Harrison County Court Records Search
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Harrison County is situated in northeast Texas, with the City of Marshall serving as the county seat. The county’s trial court structure includes the 71st District Court, a Constitutional County Court, a County Court at Law, four Justice of the Peace precincts, and municipal courts in Marshall, Hallsville, and Waskom. Most court offices operate out of the Harrison County Courthouse at 200 West Houston Street in Marshall, though some Justice of the Peace courts maintain separate locations across the county. Court records spanning criminal, civil, family, probate, and property matters are managed by the District Clerk and the County Clerk, depending on the type of case.
Those seeking court case information in Texas can access records through clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, official online portals, and state-level resources. TexasStateCourts.us provides links to statewide judicial resources, including the Texas Rules and Forms published by the Office of Court Administration, which may help users identify applicable rules, locate forms, and understand how court records are managed across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Harrison County?
The two primary clerk offices in Harrison County — the District Clerk and the County Clerk — each maintain records for different court divisions. Knowing which office to contact is the first step in locating a record.
Harrison County District Clerk
Maintains records for: Civil, family, child support, property tax suits, and adult felony cases.
Address: 200 West Houston Street, Suite 234, Marshall, TX 75670
Phone: (903) 935-8409
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Harrison County Clerk
Maintains records for: Civil, criminal, probate, mental health, and juvenile court matters, plus vital records, property records, and marriage licenses.
Address: 200 West Houston Street, Suite 143, P.O. Box 1365, Marshall, TX 75671
Phone: (903) 935-8403 ext. 1030
Fax: (903) 935-4877
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Online Case Search
Harrison County provides a public Odyssey Web Portal for searching judicial records. The portal offers separate search options for civil, family, and probate case records, criminal case records, court calendars, and jail records. Cases filed after 1987 are generally available through the portal. Search parameters include case number, party name, case status, and date.
The County Clerk’s office also provides a Kofile QuickLinks tool for searching recorded land documents, probate minutes, and other indexed records.
In-Person and Mail Requests
Both clerk offices accept in-person record requests during office hours. The District Clerk also accepts requests by phone, email, and fax. For large-volume requests or requests involving multiple case files, the District Clerk provides a dedicated request form for large volumes, with a 10-business-day turnaround requirement.
Copy Fees (District Clerk)
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-certified copies | $1.00 per page (paper or electronic) |
| Certified copies | $1.00 per page (paper only) |
Non-certified copies can be sent by mail, fax, or email. Certified copies must be picked up in person or mailed on paper. A convenience fee applies to all credit card transactions (minimum $2.00). Acceptable payments include cash, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), check, or money order payable to “Harrison County District Clerk”.
Are Court Records Public in Harrison County?
Court records in Harrison County are generally open to public inspection. The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 76a, governs access to court records and establishes the presumption that court records are public. Additionally, Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration provides a framework for public access to judicial records maintained by the courts, including procedures for responding to records requests.
It is important to note that the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552), which governs access to government records broadly, does not control access to court case records. Court records are instead governed by court rules and specific statutes.
Certain records or portions of records are restricted from public access:
- Sealed or expunged records — Records sealed by court order or expunged under Texas law are not available to the public.
- Juvenile records — Court proceedings involving minors are generally confidential.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and medical information are redacted from publicly available documents.
- Records classified as confidential by state or federal law — Certain statutory provisions restrict disclosure of specific record types.
- Records whose release could compromise pending proceedings — Documents that could undermine the administration of justice may be withheld.
Harrison County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Harrison County are prosecuted at different levels depending on the severity of the offense. Adult felony cases are handled by the 71st District Court, while misdemeanor criminal matters fall under the County Court at Law and the Constitutional County Court. Class C misdemeanors and traffic violations are adjudicated in the four Justice of the Peace courts and the municipal courts.
Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 71st District Court | 200 W. Houston St., Suite 234, Marshall, TX 75671 | (903) 935-8409 |
| County Court at Law | 200 W. Houston St., Suite 143, Marshall, TX 75671 | (903) 935-8403 |
| JP Precinct 1 | 165 W. Texas Ave., P.O. Box 150, Waskom, TX 75692 | (903) 687-2370 |
| JP Precinct 2 | 200 W. Houston St., Suite 251, Marshall, TX 75670 | (903) 923-4009 |
| JP Precinct 3 | P.O. Box 394, Hallsville, TX 75650 | (903) 668-2050 |
| JP Precinct 4 | 200 W. Houston St., Suite 125, Marshall, TX 75670 | (903) 923-4011 |
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case records filed after 1987 can be searched through the Odyssey Web Portal by selecting “Criminal Case Records”. Felony records are maintained by the District Clerk; misdemeanor records are maintained by the County Clerk.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and operates two detention facilities in Marshall. The Sheriff’s Office provides an online inmate search tool, and jail records are also accessible through the Odyssey Web Portal.
Harrison County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 110 South Franklin Street, Marshall, TX 75670
Non-Emergency Phone: (903) 923-4000
Criminal Investigation Division: (903) 923-4001
Jail: (903) 923-4003
Bonds & Fines: (903) 923-4004
Statewide Criminal History Through DPS
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Crime Records Division serves as the state’s central repository for criminal history records. The public can conduct name-based criminal history searches in two ways:
- Online — Through the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) System for a fee of $10.00 per search.
