McLennan County Court Records Search
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McLennan County sits in central Texas with Waco as its county seat. The county operates a multi-tiered trial court system that includes five District Courts (19th, 54th, 74th, 170th, and 414th), three County Courts at Law, a Constitutional County Court with probate jurisdiction, six Justice Courts, and more than a dozen Municipal Courts. Two separate clerk offices manage the county’s court records: the District Clerk’s Office handles all District Court filings (civil, criminal, family, and juvenile), while the County Clerk’s Office serves as clerk for the County Courts at Law, the Constitutional County Court, and maintains probate files, official public records, vital records, and marriage licenses.
In Texas, court records can be accessed through a combination of official clerk offices, online portals, and statewide resources. The state judiciary maintains re:SearchTX, a centralized tool that allows users to find case information across all 254 Texas counties, and TexasStateCourts.us may also help users identify publicly available case data. Locally, both the McLennan County District Clerk and the County Clerk operate electronic search portals. Public-access workstations are available at the courthouse during business hours, and both offices accept in-person, mail, fax, and telephone requests. The sections below explain how to search, request, and obtain specific types of court records in McLennan County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in McLennan County?
McLennan County provides multiple avenues for locating court case information, depending on whether the case was filed in a District Court or a County Court.
District Court cases (civil, criminal, family, juvenile). The District Clerk’s Office maintains an online Case Index Search portal with searchable criminal and civil case data from 2001 to present, plus general case information from the early 1980s forward. Users can search by party name, filing date, or cause number, and toggle between civil and criminal indexes.
County Court cases (misdemeanor criminal, civil, probate). The County Clerk’s Office operates a Self-Service Web portal that provides access to marriage records, birth and death indexes, official public records, and probate case information.
Statewide search. The re:SearchTX platform, administered by the Texas Office of Court Administration, aggregates case information from district, county, and justice courts across Texas, including McLennan County.
In-person access. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
McLennan County District Clerk’s Office
Address: 501 Washington Avenue, Suite 300 (Courthouse Annex), Waco, TX 76701
Phone: (254) 757-5054 (Criminal), (254) 757-5057 (Civil)
Fax: (254) 752-1146
Email: district.clerk@mclennan.gov
McLennan County Clerk’s Office
Address: 215 N. 5th Street, Room 201, Waco, TX 76701
Phone: (254) 757-5189 (general), (254) 757-5078 (public records), (254) 757-5186 (probate)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Requesting copies by mail. When writing to the District Clerk, specify whether the request is for the Civil Division or Criminal Division on the envelope. Include the party’s full name, date of birth (for criminal records), case/cause number if known, and the specific documents needed. If the cause number is unknown, include an additional $5.00 for a records search.
Copy fees (District Clerk):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (per page, certified or non-certified) | $1.00 |
| Record search (if cause number unknown) | $5.00 |
| Certificate fee (criminal record) | $1.00 |
Payment is accepted by cash, cashier’s check, money order, Visa, or MasterCard. Credit card payments incur a vendor convenience fee. Fax requests are accepted at (254) 757-5060 and can be paid by credit card.
Files created before the year 2000 may be stored in the County Archives. Archived files are delivered to the clerk’s office at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; requests are fulfilled at the next available delivery time.
Are Court Records Public in McLennan County?
McLennan County court records are generally public documents. The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) guarantees the public’s right to access information about governmental affairs, including court proceedings, unless a specific statutory exception applies. The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure further govern court record accessibility.
Records that are generally accessible include:
- Criminal case filings, docket entries, judgments, and sentencing records
- Civil complaints, pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments
- Divorce decrees and dissolution filings
- Probate filings including wills, inventories, and estate accountings
- Property records such as deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and mortgages
- Marriage license applications and records
- Small claims and eviction case records
Records that are restricted or exempt include:
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Grand jury proceedings
- Sealed and expunged records
- Confidential court orders
- Certain domestic violence and protective order records
- Victim identifying information
- Sensitive criminal investigation records
- Personally identifying information (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers)
Custodian agencies redact protected personal identifiers before releasing records to the public. Persons who believe a public information request has been improperly denied may seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General under Chapter 552.
