Hays County Court Records Search
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Hays County is located in central Texas, with its county seat in San Marcos. The county’s court system spans multiple levels of jurisdiction, from district courts handling felonies and high-value civil disputes to justice of the peace courts presiding over small claims and minor offenses. Court records generated across these proceedings—including pleadings, motions, evidence, judgments, subpoenas, and trial transcripts—are preserved by two principal custodial offices: the Hays County District Clerk and the Hays County Clerk’s Courts Division. Under the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 12, these records may be stored in paper, electronic, audio, or video format.
Individuals looking for Hays County court case information can draw on several official resources. The Hays County Courts Records Inquiry portal offers free online access to criminal, civil, family, and probate case data. The Hays County Clerk’s Self-Service Web provides searchable indexes for recorded documents, marriage records, and other official files. Both clerk offices accept in-person, mail, and email requests for record searches and copies. For statewide court information and resources, TexasStateCourts.us may help users identify additional publicly available case records and judicial branch tools.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hays County?
The approach to finding a court case in Hays County depends on the type of case and which court handled it. The District Clerk’s office maintains records for the district courts (felonies, civil matters over $200, family law, and divorce), while the County Clerk’s Courts Division holds records for the county courts at law (misdemeanors, civil cases, probate, guardianship, mental health, and juvenile matters).
Online search methods:
- Visit the Hays County Courts Records Inquiry portal.
- Select the appropriate record category: Criminal Case Records, Civil, Family & Probate Case Records, Court Calendar, or Jail Records.
- Enter the party’s last name and first name, or provide the case number directly.
- Narrow results using filters such as case type, case status, and filing date range.
- Review matching results, which typically display party names, cause number, case type, filing date, case summary, and disposition information.
Name-based searches on this portal are free. The Self-Service Web operated by the County Clerk also allows users to search recorded documents and indexes at no charge.
In-person and staff-conducted searches. The District Clerk’s office provides public search terminals in its reception area during business hours. Staff will also conduct name searches covering the past ten years for $5 per name, with results typically available within five business days.
Copy fees at the District Clerk’s office:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Electronic copy (first 10 pages) | $1.00 |
| Electronic copy (each page after 10) | $0.10 |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per page |
| Embossed seal | $5.00 |
Payment is required in advance. Requests can be submitted by email to distclerk@hayscountytx.gov, by mail, or in person. Credit card payments for emailed requests are processed through a certified payments website using Bureau Code #5779509. Copies and certificates are typically mailed within two working days of payment confirmation.
District Clerk’s Office
Address: Hays County Government Center, Suite 2211, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: (512) 393-7660
Email: distclerk@hayscountytx.gov
Lobby Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
Phone/Email Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
County Clerk’s Office (Courts Division)
Address: Hays County Government Center, Suite 2008, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: (512) 393-7738
Email: ccsearches@hayscountytx.gov
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
The County Clerk also operates substations at three additional locations for select services:
- Precinct 2 — 5458 FM 2770, Suite 120, Kyle, TX 78640; Phone: (512) 878-6687
- Precinct 3 — 200 Stillwater, Suite 101, Wimberley, TX 78676; Phone: (512) 878-6684
- Precinct 4 — 195 Roger Hanks Pkwy, Suite 113, Dripping Springs, TX 78620; Phone: (512) 878-6683 (open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only)
All substations close for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m.
The county’s court system includes the following courts, each housed within or near the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos:
| Court | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 22nd, 207th, 274th & 428th District Courts | 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2211, San Marcos, TX 78666 | (512) 393-7660 |
| County Court at Law #1, #2, #3 | 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008, San Marcos, TX 78666 | (512) 393-7738 |
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 (Place 1) | 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2235, San Marcos, TX 78666 | (512) 393-7871 |
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 (Place 2) | 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2235, San Marcos, TX 78666 | (512) 393-7636 |
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 | 5458 FM 2770, Kyle, TX 78640 | (512) 268-3151 |
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3 | 200 Stillwater Street, Wimberley, TX 78676 | (512) 847-2000 |
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4 | 195 Roger Hanks Pkwy, Suite 2, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 | (512) 858-7446 |
| Justice of the Peace, Pct. 5 | 500 Jack C. Hays Trail, Buda, TX 78610 | (512) 295-2700 |
Municipal courts operating within the county include those in San Marcos (Phone: (512) 393-8190), Kyle (Phone: (512) 262-3994), Buda (Phone: (512) 295-2562), Dripping Springs (Phone: (512) 858-4725), Wimberley (Phone: (512) 847-0025), and Woodcreek (Phone: (512) 847-9390).
