Midland County Court Records
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Midland County sits in the Permian Basin of West Texas, with the city of Midland as the county seat. The county's court system includes four state district courts — the 142nd, 238th, 385th, and 441st — along with two County Courts at Law, a Constitutional County Court, four Justice of the Peace precincts, and a Municipal Court. Court records from these tribunals cover everything from felony indictments and civil petitions to divorce decrees, probate filings, and small-claims judgments. Two separate elected officials share custodial responsibility: the District Clerk maintains records for the district courts, while the County Clerk handles matters filed in the county-level courts, records vital statistics, and maintains the county's official public records.
If you need to find Midland County case information, you can start with official county resources or the statewide portal at TexasStateCourts.us, which compiles links and search tools for Texas court filings. The clerk offices, in-person public-access terminals, and the online databases described below are the most reliable channels for locating case documents, verifying docket entries, and obtaining certified copies.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Midland County?
The right search method depends on which court handled the case and whether you need a certified copy or just want to review case information. Here are your main options.
Online Search Options
- District Clerk Online Portal — The District Clerk's court-records search lets registered users look up district-court cases by case number, party name, or identification number. The system is available around the clock, though official filings are processed only during business hours.
- County Clerk Official Public Records — The County Clerk's official public records site provides access to recorded documents such as deeds, liens, and vital-records indexes. A separate property-records search at Midland County PublicSearch supports full-text searches across recorded instruments.
- TexasFile — The TexasFile database for Midland County aggregates county clerk records, including deeds, liens, and other recorded documents in a searchable format.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in visitors can search records and request copies at either clerk's office:
- District Clerk — 500 N. Loraine St., Suite 300, Midland, TX 79701 | Phone: (432) 688-4500 | Fax: (432) 688-4934 | Email: DC101@co.midland.tx.us | Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- County Clerk — 500 N. Loraine St., 4th Floor, Midland, TX 79701 | Phone: (432) 688-4402 | Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (recording stops at 4:00 p.m.; vital-record services stop at 4:30 p.m.; marriage-license services stop at 4:00 p.m.) | Mailing address: P.O. Box 1350, Midland, TX 79702-1350
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID when requesting records in person. If you're sending a mail request, include as much identifying information as possible — party names, case number, and approximate filing date — along with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope addressed to the appropriate clerk's mailing address.
Copy and Certification Fees (District Clerk)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-certified paper copy | $1.00 per page |
| Non-certified electronic copy | $0.10 per page (minimum $1.00 per document) |
| Clerk's certification | $5.00 |
| Exemplified / authenticated certificate | $10.00 |
Are Court Records Public in Midland County?
Texas operates under a strong presumption of public access to government records. The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code, Chapter 552) gives the public the right to inspect and copy records held by governmental bodies, including court clerks. Most court filings in Midland County — docket sheets, motions, orders, judgments, and transcripts — are generally available for public review unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Records That Are Typically Restricted or Sealed
Texas law and court rules carve out exceptions for certain categories of sensitive information. Records that are generally not available to the public include:
- Sealed cases and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile proceedings under Title 3 of the Family Code
- Adoption files
- Grand jury proceedings
- Records subject to a protective order issued by a court
- Information related to pending criminal investigations (Government Code 552.108)
- Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
- Mental-health commitment records
- Records sealed by court order under Rule 76a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
Redaction Requirements
Under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c, filers must omit or redact sensitive data from documents filed with the court — including complete Social Security numbers, dates of birth (in most civil cases), financial-account numbers, and the names of minor children in certain proceedings. If sensitive data appears in a filed document, any party or the court on its own motion may order redaction.
Requesting Records Under the Public Information Act
If a clerk's office doesn't make the record you need available through routine channels, you can file a formal open-records request. The governmental body must respond within ten business days. If it believes the record is exempt, it must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within that same window. There is no charge for inspecting records in person, but the clerk may assess copy fees for reproductions.
