Kerr County, Texas Court Records
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Kerr County sits in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, centered around the city of Kerrville. Its court system handles a broad range of matters — from felony prosecutions and civil disputes to probate estates and family law proceedings. Whether you need a certified copy of a court judgment, want to verify the outcome of a criminal case, or are researching the status of a probate estate, knowing which office maintains the records you need will save you considerable time. This guide walks through each category of records, the courts that hold them, and the practical steps required to access them.
Anyone can begin a court records search in Texas using publicly accessible tools maintained by state and county agencies. TexasStateCourts.us is a useful resource for locating case information, understanding court structures, and identifying the appropriate county or state-level agency to contact. Records may also be accessed through the county's own online portals, public access terminals at the courthouse, or by submitting formal written requests. The method you choose will often depend on the age of the record, the type of case, and whether you need a plain copy or a certified document.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Kerr County?
Kerr County offers several ways to locate court case information, ranging from fully online systems to in-person requests at the courthouse. The approach you take will depend on which court filed the case.
Online Case Search Options
The county operates a unified public access portal through Tyler Technologies where you can search civil, family, probate, and criminal cases filed in the district courts and county courts at law. The Kerr County Public Access Portal allows searches by party name, case number, or attorney name, and also provides links to jail and bond records. For appellate-level records and district court cases with statewide significance, the Texas Judicial Branch case search offers a complementary resource.
In-Person Searches
Both the County Clerk's Office and the District Clerk's Office maintain public access computers for walk-in searches. Staff can help orient you to the search tools, though they are not authorized to conduct research on your behalf. For extensive document review, the clerks' offices will direct you to a local title company or attorney.
Mail Requests
For records that are not available online, you can submit written requests by mail. The appropriate mailing address depends on the type of record:
- County court, probate, and vital records — Kerr County Clerk, 700 Main Street, Suite 122, Kerrville, TX 78028
- District court and criminal records — Kerr County District Clerk, 700 Main Street, Suite 236, Kerrville, TX 78028
Include the case number if known, the party names, the approximate filing date, the type of record requested, and your preferred payment method. Fees apply for copies and certified documents.
Are Court Records Public in Kerr County?
The vast majority of court records generated in Kerr County are accessible to the public. Texas operates under the Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code Chapter 552, which establishes a broad presumption of openness for government-held information. Under this law, any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — may request copies of public records from a government agency.
That said, certain categories of records are shielded from general public access. Exempt or restricted records may include:
- Juvenile case files, which are confidential under Texas Family Code provisions
- Adoption records, which are sealed by court order
- Mental health commitment records
- Records sealed by judicial order following expunction or non-disclosure
- Personnel files of court employees
- Judicial work products and deliberative drafts
- Records containing sensitive personal information protected under state or federal law
When a court restricts access to a file, the clerk's office will indicate that the record exists but cannot be disclosed without a court order or a qualifying legal relationship. If you believe a denial is improper, you can seek review through the Texas Attorney General's Open Records Division, which issues rulings on public information request disputes.
For law enforcement records — such as incident reports, arrest affidavits, and jail information — direct your requests to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office rather than the court clerks' offices.
Kerr County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Kerr County move through several court levels depending on the severity of the offense. Felony cases — including murder, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, and other serious crimes — are filed in the 198th and 216th District Courts. Both courts share the same courthouse location and phone number.
198th and 216th District Courts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 700 Main Street, Suite 236, Kerrville, TX 78028 |
| Phone | (830) 792-2281 |
| Fax | (830) 896-9025 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| District Clerk | Eunavae Baublit |
Misdemeanor criminal cases not handled by the district courts fall under the jurisdiction of the County Court at Law or the Justice of the Peace courts, depending on the offense classification.
Kerr County Court at Law
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 700 Main Street, Suite 122, Kerrville, TX 78028 |
| Phone | (830) 792-2207 |
| Fax | (830) 792-2274 |
The four Justice of the Peace precincts spread across Kerr County handle Class C misdemeanors and traffic violations. Precincts 1, 2, and 3 are in Kerrville, while Precinct 4 serves the Ingram area:
- Precinct 1 — 700 Main Street, Room 102, Kerrville, TX 78028 | (830) 792-2230
- Precinct 2 — 400 Clearwater Paseo, Suite 103, Kerrville, TX 78028 | (830) 792-6444
- Precinct 3 — 700 Main Street, Room BA101, Kerrville, TX 78028 | (830) 792-2233
- Precinct 4 — West Kerr Annex, 3324-A Junction Highway, Ingram, TX 78025 | (830) 367-2245
Searching Criminal Case Records
The Kerr County Public Access Portal separates criminal case records from civil and probate matters, making it easy to search by case category. The portal also provides access to jail and bond records, which are maintained separately. For arrest-related records such as incident reports and booking information, the Kerr County Sheriff's Office manages its own records and processes law enforcement open records requests independently from the court clerks' offices.
Defendants who cannot afford legal representation may apply for a court-appointed attorney using the Application for Court-Appointed Attorney available through the District Clerk. Those in custody outside the county may use a separate out-of-county version of this form.
Kerr County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Kerr County cover a broad spectrum — general civil disputes, breach of contract actions, real property disputes, civil equity proceedings, and complex commercial litigation. These cases are filed in either the District Courts or the County Court at Law, depending on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
Finding Civil Case Records
The County Clerk maintains civil records for the County Court at Law, while the District Clerk handles civil records for district court proceedings. Both offices are located at 700 Main Street, Kerrville. You can search civil cases online through the public access portal, which categorizes civil, family, and probate records together in one search module.
