Coryell County Court Records Search
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Coryell County is situated in central Texas, with its county seat in the city of Gatesville. The county’s judicial system operates through two district courts — the 52nd and the 440th — along with a County Court at Law, four Justice of the Peace precincts, and municipal courts in Gatesville and Copperas Cove. The District Clerk maintains records for felony and district-level civil cases, while the County Clerk serves as the keeper of misdemeanor criminal records, probate files, family law documents, vital records, and property instruments. Together, these offices generate and preserve the court records that document every stage of litigation in Coryell County.
For individuals looking to track down case information in Texas, records are accessible through clerk offices, courthouse terminals, and various online databases. TexasStateCourts.us can help users identify publicly available court case details across the state. The Texas judiciary also maintains the re:SearchTX platform, which aggregates civil case data from district and county courts in participating counties. Locally, the Coryell County Clerk directs misdemeanor searches to the iDocket system, and docket sheets for the 52nd District Court are posted regularly on the county website.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Coryell County?
The method for finding a case depends on the type of court involved. District-level cases (felonies, civil suits over $200, divorces, and custody matters) are filed with the District Clerk, while misdemeanors, probate, and lower-dollar civil cases fall under the County Clerk’s jurisdiction.
Online Searches
- District Court dockets: The 52nd District Court publishes PDF docket sheets — organized by criminal, civil, and family law — on its official page. These are updated before each court setting.
- Misdemeanor records: The County Clerk directs the public to iDocket for searching County Court at Law misdemeanor filings.
- Statewide search: The Texas DPS Conviction Name Search portal returns public criminal history information for Class B misdemeanors and above.
- re:SearchTX: This free statewide tool from the Texas Office of Court Administration allows multi-county civil case searches.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in visitors can review case files at either clerk’s office during business hours. You will need a case number or the name of a party to help staff locate the file.
Clerk Office Locations and Hours
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| District Clerk (Becky Moore) | 620 East Main Street, P.O. Box 4, Gatesville, TX 76528 | (254) 865-5911 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM) |
| County Clerk (Jennifer Newton) | 620 East Main Street, P.O. Box 237, Gatesville, TX 76528 | (254) 865-5911 ext. 143 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (by appointment 4:30–5:00 PM) |
Copy and Search Fees (District Clerk)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copies (per page) | $1.00 plus $5.00 certification |
| Search (per name) | $5.00 |
| Abstract of judgment | $8.00 |
The full District Clerk fee schedule is published on the county website.
Are Court Records Public in Coryell County?
Court records in Coryell County are presumptively public. The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) establishes that government-held records, including court documents, are open to inspection unless a specific exception applies. Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration further confirms that a person requesting a court record does not need to state a reason for the request.
Certain categories of records are excluded from public access:
- Juvenile records — proceedings involving minors are confidential under the Texas Family Code.
- Adoption records — sealed upon finalization.
- Mental health records — protected by statute.
- Sealed and expunged records — removed from public view by court order.
- Sensitive personal data — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar identifiers must be redacted before filing.
Some family-law records, such as child-custody evaluations and certain protective-order details, may also carry access restrictions. The filing party bears the responsibility of redacting confidential information from documents before submission. If a record has been sealed, a court order is typically required to gain access.
Coryell County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Coryell County are split across multiple courts based on offense severity. The 52nd and 440th District Courts hear felony prosecutions. The County Court at Law handles Class A and Class B misdemeanors — offenses such as DWI, theft, and assault — as well as appeals from Justice of the Peace courts. Justice of the Peace courts and the two municipal courts handle Class C misdemeanors (fine-only offenses) and traffic violations.
