities:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville Municipal Court | 201 Santa Fe, Gainesville, TX 76240 | (940) 668-4750 |
| Lindsay Municipal Court | 608 Ash St., P.O. Box 153, Lindsay, TX 76250 | (940) 665-4455 |
| Muenster Municipal Court | P.O. Box 208, Muenster, TX 76252 | (940) 759-2236 |
| Valley View Municipal Court | 101 S. Frontage Rd., P.O. Box 268, Valley View, TX 76272 |
Justice of the Peace Courts
| Court | Address | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP Precinct 1 | 320 County Road 451, Gainesville, TX 76240 | (940) 668-5463 | justice1@co.cooke.tx.us |
| JP Precinct 2 | 112 S Dixon, Suite 208, Gainesville, TX 76240 | (940) 668-5510 | Justice2@co.cooke.tx.us |
Cooke County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Cooke County is divided by the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. The 235th District Court has general jurisdiction over larger civil matters, the County Court at Law handles mid-range civil disputes, and the Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims within set monetary limits.
Searching Civil Records
- Texas Online Records District Clerk — Online access to District Court civil case records.
- Texas Online Records County Clerk — Access to County Court at Law civil records.
- re:SearchTX — Statewide search tool covering civil cases across multiple court levels.
- Free Real Property/Land Records Search — The County Clerk provides free online searching of real property and land records through US Land Records, with index and images available from July 29, 1850 to present.
Filing Fee Overview (235th District Court Effective January 1, 2024)
The civil fee schedule for the 235th District Clerk's Office is published on the county's website. Key standard fees include:
- Copies (certified or uncertified): $1.00 per page
- Research fee (when clerk must locate cause number): $5.00
- Document certification: $5.00
Fee schedules for the County Court at Law (civil and probate) are also published by the County Clerk's office. Sheriff's process service fees are set out in the annual Fees Charged by Local Sheriff and Constables schedule — process service by the Cooke County Sheriff costs $75.00.
E-Filing
All civil filings with the District Clerk where an attorney represents a party must be made electronically through Efile.txcourts.gov. E-filing customer service is available at (855) 839-3453. A notice regarding the delivery of electronic copies of orders and notices effective July 1, 2026, requires registration for a re:SearchTX account.
Self-Help Resources
If you're representing yourself, you can access Supplemental Instructions for Self-Represented Litigants, as well as texaslawhelp.org and texascourthelp.gov for forms and guidance. The Statement of Inability to Afford Court Costs form is available for eligible filers.
Cooke County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, and adoptions — are filed with the District Clerk and heard in the 235th District Court. Family cases, excluding adoptions, must include the full names (not just initials) of all parties in the caption.
District Clerk Family Division
Address: 101 South Dixon, Room 207, Gainesville, TX 76240
Phone: (940) 668-5450
Divorce Records
Divorce filings are generally public records in Cooke County, but access to certified copies of divorce decrees is limited to the parties involved and their legal representatives. To request copies, submit the Records Request Form to the District Clerk by mail, in person, or by email at districtclerk@co.cooke.tx.us. Divorce verification letters for divorces after 1966 are also available from Texas DSHS Vital Statistics for $20.00 per verification. The Information for Filing a Divorce guide is available from the District Clerk.
Child Support
The District Clerk updates child support information with the State Disbursement Unit and serves as the clerk for all family law courts. If you need help with child support enforcement where payments are owed, contact the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division at (800) 252-8014 or visit the OAG Child Support portal. Mail payments to the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit (TxCSDU), P.O. Box 659791, San Antonio, TX 78265-9791, and include your 10-digit case number and cause number.
Protective Orders
Standardized protective order forms are available through txcourts.gov.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are public in Cooke County, but certified copies are limited to the spouses and their immediate families. To request a marriage certificate, contact the Cooke County Clerk's Office at (940) 668-5474. Marriage verification letters from DSHS cost $20.00 per verification and can be ordered through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics marriage and divorce records page.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records less than 75 years old are confidential — only the named individual, parents listed on the record, legal representatives, and other authorized parties can access them. Death records less than 25 years old are restricted to immediate family members, authorized legal representatives, and funeral homes. Both birth and death certificates are issued through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section. Current fees from DSHS are:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified Birth Certificate (Long or Short Form) | $22.00 |
| First Death Certificate | $20.00 |
| Each additional Death Certificate (same record, same order) | $3.00 |
| Expedited Processing Fee | $25.00 additional |
Mailing addresses for DSHS vital records requests are published on the DSHS Vital Statistics mailing addresses page. Vital records applications and forms are also available through DSHS.
Cooke County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Cooke County — including estate administration, will probates, intestate successions, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust administration — are handled by the County Court at Law, with records maintained by the Cooke County Clerk.
Cooke County Clerk (Probate Records)
Address: 101 South Dixon, Room 108, Gainesville, TX 76240
Phone: (940) 668-5474
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:50 p.m.
How to Request Probate Records
To obtain copies of probate records, contact the County Clerk's office directly by phone, in person, or by mail. Probate filing fee schedules are published on the County Clerk's office page under the probate fee section. Copies of recorded documents are generally available at standard per-page rates.
Online Search
The Texas Online Records portal for the County Clerk provides online access to criminal, civil, and probate records maintained by that office. Probate case records can also be identified through re:SearchTX.
The Second Court of Appeals serves Cooke County for appellate matters arising from district and county court decisions. Appeals from the District Clerk's office must be filed initially with the District Clerk, who then forwards them to the appellate court.