Montague County Court Records Search
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Montague County, located in North Texas near the Oklahoma border, runs a court system that handles felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes, family law matters, and probate proceedings. Records from these proceedings — dockets, pleadings, judgments, and orders — are held by the District Clerk and County Clerk at the Montague County Courthouse. Knowing which office holds a specific record, what the access process involves, and which online tools are available can save you a lot of time when researching a case.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Montague County?
Texas court records can be accessed through official clerk offices, public access portals, and statewide court search tools. TexasStateCourts.us helps users locate publicly available case information for courts across the state. For Montague County specifically, the search path depends on which court handled the case.
The Montague County District Clerk's Office went fully online with case records through a Tyler Technologies portal, and as of September 1, 2025, the office is fully integrated with re:SearchTX, the statewide court records search platform maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration. Attorneys and parties to cases can now retrieve orders and case documents directly through that system without waiting for paper transmittals from the clerk.
Ways to search Montague County court records:
- Online — District Clerk portal: Visit the Montague County District Clerk's online records portal to search civil and criminal case information maintained by the 97th District Court.
- Online — re:SearchTX: Access case information across all 254 Texas counties, including Montague, through the re:SearchTX platform.
- Online — County Clerk portal: The County Clerk's Office provides an Online Records Search portal for property documents, vital records, and probate case information.
- By email: Submit a completed District Clerk Records Request Form to mcdc@co.montague.tx.us. Payments for copies can be made through the District Clerk's Miscellaneous Fees online payment portal.
- In person — District Clerk: Visit the office at 101 E Franklin Street, Montague, TX 76251, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:45 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch).
- In person — County Clerk: Visit the office at 11339 State Hwy 59 N, Montague, TX 76251, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:45 PM.
Are Court Records Public in Montague County?
Under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), Government Code Chapter 552, most court records in Montague County are public documents available for inspection or copying upon request. That said, the TPIA recognizes specific categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. Accessing those restricted records requires either an eligible relationship to the subject of the record or a court order.
Categories of court records restricted from public access include:
- Sealed court records ordered closed by a judge
- Juvenile justice records and proceedings
- Adoption records and termination of parental rights filings
- Medical records contained within court files
- Court documents identifying witnesses in applicable criminal cases
- Judicial work products and drafts used in judicial decision-making
- Documents that would expose the identity of human trafficking or sexual offense victims
For most civil, criminal, family, and probate matters, anyone can contact the appropriate clerk's office with a party name or case number and request inspection or copies. Fees apply for copies and certified documents. The Texas Judiciary's Court Structure Chart is a helpful reference for figuring out which court has jurisdiction over a given type of case before submitting a records request.
Montague County Criminal Court Records
The 97th District Court handles felony criminal proceedings in Montague County. The court is part of a multi-county judicial district, and all information specific to Montague County — including docket schedules, local rules, and monthly appointment fee reports — is published on the 97th District Court website. For felony case records, contact the District Clerk's Office:
Montague County District Clerk (Robin Woods)
Physical Address: 101 E Franklin Street, Montague, TX 76251
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 155, Montague, TX 76251
Phone: (940) 894-2571 | Fax: (940) 894-2077
Email: mcdc@co.montague.tx.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:45 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
The Montague County Constitutional County Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over Class A and Class B misdemeanors, handling cases involving fines greater than $500 or potential jail time at the misdemeanor level. Misdemeanor criminal case records are held by the County Clerk's Office at 11339 State Hwy 59 N, Montague, TX 76251, Phone: (940) 894-2461 Fines and court costs in misdemeanor cases can be paid online through the Criminal Misdemeanor Online Payment portal. Felony fines and court costs are paid through the District Clerk's Criminal Felony Online Payment portal.
Class C misdemeanor cases — typically traffic offenses and fine-only violations — are handled by the Justice of the Peace courts and the three municipal courts in Bowie, Nocona, and Saint Jo:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| JP Precinct 1 | 101 E Franklin St / P.O. Box 106, Montague, TX 76251 | (940) 894-2541 |
| JP Precinct 2 | 101 E Franklin St / P.O. Box 65, Montague, TX 76251 | (940) 894-2542 |
| Bowie Municipal Court | 304 Lindsey St, Bowie, TX 76230 | (940) 872-4392 |
| Nocona Municipal Court | 101 Cooke Street, Nocona, TX 76255 | (940) 825-8550 |
| Saint Jo Municipal Court | P.O. Box 186, Saint Jo, TX 76265 | (940) 995-2337 |
For statewide criminal history background checks, the Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the Criminal History Conviction Name Search portal, which returns public conviction information for arrests resulting in Class B misdemeanor or higher charges. A name-based search requires free account registration. For a fingerprint-based personal history search, applicants schedule through the DPS FAST program at a cost of $10.00 for fingerprinting plus a $15.00 DPS processing fee; appointments can be made online or by calling (888) 467-2080.
For arrest records and current inmate information, contact the Montague County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Marshall Thomas. The Sheriff's administration line is (940) 894-2491, and the jail can be reached at (940) 894-2871. Open records requests to the Sheriff's Office can be directed to Audra Anderson at (940) 894-2491 or AAnderson@MontagueSheriff.com. More information is available at the Montague County Sheriff's Office website.
