Hopkins County, Texas Court Records
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Hopkins County, Texas, centered in the city of Sulphur Springs, operates a multi-tiered court system that generates a broad range of legal records across criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Under Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 12.2, court records include any document, map, book, tape, letter, paper, film, photograph, or recording created or maintained by or for a court in its regular course of business. These records contain information such as case titles, party names and types, charges, statutes cited, filing dates, hearing schedules, judicial officers, and case status — all useful for attorneys, employers, landlords, and members of the general public.
Texas court records in Hopkins County and across all 254 counties can be searched through official clerk offices, in-person public access terminals at the courthouse, and statewide online tools. TexasStateCourts.us may help you locate publicly available court case information in Texas and point you toward the right official resources for your research.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hopkins County?
Hopkins County offers two main official routes for searching court records: the statewide online portal and in-person visits to the relevant clerk's office.
Online Re:SearchTX Portal
The Re:SearchTX portal, maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration, lets anyone search civil, criminal, and family court case information from all 254 Texas counties — including Hopkins County — at no cost. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney. Viewing case information is free, but downloading court documents costs $1.00 for documents up to 10 pages, then $0.10 per page after that. Registered users, including attorneys and parties to a case, can access additional case materials through the portal.
In Person District Clerk and County Clerk Offices
For certified copies, sealed case materials, or records not yet available digitally, you'll need to visit the appropriate clerk's office in person. The Hopkins County District Clerk's Office, led by Cheryl Fulcher, maintains records from the District Courts. The County Clerk's Office handles records from the Constitutional County Court and County Court at Law.
Hopkins County Courts Contact Directory
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 8th Judicial District Court | 118 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 | (903) 438-4022 |
| 62nd Judicial District Court | 118 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 | (903) 737-2434 |
| County Court at Law | 118 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 | (903) 438-4004 |
| District Clerk's Office | 282 Rosemont St., Suite 2, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 | (903) 438-4081 |
| County Clerk's Office | 128 Jefferson St., Suite C, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 | (903) 438-4074 |
| Justice of Peace Precinct 1 | 128 Jefferson St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 | (903) 438-4026 |
| Justice of Peace Precinct 2 | 128 Jefferson St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 | (903) 438-4036 |
| Sulphur Springs Municipal Court | 201 N. Davis St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 | (903) 885-7454 |
| Cumby Municipal Court | 100 East Main St., Cumby, TX 75433 | (903) 994-2666 |
| Como Municipal Court | 104 Mills St., Como, TX 75431 | (903) 488-3434 |
District Clerk's Office Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed during noon hour)
Friday: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (open during noon hour)
County Clerk's Office Hours:
Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
(No marriage licenses issued after 4:00 p.m.)
Are Court Records Public in Hopkins County?
The public's right of access to Hopkins County court records rests on two legal frameworks. The Texas Public Information Act (Tex. Gov't Code § 552) establishes general public access to government records, while Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 12.4 specifically covers access to judicial records. Under Rule 12.4, judicial records that are not classified as confidential under Rules 12.3 and 12.5 are open for public inspection and copying during the custodian's official working hours. Written requests must include enough identifying information to locate the record.
Rule 12.5 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration identifies categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure, including:
- Security plans for court facilities
- Personnel information
- Court law library records
- Judicial calendar information
- Judicial work product and draft documents
- Settlement or litigation negotiations
- Judges' home addresses and family member information
- Records relating to investigations of judicial character or conduct
- Internal deliberations on court or judicial administration matters
- Records concerning applicants for employment or volunteer services with the court
Beyond Rule 12.5 exemptions, Texas law also restricts certain case-specific records. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and records subject to protective orders remain confidential. The public is entitled to submit written requests for accessible records, and custodians must respond within the timeframes established under the Texas Public Information Act.
Hopkins County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Hopkins County is divided by offense severity across multiple courts.
District Courts Felony Cases
Both the 8th Judicial District Court and the 62nd Judicial District Court handle felony criminal prosecutions in Hopkins County. Felony case records — including indictments, arraignment records, plea agreements, trial transcripts, and final judgments — are maintained by the Hopkins County District Clerk.
County Court at Law Class A and B Misdemeanors
The Hopkins County Court at Law handles Class A and B misdemeanor criminal cases. These records are kept by the County Clerk.
Justice of Peace Courts Class C Misdemeanors
The two Justice of Peace Courts (Precincts 1 and 2) handle Class C misdemeanor criminal matters and traffic offenses. Both JP courts are at 128 Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs, reachable by phone at (903) 438-4026 (Precinct 1) and (903) 438-4036 (Precinct 2).
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case dockets from Hopkins County courts can be searched free of charge through Re:SearchTX. For certified copies of criminal case documents, contact the District Clerk's Office at (903) 438-4081. Copy fees from the current District Clerk fee schedule are:
- Standard paper copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified paper copies: $1.00 per page + $5.00 certificate and seal fee
- Electronic document copies: $1.00 for first 10 pages, then $0.10 per page
- Record research per name: $5.00
The 2024 Criminal Court Costs schedule is published on the Hopkins County website. For arrest records, inmate data, and criminal history information separate from court case files, direct your inquiries to the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office — those records are maintained by law enforcement, not the court clerk.
