Hutchinson County Court Records Search
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Hutchinson County sits in the Texas Panhandle, with Stinnett as the county seat and Borger as the most populous city. Two clerks divide responsibility for the county's court records: the County Clerk handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters within the county court's jurisdiction, probate proceedings, and official public records; the District Clerk maintains records from felony criminal prosecutions, divorce actions, family law cases, and major civil litigation. Knowing which office holds the record you need is the essential first step before making any request.
Court case information in Texas can be located through the official statewide portal, individual clerk offices, and public access terminals at the courthouse. TexasStateCourts.us can help orient researchers to Texas's court structure and point toward publicly available case data. The sections below detail each court tier in Hutchinson County, the records each maintains, how to search and request them, and the restrictions that apply.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hutchinson County?
Texas does not operate a single, unified court records database. You'll need to identify the correct clerk based on case type, then use the available tools for that office.
Online search options:
- Hutchinson County Courts Records Inquiry (Odyssey): The county operates this portal through Tyler Technologies' Odyssey Public Access system. It allows searches of both county and district court records by party name or case number.
- re:SearchTX: The Texas Office of Court Administration operates re:SearchTX, a statewide case search tool covering all 254 Texas counties. You can search civil, criminal, and family cases from multiple courts in a single query.
- Texas Land Records / Real Property Records: Property documents filed with the County Clerk are searchable at www.texaslandrecords.com. Viewing documents is free; downloaded or printed copies cost $1.00 per page.
In-person and mail requests:
Both the County Clerk and District Clerk accept in-person requests at the Hutchinson County Courthouse during business hours. The District Clerk's hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mail requests should be sent to the appropriate mailing address below.
Hutchinson County Clerk (Kelly Ratliff)
Address: 515 S. Main Street, Suite 211, Stinnett, TX 79083
Mailing: P.O. Box 1186, Stinnett, TX 79083-1186
Phone: (806) 878-4002 | Fax: (806) 878-3497
Hutchinson County District Clerk
Address: 515 S. Main Street, Stinnett, TX 79083
Mailing: P.O. Box 580, Stinnett, TX 79083-0580
Phone: (806) 878-4017 | Fax: (806) 878-4042
By law, the County Clerk cannot provide legal advice (Texas Government Code § 81.101) and has no duty to conduct public records searches (Texas AG Opinion WW-607). Similarly, the District Clerk is not obligated to refund fees regardless of search results. Have the case number or full party name ready before contacting either office.
Are Court Records Public in Hutchinson County?
Texas law generally presumes court records are open to the public. Case records filed with the District and County Clerks are regulated by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Texas Rules of Evidence. Administrative judicial records fall under Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 12, which requires those records to be open during regular business hours.
Certain records carry confidentiality protections under statute or court order:
- Family law and juvenile records — documents involving minor children are frequently sealed or subject to restricted access
- Adoption records — confidential under Texas law
- Birth records — restricted for 75 years from the date of birth under Texas Government Code § 552.115(1)
- Death records — generally restricted for 25 years from the date of death under Texas Government Code § 552.115(2); if the deceased is unidentified, the record becomes public after one year
- Expunged and nondisclosure records — criminal records subject to an expunction order or a nondisclosure order are removed from public access
Photo identification is required when presenting documents for recording or transfer of property in the County Clerk's office, per Texas Government Code § 191.010(b), effective January 1, 2024.
Hutchinson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Hutchinson County splits between the District Courts and the County Court based on offense severity.
Felony cases are handled by two district courts with concurrent jurisdiction over the county:
84th District Court
Address: County Courthouse, 500 Main Street, P.O. Box 3437, Stinnett, TX 79083
Phone: (806) 878-4022 | Fax: (806) 878-3117
Email: 84@hutchinsoncnty.com
Judge: Curt W. Brancheau
Jurisdiction: Felony criminal cases, family matters, and civil disputes across Ochiltree, Hansford, and Hutchinson Counties. Jury panels report on Mondays at 9:00 a.m.
316th District Court
Address: County Courthouse, 500 Main Street, P.O. Box 1181, Stinnett, TX 79083
Phone: (806) 878-4019 | Fax: (806) 878-4023
Email: kimilantelme@hutchinsoncnty.com
Judge: James Mosley
Jurisdiction: Approximately 50% of Hutchinson County felony criminal cases, all family law matters, Attorney General child support cases, and juvenile cases. Jury panels report on Mondays at 10:00 a.m.
Misdemeanor cases are handled by the Hutchinson County Constitutional County Court. Records for both felony and misdemeanor cases are searchable through the Odyssey Public Access portal and re:SearchTX.
For arrest records and inmate information, the Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office is the designated custodian. The Sheriff operates the county jail in Borger and maintains booking records. Current inmate rosters are available through the Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office website. Custody status can also be verified through VINELink.
Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office (Sheriff Kirk Coker)
Address: 1400 Veta, Borger, TX 79007
Mailing: P.O. Box 1426, Borger, TX 79008
Phone: (806) 274-6343 | Fax: (806) 273-0117
Email: sheriff@hutchinsoncnty.com
For individuals seeking to seal or remove a criminal record, the District Clerk maintains an Expunction Agency List on its website, and nondisclosure forms are available through the Texas courts nondisclosure portal.
