Freestone County Court Records Search
TexasStateCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on TexasStateCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Freestone County, Texas, centered in the city of Fairfield, operates a multi-tiered court system that handles felony criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, probate proceedings, and lower-level offenses across several distinct courts. Court records — which include petitions, motions, complaints, orders, dockets, and judgments — are created and maintained by the relevant clerk for each court and generally stand as public documents. Whether you need a certified copy of a final divorce decree, background on a civil judgment, or confirmation of an estate filing, the process starts with identifying which court and which clerk holds the record you need.
In Texas, court records can be located through official clerk offices, public-access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools. TexasStateCourts.us may help users find publicly available case information across all 254 Texas counties. For Freestone County specifically, the District Clerk handles felony and major civil records, while the County Clerk is responsible for misdemeanors, probate, and vital records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Freestone County?
Where you start your search depends entirely on the type of case you're looking for. The table below maps common case types to the correct record custodian:
| Case Type | Record Custodian |
|---|---|
| Felony criminal, major civil, divorce | District Clerk |
| Misdemeanors, probate, vital records | County Clerk |
| Small claims, evictions, Class C misdemeanors | Justice of the Peace Clerk (relevant precinct) |
| City ordinance violations | Municipal Court Clerk (Fairfield, Teague, or Wortham) |
Online Search
The statewide re:SearchTX portal, operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration, is the main online resource for Freestone County case information. It covers civil cases from district, county, and justice courts across all 254 Texas counties, and you can use it to view upcoming hearings and case documents. A free subscription plan is available. Freestone County also maintains an Official Records Search Portal through the County Clerk's office for property-related and recorded document searches. An index-only remote access option is also available at QuickLink for Freestone County.
In-Person Access
If you prefer to search in person, bring the case number or the full legal name of a party — this will speed things up considerably. Both the District Clerk and County Clerk are located in or near the Freestone County Courthouse in Fairfield.
Freestone County District Clerk — Teresa Black
| Address | 118 East Commerce, 4th Floor, Fairfield, TX 75840 |
|---|---|
| Mailing | P.O. Box 722, Fairfield, TX 75840 |
| Phone | (903) 389-2534 |
| Fax | (903) 389-8421 |
| Hours | Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. / 1:00–5:00 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. / 12:30–4:30 p.m. |
Freestone County Clerk — Renee Gregory
| Address | 103 East Main Street, Fairfield, TX 75840 |
|---|---|
| Mailing | P.O. Box 1010, Fairfield, TX 75840 |
| Phone | (903) 389-2635 |
| Fax | (903) 389-6956 |
| renee.gregory@co.freestone.tx.us | |
| Hours | Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
Are Court Records Public in Freestone County?
Texas court records are presumptively open to the public, but access is regulated by court rules rather than the Texas Public Information Act — the judiciary is specifically exempt from the PIA's provisions. Instead, access is controlled primarily by Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, which requires that judicial records be open for inspection and copying during regular business hours unless a specific restriction applies.
The following categories of court records are commonly restricted or sealed in Texas:
- Juvenile records — Confidential by statute to protect the privacy of minors
- Adoption records — Sealed under Texas Family Code provisions
- Mental health commitment records — Protected from general disclosure
- Sealed case files — Any record a judge has ordered closed by court order
- Grand jury proceedings — Not subject to public inspection
- Certain sensitive personal data — Including portions of records containing Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personally identifying information subject to redaction under court rules
Standard court record copy fees in Freestone County are $1.00 per page for plain copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies. If you can't provide a case number, be aware that a search fee may apply if locating the record requires significant staff time.
Freestone County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Freestone County is divided by offense level. The 77th District Court and 87th District Court share concurrent jurisdiction over felony criminal matters in Freestone County under Texas Government Code § 24.179. The County Court handles Class A and Class B misdemeanor prosecutions. Class C misdemeanors — including traffic offenses and minor violations — are adjudicated by the Justice of the Peace courts and municipal courts.
Freestone County District Courts
| Address | 118 East Commerce, Room 401, Fairfield, TX 75840 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (903) 389-4836 |
| Fax | (903) 389-0422 |
The District Clerk maintains all felony case files — including indictments, information filings, plea records, judgments, and sentencing orders. The District Clerk also maintains a list of expunction procedures and fees for individuals seeking to have qualifying criminal records cleared. Jury duty information is handled through the District Clerk's office as well; the jury hotline is (903) 389-1013, ext. 235.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Freestone County are maintained by the Freestone County Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Jeremy Shipley. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement countywide and manages the county jail. Open records requests for arrest and law enforcement records should be submitted by email to fcsorecords@co.freestone.tx.us.
