Erath County, Texas Court Records
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Erath County sits in the north-central part of Texas, with Stephenville serving as the county seat. The county court system includes a district court, a constitutional county court, a county court at law, justice of the peace courts across four precincts, and municipal courts in both Stephenville and Dublin. Each court generates its own records — case filings, judgments, orders, dockets, and supporting documents — all maintained by designated clerks under Texas law.
Finding these records usually comes down to knowing which court handled the matter, who holds the records, and which search tools are available. The Texas Judicial Branch administers the statewide court system and provides guidance on court jurisdictions and public access policies. TexasStateCourts.us can help you identify the right court for a specific matter and navigate official clerk resources across Texas counties. Erath County records can be searched online through several portals, accessed via public terminals at clerk offices, or requested in person or by mail.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Erath County?
Where you start depends on the type of case. District court records — covering felony criminal matters, civil cases, and family law proceedings like divorce — are maintained by the District Clerk. County court records covering misdemeanors, probate, and civil claims fall under the County Clerk's office. For small claims, traffic matters, and minor misdemeanors, look to the Justice of the Peace court in the relevant precinct.
Erath County has consolidated online access through a single portal. The Erath County Public Access Portal, powered by Tyler Technologies' Odyssey system, lets you search jail records, jail bond records, and related case information without visiting the courthouse. For civil, family, and district court cases, re:SearchTX offers a statewide search tool that includes Erath County records alongside filings from courts across Texas. You can search by name, case number, or filing date.
For in-person records requests, the primary clerk offices are:
District Clerk Wanda Greer
Address: Donald R. Jones Justice Center, 298 S. Graham, Stephenville, TX 76401
Phone: (254) 965-1486
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
County Clerk Gwinda Jones
Address: Erath County Annex III, 222 E. College Street, Stephenville, TX 76401
Phone: (254) 965-1482 (General) | (254) 965-1412 (Vital Records)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Document copy requests sent to the District Clerk may be directed to dcrecords@co.erath.tx.us. For the County Clerk's office, requests can be submitted during open hours or by mail to the address above. Certified copies carry a $5.00 certification fee on top of the $1.00 per-page copy cost.
Are Court Records Public in Erath County?
Texas law generally makes court records available to the public. Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, known as the Texas Public Information Act, gives any person the right to request access to government records — including court documents — without having to explain why. Agencies that hold those records must respond to written requests within ten business days, and they must either provide the records, ask for clarification, or seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General if they believe an exception applies.
That said, certain categories of court records are withheld under state or federal law. Common exemptions include:
- Juvenile court records, which are confidential under the Texas Family Code
- Adoption records and proceedings
- Records identifying crime victims, particularly in sexual assault cases
- Mental health commitment records
- Sealed court records or expunged criminal histories
- Documents containing personal financial information subject to redaction
- Internal court administration deliberations and personnel files for court officials
When a record is partially exempt, clerks will typically redact the protected portions rather than withhold the entire document. If you believe a lawful request has been improperly denied, you can seek a review from the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division.
For open records requests specifically involving law enforcement activity, the Erath County Sheriff's Office runs a separate process. Submit requests through the Erath County Sheriff's Office Open Records Portal. If the estimated cost of fulfilling a request exceeds $40.00, the Sheriff's Office will send a cost estimate before beginning work, and half of that amount must be paid in advance. Payment is accepted only by money order or cashier's check — not cash.
Erath County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Erath County are divided by severity between the District Court and the County Court at Law. The 266th Judicial District Court handles felony offenses and serious criminal matters requiring a grand jury indictment. The court sits at the Donald R. Jones Justice Center, with the District Clerk serving as custodian of all felony case records.
The Erath County Court at Law, also located at the Donald R. Jones Justice Center (298 S. Graham, Stephenville, TX 76401; Phone: (254) 965-1417), holds jurisdiction over Class A and Class B misdemeanors, criminal appeals from justice courts, and certain misdemeanor cases involving official misconduct. The County Clerk's Criminal Misdemeanor Records division maintains these filings.
Justice of the Peace courts handle Class C misdemeanors, which typically carry fines only and no jail time. These include minor traffic violations, public intoxication, and other low-level offenses.
Erath County Justice of the Peace Courts
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Precincts 1, 3 & 4 | Donald R. Jones Justice Center, 298 S. Graham, Stephenville, TX 76401 | (254) 965-1489 |
| Precinct 2 | 219 S. Grafton Street, Dublin, TX 76446 | (254) 445-2766 |
To search criminal case records online, the Erath County Public Access Portal provides jail and bond records. For a broader criminal history check, the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Search allows name-based searches for $1.00 per search credit (plus a 2.25% fee and $0.25 transaction fee). A name-based record check conducted offline through DPS costs $10.00. Arrest records and warrant information may also be obtained through the Erath County Sheriff's Office.