McLennan County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in McLennan County are divided among the District Courts and the County Courts at Law based on the severity of the offense. The five District Courts (19th, 54th, 74th, 170th, and 414th) handle felony prosecutions and capital cases. The three County Courts at Law adjudicate Class A and Class B misdemeanors. Justice Courts and Municipal Courts process Class C misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and local ordinance violations.
Searching criminal case records. The District Clerk’s Case Index Search portal allows users to select “Criminal” and search by defendant name, date, or cause number. The portal displays case summaries, charges, and docket entries for District Court criminal cases.
Requesting criminal record copies. Contact the Criminal Division of the District Clerk’s Office at (254) 757-5054. Mail requests should include the defendant’s full name, date of birth, and cause number if available. Copies are $1.00 per page. If the cause number is unknown, a $5.00 search fee and $1.00 certificate fee apply.
District Courts contact information:
| Court | Suite | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 19th District Court | 302 | (254) 757-5081 |
| 54th District Court | 305 | (254) 757-5051 |
| 74th District Court | 307 | (254) 757-5075 |
| 170th District Court | 211 | (254) 757-5045 |
| 414th District Court | 405 | (254) 757-5053 |
All District Courts are located at 501 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX 76701.
Arrest and law enforcement records. The McLennan County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and detention records. Open records requests can be submitted through the Sheriff’s online request portal, which requires account creation.
McLennan County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 901 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX 76701
Phone: (254) 757-5095
Fax: (254) 757-5091
The City of Waco Police Department handles records for offenses within Waco city limits and accepts open records requests separately.
Statewide criminal history. The Texas Department of Public Safety operates the Criminal History Conviction Name Search, an online tool for searching Texas criminal conviction records. Search credits cost approximately $1.00 each, with a 2.25% credit card processing fee plus $0.25 per transaction.
McLennan County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in McLennan County is divided by the amount in controversy. The District Courts handle civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $200 (with no upper limit), including complex litigation, personal injury, and contract disputes. The County Courts at Law share concurrent jurisdiction with District Courts over civil matters involving between $200 and $200,000. Justice Courts handle small claims up to $20,000 and eviction (forcible entry and detainer) actions.
Searching civil records. Use the District Clerk’s Case Index Search portal and select “Civil” to search by party name, date, or cause number. For County Court civil matters, the County Clerk’s Self-Service Web portal provides index information.
Filing fees. The District Clerk publishes a detailed Filing and Service Fees schedule (PDF) for civil and family cases, effective since June 2024. Total filing costs are calculated by adding the applicable filing fee, process/issuance fee, and service fee. Local rules for McLennan County civil practice are published through txcourts.gov. Persons who cannot afford filing fees may submit an Affidavit of Indigency to request a fee waiver; however, indigency status does not waive copy or search fees.
Civil forms, including the Civil/Family Cover Sheet, civil subpoenas, and instructions for self-represented litigants, are available on the District Clerk’s forms page.
Justice Court civil matters. The six Justice Courts handle small claims and evictions. Basic Justice Court fees are $54 for filing and $90 for service. Rules governing Justice Court practice are found in Part V of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Self-represented litigants can find guidance through the Texas Justice Court Training Center.
Property records. Deeds, deeds of trust, liens, mortgages, and other recorded instruments are maintained by the County Clerk and searchable through the Online Records Search portal. Documents from 1996 forward are available electronically; older records from 1849 through 1995 are in physical book volumes at the County Clerk’s office. The McLennan Central Appraisal District handles property valuation data and accepts open records requests at 315 S. 26th Street, Waco, TX 76710.