Freestone County Sheriff's Office
| Address | 103 S. Keechi Street, Fairfield, TX 75840 |
|---|---|
| Mailing | P.O. Drawer 47, Fairfield, TX 75840 |
| Phone | (903) 389-3236 |
| Fax | (903) 389-5730 |
| Open Records Email | fcsorecords@co.freestone.tx.us |
Keep in mind that arrest records reflect charges filed at the time of booking and do not indicate a finding of guilt or final case disposition.
Freestone County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Freestone County is tiered by the amount in controversy:
- District Court (77th and 87th) — Handles major civil cases, including contract disputes, personal injury, property litigation, and civil matters generally above the County Court's threshold.
- County Court — Handles civil cases within its concurrent civil jurisdiction.
- Justice of the Peace Courts — Handle small claims and civil disputes up to $20,000, exclusive of interest and court costs, under Texas Government Code § 27.031.
Small Claims in Freestone County
Small claims and justice civil suits are filed at the Justice of the Peace court in the precinct where the defendant resides or where the contract was to be performed. The filing fee is $54.00, plus a service fee of $100.00 for defendants served within Freestone County. Eviction suits must be filed in the JP court for the precinct where the property is located. The small claims court can award only monetary damages, and clerks are prohibited by law from providing legal advice to either party.
Freestone County has four Justice of the Peace precincts:
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1
| Address | 440 East Main Street, Suite 1, Fairfield, TX 75840 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (903) 389-8783 |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2
| Address | 800 Main Street, Teague, TX 75860 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (254) 739-2518 |
| Fax | (254) 739-0939 |
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3
| Address | 440 East Main Street, Suite 3, Fairfield, TX 75840 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (903) 389-3137 |
| Fax | (903) 389-9409 |
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4
| Address | 800 Main Street, Teague, TX 75860 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (254) 739-2518 |
| Fax | (254) 739-0939 |
Accessing Civil Records Online
The re:SearchTX portal provides online case summaries for civil cases filed in the District and County Courts. The Freestone County Official Records Search Portal covers property-related civil documents recorded with the County Clerk, including deeds, liens, and mortgages. For historical land records from 1851 to 1959, you can submit requests by email to copydesk@co.freestone.tx.us.
Freestone County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, child support, and adoption cases in Freestone County fall under the jurisdiction of the District Court. The District Clerk at 118 East Commerce maintains all family law case files, including divorce decrees, custody orders, child support orders, and adoption records.
Divorce Records
Divorce filings in Freestone County are handled by the District Court and maintained by the District Clerk. Because divorce is a civil proceeding in Texas, divorce records are generally public unless the court has sealed specific documents or portions containing sensitive personal information. To get a copy of a divorce decree or related case file, visit the District Clerk's office in person or submit a written request by mail to P.O. Box 722, Fairfield, TX 75840. Standard copy fees apply: $1.00 per page for plain copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Freestone County Clerk and are public records under Texas law. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage record, visit the County Clerk's office at 103 East Main Street or order online through the County Clerk's Request for Vital Records Portal. Each certified copy of a marriage certificate costs $7.00.
Birth and Death Records
Freestone County birth and death certificates are maintained by the County Clerk's office as part of the county's vital records inventory. Under Texas Health & Safety Code § 191.051, access to birth records is restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and individuals with a demonstrated legal interest. Death certificates carry similar access restrictions. Requesters must submit a completed Birth/Death Application Form along with an acceptable form of identification. Applications may be submitted in person at the County Clerk's office or by mail to P.O. Box 1010, Fairfield, TX 75840. Online orders are also available through the Vital Records Portal.
Vital Records Fees:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $23.00 per copy |
| Death Certificate (first copy) | $21.00 |
| Death Certificate (each additional copy, same order) | $4.00 |
Freestone County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Freestone County rests with the County Court, and all probate case files are maintained by the Freestone County Clerk. Probate proceedings in Freestone County cover estate administration, probate of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, and conservatorships.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate records are generally public documents and can be inspected in person at the County Clerk's office at 103 East Main Street, Fairfield. To help staff locate the file, bring the full name of the decedent or ward along with an approximate filing date. Copies are available at the standard rates of $1.00 per page for plain copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies. Mail requests should go to P.O. Box 1010, Fairfield, TX 75840.
The Freestone County Official Records Search Portal may include index-level information for some probate-related documents recorded with the County Clerk, such as letters testamentary and related instruments. For a broader index search, the QuickLink remote access system provides 24-hour internet-based access to index records held by the County Clerk as an alternative to visiting the courthouse in person.
Confidentiality in Probate
While most estate administration records are public, certain probate documents involving guardianships for incapacitated adults or mental health-related proceedings may be subject to confidentiality restrictions. In those cases, access is limited to the parties of record, their legal representatives, and persons authorized by court order. Ask the County Clerk's staff whether a specific record is public or restricted before submitting your request — they can advise you before any processing begins.