Midland County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Midland County are split between two tiers. Felony prosecutions are filed in the District Courts (142nd, 238th, 385th, and 441st), where the District Clerk maintains all case records. Class A and Class B misdemeanors are prosecuted in the County Courts at Law, with records kept by the County Clerk. Class C misdemeanors — fine-only offenses — go before the Justice of the Peace courts or the Municipal Court.
What Criminal Records Include
District-level criminal files typically contain indictments, arrest warrants, bonds, motions, plea documents, sentence sheets, judgments, post-conviction writs, and appeal records. The District Clerk's criminal section files felony indictments, places them on the court's docket, issues all required papers, and handles post-conviction filings and appeals.
How to Search Criminal Records
- Online: Use the District Clerk's online portal to search felony and district-level criminal cases. Municipal Court records can be requested through the City of Midland's record-request page by submitting an online form, mailing a request to P.O. Box 1152, Midland, TX 79701, or visiting the court in person.
- In person: Visit the District Clerk at 500 N. Loraine St., Suite 300, during regular business hours.
Arrest Records and Background Checks
Arrest records are maintained by the Midland County Sheriff's Office. To request incident reports or arrest information, submit an open records request through the City of Midland's portal or contact the Sheriff's Office at (432) 688-4600. Police reports from the City of Midland Police Department can be requested separately at (432) 685-7145; the department is at 601 N. Loraine, Midland, TX.
Expunction Records
If you want to expunge a criminal record, you'll need to file a petition in the appropriate district court. The District Clerk publishes an expunction mailing and email addresses document (PDF) listing the agencies that must be notified as part of the expunction process.
Justice of the Peace Courts Criminal Jurisdiction
Class C misdemeanors and related matters are handled by four Justice of the Peace precincts:
| Precinct | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | 400 S. Main St., Midland, TX 79701 | (432) 688-4721 |
| Precinct 3 | 400 S. Main St., Midland, TX 79701 | (432) 688-4723 |
| Precinct 4 | 707 W. Washington Ave., Midland, TX 79701 | (432) 688-4724 |
Midland County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Midland County is split across courts based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. District courts handle cases exceeding the statutory minimum (generally above $200, though concurrent jurisdiction with the county courts at law exists for amounts between $500 and $500,000). The County Courts at Law share that concurrent jurisdiction for civil cases where the amount exceeds $500 but does not exceed $500,000. They also serve as the proper venue for eminent-domain and condemnation proceedings and hear Texas Workers Compensation Commission appeals.
Types of Civil Records
The District Clerk records all civil cases, including consumer lawsuits, contract disputes, real-estate litigation, serious personal-injury claims, and tax-collection suits. The office also issues abstracts of judgment, citations, and writs, and collects court costs.
Searching Civil Records
- District-level cases: Search the District Clerk's online case-search portal by case number or party name.
- Recorded documents (liens, judgments, deeds): Use the County Clerk's official public records site or the PublicSearch full-text search tool.
- Small claims: Cases involving smaller amounts are filed in the Justice of the Peace courts at the precinct addresses listed above.
E-Filing Requirement
Since August 1, 2015, attorneys must electronically file all civil cases — including family and probate matters — in appellate, district, statutory county, and probate courts in Midland County. Self-represented litigants may still file on paper at the clerk's counter, though e-filing is encouraged.
Civil Filing Fees
Specific civil filing fees in the district courts follow the statewide schedule set by the Texas Legislature and the Office of Court Administration. Amounts vary by case type and commonly include fees for original petitions, counterclaims, third-party petitions, jury demands, and motions for new trial. Contact the District Clerk at (432) 688-4500 for a current itemized fee schedule.
Midland County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Midland County are primarily heard in the 318th District Court, a dedicated family district court established by the Family District Court Act of 1977. The County Courts at Law also exercise concurrent family-law jurisdiction. The current judge of the 318th District Court is Judge Brent Morgan, who was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott and sworn in on August 25, 2025.
