Palo Pinto County, Texas Court Records
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Palo Pinto County keeps official court records for every case adjudicated within its trial court system — covering the 29th Judicial District Court, the Constitutional County Court, five Justice of the Peace Courts, and two Municipal Courts. These records document the full arc of a legal proceeding, from initial filings and summons through orders, hearings, judgments, and final dispositions. Depending on the type and dollar value of a case, either the County Clerk or the District Clerk holds the relevant documents. Under Texas law, most court records are open to public inspection, though certain categories remain restricted.
If you're trying to locate court records in Texas, you have a few options: the clerk's offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, online databases, and official court websites. TexasStateCourts.us can help you identify publicly available case information and connect you to Texas court resources.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Palo Pinto County?
Where you start depends on which court handled the case and what kind of matter it was.
County Clerk — Civil and Probate Records Under $20,000
The County Clerk's Office maintains civil case records for suits involving amounts less than $20,000, probate filings, and records of appeals from Justice of the Peace courts. Civil and probate records are not available online — you'll need to either use a public access computer at the courthouse or submit a direct request to staff.
County Clerk Main Office (Palo Pinto Courthouse)
Address: 520 Oak Street, 1st Floor, Room 103, Palo Pinto, TX 76484
Phone: (940) 659-1277
Fax: (844) 769-4976
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
County Clerk Mineral Wells Annex
Address: 100 SE 6th Avenue, Suite 102, Mineral Wells, TX 76067
Phone: (940) 468-0170
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed noon–1:00 p.m.)
The County Clerk's Self-Service portal provides online access to property and land records indexed from January 1, 1936, to the present. You can view and purchase documents at $1.00 per page plus a 3.5% credit card service fee.
District Clerk — Criminal, Family, and Large Civil Records
The District Clerk's Office handles all felony criminal cases, family law matters including divorce, and civil filings exceeding $20,000. For official records requests, email District Clerk Nathan Choate at nathan.choate@co.palo-pinto.tx.us.
Palo Pinto County District Clerk
Address: P.O. Box 189, Palo Pinto, TX 76484
Phone: (940) 659-1279
Fax: (888) 965-1549
Upcoming court dockets for the 29th Judicial District Court are viewable on the District Court Dockets page on the county's official website.
Copy Fees (County Clerk and District Clerk)
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain photocopy | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee |
Accepted payment methods include cash, personal checks (with driver's license number and phone number), debit/credit cards, money orders, and cashier's checks. All fees are set by Texas State Statute. Neither the County Clerk nor the District Clerk can refund fees regardless of case outcome.
Are Court Records Public in Palo Pinto County?
Texas law establishes a broad presumption of public access to government-held records. The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code, Chapter 552) gives any person the right to request and receive copies of public records maintained by governmental bodies, including county courts and clerks. Section 191.006 of the Local Government Code specifically establishes the public's right to inspect court case records maintained by county officials.
That said, these rights are not unlimited. Palo Pinto County court records may be withheld, sealed, or redacted in the following circumstances:
- Juvenile records — Case files involving minors are confidential under Texas Family Code provisions
- Adoption records — Sealed as a matter of statute
- Mental health records — Restricted from general public access
- Expunged or sealed records — Treated as though they do not exist following a court order
- Social security numbers and financial account information — Custodians are required to redact these before providing public access
- Protected persons' addresses — Particularly in family violence cases, home addresses of protected parties may be withheld
Beginning October 1, 2025, under SB 16 (Local Government Code 191.010(b)), any person presenting a document in person for filing in the county's real property records must present a valid photo ID. The clerk copies or records the identification information at no charge to the filer.
Palo Pinto County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Palo Pinto County are prosecuted in the 29th Judicial District Court, which has jurisdiction over Class A and B misdemeanors transferred from lower courts as well as all felony-level offenses. District Judge Mike Moore presides over the court. Misdemeanor criminal cases not escalated to the District Court are handled at the Constitutional County Court or, for the most minor offenses, within the Justice of the Peace Courts.
29th Judicial District Court
Address: P.O. Box 187, Palo Pinto, TX 76484
Phone: (940) 659-1274
Fax: (844) 637-2456
The court has adopted 29th District Local Rules including amended rules for remote hearings and standing orders for family law matters, all available through the county's District Court page.
Searching Criminal Records
The District Clerk maintains all criminal case files for the 29th District Court. Submit requests by email to nathan.choate@co.palo-pinto.tx.us or in writing to P.O. Box 189, Palo Pinto, TX 76484. The District Attorney also maintains a case search tool linked through the county website for certain case lookups.
Arrest Records and Inmate Information
Arrest records are separate from court records. The Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Department maintains booking and detention records, and an inmate search tool is available through the Sheriff's Office website. In-person jail visitation requires advance scheduling through icsolutions.com at least 24 hours in advance — phone scheduling is not accepted.
