Ector County Court Records Search
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Ector County sits in the heart of the Permian Basin in West Texas, with Odessa serving as the county seat. The county’s court system includes five judicial district courts—the 70th, 161st, 244th, 358th, and 446th—along with two County Courts at Law, a Constitutional County Court, four Justice of the Peace courts, and the Odessa Municipal Court. Two separate clerk offices maintain court records: the District Clerk handles filings for the district courts, while the County Clerk is custodian of records for the County Courts at Law, the Constitutional County Court, and all vital records. Together, these offices manage a substantial volume of criminal, civil, family, and probate case files.
For those searching for court records in Texas, a practical starting point is the clerk’s office responsible for the relevant case type. Records can be searched through public access terminals at the Ector County Courthouse, the county’s online case portal, or by contacting clerks directly by phone or mail. TexasStateCourts.us may also help users identify publicly available court case information across the state. The state judiciary’s electronic filing system and the Ector County ePortal provide additional avenues for locating docket entries, hearing schedules, and case status updates.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Ector County?
Ector County offers online, in-person, and mail-based options for locating court records. The method depends on which court heard the case and the level of detail needed.
Online Search
The Ector County ePortal is the primary tool for searching court records electronically. It provides free access to case indexes, docket entries, hearing calendars, and judicial officer information. Users can search by:
- Party name (first and last name)
- Business name
- Attorney name or bar number
- Case number
- Judicial officer
Free access covers docket information and case indexes. Viewing digital document images requires a registered subscription through the District Clerk’s Office. Annual subscription fees are:
- $100 per individual attorney
- $250 per law firm or approved agency/organization
- Pro-rated fees of $50/$125 are available beginning each July
Subscription payments are directed to the Ector County District Clerk, 300 North Grant Avenue, Room 301, Odessa, TX 79761.
The Odyssey Jail Search tool provides current inmate and booking data through the same portal system.
In-Person Search
Walk-in visitors can use public access computer terminals at the Ector County Courthouse during business hours at no charge for viewing digital records. Fees apply only when obtaining copies of documents.
Ector County Courthouse
Address: 300 North Grant Avenue, Odessa, TX 79761
| Office | Room | Phone | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| District Clerk | 301 | (432) 498-4290 | District court filings (civil, family, criminal) |
| County Clerk | 111 | (432) 498-4130 | County court, probate, vital records, land records |
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3 | 208 | (432) 498-4203 | Small claims, evictions, JP cases |
Office hours for the County Clerk are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The District Clerk’s office can be reached during standard business hours Monday through Friday.
Mail Requests
Written requests should be sent to the appropriate clerk. A Public Records Request Form is available for download. To request records by mail:
- Complete the request form or write a letter identifying the case by party name, case number, and case type
- Include payment by check, money order, or credit card for applicable fees
- Mail to the relevant clerk’s office with a return envelope
Copy and Service Fees (District Clerk, effective January 1, 2024)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies | $1.00 per page |
| Digital/electronic copies | $0.10 per page (minimum $1.00 per document) |
| Certified copies (additional) | $5.00 each |
| Exemplified copies (additional) | $5.00 each |
| Civil or criminal records search | $5.00 each |
All fees are set by Texas state statute and are nonrefundable regardless of the outcome of any proceeding.
Are Court Records Public in Ector County?
Texas law creates a strong presumption that court records are open to public inspection. Rule 76a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure provides that court records are presumed open and may be sealed only upon a showing that a specific, serious, and substantial interest outweighs the presumption of openness, that no less restrictive means exist, and that sealing will effectively protect the interest asserted. The rule applies to all documents filed in connection with court proceedings and to settlement agreements in cases that have a probable adverse effect on public health or safety.
Separately, Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code—the Texas Public Information Act—establishes the public’s right to inspect and copy government records. Any person may request records, and no justification or stated purpose is required.
Records Generally Open to the Public
- Criminal case dockets and dispositions
- Civil complaints, motions, orders, and judgments
- Divorce decrees and family law orders (unless sealed)
- Probate filings, including wills admitted to probate
- Marriage license records
- Land and property records
- Court calendars and hearing schedules
Records That Are Restricted or Sealed
- Records sealed by court order under Rule 76a
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
- Adoption records
- Arrest records of defendants found factually innocent
- Grand jury proceedings
- Records subject to nondisclosure orders under Texas Government Code Chapter 411
- Birth certificates (confidential for 75 years from date of filing)
- Death certificates (confidential for 25 years from date of filing)
Attorneys and parties filing documents are responsible for redacting Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive personal data before submission. The District Clerk’s office has published an administrative order (CPRC § 141.006) addressing the sealing of unredacted records.
