Montgomery County Court Records Search
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.
Montgomery County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, situated just north of Houston with its county seat in Conroe. The county operates a large court system that includes nine district courts, five county courts at law, five justice of the peace precincts, and a statutory probate court — all generating a significant volume of case records across criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Navigating where specific records are held and how to obtain them requires familiarity with both the District Clerk’s Office and the County Clerk’s Office, each of which serves as custodian for different court divisions. This guide covers the practical steps for searching, requesting, and accessing court records in Montgomery County.
Texas maintains a network of official resources that can assist with locating court case information. The state courts website at TexasStateCourts.us provides structural details about the judiciary across all 254 Texas counties. Locally, Montgomery County offers two separate Odyssey-based case records inquiry portals — one managed by the District Clerk for felony, civil, and family cases, and another managed by the County Clerk for misdemeanor, civil, and probate matters. Records can also be accessed in person at the relevant clerk’s office, at the courthouse where a case was heard, or through public access terminals.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County provides free online access to court records through two Odyssey Public Access portals, each covering a different set of courts.
District Clerk Court Records Inquiry
The District Clerk Court Records Inquiry portal covers criminal (felony), civil, and family case records maintained by the District Clerk. Users can search by case number, party name, attorney information, or filing date. The portal also includes a court calendar feature for upcoming hearing schedules.
County Clerk Court Records Inquiry
The County Clerk Court Records Inquiry portal provides access to criminal misdemeanor, civil, and probate case records maintained by the County Clerk. Searches can be conducted using a party’s name, case number, or other identifying details.
Both portals are free to use and do not require account creation for basic searches.
In-Person Access
For records not available online or when certified copies are needed, users may visit either clerk office in person:
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| District Clerk | 301 N. Main Street, Suite 103, Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 539-7855 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| County Clerk (Main Office) | 210 West Davis (Hwy 105), Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 539-7885 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch 1:00–2:00 p.m.) |
The County Clerk also operates annex locations in The Woodlands and New Caney for certain services.
Requesting Copies by Mail
The District Clerk’s Records and Research Department accepts written requests using the Request for Copies form. Completed forms should be mailed with payment to:
Montgomery County District Clerk
Attn: Records and Research
P.O. Box 2985
Conroe, TX 77305
Statute allows 10 business days for processing, though the office aims to complete requests within 4–5 business days. Fax requests are not accepted.
Are Court Records Public in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County court records are subject to Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration and the common law right of public access. Under these authorities, court filings, dockets, orders, judgments, and other case documents are generally open to public inspection. No one is required to provide a reason for requesting access to a public court record, although a custodian may ask questions to identify the specific document being sought.
Several types of records are restricted from public access:
- Cases involving minors, including juvenile proceedings
- Family law records that have been sealed by court order
- Documents containing redacted information such as social security numbers
- Records made confidential by judicial order
- Sealed records — which can only be accessed by submitting a Request to Unseal Records form to the District Clerk
Vital records (birth and death certificates) are confidential under Texas law and only available to qualified applicants such as the registrant, immediate family members, legal guardians, or authorized agents.
Montgomery County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Montgomery County is split between the district courts and the county courts at law. The nine district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, while the county courts at law handle Class A and B misdemeanor cases. Class C misdemeanors are heard by the justice of the peace courts and municipal courts.
District Courts Handling Felony Cases
| Court | Judge | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th District Court | Phil Grant | 207 W. Phillips, Suite 306, Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 539-7866 |
| 221st District Court | Lisa Michalk | 207 W. Phillips, Suite 300, Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 539-7808 |
| 284th District Court | Kristin Bays | 301 N. Main, Suite 201, Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 539-7861 |
| 359th District Court | Kathleen Hamilton | 207 W. Phillips, Suite 305, Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 539-7900 |
| 410th District Court | Jennifer J. Robin | 301 N. Main, Suite 214, Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 539-7860 |
| 418th District Court | Tracy A. Gilbert | 301 N. Main, Suite 217, Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 538-3618 |
| 435th District Court | Patty Maginnis | 207 W. Phillips, Suite 307, Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 538-3532 |
| 457th District Court | Vince Santini | 301 N. Main, Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 538-3697 |
Searching Criminal Records
Felony case records can be searched through the District Clerk Court Records Inquiry portal. Misdemeanor case records are available through the County Clerk Court Records Inquiry portal.
To request copies of felony records, submit the Request for Copies form to the District Clerk’s Records and Research Department. Copy fees are $1.00 per page (plain) or $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification fee per document (certified). Criminal name searches within Montgomery County cost $5.00 per name, per 10-year period. Payment is accepted by money order, cashier’s check, or cash — personal and business checks are not accepted.
Statewide Criminal History
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the Computerized Criminal History System, which provides public conviction records for individuals arrested for Class B misdemeanor offenses or greater across all Texas counties.
Sheriff’s Office Records
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office handles criminal offense report requests. Open records requests can be submitted using the sheriff’s open records request form. Criminal offense reports are only made public when the underlying case is closed with a conviction or is inactive. Warrants and records inquiries can be directed to (936) 760-5883.
