Rusk County Court Records Search

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    Rusk County is located in East Texas with the city of Henderson serving as its county seat. The county operates a multi-tiered court system that includes a District Court, a Constitutional County Court, a County Court at Law, five Justice of the Peace precincts, and several municipal courts. The Rusk County District Clerk maintains records for District Court cases — including felonies, civil litigation, and family law matters — while the County Clerk handles records for the County Courts, probate filings, vital records, and property recordings. All primary county offices are housed at the Rusk County Courthouse, 115 North Main Street in Henderson.

    Those seeking court records in Texas can draw on a range of official resources maintained at both the county and state levels. TexasStateCourts.us can help users identify publicly accessible court case information across the state. The Texas judiciary does not maintain a single statewide database covering all trial courts, so searches often begin with the relevant county clerk or district clerk office. Some records are accessible through online portals, while others require in-person visits or written requests. Public access terminals at courthouses, clerk office websites, and state-level search tools all serve as potential starting points.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Rusk County?

    Court case searches in Rusk County depend on which court handled the matter. The District Clerk’s Office maintains an index of civil, criminal, and family law filings from the 4th District Court, while the County Clerk keeps records from the Constitutional County Court, County Court at Law, and probate proceedings.

    Online Search Options

    The Rusk County District Clerk offers online case index access through iDocket, a subscription-based service where users can view indexes of documents filed in the District Court. Registration is required to use the system.

    At the state level, re:SearchTX provides a free subscription plan that allows searches across multiple Texas counties and court types, including civil cases from district, county, and probate courts. Coverage varies by county, and access to full documents may require a paid subscription. Appellate case records can be searched through the Texas Appeals Management and eFiling System (TAMES).

    The Rusk County Clerk also maintains an online real property records search portal for land records and related filings.

    In-Person and Written Requests

    For documents not available online, contact the relevant office directly:

    Rusk County District Clerk – Terri Pirtle Willard
    Civil, Criminal, Jury, Registry: 115 North Main Street, Suite 301, Henderson, TX 75652
    Family Law: 115 North Main Street, Suite 202, Henderson, TX 75652
    Phone: (Civil/Criminal): (903) 657-0353
    Phone: (Family Law): (903) 657-0348
    Phone: (Jury/Registry): (903) 657-0325
    Fax: (903) 657-1914
    Email: twillard@ruskcountytx.gov

    Rusk County Clerk – Trudy McGill
    Address: 115 North Main Street, Suite 206, Henderson, TX 75652
    Mailing: P.O. Box 758, Henderson, TX 75653
    Phone: (Main): (903) 657-0330
    Phone: (Vital Records): (903) 657-0301
    Fax: (Main): (903) 657-2387
    Fax: (Vital Records): (903) 657-0062

    The County Clerk’s office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. (no filings accepted after 4:00 p.m.), and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (no filings after 3:30 p.m.). The vault closes from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. daily, and phones are not answered during the lunch hour. Public access computers shut down at 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 4:00 p.m. on Fridays.

    When requesting records, provide as much identifying information as possible: the case number, names of parties involved, approximate case date, and type of document sought. The County Clerk charges a $5 search fee per record and $1 per page for certified copies.

    Are Court Records Public in Rusk County?

    Court records in Rusk County are presumptively public under the Texas Public Information Act, codified as Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code. This law establishes that information produced, collected, or maintained by a governmental body in the course of official business is public information, subject to certain statutory exceptions.

    Categories of records that are restricted or exempt from public disclosure include:

    • Records sealed by court order
    • Juvenile case records, which are generally confidential under the Texas Family Code
    • Certain family law records, including adoption files
    • Mental health case records
    • Records containing sensitive personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers and financial account details
    • Information that would interfere with law enforcement investigations or judicial proceedings

    Requesters seeking records that may fall under an exemption should be prepared for the possibility that the custodian agency will need to consult with the Texas Attorney General’s Office before determining whether disclosure is permitted. The Public Information Act requires governmental bodies to respond to requests within ten business days, with the option to request an opinion from the Attorney General if an exception may apply.

    Electronic filing is now mandatory for civil and criminal documents filed with the Rusk County District Clerk. Information on expunction procedures is available through the District Clerk’s expunction information guide.

    Rusk County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Rusk County are adjudicated across several courts depending on the severity of the offense. The 4th District Court handles felony prosecutions, the County Court at Law and Constitutional County Court hear misdemeanor cases, and the Justice of the Peace Courts handle Class C misdemeanors and related matters.

    Rusk County 4th District Court
    Address: 115 North Main Street, Suite 303, Henderson, TX 75652
    Phone: (903) 657-0358
    Fax: (903) 655-1250

    Rusk County Court at Law – Judge Chad Wes Dean
    Address: 115 North Main Street, Suite 201, Henderson, TX 75652
    Phone: (903) 657-0344
    Fax: (903) 657-3378
    Court Coordinator Email: cclaa@co.rusk.tx.us

    Rusk County Constitutional Court
    Address: 115 North Main Street, Suite 206, Henderson, TX 75652
    Phone: (903) 657-0330
    Fax: (903) 657-2387

    Criminal docket information for the District Court can be accessed through the criminal dockets page on the Rusk County website or via the iDocket subscription service.

    Statewide Criminal History Search

    The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains the state’s Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. Public users can search criminal history records through the DPS Crime Records online portal after creating an account and purchasing search credits at $1.00 per search (plus a 2.25% processing fee and $0.25 transaction fee for credit card purchases). Searches require at minimum the subject’s first and last name; date of birth is optional but recommended. DPS cautions that name-based searches are not as reliable as fingerprint identification.

