Lamar County, Texas Court Records
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.
Lamar County, Texas anchors the Red River Valley in the northeastern corner of the state, with Paris serving as the county seat. The county's court system spans a broad network of trial courts — from district-level benches handling serious felonies and major civil suits to Justice of the Peace precincts managing minor disputes and traffic citations. Whether you're researching a pending lawsuit, verifying a criminal conviction, locating a probate filing, or tracing family history through old court documents, knowing how Lamar County's court system is organized will tell you which office to contact and what to bring when you do.
How to Search Lamar County Court Records
The primary online tool for Texas trial court cases is the Lamar County Odyssey Public Access portal, which lets the public search criminal, civil, and probate case records and view the court calendar without creating an account. The Lamar County official website also provides an online services directory linking to the judicial records search and other county resources. For broader statewide case searches, TexasStateCourts.us can help you locate publicly available court case information across Texas jurisdictions. In-person searches remain an option through the County Clerk and District Clerk offices inside the Lamar County Courthouse at 119 N Main Street, Paris, TX 75460. Both clerks also accept mail requests for certified copies and records not available through self-service portals.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lamar County?
Lamar County maintains two primary clerk offices — the County Clerk and the District Clerk. Which one you contact depends on the type and level of case you need.
Lamar County District Clerk
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 119 N Main St, Paris, TX 75460 |
| Phone | (903) 737-2427 |
| Fax | (903) 785-4905 |
| Office Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM & 1:00 PM–4:30 PM (closed for lunch) |
The District Clerk's office maintains records for the 6th and 62nd District Courts, including felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, family law matters, and protective orders. The District Clerk handles filing, case indexing, and issuance of certified copies.
Lamar County Clerk
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 119 N Main St, Paris, TX 75460 |
| Phone | (903) 737-2420 |
| Fax: (Vital Records/Deeds) | (903) 782-1111 |
| Fax: (Civil/Criminal/Probate/Mental) | (903) 782-1100 |
| Office Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (closed noon–1:00 PM) |
The County Clerk's office maintains records for County Courts at Law, probate proceedings, marriage licenses, deed and property records, and misdemeanor-level criminal cases adjudicated at the county court level.
Step-by-step approach to locating a case:
- Identify the type of case (felony, civil, probate, misdemeanor, small claims).
- Determine which court handled the case based on its nature and the dollar amount or criminal classification involved.
- Use the Lamar County Odyssey Public Access portal to search by party name, case number, or date range.
- Contact the District Clerk (for district-level cases) or the County Clerk (for county-level, probate, or vital record matters) if the online portal doesn't return sufficient detail.
- Request certified copies in person, by mail, or via the clerk's self-service station. The County Clerk's self-service portal offers document retrieval without visiting the office in person.
Are Court Records Public in Lamar County?
Texas has one of the broadest public records frameworks in the country. The Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives every person — regardless of citizenship or stated purpose — the right to inspect or receive copies of public government records. Lamar County trial court records generally fall within this framework and are available unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Records typically available to the public include:
- Criminal case dockets, judgments, and sentencing orders
- Civil case filings, motions, and final judgments
- Probate petitions, will filings, and estate inventories
- Marriage license applications and recordings
- Property deed and lien recordings
Records that are commonly restricted or sealed include:
- Juvenile court proceedings and records (Texas Family Code § 58.005)
- Mental health commitment records
- Adoption records (sealed by statute)
- Records sealed by court order following expunction or nondisclosure
- Documents containing sensitive personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, financial account data) subject to redaction under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
If a governmental body wants to withhold records, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General within ten business days of receiving the request. Requesters who believe records have been improperly withheld can seek an Attorney General opinion or pursue judicial review.
Certified copies of official public records from the County Clerk carry the following fees per the 2024 Lamar County fee schedule: $25.00 for the first page of any official public record, with additional pages charged at a separate rate. Copies not requiring certification are less expensive.
Lamar County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Lamar County are divided by the severity of the offense. Felony cases — including charges such as aggravated assault, robbery, drug trafficking, and murder — are heard in the 6th Judicial District Court and the 62nd Judicial District Court, both located at the Lamar County Courthouse.
6th District Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 119 N Main St, Paris, TX 75460 |
| Phone | (903) 737-2427 |
| Fax | (903) 785-4905 |
62nd District Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 119 N Main St, Paris, TX 75460 |
| Phone | (903) 737-2427 |
| Fax | (903) 785-4905 |
Both courts share phone and fax lines and operate through the District Clerk's office. The 6th District Court handles criminal matters exclusively within Lamar County, while the 62nd District Court serves Lamar County alongside Delta, Franklin, and Hopkins counties on a rotating basis. Criminal prosecution is handled by the Office of the Lamar County District Attorney, currently Nick Stallings.
Misdemeanor criminal cases — Class A and B offenses such as simple assault, DWI, and theft under threshold amounts — are handled by the Lamar County Court at Law, with records maintained by the County Clerk.
Searching criminal records:
- Use the Odyssey Public Access portal and select Criminal Records to search by defendant name, case number, or offense type.
- For statewide criminal history background checks, the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service maintains a searchable database. Name-based searches use a credit system; each search credit costs $1.00, with a 2.25% processing fee plus a $0.25 transaction fee applied to credit card purchases.