Ector County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Ector County are adjudicated in the district courts (felonies and appeals from lower courts), the County Courts at Law (misdemeanors), the Justice of the Peace courts (Class C misdemeanors and certain traffic offenses), and the Odessa Municipal Court (city ordinance violations). The District Clerk maintains records for all district court criminal matters, while the County Clerk handles records for the County Courts at Law.
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal docket information can be searched at no cost through the Ector County ePortal. To search for a criminal case:
- Navigate to the ePortal dashboard
- Select “District Clerk” and then “Public Index of Court Records and Hearings”
- Use the Smart Search or Advanced Filtering options
- Under Case Search Criteria, select the criminal case type and desired case status
- Enter the defendant’s name, case number, or other identifying details
Criminal records can also be requested in person at the District Clerk’s Criminal Office or the County Clerk’s Office, or by mail using the procedures described above. The records search fee is $5.00. Copy fees follow the standard schedule.
Arrest and Booking Records
The Ector County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and booking data. The Sheriff’s Office charges the following fees for records:
- In-person immigration background check: $10.00
- Mailed immigration background check: $15.00
- Records and data sheets: $5.00
The Sheriff’s Office administration is located at 2500 US-385 South, Odessa, TX 79760, and can be reached at (432) 335-3050. Administration hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Detention Center operates 24 hours a day. Current inmate information is available through the Jail Records Search portal.
Expungement and Nondisclosure
Individuals seeking to clear their criminal records may pursue expunction (under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure) or an order of nondisclosure (under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter E-1). The District Clerk’s office provides an Expunction Agencies Email List and Nondisclosure Forms on its website. A Petition for an Order of Nondisclosure form is also available through the County Clerk.
Ector County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Ector County is divided among several courts depending on the amount in controversy and subject matter. The five district courts share jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts above the County Court at Law threshold. The County Courts at Law have concurrent jurisdiction with the district courts in certain civil matters. Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims and forcible entry and detainer (eviction) cases.
Filing Fees
Filing fees for civil suits are established by state statute. The current fee schedule for the District Clerk (effective January 1, 2024) and the County Clerk includes:
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Office |
|---|---|---|
| New civil/family suit (District Court) | $350.00 | District Clerk |
| Subsequent actions (counterclaim, intervention, etc.) | $80.00 | District Clerk |
| New civil suit (County Court) | $350.00 | County Clerk |
| Counterclaim (County Court) | $120.00 | County Clerk |
| Occupational driver’s license | $350.00 | County Clerk |
| Suit for nondisclosure | $350.00 | County Clerk |
| Summary judgment motion | $50.00 | District Clerk |
Additional costs apply for sheriff’s service ($100.00 for personal service, $200.00 for writs), District Clerk issuances ($8.00 each), and postage at actual USPS rates.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records from the district courts can be searched through the ePortal using the Smart Search function with the case type set to “Civil”. County Court at Law civil records are also accessible through the same portal. The County Clerk’s Courts Public Portal provides a separate self-service interface for searching County Clerk records.
The District Clerk’s office is also developing a new Online Digital Search Platform for historic court record index books, which will eventually cover civil file docket, fee, and minute index books dating back to the founding of Ector County.
E-Filing
E-filing is mandatory for all attorneys filing civil, family, probate, or criminal cases in Texas district and county courts. Documents must be submitted through eFileTexas.gov. Self-represented litigants may also e-file but are not required to do so. For technical assistance, the Ector County District Clerk’s office provides e-filing rules, information, and FAQs.
Ector County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Ector County are heard in the district courts and the County Courts at Law, which share concurrent jurisdiction in family matters under Texas Government Code Section 25.0702. The District Clerk maintains all family law filings for the district courts. Case types include divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, protective orders, and suits affecting the parent-child relationship (SAPCR).
Divorce
Divorce petitions are filed with the District Clerk (for district court cases) or the County Clerk (for County Court at Law cases). The filing fee for a new divorce or custody suit is $350.00. Modification, enforcement, contempt, and other post-decree motions cost $80.00. A self-represented litigant form for requesting a final divorce hearing is available from the District Clerk’s forms page.