    Rusk County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 210 West Charlevoix, Henderson, TX 75652
    Phone: (903) 657-3581
    Jail: (903) 655-3000

    The Sheriff’s Office accepts records requests using a downloadable records request form. Current inmate listings are published online. Victim notification services and offender custody status updates are available through VINELink.

    Rusk County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Rusk County is divided between the District Court and the county-level courts based on the amount in controversy and case type. The 4th District Court has general jurisdiction over civil matters with higher monetary values and equity cases. The County Court at Law handles civil disputes within its statutory jurisdictional limits, including appeals from Justice of the Peace Courts. Justice of the Peace Courts address small claims, eviction proceedings, and forcible entry and detainer actions.

    Civil case records from the District Court are maintained by the District Clerk’s Office at 115 North Main Street, Suite 301. Records from the County Courts are kept by the County Clerk at Suite 206 in the same building. The District Clerk provides online index access through iDocket, and statewide searches can be conducted through re:SearchTX.

    Civil docket schedules for the District Court are posted on the county website’s civil dockets page. Electronic filing is mandatory for civil documents in the District Court.

    CourtJurisdictionContact
    4th District CourtFelonies, higher-value civil, family law(903) 657-0358
    County Court at LawMisdemeanors, civil disputes, family law(903) 657-0344
    Constitutional County CourtMisdemeanors, probate, civil ($200–$20,000)(903) 657-0330
    JP Precinct 1 (Overton)Small claims, evictions, Class C misdemeanors(903) 834-3753
    JP Precinct 2 (Tatum)Small claims, evictions, Class C misdemeanors(903) 947-6440
    JP Precinct 3 (Mt. Enterprise)Small claims, evictions, Class C misdemeanors(903) 822-3737
    JP Precinct 4 (Hwy 42)Small claims, evictions, Class C misdemeanors(903) 854-4420
    JP Precinct 5 (Henderson)Small claims, evictions, Class C misdemeanors(903) 657-0308

    Property-related civil records, including deeds, liens, and instrument filings, are maintained by the County Clerk and can be searched through the Rusk County real property records portal. The portal’s office hours for phone inquiries are standard business hours, and the physical office is at 115 North Main, Suite 206, Henderson.

    Rusk County Family Court Records

    Family law cases in Rusk County are heard in both the 4th District Court and the County Court at Law. These matters include divorce and annulment, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, paternity suits, adoption proceedings, termination of parental rights, domestic violence protective orders, and guardianship cases.

    The District Clerk’s Family Law Division maintains family court records and is located on the second floor of the Rusk County Courthouse at 115 North Main Street, Suite 202, Henderson. The direct phone number for family law inquiries is (903) 657-0348. The County Court at Law also hears family matters, with Wednesday mornings currently reserved for pro se final divorce hearings (telephonic, 9:00–10:00 a.m.) and in-person family law hearings with attorneys (10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.).

    Certain family court records carry confidentiality protections. Texas Family Code Section 109.001 governs the confidentiality of records in suits affecting the parent-child relationship. Adoption records, juvenile proceedings, and protective order files may be partially or fully restricted from public access. Requesters who are parties to a case or who have a direct legal interest may need to present valid identification to obtain restricted records.

    Marriage Records

    The Rusk County Clerk’s Office issues marriage licenses and maintains local marriage records. Marriage license appointments can be scheduled by calling (903) 657-0301. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) also provides marriage verification letters for $20 per verification. Access to marriage application records is limited to qualified applicants under Texas law, including the parties named on the record, their spouses, children, parents, and legal representatives.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce decrees are filed with the District Clerk. Verification letters for divorces can be obtained from DSHS for $20 per record. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for all vital records requests.

    Birth and Death Records

    The County Clerk’s Vital Records division maintains local copies of birth and death certificates. Certified copies of birth certificates are $22 from the state, and death certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, as established by the DSHS vital records fee schedule. Under Texas law, access to birth and death records for events within the last 75 years is restricted to qualified applicants such as the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those demonstrating a direct and tangible interest. State-level requests are mailed to:

    Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section
    P.O. Box 12040
    Austin, TX 78711

    Rusk County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Rusk County fall under the jurisdiction of the Constitutional County Court, which handles the probate of wills, estate administration, guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and trust proceedings. The County Court at Law also has concurrent jurisdiction over certain probate-related matters.

    Probate records are maintained by the Rusk County Clerk’s Office at 115 North Main Street, Suite 206. To request probate records, contact the County Clerk at (903) 657-0330 or visit in person during office hours. Written requests specifying the decedent’s name, approximate date of death, and type of document sought can be mailed to P.O. Box 758, Henderson, TX 75653. The standard search fee of $5 per record and $1 per page for certified copies applies.

    Probate filings typically include:

    • Last wills and testaments admitted to probate
    • Applications for letters testamentary or letters of administration
    • Estate inventories and appraisements
    • Annual and final accountings
    • Guardianship applications, orders, and annual reports
    • Trust-related filings
    • Orders approving distribution of estate assets

    For older or more complex records, an in-person visit to the County Clerk’s office may be necessary. The vault where historical records are stored is accessible during business hours but closes from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. daily. A valid driver’s license or photo ID is required when filing land-related documents into the official public records, which may include real property transfers from an estate.

    Statewide, probate case information from some Texas counties is searchable through re:SearchTX, though coverage for Rusk County should be verified directly. The Texas State Law Library’s court records guide provides additional information on locating probate and other court records across the state.