County Clerk recording fees (effective January 1, 2024):
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Recording (first page) | $15.00 |
| Each additional page | $4.00 |
| Certified copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification fee | $5.00 |
| Judgment/lien/hospital lien search | $10.00 |
McLennan County Family Court Records
Family law cases in McLennan County are heard primarily by the District Courts—the 19th, 54th, and 74th District Courts handle the bulk of family matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and protective orders. The District Clerk’s Office serves as custodian for all family case records.
Searching family records. Family case data is included in the District Clerk’s Case Index Search portal under the Civil section. Users can search by party name and cause number. Family law forms—including the Seventh Amended Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties, the Certificate of Adoption, Vital Statistics form (VS-165), and a link to the Texas Attorney General’s child support forms—are available on the District Clerk’s forms page.
Requesting copies. Contact the Civil Division at (254) 757-5057 or submit a mail request to the District Clerk at 501 Washington Avenue, Suite 300, Waco, TX 76701. Include the cause number and specify the documents needed. Copy fees are $1.00 per page.
Restricted family records. Adoption records, juvenile delinquency cases, certain child custody details, and domestic violence protective order filings may be sealed or restricted. Access to these records requires court authorization or proof of party status.
Marriage licenses and records. The County Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains the recorded marriage records. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. The marriage license fee is $70.00 ($10.00 with a Twogether in Texas premarital course certificate). Informal marriage declarations cost $35.00. Formal marriage records from April 1878 forward are available electronically through the County Clerk’s Online Records Search and on public workstations in the office.
Divorce records. Divorce decrees and case files are maintained by the District Clerk. The Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section issues marriage and divorce verification letters (not certified copies of decrees) at $20.00 per verification. Applications can be submitted online or by mail to:
Texas Vital Statistics
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040
Expedited Address: MC 2096, 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756
Birth and death records. For births or deaths that occurred within Waco city limits, contact the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District at 225 W. Waco Drive, Waco, TX 76707, Phone: (254) 750-5482 For rural births or deaths that occurred within McLennan County but outside Waco city limits, contact the County Clerk at (254) 757-5188. Rural birth and death index information is searchable on the County Clerk’s Online Records Search.
County Clerk vital record fees:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate copy | $22.00 |
| Certified death certificate copy (first) | $20.00 |
| Each additional death certificate (same person, same day) | $3.00 |
Mail requests must include a completed request form, proper fee, and a photocopy of the requester’s identification. As of September 1, 2015, the applicant’s signature must be notarized for mail requests. Send to: McLennan County Clerk, P.O. Box 1727, Waco, TX 76703. Eligible requesters include the individual named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, and persons with demonstrated legal entitlement. Texas birth records become publicly accessible 75 years after the date of birth; death records become public 25 years after the date of death.
McLennan County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in McLennan County rests with the Constitutional County Court, which functions as the probate court. The County Clerk’s Office maintains all probate and guardianship case files. Probate matters encompass the probating of wills, estate administration, distribution of assets, debt settlement, guardianship of incapacitated persons and minors, conservatorship, and trust administration.
Searching probate records. The County Clerk’s Self-Service Web portal includes probate case index data. Public workstations at the County Clerk’s office, located at 215 N. 5th Street, Room 201, Waco, TX 76701, also provide access to electronic probate records.
Requesting probate record copies. Contact the Probate/Guardianship Division at (254) 757-5186. Certified copies from the County Clerk cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification, per the Recording Fee Schedule. Payment may be made by check or money order payable to “McLennan County Clerk”.
Probate hearings and docket. The Probate Court Services department maintains the County Judge’s probate and guardianship docket. Neither the County Clerk’s office nor the court provides legal advice. For legal assistance, the following resources may help:
- Lone Star Legal Aid: (254) 756-7944
- Texas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 252-9690
- Texas Law Help
- Texas State Law Library Self-Help
Probate records are generally public. However, guardianship proceedings involving protected personal or medical information may have restricted elements, and certain sealed records require a court order to access. The County Clerk’s office can confirm what portions of a probate file are available for public inspection upon request.