Scope of Family Court Records
Family court files cover a wide range of domestic and child-related matters:
- Divorce and annulment petitions and decrees
- Suits affecting the parent-child relationship (child custody, visitation, and support)
- Adoption proceedings
- Child abuse and neglect cases
- Termination of parental rights
- Protective orders
How to Access Family Court Records
Family court case records are maintained by the District Clerk. Search them through the District Clerk's online portal or visit the office at 500 N. Loraine St., Suite 300. Adoption records and certain juvenile files are sealed under the Texas Family Code and are not available to the general public.
Marriage Licenses and Divorce Records
The County Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records dating back to 1867. Applications must be made in person at the County Clerk's office on the 4th floor of the Midland County Courthouse. A 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued before a ceremony may take place (waived in certain circumstances). Certified copies of marriage records can be ordered online through the Midland County vitals portal at a cost of $7.00 per certified copy plus a $5.00 service and credit-card processing fee.
Divorce records are maintained by the District Clerk for cases filed in Midland County. Statewide divorce verification can also be obtained through the Texas Department of State Health Services, Office of Vital Statistics.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are available through the County Clerk's office (vital-record services stop at 4:30 p.m.) or through the Texas DSHS local vital-records offices. Acknowledgments of paternity require an appointment; call (432) 688-4401 to schedule.
Midland County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Midland County are heard in the Constitutional County Court and the County Courts at Law, which share concurrent probate jurisdiction. The County Clerk keeps all probate case files, and the county's Probate Case Information page offers guidance on accessing records and understanding procedures.
Types of Probate Filings
Probate filings include applications to admit a will to probate, applications for letters testamentary or letters of administration, determinations of heirship, small-estate affidavits, guardianship applications (for both adults and minors), temporary guardianships, applications for mental-health services, and adversary probate actions.
Probate Filing Fee Schedule (effective January 1, 2022; attorney-ad-litem fee added September 1, 2023)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application to probate will for Letters Testamentary | $360 |
| Application to probate will as Muniment of Title | $360 |
| Application for Letters of Administration | $360 |
| Application for Determination of Heirship | $1,110 |
| Small Estate Affidavit | $360 |
| Application for Guardianship (Adult) | $1,110 |
| Application for Guardianship (Minor under 12) | $1,110 |
| Application for Temporary Guardianship (Adult) | $1,110 |
| Application for Temporary Guardianship (Minor under 12) | $1,110 |
| Application for Mental Health Services | $520 |
| Adverse Probate Action | $120 |
Additional Probate-Related Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| County Judge signature | $2 |
| Approving bond | $5 |
| Filing a claim | $10 |
| Issuing letters or abstracts | $2 |
| Issuing citations | $8 |
| Personal service by Sheriff | $100 |
| Posting by Sheriff | $30 |
| Citation by publication | $100 |
| Service by certified mail | $100 |
| Will for safekeeping | $5 |
| Registration for private professional guardian | $30 |
Certain fees kick in 120 days after the initial filing or after the court approves the inventory. These include a $25 charge for any document exceeding 25 pages, a $25 fee for annual or final accounts of the estate, a $25 fee for applications to sell personal or real property, and a $10 fee for annual or final reports of the person.
How to Search Probate Records
Use the County Clerk's public records search or the PublicSearch portal to look up recorded probate documents. For case-specific docket information, contact the County Clerk's office at (432) 688-4402 or visit the 4th floor of the courthouse during regular business hours. Attorneys must e-file probate documents; self-represented parties may file at the counter.
Guardianship and Mental Health
Guardianship applications — whether for adults or minors — carry a $1,110 filing fee that includes the cost of an attorney ad litem. Mental-health commitment applications are filed in the County Courts at Law at a cost of $520. These records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under the Texas Health and Safety Code, and access may be restricted to the parties involved, their attorneys, and the court.