Fayette County Court Records Search
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Fayette County, Texas is a rural county in the Colorado River valley between Austin and Houston, with La Grange as the county seat. The county's judicial system spans several court tiers — from the 155th District Court at the top, through the Constitutional County Court and Justice of the Peace courts, down to municipal courts in Flatonia, La Grange, and Schulenburg. Each level produces its own categories of records, so knowing which court filed a particular case is the key first step in figuring out where to search and which clerk to contact.
For a broader look at how Texas's court system is organized statewide, TexasStateCourts.us is a useful reference. In Fayette County specifically, records can be searched through the clerk offices, a public computer terminal at the District Clerk's office, or by submitting written requests during business hours. There are currently no online public case lookup systems operated by the Fayette County courts, so most searches require direct contact with the appropriate clerk.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Fayette County?
Fayette County does not offer remote online access to court case records. The District Clerk's office operates a public computer terminal on-site during business hours — it covers cases open to the public but cannot be accessed from outside the office. All record requests must be made in person, by mail, or, for County Clerk matters, by email.
The two offices that handle the bulk of Fayette County court records are:
Fayette County District Clerk — Virginia Wied
Address: 151 North Washington Street, Room 102, La Grange, TX 78945
Phone: (979) 968-3548
Fax: (979) 968-2618
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon, 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed noon–1:00 p.m.)
Fayette County Clerk — Brenda Fietsam
Physical Address: 246 West Colorado Street, La Grange, TX 78945
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 59, La Grange, TX 78945
Phone: (979) 968-3251
Fax: (979) 968-8531
Email: county.clerk@co.fayette.tx.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.)
When submitting any request, include the full names of the parties, the case number if you have it, and the approximate filing date. The District Clerk accepts cash, check, or money order for over-the-counter transactions; credit cards are accepted only through the electronic filing platform. The County Clerk's recording fee schedule is $26.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page.
Attorneys and registered filers may submit pleadings and new cases electronically through eFile Texas. The District Clerk accepts only "Lead Documents" through the e-filing system — exhibits must be scanned directly behind the pleading they accompany, not submitted as separate attachments.
Are Court Records Public in Fayette County?
Court records in Texas are generally public under Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, which establishes that judicial records are open to public inspection and copying during working hours. Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code — the Texas Public Information Act — also governs access to records held by law enforcement agencies and county offices more broadly.
Several categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Rule 12 and applicable statutes:
- Judicial work products and draft opinions — Deliberative materials prepared by judges and court staff are not open to the public.
- Personnel records — Employment files for court employees are confidential.
- Home addresses and family information — Personal identifying details for judges and court personnel are protected.
- Records whose release would jeopardize individual security — Courts may withhold documents that pose a safety risk.
- Juvenile records — Cases involving minors are sealed under Texas Family Code provisions.
- Adoption records — Adoption proceedings are confidential and require a court order to access.
- Certain family violence records — Victim information and address data in protective order cases are routinely withheld.
Vital records — including birth and death certificates — carry their own access restrictions under Title 3 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, which limits certified copies to eligible individuals such as the subject, their parents, or authorized legal representatives.
Fayette County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Fayette County are filed in the 155th District Court, which is part of the 155th Judicial District comprising Austin and Fayette counties. The presiding judge is the Honorable Jeff R. Steinhauser. Misdemeanor criminal cases punishable by fines of not more than $500 or jail sentences of less than one year are handled in the Fayette County Constitutional County Court. Class C misdemeanors go to the Justice of the Peace courts and municipal courts.
155th District Court
Address: 151 North Washington Street, Room 201, La Grange, TX 78945
Phone: (979) 968-8500
Website: 155th Judicial District Court (local rules available here)
Appeals: 3rd Court of Appeals
The District Clerk's office files and maintains all felony criminal records. To request a specific case record, contact the clerk in person or by mail at Room 102. The public computer terminal at that office gives access to case summaries for cases open to the public, but no records can be viewed online from outside the office.
Arrest Records and Sheriff's Office
The Fayette County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement across the county's approximately 950 square miles and oversees the Fayette County Jail at 1646 North Jefferson Street, La Grange, TX 78945. The jail's average inmate population is approximately 45 individuals. For open records requests — including arrest records — contact Renee Moreland at (979) 968-5856 or download the Open Records Request Form from the Sheriff's Office website.
Sheriff's Office Main Number: (979) 968-5856
Fax: (979) 968-5080
Statewide Criminal History Records
For formal background checks, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) runs criminal history record searches through its Crime Records Division. A fingerprint-based criminal history check costs $15.00 through DPS; an additional $10.00 fingerprinting fee applies when using an authorized fingerprinting location. Name-based checks are available for certain purposes through the DPS FACT Clearinghouse, with a viewing fee of $1.00 per search.