- By mail — By submitting a completed request form (CR-42) with a $10.00 fee to:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Division
P.O. Box 15999
Austin, TX 78761
Individuals may also obtain their own complete Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) through a fingerprint-based search, as authorized under Texas Government Code § 552.023. This requires a $10.00 fingerprint service charge plus a $15.00 CHRI search cost.
Harrison County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Harrison County are distributed among the District Court, County Court at Law, and Justice of the Peace courts based on the amount in controversy and case type. The District Court handles civil matters involving larger sums and complex litigation, while the County Court at Law and JP courts handle smaller claims and disputes.
Records Maintained by the District Clerk
The Harrison County District Clerk maintains civil, family, and property tax suit records. Copies of documents from unsealed cases can be requested by phone, email, or fax. When submitting requests, provide as much detail as possible — particularly the case number, party name, and year the case occurred.
Civil case records from after 1987 can be searched through the Odyssey Web Portal by selecting “Civil, Family, Probate Case Records”. The portal allows searches by case number, party name, and date range.
Records Maintained by the County Clerk
The Harrison County Clerk maintains civil records for the County Court at Law and Constitutional County Court, as well as probate, mental health, and juvenile court matters. Records can be searched online via the Odyssey Web Portal or through the Kofile QuickLinks land records search tool.
Municipal Courts
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Municipal Court | 303 W. Burleson St., Marshall, TX 75670 | (903) 935-4535 |
| Hallsville Municipal Court | 115 W. Main St., Hallsville, TX 75650 | (903) 668-2488 |
| Waskom Municipal Court | 450 W. Texas Ave., P.O. Box 730, Waskom, TX 75692 | (903) 687-2694 |
Property Records
Property records including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other instruments affecting real property are recorded by the County Clerk’s office. Online searches are available through the Kofile QuickLinks portal. The Harrison County Central Appraisal District maintains appraisal records and offers a property search portal, a GIS mapping tool, and property tax rate information.
Harrison County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Harrison County — including divorce, child custody, child support, and related matters — are filed in and adjudicated by the 71st District Court. Family case records are maintained by the District Clerk.
Accessing Family Records
Family case records from after 1987 can be searched through the Odyssey Web Portal by selecting “Civil, Family, Probate Case Records”. Copies follow the same fee schedule as other District Clerk records: $1.00 per page for both certified and non-certified copies. Certified copies must be on paper; non-certified copies can be sent electronically.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and marriage records maintained by the Harrison County Clerk’s office. In Texas, marriage records are generally open to the public unless sealed by court order. The County Clerk can provide certified copies upon request. Applicants should bring identification, the names of the spouses, and the marriage date.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section maintains marriage verifications for marriages recorded from 1966 to the present. A marriage verification provides basic information confirming a marriage is on file. The DSHS also publishes a public marriage/divorce index for preliminary searches. Verifications cost $20 and can be ordered online or by mail using the mail application form, sent to:
DSHS – Vital Statistics Section
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and case records are maintained by the District Clerk’s office, as district courts have jurisdiction over divorce proceedings. Records can be requested in person, by mail, or through the online portal. The DSHS provides divorce verifications for divorces from 1968 to the present using the same procedures and address listed above.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates in Harrison County are available through the County Clerk’s office. Texas law imposes confidentiality periods: birth records are restricted for 75 years and death records for 25 years. During these periods, only qualified individuals — typically direct family members or authorized representatives — may obtain certified copies.
Birth and Death Certificate Fees (County Clerk)
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate or birth verification letter | $23.00 each |
| Death certificate or death verification letter | $21.00 first copy |
| Additional death certificates (same transaction) | $4.00 each |
Payment must be by cashier’s check or money order payable to “Harrison County Clerk” for mail requests. Credit/debit card payments are accepted by phone when processed by a deputy clerk (convenience fee applies). Personal checks and cash through the mail are not accepted.
For mail requests, applicants must submit a completed application (signed and notarized), a photocopy of valid ID, and payment to:
Harrison County Clerk
P.O. Box 1365
Marshall, TX 75671
Fee exemptions exist for military personnel with deployment orders (under Texas Government Code § 437.217), foster and homeless youth (under Texas Health and Safety Code § 191.0049), and victims of family or dating violence (SB 798).
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section can also provide long-form birth certificates originating from any Texas county. Applications for birth records and death records can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at local vital records offices.
Harrison County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Harrison County — including the validation of wills, administration of estates, appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust disputes — are handled through the county court system. The County Clerk’s office serves as the custodian for probate records.
Searching Probate Records Online
Probate filings after 2005 can be searched through the Odyssey Web Portal by selecting the “Civil, Family, Probate Case Records” option. The County Clerk’s website also directs users to the portal for judicial records searches and probate filings.
For older records and additional probate-related documents, including probate minutes, the Kofile QuickLinks search tool provides access to indexed land records, which may contain relevant filings related to estates.
Requesting Probate Records
Individuals may request probate records in person at the County Clerk’s office, by mail, or through the online portal. When making a request, provide the decedent’s name, approximate date of death, and any known case number. Standard copy fees apply. The County Clerk records wills as part of its official recording duties, and certified copies of recorded wills and other probate documents can be obtained from the office.
County Clerk’s Office (Probate)
Address: 200 West Houston Street, Suite 143, P.O. Box 1365, Marshall, TX 75671
Phone: (903) 935-8403 ext. 1030
Fax: (903) 935-4877
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
E-filing for probate matters is available through E-File Texas, which handles electronic filings for criminal, civil, and probate cases in Harrison County.