Rusk County Court Records
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Rusk County is located in East Texas with the city of Henderson 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.
If you're searching for court records in Texas, TexasStateCourts.us can help you identify publicly accessible case information across the state. Because Texas doesn't maintain a single statewide database covering all trial courts, searches typically start with the relevant county clerk or district clerk office. Some records are available through online portals, while others require an in-person visit or a written request.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Rusk County?
Where you search depends 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 for viewing document indexes filed in the District Court. Registration is required.
At the state level, re:SearchTX offers a free subscription plan that lets you search across multiple Texas counties and court types, including civil cases from district, county, and probate courts. Coverage varies by county, and full document access 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 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. on weekdays and 4:00 p.m. on Fridays.
When requesting records, include as much identifying information as possible: the case number, party names, approximate case date, and the type of document you need. 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 generally 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 specific 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
If a request involves records that may fall under an exemption, the custodian agency may need to consult with the Texas Attorney General's Office before deciding whether disclosure is permitted. The Public Information Act requires governmental bodies to respond to requests within ten business days, with the option to seek an Attorney General opinion 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 move through different 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 is posted on the county website's criminal dockets page and can also be accessed through 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 split between the District Court and the county-level courts based on the dollar amount at issue and the case type. The 4th District Court has general jurisdiction over higher-value civil matters 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.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| 4th District Court | Felonies, higher-value civil, family law | (903) 657-0358 |
| County Court at Law | Misdemeanors, civil disputes, family law | (903) 657-0344 |
| Constitutional County Court | Misdemeanors, 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 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 handles family court records and is on the second floor of the Rusk County Courthouse at 115 North Main Street, Suite 202, Henderson. Direct family law inquiries to (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. Parties to a case or those with 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. Schedule a marriage license appointment 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 under Texas law to 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; 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 — 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. 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 the 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 can 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.