Hale County, Texas Court Records
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Hale County maintains court records through two district courts and a constitutional county court, supported by Justice of the Peace courts spread across the county's precincts. Those records cover criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law, probate proceedings, and traffic cases — including witness testimony logs, case dockets, exhibits, court orders, judgments, and every document filed with the appropriate clerk during and after a legal proceeding. Before you submit any request, figure out which court and which clerk's office holds the records you need. That single step will save you significant time.
You can access Hale County court case information in several ways: visit a clerk's office in person, mail a written request, or use online search tools. TexasStateCourts.us is a useful reference for navigating Texas's court system and can help you locate publicly available case information across the state's counties and districts.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hale County?
Hale County's court records are divided between two clerk's offices depending on the court level. The District Clerk holds records for the 64th and 242nd District Courts, while the County Clerk holds records for the Constitutional County Court, probate proceedings, and vital records. Knowing which office to contact first saves a trip.
Online Case Search — Hale County Public Access Portal:
Start your remote search at the Hale County Odyssey Public Access portal, powered by Tyler Technologies. From a single interface you can search all courts by party name, case number, or attorney name, and filter results across criminal records, civil and probate records, the court calendar, jail records, jail bond records, and law enforcement incident records.
Hale County Court Locations:
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64th District Court | 225 Broadway, Suite 5, Plainview, TX 79072 | (806) 291-5234 | (806) 291-5236 |
| 242nd District Court | 225 Broadway, Suite 3, Plainview, TX 79072 | (806) 291-5254 | (806) 291-5304 |
| Constitutional County Court | 500 Broadway, Suite 140, Plainview, TX 79072 | (806) 291-5261 | (806) 291-9810 |
| Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 | 500 Broadway, Suite 10, Plainview, TX 79072 | (806) 291-5201 | (806) 291-5310 |
| Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 | P.O. Box 217, Abernathy, TX 79311 | (806) 757-2476 | (806) 757-2481 |
Clerk offices for record requests:
Hale County District Clerk
Address: Day, Boyd, LaFont Justice Center, 225 Broadway, Suite 4, Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226 | Fax: (806) 291-5206
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.)
Hale County Clerk's Office
Address: 500 Broadway, Room 140, Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5261 | Fax: (806) 291-9810
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.)
Both offices welcome walk-in requests and can help you track down a specific case file. The District Clerk's office is fully paperless for civil, family, and criminal cases — scanned documents are treated as originals.
Are Court Records Public in Hale County?
Texas law sets a general presumption that government records are open to the public. Civil court records in Hale County are open for inspection under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, which classify them as public documents that anyone may examine and copy. A party can petition to seal specific records, but doing so requires a written motion showing that the need to protect a private interest clearly outweighs the public's right of access.
Criminal history records work under a separate, more restrictive framework. Under Chapter 66 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, criminal history record information is generally not available to the public unless expressly authorized by a federal law, state statute, or regulatory provision. That means criminal case dockets at the district court may appear on the public portal, but detailed criminal history compiled by law enforcement agencies is restricted.
The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code, Chapter 552) also applies broadly to government records, setting mandatory response timelines and identifying categories that are exempt from disclosure.
Records commonly restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile court records and proceedings involving minors
- Sealed court records closed by a judge's order
- Active law enforcement investigation files
- Mental health and substance abuse records
- Victim-identifying information in certain criminal cases
- Certain family violence case details
- Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates) restricted to authorized individuals only
Hale County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases are prosecuted in the 64th or 242nd District Court, both at the Justice Center on 225 Broadway in Plainview. Class A and B misdemeanors go to the Constitutional County Court. Class C misdemeanors — including traffic violations and failure-to-attend-school offenses — are handled by the Justice of the Peace courts.
Searching criminal case records:
The Hale County Odyssey Public Access portal is your best starting point for online criminal case searches. Select Criminal Records from the main menu, then search by defendant name, case number, or attorney. The portal also surfaces jail records and jail bond records, so you can check someone's current custody status at the same time you review their case history.
Arrest records and jail roster:
The Hale County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and runs the county jail. The current jail inmate roster is published on the Hale County website and updated regularly.
Hale County Sheriff's Office
Address: 1900 S. Columbia Street, Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 296-2724 | Fax: (806) 296-5725
E-filing for criminal cases:
The District Clerk's office accepts electronic filing for criminal cases through the state's eFiling system. Every eFiled submission must include a completed Civil/Criminal Process Form, available on the Hale County website. If you have questions about fee payment, call the District Clerk at (806) 291-5226 and have your online-payment confirmation number ready.