- Fingerprint-based background checks are more comprehensive and may be ordered through DPS-approved channels for employment, licensing, or legal purposes.
Arrest records and current inmate information for individuals held at the Lamar County Jail are managed by the Lamar County Sheriff's Office, located at 125 Brown Avenue, Paris, TX 75460, reachable at (903) 737-2400. The jail, built in 1992, has a total bed capacity of 152 beds.
Lamar County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Lamar County is spread across multiple court levels depending on the dollar amount in controversy and the nature of the dispute.
- District Courts (6th and 62nd): Handle major civil suits, including contract disputes, personal injury, tort claims, and cases where the amount in controversy exceeds the jurisdictional limits of lower courts.
- County Court at Law: Handles intermediate civil matters and appeals from Justice Court judgments.
- Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1–5): Handle small claims and minor civil matters. Small claims jurisdiction in Texas Justice Courts extends to disputes involving $20,000 or less, making them a practical forum for landlord-tenant disputes, unpaid debts, and minor property damage claims.
Lamar County Justice of the Peace Courts:
| Precinct | Judge | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | James Mazy | (903) 737-2441 |
| Precinct 2 | Crystal Duke | (903) 346-3671 |
| Precinct 3 | Tim Risinger | (903) 737-2439 |
| Precinct 4 | Jimmy Steed | (903) 737-2441 |
| Precinct 5, Place 1 | Michael Woodson | (903) 737-2440 |
| Precinct 5, Place 2 | Anson Amis | (903) 737-2441 |
All Justice of the Peace courts are located at 119 N Main St, Paris, TX 75460. Civil and criminal forms for JP courts are available through the Justice of the Peace Civil & Criminal Forms page.
Civil case records at the district level are managed by the District Clerk, while county court and JP court records are maintained by the County Clerk. Both offices accept in-person and mail requests for certified copies. The County Clerk's self-service portal lets you search and retrieve recorded civil documents — including deeds, liens, and court instruments — from a computer without an office visit.
Lamar County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Lamar County are primarily heard in the district courts. Both the 6th and 62nd District Courts have jurisdiction over divorce proceedings, child custody and conservatorship disputes, child support enforcement, adoption, protective orders, and termination of parental rights.
Divorce records are filed with the District Clerk and become part of the court's permanent record. The original petition, final decree of divorce, and any agreed orders or modifications are public documents unless sealed by court order. To obtain certified copies of divorce records, contact the District Clerk at (903) 737-2427.
Marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk. A marriage license must be obtained in Lamar County before solemnizing a marriage in Texas. The current fee for a Lamar County marriage license is $81.00, payable by local check, cash, credit card, or debit card. Credit and debit card payments are subject to a 3.5% service fee by the payment processor. Information on the license application process is available through the County Clerk's forms page.
Birth and death records registered in Lamar County are available through the County Clerk's office for events occurring within the county. Statewide certified copies of birth and death records are issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit. Current state fees are:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified Birth Certificate (Long or Short Form) | $22.00 |
| First Death Certificate | $20.00 |
| Each Additional Death Certificate (same order) | $3.00 |
| Marriage/Divorce Verification Letter | $20.00 each |
Birth and death certificates can be ordered online through the Texas vital records order application.
Domestic violence matters — including applications for protective orders — are processed through the District Clerk. Temporary ex parte protective orders can be issued quickly, sometimes on the day of filing, in urgent circumstances. The Justice of the Peace courts also have authority to issue magistrate's orders for emergency protection immediately following a domestic violence arrest, providing short-term protections while a permanent protective order is sought in district court.
Lamar County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Lamar County rests with the Lamar County Constitutional County Court and the Lamar County Court at Law, both administered through the County Clerk. These courts hear matters involving the administration of decedents' estates, will contests, appointment of independent and dependent executors, guardianships over incapacitated adults, and conservatorships for minors.
Constitutional County Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 119 N Main St, Paris, TX 75460 |
| Phone | (903) 737-2420 |
| Fax | (903) 782-1100 |
Probate records in Lamar County cover the following types of filings:
- Wills: Offered for probate following a decedent's death; original wills are held by the County Clerk and are public once filed.
- Letters Testamentary / Letters of Administration: Court-issued documents authorizing an executor or administrator to manage the estate.
- Estate Inventories and Accountings: Detailed asset listings submitted to the court during estate administration.
- Guardianship Files: Documents relating to the appointment of guardians for minors or incapacitated adults, including annual reports.
- Mental Health Commitment Records: Filed in the county court but restricted from public view under Texas Health and Safety Code provisions.
To request probate records, visit the Lamar County Clerk's office in person during business hours or submit a written request by mail to:
Ruth Sisson, County Clerk
Lamar County Courthouse
119 N Main Street
Paris, TX 75460
When mailing a request, include the full name of the decedent or ward, the approximate date of the proceeding, the type of document requested, a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID, and payment for applicable copy fees. The standard fee for certified copies of official public records begins at $25.00 for the first page.
Probate cases can also be found through the Odyssey Public Access portal by selecting Probate Records from the search menu and entering the party's name or case number. Online results typically show the case style, filing date, docket entries, and hearing schedule, though actual document images may require a clerk's office request for certified copies. If you're not sure whether a loved one left a will on file with the court, the County Clerk can conduct a will search upon request.