Montgomery County Civil Court Records
Civil case jurisdiction in Montgomery County depends on the amount in controversy. District courts handle civil matters where the disputed amount exceeds $200, while county courts at law hear cases involving smaller sums within their statutory limits. Justice of the peace courts have jurisdiction over civil disputes up to $20,000, evictions, and small claims matters.
Searching Civil Records Online
Civil case records from the district courts are searchable through the District Clerk Court Records Inquiry portal. County court at law civil records are available through the County Clerk Court Records Inquiry portal. Both systems allow searches by case number, party name, and attorney name.
Requesting Copies
The District Clerk’s Records and Research Department accepts copy requests submitted in person or by mail using the Request for Copies form. The fee structure is as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies | $1.00 per page + $5.00 per document |
| Civil name search | $5.00 per name, per 10-year period |
| Civil/criminal records data on CD, FTP, or email | $9.35 per request |
All fees and court costs are set by Texas state statute. The District Clerk cannot issue refunds regardless of case outcome. Accepted payment methods include cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, attorney checks, and credit cards. No personal or business checks are accepted.
Electronic Filing
All attorneys are required to file civil and family cases electronically through eFileTexas.gov. Pro se litigants may use the self-help filing tool at Guide & File for assistance creating and submitting forms. Local rules, forms, and standing orders are available through the Texas courts local rules repository.
The District Clerk also provides a Civil & Family Fee Sheet listing all current filing fees for new suits.
Montgomery County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Montgomery County fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the district courts. This includes divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoption, paternity, protective orders, and termination of parental rights. The District Clerk serves as the custodian for all family law case records.
Accessing Family Court Records
Family case records can be searched online through the District Clerk Court Records Inquiry portal. Copies may be requested using the Request for Copies form, submitted in person or mailed to the District Clerk. For sealed family records, the Request to Unseal Records form must be submitted. Note that certain family court records may be sealed or restricted, particularly those involving minors or containing sensitive financial information.
The District Clerk provides several self-help resources for pro se litigants, including forms for protective orders, adult and minor name changes, and divorce filings. A Bureau of Vital Statistics form (VS-165) must be completed in paper and provided to the District Clerk for divorce cases — it should not be e-filed.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and records are maintained by the County Clerk. The fee for a marriage license is $81.00, cash only. Applications can be started online to expedite the process, but both applicants must appear in person with valid identification and social security numbers. A 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued, and the license expires 90 days after issuance. Divorced applicants must observe a 30-day waiting period following the date the judge signs the divorce decree, unless the waiting period was waived by the court.
Certified copies of marriage licenses can be ordered through the County Clerk’s online vital records ordering system or requested in person. Montgomery County can only issue certified copies if the license was originally purchased in Montgomery County.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are maintained by the District Clerk and can be accessed through the District Clerk Court Records Inquiry portal or by submitting a copy request form to the Records and Research Department.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are confidential in Texas and only available to qualified persons — the registrant, immediate family, legal guardians, conservators, or authorized agents. The Montgomery County Clerk maintains birth records for births occurring in the county. Long-form birth certificates are available from 1906 to the present, though the County Clerk only holds records for births before 1926 in its own archives; newer records are available through the Texas Department of State Health Services vital records division. Death records are available from 1903 to the present.
Certified copies can be ordered through the County Clerk’s online ordering system:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate | $23.00 |
| Certified death certificate | $21.00 |
Requests can also be submitted in person (with valid ID) or by mail using the appropriate form — the Birth Certificate Application or Death Certificate Application. Mail requests must include the completed and notarized form, a copy of the requester’s ID, payment by check or money order payable to “Montgomery County Clerk”, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mailing address: P.O. Box 959, Conroe, Texas 77305.
Montgomery County Probate Court Records
Montgomery County operates a statutory Probate Court — Probate Court No. 1 — which is the only probate court in the county. The County Clerk serves as Clerk of the Court for this court. Probate Court No. 1 has jurisdiction over all probate, guardianship, mental health, and ancillary civil matters related to probate.
Probate Court No. 1
Address: 210 West Davis, Conroe, Texas 77301
Phone: (936) 539-7892
County Clerk (Probate): (936) 539-7885
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Types of Cases Handled
The court oversees the administration of deceased persons’ estates, determination of heirs, appointment of executors and administrators, and establishment of guardianships for incapacitated persons and minors. Under Chapter 155 of the Government Code, effective June 1, 2018, all guardianships in Texas must be registered with the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) through its online system.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records are searchable through the County Clerk Court Records Inquiry portal under the “Civil & Probate Case Records” section. The County Clerk’s probate division also provides access to the probate records search, current probate filing fees, and a form for requesting probate letters and certified copies.
All attorneys are required to e-file probate cases. Pro se litigants are encouraged to do so as well, though paper filings are still accepted at the County Clerk’s office. Non-refundable e-filing fees are automatically charged when submitting through the e-file system.
The Texas Office of Court Administration maintains a Citation by Publication and Court Notices Website where citations by publication and other public notices required to be posted by courts or clerks are fully searchable by the public.