Montague County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Montague County are divided between the 97th District Court and the Constitutional County Court based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. The District Court handles large-scale civil disputes, title to land, injunctive relief, and cases above the county court's monetary threshold. The Constitutional County Court handles civil matters within its statutory jurisdiction, including smaller civil claims.
The District Clerk's Forms page provides forms for pro se litigants, including a guide on Filing a Lawsuit or Divorce Pro-Se. The complete District Clerk Filing Fees schedule is available on the county website.
Key District Court civil filing fees (effective January 1, 2024):
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil or family case (base) | $350.00 |
| Actions in an existing civil/family case | $80.00 |
| Expunction (base) | $350.00 |
| Protective order (base, paid by respondent) | $350.00 |
| Name change — child or adult (base) | $350.00 |
| Petition for nondisclosure (base + criminal order) | $350.00 + $28.00 |
| Record search (miscellaneous) | $5.00 per name |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per page + $5.00 per document |
| Regular paper copy | $1.00 per page |
Civil court costs can be paid through the District Clerk's Civil Online Payment portal. Miscellaneous fees, including copy charges and record searches, can be paid through the Miscellaneous Fees portal. If you're paying online, include your Payment ID number when submitting a records request.
The Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims and eviction cases, providing a lower-cost option for disputes within the court's jurisdictional limits. The 2nd Court of Appeals serves Montague County for appellate review of district and county court decisions.
Montague County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Montague County — divorce, child custody, child support, adoptions, protective orders, and suits affecting the parent-child relationship (SAPCRs) — are handled by the 97th District Court. Filings are initiated through the District Clerk's Office at 101 E Franklin Street, Montague, TX 76251, which also maintains all family case records.
The base filing fee for a divorce, SAPCR, or adoption is $350.00. Motions for modification, enforcement, and contempt in existing family cases each carry an $80.00 fee. A withholding order in a divorce case is an additional $80.00, and a Certificate of Name Change costs $10.00. Protective order applications are also filed at the District Clerk's Office.
For child support establishment and enforcement, the Texas Office of the Attorney General Child Support Program provides services independent of whether either party has an attorney.
Vital records relevant to family law proceedings are held by the Montague County Clerk:
- Marriage licenses: The marriage license application fee is $81.00. If both applicants have completed a Texas Premarital Education Certificate, the fee is reduced to $21.00 and the 72-hour waiting period is waived. Applicants must provide a Social Security card and valid government-issued photo ID. Appointments are required; call (940) 894-2461 to schedule.
- Birth certificates: The fee is $23.00 per certified copy. Birth records are confidential for 75 years from the date of birth; during that period, access is limited to the registrant, immediate family members, legal guardians, and those with a direct and tangible legal interest.
- Death certificates: The fee is $21.00 for the first certified copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Death records are confidential for 25 years.
Eligible individuals may apply for birth or death certificates in person at the County Clerk's Office or through the County Clerk's Online Records Search portal. A Birth/Death Certificate Application is available from the county website. Note that a $23.00 or $21.00 search/index fee is retained even when no matching record is located.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) can also verify marriages (1966–present) and divorces (1968–present) recorded in Montague County. Verification letters can be ordered online through the DSHS Vital Records Ordering website or by mail using the Marriage or Divorce Record Application form. A marriage verification letter costs $20.00. DSHS also holds birth and death records dating to 1903 and offers mail applications for birth records and death records.
Montague County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Montague County are handled by the Montague County Constitutional County Court, which has jurisdiction over estate administration, will probation, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health commitment proceedings. The County Clerk's Office is the official record custodian for all probate filings.
Probate case records can be accessed through the County Clerk's Online Records Search portal or in person at the County Clerk's Office during business hours. A written request specifying the case number is required for a probate record search.
Probate filing fees (effective January 1, 2024):
| Filing Type | Base Fee |
|---|---|
| Will for Letters Testamentary / Letters of Administration | $362.00 |
| Muniment of Title / Declaration of Heirship / Community Survivor | $362.00 |
| Guardianship (new case) | $362.00 |
| Adverse action in probate (cross action, motion for new trial, etc.) | $120.00 |
| Inventory, Appraisement & List of Claims (after 90th day) | $27.00 |
| Annual/Final Account of Probate | $27.00 |
| Annual/Final Report of Guardian | $12.00 |
| Claim filing | $10.00 |
| Will for safekeeping | $5.00 |
| Sheriff posting | $10.00 per posting |
| Issuance of documents/citations | $4.00 each |
For probate matters involving property, the Montague County Appraisal District, located at 7549 TX-175, Montague, TX 76251 (phone: (940) 894-6011), maintains property ownership and appraisal data. Land records including deeds, liens, and plats filed with the County Clerk can also be searched through the online portal. Effective September 1, 2025, in-person filing of real property documents requires a valid photo ID under Local Government Code 191.010(b) as enacted by SB 16. Property taxes are administered separately by the Montague County Tax Assessor-Collector.