Court Locations
52nd District Court
Address: 620 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, Gatesville, TX 76528
Mailing: P.O. Box 1155, Gatesville, TX 76528
Judge: Hon. Trent D. Farrell
440th District Court
Address: 417 East Leon Street, Gatesville, TX 76528
Mailing: P.O. Box 1119, Gatesville, TX 76528
Phone: (254) 865-5911 ext. 270
Email: 440distcc@coryellcountytx.gov
Judge: Hon. Grant Kinsey
County Court at Law
Address: 620 East Main Street, First Floor, Gatesville, TX 76528
Phone: (254) 865-5911 ext. 161
Judge: John R. Lee
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Arrest Records and Law Enforcement
The Coryell County Sheriff’s Office is the primary custodian of arrest records. Written requests should be mailed to:
Coryell County Sheriff’s Office
ATTN: Records Clerk / Records Request
510 Leon Street
Gatesville, TX 76528
Phone: (254) 865-7201 ext. 223
Fax: (254) 865-7774
A Sheriff’s Annex is located at 210 South 1st Street, Copperas Cove, TX 76522, Phone: (254) 547-1693 Current inmate information can be viewed through the Sheriff’s Current Inmates portal, searchable by name or SO number.
Under Texas law, copies of arrest records containing nine pages or fewer are provided at no cost. Records of ten or more pages cost $1.00 for the first ten pages plus $0.10 for each additional page. Contact the Records Clerk to confirm availability and applicable fees before submitting a request.
For local arrests within city limits, the Gatesville Police Department at (254) 865-2226 or the Copperas Cove Police Department at (254) 547-8222 can assist. Highway-related arrests fall under the jurisdiction of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F — note, however, that for Texas highway enforcement, the relevant agency is the Texas Department of Public Safety, which provides criminal history information through two channels:
- Fingerprint-based search (FAST): Submit fingerprints electronically through the DPS’s approved vendor ($10.00 for fingerprint submission). The resulting criminal history record costs $15.00 and is mailed or emailed to the applicant. Schedule an appointment online or by phone. Out-of-state applicants must submit fingerprints by mail using a DPS-approved fingerprint card.
- Conviction Name Search: A free online portal providing public criminal history data, including arrests, prosecutions, and dispositions for Class B misdemeanors and above. Limited supervision data and some Class C convictions may also appear.
Under the Public Information Act, individuals may only access their own Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) from DPS, either personally or through an authorized third party. Questions about criminal history processing can be directed to DPS at (512) 424-2474.
Coryell County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Coryell County are divided among several courts depending on the dollar amount and subject matter. The 52nd and 440th District Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters involving more than $200, including property disputes, personal injury suits, and condemnation cases. The County Court at Law hears civil suits where the amount in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $250,000. Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims and eviction cases where the amount does not exceed $20,000.
District Clerk Filing Fees (Civil)
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil suit (no motions) | $252.00 |
| Civil suit with service (Coryell County Sheriff) | $345.00 |
| Civil motions (counterclaim, intervention, new trial, etc.) | $86.00 |
| Register foreign judgment | $247.00 |
| Expunction of records | $252.00 |
| Tax suit | $217.00 |
Justice of the Peace Filing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Filing fee | $54.00 |
| Service fee (per person, Coryell County) | $100.00 |
| Writ of possession filing | $5.00 |
| Writ of possession service | $200.00 |
Civil records are maintained by the clerk of the court where the case was heard. Requesters must provide a case number or party name to locate files. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee at the District Clerk’s office.
Justice of the Peace Courts
| Precinct | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | Gatesville area | (254) 865-5911 (courthouse) |
| Precinct 2 | 201 S 2nd St, Copperas Cove, TX 76522 | (254) 547-6517 |
| Precinct 3 | Gatesville area | Contact via courthouse |
| Precinct 4 | Gatesville area | Contact via courthouse |
Clerks to the JP courts: Tonya Sheldon handles Precincts 1 and 2 at (254) 547-5993. Precinct 3 and 4 clerk inquiries can be directed to jp3clerk@coryellcountytx.gov.
