Kleberg County, Texas Court Records

    Please enter a valid first name
    Please enter a valid last name

    TexasStateCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on TexasStateCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

    Kleberg County, Texas — anchored by the city of Kingsville in the southern part of the state — maintains court records across several judicial divisions that collectively document its civil, criminal, family, and probate proceedings. These records are formal written documents created by court clerks and include case filings, hearing dates, motions, court orders, final judgments, and sentencing details in criminal matters. Attorneys, journalists, researchers, litigants, and members of the general public all have reason to access these records — whether to review the outcome of a legal dispute, verify a party's litigation history, or research matters of public interest.

    Locating Kleberg County Court Records:

    Texas residents and others seeking Kleberg County court records have several paths available — official clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online search systems maintained by the county and state. For a broader orientation to the Texas court system, TexasStateCourts.us can help you identify publicly available case information. For county-specific matters, though, contacting the appropriate clerk's office directly or using the county's designated online portals will give you the most current and complete results.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Kleberg County?

    Kleberg County's court system is divided between the District Court and the County Court at Law, with additional matters handled by Justice of the Peace courts across four precincts. Records from each level are maintained by separate clerk offices — identifying the right office is the essential first step in any records search.

    The two primary custodians of court records in Kleberg County are:

    Kleberg County District Clerk
    Address: 700 E. Kleberg Ave., Kingsville, TX 78363 (Mailing: P.O. Box 312, Kingsville, TX 78364)
    Phone: (361) 595-8561
    Fax: (361) 595-8525

    Kleberg County Clerk
    Address: 700 E. Kleberg Ave., Kingsville, TX 78363 (Mailing: P.O. Box 1327, Kingsville, TX 78364)
    Phone: (361) 595-8548 / (361) 595-8549
    Fax: (361) 593-1355

    The Kleberg County Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., then again in the afternoon — call ahead at (361) 595-8548 or (361) 595-8549 to confirm afternoon appointment availability. The District Clerk's Office maintains standard courthouse hours.

    For online searches, the County Clerk provides access to two platforms:

    Requests may be submitted in person or by mail. When contacting either clerk, having the case number, party names, or filing date ready will help narrow the search and ensure accuracy.

    Are Court Records Public in Kleberg County?

    The Texas Public Information Act establishes the general rule that government records — including court records — are presumed open to the public. The Act applies to all Texas governmental bodies and requires that records be made available for inspection or copying upon request, in the interest of promoting transparency and accountability in the judicial process.

    That said, the Act recognizes specific categories of records that may be withheld from public disclosure, including:

    • Juvenile court records and proceedings involving minors
    • Records pertaining to individuals with mental health conditions, where disclosure could harm those individuals
    • Information containing Social Security numbers, which must be redacted under state law
    • Sensitive government information that could compromise public safety or ongoing investigations
    • Medical records and other health-related information protected under applicable privacy statutes

    In practice, clerks may release partial records — providing the non-confidential portions while redacting restricted content. If you believe a records request has been improperly denied, you may seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office, which administers public information laws and issues binding open records rulings.

    Kleberg County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Kleberg County are prosecuted at two levels. Felony offenses and serious criminal cases are filed in the Kleberg County District Court, while misdemeanor offenses are generally handled by the Kleberg County Court at Law. Minor infractions — including Class C misdemeanors and traffic violations — fall under the jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace courts.

    Kleberg County District Court
    Address: 700 E. Kleberg Ave., Kingsville, TX 78363
    District Clerk Phone: (361) 595-8561 | Fax: (361) 595-8525
    District Court Judge: Jack Pulcher | Phone: (361) 595-8533

    Kleberg County Court at Law
    Address: 700 E. Kleberg Ave., Kingsville, TX 78363
    Judge: Jaime E. Carrillo
    Phone: (361) 595-8565 | Fax: (361) 592-4218

    Criminal court records — including indictments, charging documents, plea agreements, and sentencing orders — are maintained by the District Clerk for felony matters and by the County Clerk for misdemeanor cases filed in the County Court at Law. The County Clerk's Texas Online Records portal allows online searches of criminal records from September 1987 to the present. Searches in this system carry a fee of $10.00 per name, with copies available at $1.00 per page.

    For arrest information, the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office maintains an inmate roster and can provide information on current and former detainees. Contact the Sheriff's Office directly for inquiries about outstanding warrants or arrest history. Comprehensive criminal history background checks for employment or licensing purposes are processed through the Texas Department of Public Safety rather than through the county clerk offices.