Fayette County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Fayette County is divided across multiple court levels based on the amount in controversy and subject matter:
| Court | Civil Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| 155th District Court | All civil cases; no dollar cap |
| Constitutional County Court | Civil cases; shares jurisdiction with Justice Courts |
| Justice of the Peace Courts | Small claims and civil cases up to the applicable jurisdictional limit |
The District Clerk maintains records for civil cases filed in the 155th District Court, including contract disputes, tax suits, and condemnation proceedings. The County Clerk maintains records for civil cases heard in the Constitutional County Court.
Justice of the Peace Courts — Small Claims and Civil
Fayette County's Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims matters and civil suits within their jurisdiction. Each precinct serves a different geographic area of the county:
| Precinct | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | 1646 North Jefferson Street, La Grange, TX 78945 | (979) 968-3648 |
| Precinct 2 | P.O. Box 458, Fayetteville, TX 78940 | (979) 378-2573 |
| Precinct 3 | P.O. Box A, Flatonia, TX 78941 | (361) 865-3500 |
| Precinct 4 | 312 Paulus Street, Schulenburg, TX 78956 | (979) 743-4041 |
A self-help guide for filing a small claims case and a civil information packet are available on the Fayette County website for individuals who want to file without an attorney.
Property Records
The County Clerk's office maintains deed records, deeds of trust, and other official real estate instruments. Deed records can be searched online through the County Clerk's EdocTec records portal by grantor or grantee name. Records can also be requested by email at county.clerk@co.fayette.tx.us.
The Fayette County Appraisal District maintains appraisal and tax assessment records. Their online property search tool is available at esearch.fayettecad.org, and the district can be reached by phone at (979) 968-8383.
Fayette County Family Court Records
All family law matters in Fayette County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, termination of parental rights, and adoptions — go through the 155th District Court. The District Clerk maintains these records, and you can request them in person at Room 102 of the courthouse during regular business hours.
Divorce Records
Divorce proceedings are filed with the District Clerk. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, bring a valid photo ID when you visit. For statewide divorce verification letters — available to immediate family members of the subject — the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section maintains an index of Texas divorces. Submit the Mail Application for Marriage or Divorce Record (VS-142.9) with a $20.00 fee and a valid photo ID. The divorce application index is also searchable by year on the DSHS website.
Marriage Records
The County Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Certified copies of marriage licenses are available only to the individuals named on the license. To request one, complete the Marriage License — Certified Copy Application Form and submit it in person or by mail with a valid photo ID and $7.00 per copy. Mail requests must also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
The DSHS Vital Statistics Section also issues marriage verification letters using the same $20.00 application process described above for divorce records, with the same eligibility requirements for immediate family members.
Birth and Death Records
The County Clerk's office maintains birth and death records for events occurring in Fayette County. The Birth Certificate Request by Mail form and Death Certificate Request by Mail form are both available on the County Clerk's website. Mail requests require a valid photo ID, a $23.00 fee, and an original notarized proof of identification. In-person requests during business hours are also accepted.
State-level certified copies of birth and death records are available through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section. Access to these records is governed by Title 3 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and Chapter 552 of the Government Code, which restrict certified copies to eligible parties such as the subject, their parents, and authorized legal representatives.
Fayette County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Fayette County belongs to the Fayette County Constitutional County Court, which hears matters involving wills, estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. As of July 17, 2006, the County Clerk also began accepting e-filing for civil, probate, and guardianship matters.
All probate case records are filed with and maintained by the Fayette County Clerk's Office. To access a probate record, you have a few options:
- Visit the County Clerk's office in person at 246 West Colorado Street, La Grange, TX 78945, during regular business hours.
- Submit a written or email request to county.clerk@co.fayette.tx.us, identifying the decedent or ward by full name and approximate date of filing.
- For deed records related to estate property, use the online EdocTec records search portal to locate instruments recorded in the official public records.
The Constitutional County Court's contact information mirrors the County Clerk's office:
Fayette County Constitutional County Court
Address: 246 West Colorado Street, P.O. Box 59, La Grange, TX 78945
Phone: (979) 968-3251
Fax: (979) 968-8531
Probate records are generally public under Rule 12 and the Texas Public Information Act, with the exception of sealed or confidential portions of guardianship cases involving minors or individuals whose personal information warrants protection. Call the County Clerk's office before visiting to confirm document availability, copy fees, and any identification requirements for the specific type of probate record you need.