Palo Pinto County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Palo Pinto County is divided based on the dollar amount of the dispute:
| Court | Civil Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Justice of the Peace Courts | Small claims up to $20,000 |
| County Court (Constitutional) | Civil suits up to $20,000; JP court appeals |
| 29th District Court | Civil suits exceeding $20,000 |
County Clerk Civil Records
The County Clerk's Civil Records page confirms that civil records under County Court jurisdiction are not available online. You'll need a case number to obtain information. Public access computers are available at both the Palo Pinto Main Office and the Mineral Wells Annex during business hours.
District Clerk Civil Records
Civil suits above $20,000 are filed with the District Clerk. Submit records requests by email or in writing to the District Clerk's office. Upcoming dockets are publicly viewable on the District Court Dockets calendar online.
Justice of the Peace Courts — Small Claims
Texas Justice Courts handle small claims cases for amounts up to $20,000, as well as evictions and Class C misdemeanor traffic violations. Palo Pinto County has five JP precincts:
| Precinct | Judge | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | Todd Baker | (940) 659-1202 |
| Precinct 2 | Jason Sheehy | (940) 664-2212 |
| Precinct 3 | Shawn Humphries | |
| Precinct 4 | ||
| Precinct 5 | (940) 325-3201 |
Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 accepts online fine payments. Small claims self-help packets are available through Precinct 5's page on the county website.
Palo Pinto County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and protective orders — fall under the jurisdiction of the 29th Judicial District Court. The District Clerk maintains all family court case files. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, you must request it from the District Clerk's Office directly; the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) does not issue certified divorce decrees.
Requesting Divorce Records
To obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, contact the District Clerk:
- Email: nathan.choate@co.palo-pinto.tx.us
- Phone: (940) 659-1279
- Mail: P.O. Box 189, Palo Pinto, TX 76484
Submit a written request along with valid proof of identification and a statement of the reason for the request. Access to full divorce decrees is generally restricted to the parties to the action or their authorized representatives. If you only need to verify that a divorce occurred, the Texas DSHS maintains a public divorce verification index covering divorces from 1968 to the present. Verification letters are available through the Texas DSHS vital records ordering system.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk's Office, which also holds certified copies. To request a certified copy of a marriage record, submit the following:
- A completed marriage record copy request form
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Payment of $21.00 per certified copy (cashier's check or money order payable to the Palo Pinto County Clerk)
The standard marriage license fee is $47.00. Applicants who complete a Texas Premarital Education Certificate may qualify for a reduced license fee of $82.00 (the higher fee without the certificate waiver applies unless the couple qualifies). The 72-hour waiting period may be waived in qualifying circumstances.
Drop off or mail your request to the County Clerk at P.O. Box 219, Palo Pinto, TX 76484.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are issued by the County Clerk's Office. Here's what you need to know about access and fees:
- Birth certificates: $23.00 per certified copy. Available to qualified applicants including the person named, parents, siblings, spouse, grandparents, legal guardian, managing conservator, legal representative, or a person under contract for the registrant. A current government-issued photo ID is required. See DSHS identification requirements for acceptable forms of ID.
- Death certificates: $21.00 for the first certified copy; $4.00 per additional copy ordered at the same time. Deaths within the past 25 years are restricted to immediate family members. Deaths older than 25 years are accessible to the general public.
In-county birth certificates are issued in Long Form. Out-of-county Texas birth certificates are available in Abstract Form only and are not suitable for passport applications. Vital records hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. at both the main Palo Pinto office and the Mineral Wells Annex (Annex closed noon–1:00 p.m.).
Palo Pinto County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Palo Pinto County — including estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes — are handled through the Palo Pinto County Constitutional Court, with records maintained by the County Clerk. The Probate Court records page on the county website confirms that probate records are not available online.
How to Search Probate Records
To access probate case information, you'll need the probate case number. Public access computers are available for in-person searches at both County Clerk locations:
Main Office: 520 Oak Street, 1st Floor, Room 103, Palo Pinto, TX 76484
Mineral Wells Annex: 100 SE 6th Avenue, Suite 102, Mineral Wells, TX 76067
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Annex closed noon–1:00 p.m.)
County Clerk staff can also perform searches for a fee when you supply sufficient identifying information. For formal requests, include the decedent's full legal name, approximate date of death, and the estate case number if known. Copy fees follow the standard schedule: $1.00 per page for plain copies and $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee for certified copies.
Types of Probate Cases Maintained
- Administration of testate (with a will) and intestate (without a will) estates
- Independent and dependent administrations
- Muniment of title proceedings
- Small estate affidavits
- Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships
- Name change petitions
- Mental health commitment proceedings
Probate records are generally public, with the exception of certain sealed adoptions and records where a court has imposed a specific access restriction. The Palo Pinto County official website provides direct links to all county court offices and additional resources for navigating the court system.