    Justice of the Peace courts handle smaller criminal matters across four precincts in the county:

    CourtJudgeAddressPhone
    JP Precinct 1Ventura Sonny Gonzalez III2599 E. Kenedy Ave., Kingsville, TX 78363(361) 595-1352
    JP Precinct 2Brandon Wayne Barrera620 N. Third, Kingsville, TX 78363(361) 595-8571
    JP Precinct 3Christopher LeeP.O. Box 214, Riviera, TX 78379(361) 296-3214
    JP Precinct 4Ofelia Ofie Gutierrez622 N. 14th Street, Kingsville, TX 78363(361) 595-8586

    Kleberg County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases in Kleberg County are divided between the District Court — which handles larger disputes, complex litigation, and appeals — and the County Court at Law, which handles civil matters within its statutory jurisdiction. Small claims and minor civil disputes fall under the purview of the Justice of the Peace courts.

    Both the District Clerk and the County Clerk maintain civil court records depending on where the case was filed. To request civil records, contact the appropriate office with the case number, party names, or filing date. Requests may be made in person at the courthouse or submitted by mail.

    Steps to Request Civil Court Records:

    1. Identify whether the case was filed in District Court, County Court at Law, or a Justice of the Peace Court.
    2. Contact the District Clerk at (361) 595-8561 for District Court matters, or the County Clerk at (361) 595-8548 for County Court at Law matters.
    3. Provide the case number, party names, or approximate filing date.
    4. Submit the request in person or by mail to 700 E. Kleberg Ave., Kingsville, TX 78363.
    5. Pay applicable copy fees: $1.00 per page for standard copies, $5.00 per document for certified copies.

    For property-related civil records — including deeds, liens, releases, and recorded instruments — the County Clerk's public records portal at kleberg.tx.publicsearch.us provides online index access. The Kleberg County Clerk's Office also handles filings such as assumed name certificates, bond records, and official public documents that frequently arise in civil and business disputes. The District Clerk publishes its filing fees for 2024 on the county website — review those before submitting any new court filings.

    Kleberg County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Kleberg County — including divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, adoption, and protective orders — are filed in the District Court. The District Clerk at (361) 595-8561 is the primary custodian for these records.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce decrees and associated case files are maintained by the Kleberg County District Clerk. Searches for divorce records cost $10.00 per name. Copies are available at $1.00 per page, with certification at $5.00 per document. Submit requests in person or by mail to the District Clerk's office at 700 E. Kleberg Ave., Kingsville, TX 78363.

    The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section also maintains statewide divorce records and designates the Kleberg County District Clerk as a local provider for divorce record requests.

    Marriage Records

    Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Kleberg County Clerk's Office. Certified copies of marriage records cost $21.00. Applicants must complete an application form and provide notarized proof of identification. The County Clerk also serves as the DSHS-designated local office for Texas birth records and local death records in Kleberg County.

    Birth and Death Records

    • Birth certificates: $23.00 per copy from the County Clerk. Under Texas law, birth records are restricted from public access for 75 years from the date of birth. Before that period expires, only the record subject, immediate family members, legal guardians, or authorized representatives may obtain them. Applications are also accepted through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Office.
    • Death certificates: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy from the County Clerk. Death records are restricted for 25 years after the date of death.

    Kleberg County Probate Court Records

    Probate proceedings in Kleberg County — including the administration of estates, probate of wills, guardianships, and conservatorships — are handled by the Kleberg County Court at Law, with records maintained by the County Clerk. The County Clerk's office holds probate records going back to 1913.

    To access probate records or initiate a search, contact the Kleberg County Clerk's Office at (361) 595-8548. Probate records from September 1987 to the present are searchable online through the Texas Online Records portal. For older records predating the online system, in-person research at the clerk's office is required.

    To request probate records:

    • In person: Visit the County Clerk's Office at 700 E. Kleberg Ave., Kingsville, TX 78363, during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m.; afternoon by appointment).
    • By mail: Send a written request to Kleberg County Clerk, P.O. Box 1327, Kingsville, TX 78364. Include the decedent's name, estimated year of death, and any known case or estate number.
    • Online: Search through Texas Online Records for records from September 1987 forward.

    Copy fees for probate records follow the same schedule as other County Clerk records: $1.00 per page for standard copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies. Estate proceedings may involve multiple filings — including wills, inventories, letters testamentary, final accountings, and court orders — so be specific about exactly which documents you need when submitting a request. For questions about the legal interpretation of Texas probate statutes or the administration of a specific estate, a licensed Texas attorney is the right resource, as clerk staff are not permitted to provide legal advice.