Effective September 1, 2021, a Record of Support Order form is required with all child support orders and is available from the District Clerk. The Child Support Program of the Office of the Attorney General provides additional enforcement resources.
Protective Orders
Petitions for protective orders carry a $366.00 filing fee ($350.00 plus $16.00), but all fees are assessed against the respondent rather than the petitioner. These cases are governed by Texas Family Code § 81.003.
Adoption
Adoption cases are filed through the County Courts at Law. Additional external fees in adoption suits include $47.00 for each adopted child’s birth certificate (payable to the Texas Department of Vital Statistics), a $15.00 Central Adoption Registry fee, and the cost of a court-appointed home study.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk’s Office. Both applicants must appear together with valid photo identification and proof of age. The key requirements and fees:
- Standard license fee: $82.00
- Reduced fee with Twogether in Texas premarital counseling certificate: $22.00
- Additional $100.00 if neither applicant is a Texas resident
- 72-hour waiting period after issuance (waived for active military or those with premarital counseling certificate)
- License valid for 90 days from date of purchase
- Certified copies of recorded marriage licenses: $21.00 each
- Marriage certificates will not be issued after 4:00 PM
Applications may be submitted in person during business hours or by mail. The office is located at 300 North Grant Avenue, Room 111, Odessa, TX 79760, Phone: (432) 498-4130
Birth and Death Records
The County Clerk also serves as the local registrar of vital records for Ector County. Birth records are available from 1903 to the present for Ector County events, and from 1926 to the present for births that occurred elsewhere in Texas. Death records date from 1903 for Ector County events.
- Birth certificate: $23.00 per certified copy
- Death certificate: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 each additional copy requested simultaneously
- Birth records are confidential for 75 years; death records for 25 years
- Only qualified applicants (the registrant, immediate family, or legal representative) may obtain certified copies
Applications may be made in person or by mail. Mail requests should include a copy of the applicant’s photo identification, correct mailing address, telephone number, and a money order or cashier’s check for the appropriate fee. Send to: Ector County Clerk, P.O. Box 707, Odessa, TX 79760.
Ector County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Ector County is exercised by the Constitutional County Court and the two County Courts at Law, with the County Clerk serving as custodian of all probate filings. The courts handle estate administration, the probate and contest of wills, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and related proceedings. Contested probate cases may be transferred between courts under a standing order available on the County Courts at Law page.
Probate Filing Fees
The County Clerk’s civil and probate fee schedule sets out the following charges:
| Proceeding | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate with posting | $468.00 |
| Probate transfer (no posting) | $360.00 |
| Small estate affidavit & order | $360.00 |
| Temporary guardianship (includes personal service) | $468.00 |
| Permanent guardianship (includes posting & personal service) | $576.00 |
| Mental health | $518.00 |
| Chemical dependent | $518.00 |
| Judgment nisi / suit for bond forfeiture (includes 1 citation/service) | $458.00 |
Subsequent probate filings carry additional fees: contests and adverse probate actions are $120.00; inventories filed after 90 days, annual accounts, final accounts, and applications to sell real or personal property are $25.00 each; annual reports, final reports, and claims are $10.00; and a judge’s signature fee of $2.00 applies.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched through the Courts Public Portal maintained by the County Clerk. A probate record search with certificate costs $5.00. In-person visitors can review records at the County Clerk’s Office during regular business hours. For mail inquiries, contact:
Ector County Clerk
Address: 300 North Grant Avenue, Room 111, Odessa, TX 79760
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 707, Odessa, TX 79760
Phone: (432) 498-4130
Fax: (432) 498-4177
Email: EctorCountyClerk.Probate@ectorcountytx.gov
Copy fees follow the same schedule as other County Clerk records: $1.00 per page for paper copies, $0.10 per page for electronic copies (after the first 10 pages at $1.00 each), plus $5.00 for certification or $10.00 for exemplification.
Guardianship Resources
The County Courts at Law maintain appointment lists for guardians ad litem, probate ad litem attorneys, mediation providers, and mental health professionals. These lists are published on the County Courts at Law page. Individuals can also search for attorneys who are Guardian Ad Litem Certified through the state certification directory linked from the same page.