Are Court Records Public in Hays County?
Most court records in Hays County are open to public inspection. Rule 12.4 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration provides that judicial records are accessible to the general public for inspection and copying during regular business hours, unless a specific rule or statute restricts access. Court records may also qualify as public information under the Texas Public Information Act, codified in Texas Government Code, Chapter 552.
However, Rule 12.5 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration and Government Code § 552.108 enumerate several categories of records that are exempt from public access:
- Drafts and adjudicative notes of judicial officers
- Security plans and codes for court facilities
- Personnel information that could endanger an individual’s safety or privacy
- A person’s home address, phone number, and family member details when disclosure would create a risk
- Records related to juvenile proceedings or sexual abuse victims
- Information about applicants for court employment or volunteer positions
- Medical reports and mental health assessments
- Internal reviews concerning court administration
- Data related to a court law library
- Scheduling information for judicial officers
- Any record declared confidential or exempt under other state laws
A court may also seal case records by order when circumstances warrant it. Individuals seeking access to sealed records must petition the court. Conversely, parties who believe their sensitive information has been improperly included in public filings may submit a request for redaction or seek a protective order. Public Information Act requests can be submitted to the Hays County Office of General Counsel at PIA-Requests@hayscountytx.gov or by mail to 111 East San Antonio Street, Suite 202, San Marcos, TX 78666.
Hays County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Hays County are divided by severity between two court levels. Felony cases are prosecuted in the District Courts (22nd, 207th, 274th, and 428th Judicial Districts), with records maintained by the District Clerk. Misdemeanor criminal cases are filed in the County Courts at Law, where the County Clerk’s Courts Division serves as the record custodian.
Searching criminal case records online. The Courts Records Inquiry portal includes a dedicated Criminal Case Records section. Users can search by party name, date of birth, or case number and view case summaries, bond company information, and disposition dates at no cost. The portal also provides access to Jail Records and Jail Bond Records for current detainees.
Texas DPS criminal history searches. The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the statewide Computerized Criminal History System. Members of the public can run a Criminal History Conviction Name Search through the DPS online portal. To use the system, a searcher must create an account and purchase search credits at $1.00 per credit (with a 2.25% card processing fee plus $0.25 per transaction). Each search requires the subject’s last name and first name; a date of birth can be added to refine results. An offline name-based check through DPS costs $10.00.
Arrest records and warrants. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest logs, warrant records, and incident reports through its Records Division. The Sheriff’s Office is located at 1307 Uhland Road, San Marcos, TX 78666, and can be reached at (512) 393-7800. The Criminal Investigations Division is available at (512) 393-7814, and the non-emergency dispatch line is (512) 393-7896. Jail-related inquiries, including bonding information, can be directed to (512) 393-7807.
Municipal court criminal records—covering traffic citations, parking violations, and city ordinance infractions—are held by the clerk of the municipality where the case was filed. Each municipal court maintains its own record system independent of the county courts.
Hays County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Hays County is distributed between the District Courts and the County Courts at Law based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. District Courts handle civil disputes involving amounts of $200 or more, as well as title-to-land disputes and other matters within their original jurisdiction. The County Courts at Law hear lower-value civil disputes, eviction proceedings, and other cases assigned by statute.
Filing fees for civil cases in the District Courts:
| Case Type | Basic Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| All civil suits (general) | $350.00 |
| Tax suits | $350.00 |
| Expunction | $350.00 (plus $25 per agency notified by mail) |
| Occupational license | $350.00 |
| Petition for nondisclosure | $330.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $302.00 |
| Incoming transfer (non-family) | $302.00 |
| Application for writ of garnishment | $350.00 |
The total cost for filing a new suit is calculated by combining the filing fee, issuance fee, and service fee (if process is served by a Hays County Constable). The Hays County Sheriff does not serve civil process. A complete filing fee schedule is available from the District Clerk’s website.