Hutchinson County Civil Court Records
Civil case jurisdiction in Hutchinson County follows Texas's tiered structure based on the amount in controversy:
| Court | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| 84th and 316th District Courts | Civil disputes (general jurisdiction, no monetary floor) |
| Hutchinson County Constitutional County Court | Civil appeals from lower courts and county-level civil matters |
| Justice of the Peace Courts | Small claims and civil cases up to $20,000 |
Small claims cases — monetary disputes up to $20,000 under Texas Government Code § 27.031 — are filed with the appropriate Justice of the Peace court. Two precincts serve the county:
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 (Judge Leslie Ford)
Address: 515 S. Main Street, Suite 106, Stinnett, TX 79083
Mailing: P.O. Box 640, Stinnett, TX 79083
Phone: (806) 878-4024 | Fax: (806) 878-3036
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 (Judge Amanda Wysong / Judge Yadi Rodriguez)
Address: 1400 Veta Street, Suite 105, Borger, TX 79007
Phone: (806) 273-0103 | Fax: (806) 273-0112
Small claims forms, including the Petition — Small Claims, are available through the Precinct 2 JP office. The Texas Justice Court Training Center also provides a comprehensive information packet for self-represented claimants.
Municipal Courts handle Class C misdemeanor offenses committed within city limits and traffic citations. Three municipal courts operate within Hutchinson County:
Borger Municipal Court
Address: 600 North Main Street, P.O. Box 5250, Borger, TX 79008
Phone: (806) 273-0925
Fritch Municipal Court
Address: 104 North Robey Avenue, P.O. Box 758, Fritch, TX 79036
Phone: (806) 857-3143 | Fax: (806) 857-3229
Stinnett Municipal Court
Address: 609 Mackenzie Avenue, P.O. Box 909, Stinnett, TX 79083
Phone: (806) 878-2422 | Fax: (806) 878-2540
Property records — including deeds, liens, oil and gas leases, right-of-way agreements, and plat maps — are maintained by the County Clerk. Records are available from September 8, 1972, to the present. The County Clerk's Real Property Records Search and the Texas Land Records portal both provide free online index access. Printed or downloaded document copies cost $1.00 per page. Recording fees for new documents, updated as of January 1, 2024, are $25.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page with recording information. The Official Public Records Filing Requirements document outlines what the County Clerk accepts for recording.
Appeals from the Texas 84th and 316th District Courts are heard by the Seventh Court of Appeals, which serves Hutchinson County.
Hutchinson County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Hutchinson County fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the two district courts. The 316th District Court handles all family law cases for the county, including divorce, child custody, child support, juvenile matters, and Child Protective Services cases. The 316th also processes Attorney General child support enforcement actions. The 84th District Court handles family matters as part of its multi-county jurisdiction as well.
The District Clerk maintains all family law filings. For divorce and child support inquiries, contact the District Clerk at (806) 878-4017. Divorce records can also be searched through the Odyssey Public Access portal.
In family law cases involving minor children, Judge Mosley of the 316th District Court requires each party to complete a Kids Sake children's interest seminar (or a comparable program) before the case proceeds. The court has also adopted a Standing Order governing children, property, and party conduct, which takes effect automatically upon filing.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Hutchinson County Clerk. Both applicants must appear in person and present proof of identity and age. The fee structure is as follows:
| License Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage License (without education certificate) | $81.00 |
| Marriage License (with Twogether in Texas certificate) | $21.00 |
| Declaration of Informal Marriage | $46.00 |
Payment is accepted in cash or debit/credit card (a convenience fee applies to card transactions). A 72-hour waiting period applies after issuance unless waived by a district or county judge, or bypassed through completion of a qualifying marriage education class. The license is valid for 90 days. After the ceremony, the license must be returned to the issuing County Clerk's office — it will be recorded and returned within 7–10 business days. The Application for Certified Marriage Certificate is available on the County Clerk's website for requesting copies of recorded licenses.
Marriage and divorce verification letters (marriages since 1966; divorces since 1968) can be ordered from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section online, by mail, or in person. These letters confirm the existence of a record but do not substitute for the official license or decree.
Birth certificates are managed by the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office, with records available from 1903. Records under 75 years old are restricted to the registrant, immediate family, guardians, and legal representatives under Texas Government Code § 552.115(1). An Application for Birth/Death Certificate is also available through the Hutchinson County Clerk's website for local requests. Orders can be placed online through Texas.gov, by mail, or in person.
Death certificates follow the same 1903-to-present coverage. Records under 25 years old are restricted to immediate family and those with a direct and tangible interest under Texas Government Code § 552.115(2). Unidentified decedent records become public after one year.
Hutchinson County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Hutchinson County rests with the Hutchinson County Constitutional County Court, and the County Clerk maintains all probate records. This includes estates of deceased persons, will filings, guardianships over minors and incapacitated adults, and appeals from justice and municipal courts.
Probate and guardianship cases in Hutchinson County can now be filed electronically. The County Clerk's website provides an EFiling guide for Probate and Guardianship Cases, which explains how fees attach to case types in the e-filing system and cannot be modified by the Clerk. Paper filers and those needing to review existing probate records should contact the County Clerk's office directly.
To search probate case records online, use the Odyssey Public Access portal or visit the County Clerk's office at 515 S. Main Street, Suite 211, Stinnett, TX 79083. Phone inquiries go to (806) 878-4002. Document copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies; certified copies carry an additional certification fee per the Texas Local Government Code fee schedule.
Self-represented parties navigating probate or other court proceedings can consult the Self Help Resources document published by the County Clerk, as well as TexasCourtHelp.org for procedural guidance. Neither clerk's office can provide legal advice or complete paperwork on behalf of a party.