Erath County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Erath County are spread across multiple courts depending on the amount in controversy and the nature of the dispute. The 266th District Court has jurisdiction over general civil cases, civil equity matters, and complex commercial litigation where damages exceed $10,000. The County Court at Law handles civil cases and appeals from justice courts. Justice of the Peace courts serve as the venue for small claims involving amounts up to $20,000.
The District Clerk maintains all district-level civil filings, while the County Clerk handles civil cases at the county court level. The County Clerk's Civil Information page notes that civil cases at that level primarily deal with bond forfeitures on misdemeanor criminal matters.
Civil Filing Fees (County Clerk, effective January 1, 2022):
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil filing | $350.00 |
| Supplemental action in existing case | $80.00 |
| Garnishment after judgment | $15.00 |
| Abstract of judgment | $8.00 |
| Execution, order of sale, writ, or other process | $8.00 |
| Personal service / posting / certified mail | $75.00 each |
| Writ service | $150.00 |
| File search without docket number | $5.00 |
| Certified copy (base fee) | $5.00 |
| Copy per page | $1.00 |
For district court civil cases, the District Clerk collects filing fees separately. Updated civil filing fee schedules for the District Clerk are available directly from txcourts.gov. Copies requested from the District Clerk's office can be submitted to dcrecords@co.erath.tx.us. Payments for court fees and fines may also be made online through the county's payment portal.
Real property records — including deeds, liens, and deeds of trust — are maintained by the County Clerk's Land Records Department and can be searched online through the Erath County Land Records portal.
Erath County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Erath County — including divorce, child custody, child support, and termination of parental rights — fall within the jurisdiction of the 266th District Court. The District Clerk's office at the Donald R. Jones Justice Center is the official custodian of all family case records.
Divorce petitions and contested custody proceedings are filed with the District Clerk. The court's website notes a Pro-Se Divorce resource for parties who wish to represent themselves, accessible through the County Court at Law page, which links to relevant self-help materials.
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the County Clerk. Applicants must appear in person at the Erath County Annex III (222 E. College Street, Stephenville) during business hours. The standard marriage license fee is $81.00. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital counseling program qualify for a reduced fee of $21.00. An informal (common law) marriage license costs $46.00. Certified copies of a recorded marriage license are available for $21.00 each.
Vital records tied to family proceedings are also held by the County Clerk's Vital Records division (Phone: (254) 965-1412; Fax: (254) 965-5732):
- Birth certificates: $23.00 per certified copy. Requests require an in-person application form or mail-in application, a valid photo ID, and payment by check or money order payable to Erath County.
- Death certificates: $21.00 for the first certified copy; $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Verification of local birth, death, or marriage: $10.00 per record.
Mail-in requests for birth and death records should be directed to the Erath County Clerk, Vital Statistics, 222 East College Street, Stephenville, TX 76401.
Erath County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Erath County are administered through the County Clerk's office, with the constitutional county court presiding over all estate and guardianship cases. The probate court hears cases involving the administration of wills, intestate estates, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, and mental health commitments for county residents.
When a decedent leaves a valid Last Will and Testament, the executor must petition the court to have the will probated. The court reviews whether the will meets legal formalities, appoints the executor, and issues an Order Probating the Will. If a person dies without a will (intestate), the court appoints an administrator to manage the estate. Throughout administration, the County Clerk issues letters testamentary, letters of guardianship, citations, and other court-ordered documents.
Probate Filing Fees (Erath County Clerk, effective January 1, 2022):
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| New probate, guardianship, or mental health case | $360.00 |
| Supplemental adverse action or contest | $120.00 |
| Filing inventory and appraisement (after 90 days) | $25.00 |
| Approving and recording bond | $5.00 |
| Filing Annual or Final Account of Estate | $25.00 |
| Filing Application for Sale of Property | $25.00 |
| Annual or Final Report of guardian of person | $10.00 |
| Claim against estate | $10.00 |
| Letters testamentary/guardianship/administration | $2.00 |
| Deposit and safekeeping of will | $5.00 |
| Mail Service of Process | $75.00 |
Guardians of a person are required to file an Annual Report with the County Clerk each year from the date the original order was signed. Guardians of both the person and the estate must file the Annual Report and Annual Account on the same day. These reports must be notarized before submission and are held in the clerk's office for ten days before being forwarded to the judge for approval.
To request probate records, contact the Probate Records division directly:
Probate Records — Erath County Clerk
Address: 100 W. Washington Street, Stephenville, TX 76401
Phone: (254) 965-1428
Fax: (254) 434-2768
Include the case party name, filing date, and case number if known. Copies are available at $1.00 per page, with a $5.00 certification fee for certified documents. The Erath County Probate Information page provides additional guidance on the process and links to relevant court resources.