To obtain civil case records, individuals may search the Courts Records Inquiry portal under the Civil, Family & Probate section, visit the District Clerk’s office to use the public search terminals, or email distclerk@hayscountytx.gov to request a records search or copies. For civil matters filed in the County Courts at Law, contact the County Clerk’s Courts Division at ccsearches@hayscountytx.gov or (512) 393-7738.
Hays County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Hays County—including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and name changes—are filed in the District Courts and administered by the District Clerk’s office. The County Clerk’s office does not handle divorces or family court matters, which are exclusively within the District Clerk’s jurisdiction.
Filing fees for family cases in the District Courts:
| Case Type | Basic Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce | $350.00 |
| Parent-child relationship / other family cases | $350.00 |
| Adoption (or adoption and termination) | $308.00 (investigator fee set by judge: $258.00) |
| Name change / removal of disabilities | $350.00 |
| Incoming family law transfer | $80.00 |
| Register foreign support or custody order | $350.00 |
Family case records may be searched through the Civil, Family & Probate section of the Courts Records Inquiry portal or by contacting the District Clerk’s office. Forms for family law proceedings, including online forms and approved request templates, are available on the District Clerk’s website. Records involving juveniles, sexual abuse victims, or other protected categories are not publicly accessible and require a court order for release.
Marriage records. Marriage licenses in Hays County are issued by the County Clerk’s Records Division. The fee for a formal marriage license is $81 (cash or credit card). If both applicants present a certificate from the state-approved Twogether in Texas premarital education program, the fee is reduced to $21 and the 72-hour waiting period is waived. An additional $100 fee applies if neither applicant can demonstrate Texas residency. Applicants can complete the process in person at any of the four County Clerk locations or apply remotely for a virtual appointment. Marriage records can be searched on the County Clerk’s Self-Service Web, and certified copies cost $20.
Divorce records. Divorce decrees and case files are maintained by the District Clerk. These can be viewed on the Courts Records Inquiry portal or requested in person, by mail, or by email. Statewide marriage and divorce indexes from 1966 forward are available through the DSHS Vital Statistics Marriage/Divorce Indexes.
Birth and death records. Though not court records, birth and death certificates often arise in family proceedings. The County Clerk’s Records Division maintains birth records for Hays County dating back to 1903 and death records for events within the county (outside San Marcos city limits). Certified copies can be ordered online through Permitium, in person, or by mail. The fees are:
- Certified birth certificate: $23.00
- Certified death certificate: $21.00
- Each additional copy: $4.00
Mail requests must include a completed and notarized application, a photocopy of the requester’s government-issued photo ID, and a check or money order payable to the Hays County Clerk. For births and deaths within the last 75 and 25 years respectively, only the record subject, immediate family, or a legal guardian with proper documentation may obtain certified copies. Statewide records can also be ordered from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section.
Hays County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Hays County—including the validation of wills, estate administration, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorship, registration of trusts, and mental commitment proceedings—are handled by the County Courts at Law. The County Clerk’s Courts Division serves as the record custodian for all probate and guardianship cases.
Searching probate records online. The Civil, Family & Probate Case Records section of the Courts Records Inquiry portal allows users to search probate cases by party name, case number, case year, disposition, or filing date range. Results display the cause number, parties, case type, filing date, and current status.
In-person and mail requests. Individuals can inspect probate files at the County Clerk’s office in Suite 2008 of the Hays County Government Center during regular hours (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday). Written requests for probate record searches or copies should be directed to:
Hays County Clerk – Courts Division
712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008
San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: (512) 393-7738
Email: ccsearches@hayscountytx.gov
When contacting the office, provide the decedent’s or ward’s full name, the cause number if known, and the approximate year the case was opened. The Courts Division handles not only probate but also guardianship, mental health court, and veterans court records. For questions about specific forms, filing requirements, or payment methods, email the Courts Division directly. Staff cannot provide legal advice regarding how to initiate or manage a probate proceeding; individuals needing legal guidance should consult a licensed attorney.