Requesting Civil Record Copies
To obtain copies of civil court documents maintained by the County Clerk, complete the Public Information Request Form and submit it in person, by mail, or by email to ccrecords@cc.kerrcountytx.gov. For records maintained by the District Clerk, a separate request form is available through the District Clerk's Office.
Fees for Civil Copies
- Photocopies: Standard per-page copy fees apply (confirm current rate with clerk at time of request)
- Land and Official Public Records (OPR) recording: $25.00 for the first page, $4.00 for each additional page
- Credit card payments carry a 3% convenience fee with a $2.00 minimum
Property Records
Real estate documents — including deeds, plats, liens, mortgages, and deed of trust instruments — are recorded and maintained by the County Clerk. The clerk operates an online property records search portal for real-time access to land and official public records. A request form for copies of land and OPR records is also available for those who prefer to submit a written request.
Effective September 1, 2025, anyone presenting a real property document for in-person recording must provide a government-issued photo ID.
Kerr County Family Court Records
Family law proceedings in Kerr County — including divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence matters — are filed primarily in the District Courts. The 198th and 216th District Courts share jurisdiction over divorce cases, contested custody proceedings, and suits affecting the parent-child relationship. The District Clerk's Office at Suite 236 of the courthouse is the filing authority and record-keeper for these cases.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and related case documents are maintained by the District Clerk. To obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, contact the District Clerk directly at (830) 792-2281 or visit Suite 236 of the Kerrville Courthouse in person, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Online access to divorce case information is available through both the Kerr County Public Access Portal and the Texas Judicial Branch case search system.
Marriage Licenses and Marriage Record Copies
Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk's Office. Both applicants must appear in person with a valid driver's license. The fee is $81 (cash or credit card). Once issued, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony may take place, and the license is valid for 90 days anywhere in Texas.
To obtain a certified copy of an existing marriage record, submit a completed Marriage Record Application for Certified Copy along with a $21 fee. Note that even if no record is found in Kerr County, the $21 search fee is still required under TAC 181.22. Requests may be mailed or emailed to ccrecords@cc.kerrcountytx.gov.
Birth and Death Records
Vital records are managed by the County Clerk. Access is restricted to the record subject, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives; third parties must provide proof of relationship.
- Birth certificates: $23 per copy; requires a valid government-issued photo ID; a notarized birth and death certificate request form is required for mail requests
- Death certificates: $21 for the first copy, $4 for each additional copy in the same transaction; funeral homes and immediate family members may request
In-person requests are typically processed in 5–15 minutes. Mail requests require a notarized signature and a copy of the requester's ID. For questions about eligibility, call the County Clerk at (830) 792-2255.
Protective Orders
Domestic violence protective orders are handled by the District Courts. Information on active protective orders may also be accessible through the Kerr County Public Access Portal, though certain protective order records may have limited public access to protect victims' safety.
Kerr County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Kerr County fall under the jurisdiction of the Kerr County Probate Court, presided over by County Judge Rob Kelly. The County Clerk maintains all probate case filings and provides both online and in-person access to these records.
The Kerr County Probate Court handles the following matters:
- Probating the wills of deceased persons
- Declaring heirs of decedents who died without a will (intestate succession)
- Establishing guardianships for incapacitated adults and minors
- Supervising court-ordered involuntary mental health commitments
- Administering eminent domain cases initiated in the county
- Hearing civil lawsuits related to a decedent's or ward's estate
- Reviewing claims by or against personal representatives of estates
Probate Court Location
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Judge | Honorable Rob Kelly |
| Address | 700 E. Main Street, Kerrville, TX 78028 |
| Phone | (830) 792-2255 |
| Fax | (830) 792-2274 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–Noon and 1 p.m.–5 p.m. |
Searching and Requesting Probate Records
You can search probate case records online using the Kerr County Public Access Portal. Before submitting a records request, the County Clerk strongly recommends using the portal's Case or Party Search to locate the case number first — doing so avoids the $5.00 search fee that applies when the case number is unknown.
For offline records requests, complete and submit the Probate Record Search Request Form to the County Clerk's Office. Once received, allow approximately 72 hours for the request to be reviewed and processed. Requests may be emailed to ccrecords@cc.kerrcountytx.gov or mailed to 700 Main Street, Suite 122, Kerrville, TX 78028.
Filing Probate Proceedings
If you need to open a probate case, the original will must be delivered to the County Clerk's Office within three days of filing the application. Accepted delivery methods include hand delivery to Suite 122 (first floor of the courthouse) or certified mail via USPS, FedEx, or UPS, addressed with Attn: Probate Clerk. For decedents who died without a will, or for small estates, the clerk's office provides guidance on intestate succession procedures and Small Estate Affidavit processes. Attorneys must use the state-mandated Texas e-filing system for all new probate filings. Self-represented individuals (pro se filers) should contact the Probate Deputy at the County Clerk's Office for specific procedural guidance before submitting documents.
Guardianship Records
Guardianship proceedings are also administered through the Probate Court and the County Clerk. Annual reports, account reports, and final reports on the condition of wards are required filings in active guardianship cases. The clerk's office maintains standardized forms for each of these filings and records them as part of the ongoing case file, which is accessible through the same public search and records request procedures described above.