242nd District Court direct contact:
Phone: (806) 291-5254 | Fax: (806) 291-5304
Email: 242ndcourt@halecounty.org
Mail: 225 Broadway Street, Suite 3, Plainview, TX 79072
Hale County Civil Court Records
Larger monetary claims and complex legal disputes go to the 64th or 242nd District Courts. The Constitutional County Court handles civil matters within its jurisdictional limits. For disputes up to $10,000 (excluding statutory interest and court costs, but including attorney fees where applicable), the Justice of the Peace courts offer a more accessible, less formal venue.
Small claims at Justice of the Peace courts:
JP Precinct 1 and JP Precinct 3 both hear small claims cases, debt claim cases, and eviction proceedings. If you plan to file, downloadable forms are available on the Hale County website — including the Filing Form, Defendant's Original Answer, Appeal Bond Form, Oath of Surety, and Small Claims Court Procedures.
Searching civil case records:
Civil case records across all courts are searchable through the Hale County Public Access portal. Choose Civil & Probate Records to filter your results. For district court civil cases, you can also visit or contact the District Clerk's office in person; county court civil matters are held by the County Clerk's office.
Property records:
Real property records for Hale County are searchable through the Hale CAD Property Search, which covers property valuation, deed information, land and building details, tax data, and GIS mapping. The Hale County Appraisal District is located at 302 W. 8th Street, Plainview, TX 79072, and can be reached at (806) 293-4226. For additional property tax information, use the taxpayer portal at portal.halecad.org.
Hale County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, child support, termination of parental rights, adoptions, and protective orders are all filed in the 64th or 242nd District Courts. The District Clerk maintains every family case record and actively accepts eFiling for these case types.
Divorce records:
Divorce decrees and associated case files are generally public in Hale County. Search for them through the Hale County Public Access portal under Civil & Probate Records — enter a party name or case number to pull up docket entries, filed documents, and final orders. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, request it in person or by mail from the District Clerk's office at 225 Broadway, Suite 4, Plainview, TX 79072.
Child support cases:
The District Clerk's office works closely with the Texas Attorney General's office on child support enforcement. The District Clerk's website provides guidance on child support case procedures, Income Withholding for Support instructions, and blank forms for custodial parents, non-custodial parents, pro se parties, and attorneys.
Marriage records:
Marriage licenses and certified marriage records are managed by the Hale County Clerk, not the District Clerk. These are classified as vital records and are not open to general public inspection. Access is limited to the individuals named on the record, their immediate family members — including spouse, siblings, parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren — and legal representatives with documented proof of authority.
If you qualify, you can order certified copies of marriage certificates online through the Hale County Clerk's vital records ordering system. The fee is $10.00 per copy, plus a non-refundable $5.00 service and credit card processing fee. Online requests are processed during business hours: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You'll receive confirmation of an approved request by email.
Birth and death certificates:
Birth and death certificates are restricted vital records held by the County Clerk. The same eligibility rules apply — immediate family members and authorized legal representatives only.
- Certified birth certificates (available back to 1928): $23.00 per copy + $5.00 non-refundable service fee
- Certified death certificates (available back to 1930): $21.00 for the first copy; each additional copy $4.00 + $5.00 non-refundable service fee
All vital records requests require proof of valid identification. Submit your request through the Hale County Clerk's online ordering portal or in person at 500 Broadway, Room 140, Plainview, TX 79072. If the record you need isn't held locally, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section maintains statewide birth and death records and can process those requests as well.
Hale County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Hale County — covering estate administration, probate of wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters — are heard by the Constitutional County Court. County Clerk Christine Reynas's office at 500 Broadway, Room 140, files and maintains all probate case records.
Searching probate records:
Probate records are generally public and searchable online through the Hale County Public Access portal. Select Civil & Probate Records, filter by case type, then enter a party name, record number, or attorney to retrieve docket entries and, where available, filed documents.
In-person and mail requests:
For certified copies of probate orders, letters testamentary, guardianship appointments, or will admissions, contact the County Clerk's office. Provide the decedent's or ward's full name and approximate filing date to help staff locate the record quickly. Confirm copy fees and certification costs with the County Clerk's office directly at (806) 291-5261 before submitting your request.
Hale County Clerk's Office
Address: 500 Broadway, Room 140, Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5261 | Fax: (806) 291-9810
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Closed 12:00–1:00 p.m.)
The County Clerk's office processes all probate filings, records wills presented for probate, handles appointments of administrators and executors, and maintains ongoing estate administration records. Guardianship and conservatorship records — whether involving minor children or incapacitated adults — are also filed with the County Clerk and are searchable through the same public access portal.