Hopkins County courts also publish their active dockets online. The County Court at Law docket, 8th District Court docket, and 62nd District Court docket are available through the Hopkins County website.
Hopkins County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Hopkins County is distributed across the District Courts, County Court at Law, and Justice of Peace Courts based on the amount in controversy.
Jurisdictional Breakdown:
- District Courts (8th and 62nd): Civil cases where the amount in controversy is $200 or more, as well as matters requiring equitable relief, injunctions, and complex litigation
- County Court at Law: Civil cases in the intermediate range
- Justice of Peace Courts: Civil disputes up to $20,000, eviction cases, and debt claim cases; JP courts do not handle slander, defamation, or title disputes, and cannot issue injunctions
The Hopkins County District Clerk's Office at 282 Rosemont Street maintains civil case files for both District Courts. To request records:
- Visit the District Clerk's Office during business hours or call (903) 438-4081
- Provide the case number, party names, or type of case to identify the record
- Complete the request form provided by office staff
- Pay applicable copy and certification fees before records are released
Civil Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2024):
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil suit (general) | $350.00 |
| Cross action / counter claim | $80.00 |
| Motion for contempt | $80.00 |
| Motion for new trial | $80.00 |
| Bill of cost | $10.00 |
| Bond approval fee | $5.00 |
| Exemplified copy | $5.00 |
The full Civil and Family Filing Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2024 is published on the Hopkins County website.
Property Records
The Hopkins County Clerk also maintains real property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and related instruments. These records are available online through Texas Online Records, covering documents back to 1967. For records predating 1967, in-person research at the County Clerk's Deed Room is required. Copies of property records cost $1.00 per page, with certified copies carrying an additional $5.00 certification fee.
Hopkins County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Hopkins County — including divorce, child custody, paternity, child support, and protective orders — fall under the jurisdiction of the District Courts and are filed with the Hopkins County District Clerk.
Divorce Records
Divorce proceedings are heard before the 8th or 62nd Judicial District Court. Both contested and uncontested divorces carry a $350.00 filing fee. Copies of divorce decrees are available from the District Clerk's Office at $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification. The Re:SearchTX portal also lets you search for divorce cases by name or case number after creating a free account. Viewing case information is free; downloading documents costs $1.00 for the first 10 pages and $0.10 per page after that.
Custody, Support, and SAPCR Cases
Suits affecting the parent-child relationship (SAPCR), including child custody and support modifications, carry a $350.00 filing fee for new cases. Subsequent motions — including motions for contempt, modifications, and motions to enforce — are $80.00 each. Protective order applications are filed at no cost to the applicant; associated fees may be assessed against the respondent if the order is granted.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Hopkins County Clerk at 128 Jefferson Street, Suite C. Certified copies of marriage licenses issued by Hopkins County are available through the Clerk's Office. Online orders for certified marriage license copies are processed at a fee of $8.00 per copy, plus a $5.00 processing fee and a $0.35 verification fee, payable by credit card with valid identification uploaded at the time of submission. Requesters are notified by email when their certificate is ready.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for Hopkins County residents are maintained by the County Clerk's Vital Records Division — not by state-level agencies. These records carry access restrictions: birth records are confidential for 75 years and death records for 25 years. Only eligible individuals — generally the person named on the record, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives — may obtain certified copies of restricted records.
Vital Records Fees:
- Birth certificate: $23.00 per copy
- Death certificate: $21.00 for the first copy; $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record
- Marriage certificate (certified copy): $8.00 per copy
Applications for birth records by mail require a completed sworn statement, the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Certificate form, a money order or cashier's check, and a valid photo ID. The equivalent Application for a Certified Copy of Death Certificate is available from the County Clerk's online forms page.
Hopkins County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Hopkins County falls under the Constitutional County Court and the County Court at Law, with the Hopkins County Clerk keeping probate records for the county. The Probate Department within the County Clerk's Deed Room handles wills, estate filings, name changes, and related instruments.
Hopkins County Clerk Probate and Deed Room
Address: 128 Jefferson Street, Suite C, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Phone: (903) 438-4074
Fax: (903) 438-4110
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Probate records on file with the County Clerk include wills admitted to probate, letters testamentary, letters of administration, inventories, accountings, guardianship petitions, conservatorship orders, and name change filings. Wills and name changes filed with the Clerk are accessible through the Deed Room during regular office hours.
How to Request Probate Records:
- Contact the County Clerk's Office at (903) 438-4074 or visit in person at 128 Jefferson Street, Suite C
- Provide the decedent's name, approximate filing year, or estate cause number if known
- Specify whether standard copies or certified copies are needed
- Pay applicable copy fees: $1.00 per page for standard copies; $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification fee for certified copies
Many probate case records are also searchable through the Re:SearchTX portal at no charge for case-level information, with per-page fees applying to document downloads. The County Clerk's Office also maintains an online county docket that allows real-time review of cases set before the County Court, including probate matters. Probate records that have been sealed by court order are not publicly accessible and require a court proceeding to unseal.