Hockley County Court Records Search
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Hockley County sits in the South Plains region of Texas, with its county seat in Levelland. The county's court system includes a district court, a constitutional county court, several justice of the peace courts, and multiple municipal courts. Each of these courts generates its own records — filings, dockets, orders, judgments, and transcripts — and court clerks are the designated custodians of these materials, responsible for receiving, processing, and responding to public records requests.
Court records in Texas can be accessed through clerk offices, public access terminals at county courthouses, and a range of online tools. If you're starting a search in Hockley County, TexasStateCourts.us can help you locate publicly available case information and identify the right court office.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hockley County?
Two offices handle the bulk of court records in Hockley County. The District Clerk manages filings from the 286th District Court, and the County Clerk handles county court records, including civil, criminal misdemeanor, and probate matters. Both offices are located in the Hockley County Courthouse in Levelland.
Hockley County District Clerk
Address: 802 Houston Street, Suite 316, Levelland, TX 79336
Phone: (806) 894-8527
Fax: (806) 894-3891
Hockley County Clerk (Honorable Jennifer Palermo)
Address: 802 Houston Street, Suite 213, Levelland, TX 79336
Phone: (806) 894-3185
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
(Marriage licenses issued Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
Court records in Hockley County can be accessed in the following ways:
- Online dockets — The county publishes District Court Dockets and County Court Dockets on the official county website, letting you view scheduled hearings and case calendars without visiting the courthouse.
- Online record search — The District Clerk's office links to an external search tool for district court records. The statewide re:SearchTX platform, maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration, provides case information from courts across all 254 Texas counties, including Hockley County district and county courts.
- Official public records search — The County Clerk's land and official records are searchable through Hockley County's Official Record Search, which covers real property instruments, deeds, and related documents.
- In person — Visit the District Clerk or County Clerk office during business hours with the case number, party names, or relevant filing dates to request records or use public access terminals.
- By mail — Written requests may be submitted to either clerk office. Include all identifying details for the case and any applicable fees. The county also accepts Public Information Requests by email at publicinforequest@hockleycounty.org or by mail/in person at 802 Houston St, Suite 103, Levelland, TX 79336.
- Citation payments — Traffic and court citation fines can be paid online through the county's payment portal.
Are Court Records Public in Hockley County?
Court records in Hockley County are generally presumed public and may be accessible under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552) and the Open Courts Provision of the Texas Constitution (Article I, Section 13). The Public Information Act entitles any person — regardless of residency — to request and obtain copies of government records without stating a purpose. Governmental bodies must respond within statutory deadlines and cannot withhold records unless a recognized exemption applies.
When a requested record contains both public and confidential information, the custodian must redact the restricted portions and release the rest. Custodians may charge reasonable fees for copies and may require a government-issued ID to verify the requester's identity.
The following categories of records are restricted or confidential and may not be released to the general public:
- Juvenile records — Confidential under the Texas Family Code
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute; access requires a court order
- Sealed or protected records — Subject to judicial sealing orders
- Judicial drafts and work product — Internal deliberative materials
- Settlement and litigation negotiations — Exempt from disclosure
- Crime victim information — Protected to preserve victim privacy
- Personnel records — Exempt under state law
- Security plans — Withheld to protect facility or operational security
- Crime scene recordings — Restricted in certain circumstances
- Personal identification numbers — Redacted from public documents
- Certain motor vehicle records — Limited access under federal and state law
Hockley County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Hockley County are prosecuted at two levels. The 286th District Court handles felony offenses and appeals from lower courts, while the Constitutional County Court has original jurisdiction over Class A and Class B misdemeanors. Justice of the Peace courts handle Class C misdemeanor offenses punishable by fine only.
286th District Court
Address: 802 Houston Street, Suite 315, Levelland, TX 79336
Judge: Hon. Anna D. Hord
Phone: (806) 894-8240
Fax: (806) 894-3891
(Note: The 286th District Court serves both Hockley and Cochran Counties.)
Hockley County Constitutional County Court
Address: 802 Houston Street, Suite 213, Levelland, TX 79336
Phone: (806) 894-3185
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal court records from the District Court are accessible through the re:SearchTX platform, the District Clerk's online search tool, or by visiting the District Clerk at Suite 316. County court criminal records (misdemeanor cases) are maintained by the County Clerk. For in-person searches, bring the case number or the defendant's name and approximate case dates. The District Clerk advises self-represented parties filing criminal documents to call (806) 894-8527 before submitting.
Arrest Records and Jail Roster
Arrest records and current jail booking information are maintained by the Hockley County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office publishes a publicly accessible jail roster online.
Hockley County Sheriff's Office
Address: 1310 Avenue H, Levelland, TX 79336
Sheriff: Chris Wischkaemper
Phone: (806) 894-3126
Fax: (806) 897-0750
The Sheriff's Office published a fee schedule for sheriff and constable services for 2023. For the most current fee schedule, contact the Sheriff's Office directly or consult the county website.