Property Records
The County Clerk’s Recording Department maintains deeds, liens, titles, and other property instruments. In-person inspection is available during business hours at 620 East Main Street. The Coryell Central Appraisal District provides an online Property Search portal where users can look up properties by owner name, address, or property ID. Results include valuations, deed history, tax jurisdiction, and ARB data. An interactive GIS map is also available for parcel-level research.
Coryell County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorces, child custody, child support, termination of parental rights, adoptions, juvenile cases, protective orders, and mental commitments — are handled by the County Court at Law under its statutory jurisdiction outlined in Section 25.0522 of the Texas Government Code. The 52nd and 440th District Courts also hear family cases, particularly contested divorces and suits affecting the parent-child relationship.
Family Case Filing Fees (District Clerk)
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce (no service) | $259.00 |
| Divorce with citation and Sheriff service | $347.00 |
| Divorce with TRO/show cause | $440.00 |
| Suit affecting parent-child relationship (SAPCR) | $244.00 |
| Adoption (adult or child) | $244.00 |
| Termination of parental rights | $244.00 |
| Name change | $244.00 |
| Family motions (modify, contempt, transfer, enforce) | $51.00–$81.00 |
| Protective order (paid by respondent upon court order) | $257.00 |
| Jury trial request | $40.00 |
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
The County Clerk issues marriage licenses. A standard license costs $75.00. Applicants who have completed the Texas premarital education course under Section 2.013 of the Family Code pay a reduced fee of $21.00. Active-duty military members pay no fee. There is a 72-hour waiting period from the time of application, which is waived for those who completed the premarital course or who obtain a court waiver.
Once the marriage ceremony has taken place, the executed license must be returned to the County Clerk within 30 days for recording. It can be mailed to:
Coryell County Clerk
P.O. Box 237
Gatesville, TX 76528
After recording, the license is returned to the couple as an official marriage certificate. Additional certified copies can be requested from the County Clerk or through the county’s online vital records platform.
Birth and Death Records
The County Clerk’s Vital Records Division maintains birth and death records from 1904 to the present. Certified copies are available to eligible requesters — the person named on the record, a parent, grandparent, spouse, child, legal guardian, or authorized legal representative. A valid photo ID and documentation proving the relationship to the record subject are required.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate (long or short form) | $23.00 per copy |
| Certified death certificate (first copy) | $21.00 |
| Each additional death certificate (same request) | $4.00 |
Texas law limits each individual to a maximum of ten birth certificate copies in their lifetime. The long-form birth certificate reflects all amendments and is typically required for passport and dual-citizenship applications. The short-form contains only current information and is generally used for employment and driver’s license purposes.
Requests can be made in person at 620 East Main Street, by mail to P.O. Box 237, Gatesville, TX 76528, or online through the Coryell County vital records ordering system. Online orders may incur additional convenience fees.
Coryell County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Coryell County belongs to the County Court at Law, which handles wills, estate administration, guardianships of incapacitated persons, mental health cases, and mental health assessments. The County Clerk’s probate division files and retrieves court documents, maintains case dockets, and processes judgments and orders arising from these proceedings.
To request probate records, visit the County Clerk’s office at 620 East Main Street during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM). Provide the decedent’s name or the case number to the probate clerk. Copies of probate documents follow the standard fee schedule: $1.00 per page for regular copies, with an additional $5.00 for certification.
The County Court at Law’s probate jurisdiction extends to:
- Estates of deceased persons — including will contests, heirship determinations, and administration of intestate estates
- Guardianships — appointment and oversight of guardians for incapacitated adults and minors who have received property
- Mental health commitments — court-ordered treatment and temporary detention hearings
- Trust matters that fall within statutory county court jurisdiction
Probate case information may also be accessible through the County Clerk’s online systems or the statewide re:SearchTX platform, depending on the case type and filing date. For specific questions about probate filing requirements or the status of a pending estate, contact the County Clerk’s office at (254) 865-5911 ext. 143 or email county_clerk@coryellcounty.org.