Hockley County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Hockley County are distributed across courts depending on the nature and monetary value of the claim. The 286th District Court handles general civil matters without a monetary ceiling, including personal injury, contract disputes, real estate litigation, and appeals. The Constitutional County Court has concurrent civil jurisdiction. The Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims and civil matters with amounts in controversy of $20,000 or less, along with eviction actions (forcible entry and detainer) over which they have broader jurisdiction.
Justice of the Peace Courts in Hockley County:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | P.O. Box 203, Ropesville, TX 79358 | (806) 564-0011 |
| Precinct 2 | 209 E. Richardson St., P.O. Box 935, Sundown, TX 79372 | (806) 229-2022 |
| Precinct 4 | 313 Main, P.O. Box 556, Anton, TX 79313 | (806) 891-2542 |
| Precinct 5 | 624 Avenue H, Suite 205, Levelland, TX 79336 | (806) 894-4104 |
Accessing Civil Records
District Court civil records are searchable through re:SearchTX and in person at the District Clerk's office. County Court civil filings are maintained by the County Clerk and are accessible through the County Court Dockets page or in person. Property-related civil records, including deeds, liens, and plats, are searchable through the Hockley County Official Records portal.
The County Clerk publishes a civil filing fee schedule and a probate fee schedule, both available through the County Clerk's page. The county also maintains a separate fee schedule for district clerk filings. All fees are set by Texas State Statute.
Hockley County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, termination of parental rights, and adoptions — are handled in the 286th District Court. Records from these proceedings are maintained by the Hockley County District Clerk at Suite 316 of the Hockley County Courthouse.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and supporting case documents are filed with and maintained by the District Clerk. To request copies, visit the District Clerk's office or submit a written request with identifying case information — the case number, parties' names, and approximate filing year — along with the applicable copy fee. The District Clerk can be reached at (806) 894-8527.
For statewide divorce verification, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section (VSS) provides access to a divorce index and issues verification letters. Eligible parties may submit or mail a completed application form for marriage or divorce records, a $20 money order or check, and valid identification to:
Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Hockley County Clerk. Access to certified copies is restricted to persons named on the record, their parents, siblings, grandparents, or current spouse. Certified copies cost $6.00 each. To request a copy by mail, submit a completed marriage record application form, the $6 fee, and a copy of a valid government-issued ID to the County Clerk at 802 Houston Street, Suite 213, Levelland, TX 79336. Marriage licenses are issued in person only, Monday–Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
For statewide marriage verification, the VSS marriage and divorce records page also provides an index and accepts verification letter requests for $20 per copy through the same application process.
Birth Records
The County Clerk maintains local birth records dating back to 1928. Under Texas law, birth certificates are confidential for 75 years from the date of birth. Eligible requesters — including the registrant, parents, children, siblings, and spouse — may request certified copies for $23.00 each. Submit a signed birth or death certificate application form, the fee by money order or cashier's check, and proof of identity to the County Clerk. The VSS also maintains statewide birth records, with certified copies available for $22.00, using the state's birth record application form.
Death Records
Death certificates are confidential for 25 years under Texas law, with access limited to qualified individuals such as the decedent's parents, children, spouse, or siblings. The County Clerk issues death certificates for $21.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time, using the same application form as birth records. The VSS issues statewide death certificates for $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy, using the death and birth record application form, mailed to Texas Vital Statistics at the Austin address above.
Hockley County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Hockley County are handled by the Constitutional County Court, with the Hockley County Clerk as the keeper of all probate and guardianship filings. Cases that come before the probate court include estate administration, the probate of wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and name change proceedings.
Probate Filing Fees
The County Clerk publishes a Probate Filing Fee schedule on the county website. Based on the published fee document, base fees to open a new probate case total approximately $360.00 (combining the base filing components), with additional fees for issuing documents and other services. The exact breakdown is available directly from the County Clerk's office. All fees are set by Texas State Statute and are non-refundable.
Searching and Requesting Probate Records
Probate case information may be viewed online through the County Court Dockets page, which lists scheduled hearings. For copies of filed documents — such as wills, letters testamentary, inventory filings, or guardianship orders — contact the County Clerk:
Hockley County Clerk
Address: 802 Houston Street, Suite 213, Levelland, TX 79336
Phone: (806) 894-3185
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
When reaching out, provide the estate or guardianship name, the case number if you have it, and the approximate filing year. Bring a valid government-issued ID. Fees apply for both certified and plain copies of documents, and mail requests are accepted with the appropriate fee and return instructions included.
For broader records research — including property instruments connected to estate matters — the Hockley County Official Records portal provides online search access to recorded instruments maintained by the County Clerk.