San Patricio County Court Records Search
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San Patricio County is located along the Texas Gulf Coast, with its county seat in Sinton and population centers in Portland, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, Mathis, Taft, and Odem. The county falls within the 36th, 156th, and 343rd Judicial Districts, and its court structure includes three District Courts, two County Courts at Law, a Constitutional County Court, six Justice of the Peace Courts, and several Municipal Courts. The county courthouse sits at 400 W. Sinton Street in Sinton, and most court records are maintained by either the District Clerk or the County Clerk depending on the case type and court of origin.
Individuals searching for court records in Texas have access to a range of official resources. The San Patricio County District Clerk and County Clerk both accept requests in person, by phone, by mail, and by email. For electronic access, the county has partnered with the state’s re:SearchTX platform to provide public access to civil and family case filings. The County Clerk also operates an Official Records Search portal for property, marriage, birth, and death records indexed from 1983 to present. For broader statewide research, TexasStateCourts.us offers context and links for locating publicly available court case information from clerk offices and online search tools across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in San Patricio County?
The office that holds a particular court record depends on the type of case and the court in which it was filed. San Patricio County maintains two principal custodians of court records.
District Clerk (Heather B. Marks)
Maintains records for the 36th, 156th, and 343rd District Courts, including felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits within district court jurisdiction, family law cases (divorce, custody, adoption, protective orders), and juvenile matters.
Address: 400 West Sinton Street, Room 144, P.O. Box 1084, Sinton, TX 78387
Phone: (361) 364-9377
Fax: (361) 364-9477
Email: dcinfo@sanpatriciocountytx.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
County Clerk (Gracie Alaniz-Gonzales)
Maintains records for the County Courts at Law and the Constitutional County Court, including misdemeanor criminal cases, probate, guardianship, civil matters within county court jurisdiction, and vital records (birth, death, marriage).
Address: 400 W. Sinton Street, Room 124, Sinton, TX 78387
Phone: (361) 364-9350
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Steps to Search for a Case
- Determine the case type. Felony, district-level civil, family, and juvenile records are held by the District Clerk. Misdemeanors, probate, and county-level civil cases are held by the County Clerk. Justice of the Peace courts maintain their own records for small claims, evictions, and Class C misdemeanors at the precinct level.
- Search online. The re:SearchTX portal provides electronic access to civil and family case records filed with the District Clerk. Users who already have an eFileTexas account can use the same login credentials. The County Clerk’s Official Records Search portal covers property, marriage, vital, and other recorded documents from 1983 forward.
- Contact the office directly. For District Clerk records, call (361) 364-9377 (option 2) or email dcinfo@sanpatriciocountytx.gov. For County Clerk records, call (361) 364-9350 and select the appropriate option: option 1 for probate or option 2 for civil.
- Request records by mail. Send a completed Copies Order Form with applicable fees (money order or cashier’s check payable to the District Clerk or County Clerk) and a self-addressed stamped envelope to P.O. Box 1084, Sinton, TX 78387.
- Visit in person. Both offices are located in the San Patricio County Courthouse and accept walk-in requests during business hours. The District Clerk recommends calling ahead at (361) 364-9377 before visiting so staff can prepare records in advance.
Are Court Records Public in San Patricio County?
Texas law creates a broad presumption of public access to court records. Under Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 12, a court record is any book, paper, document, letter, map, tape, film, recording, or photograph created or maintained by a court. Rule 12.4 of that same administrative order authorizes public inspection and copying of most judicial records, and the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) provides additional access rights to governmental records more broadly.
Information that is generally accessible to the public in San Patricio County court records includes party names and types, charge descriptions and statutes, hearing dates and event schedules, case title, case number, case type and status, filing date, court assignment, and the name of the presiding judicial officer.
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 12.5. These include:
- Security plans maintained by a court
- Judicial work product and internal deliberations
- Records of examinations administered to individuals (unless requested by the examinee)
- Personnel records whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
- Records revealing a person’s Social Security number, home address, personal phone number, or information about family members
- Records related to investigations of a person’s character or conduct, unless requested by the subject and release would not compromise the investigation
- Records pertaining to civil or criminal litigation or settlement negotiations in which a court, judicial officer, or judicial agency is a party
- Employment and volunteer service applicant records
Juvenile case records, sealed files, and adoption records are also restricted from public access under separate provisions of the Texas Family Code. Individuals who believe a public information request has been improperly denied may contact the San Patricio County Public Information Officer for guidance.
San Patricio County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in San Patricio County are divided between the District Courts (felonies) and the County Courts at Law (misdemeanors). The 36th, 156th, and 343rd District Courts handle all felony prosecutions. The County Court at Law 1 and County Court at Law 2 adjudicate misdemeanor cases. Justice of the Peace Courts across six precincts handle Class C misdemeanor citations, including traffic violations.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal court records at the district level can be requested by phone at (361) 364-9377 (option 2), by email at dcinfo@sanpatriciocountytx.gov, or in person at the District Clerk’s office. The County Clerk handles misdemeanor case records and can be reached at (361) 364-9350. While the re:SearchTX portal currently provides electronic access to civil and family case records, criminal docket information may require a direct request to the clerk’s office.
Statewide Criminal History Searches
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Crime Records Division maintains centralized criminal history data for the entire state. Members of the public can search conviction records through the DPS Criminal History Conviction Name Search portal, which requires account registration. A name-based search costs $10. Fingerprint-based criminal history checks are also available for $15, plus a $10 fingerprinting fee collected by the DPS-approved vendor. Processing time is approximately ten business days. Public criminal history records generally include arrest, prosecution, and disposition information for Class B misdemeanor offenses and above.
Sheriff’s Office
The San Patricio County Sheriff’s Office provides access to arrest records and maintains a jail facility in Sinton.
San Patricio County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 300 North Rachal, Sinton, TX 78387
Phone: (361) 364-9600
Fax: (361) 364-6110
District Clerk Criminal Fees (Selected)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification and seal (per document) | $5.00 |
| Non-certified copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Records search (per party) | $5.00 |
| Service of citation by Sheriff (in-county) | $100.00 |
San Patricio County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in San Patricio County are heard by both the District Courts and the County Courts at Law. District Court jurisdiction covers higher-value civil disputes, while the County Courts at Law handle matters within their statutory limits. Small claims and eviction cases are heard in the Justice of the Peace Courts at the precinct level.
Electronic Access
The District Clerk’s office has partnered with re:SearchTX to provide online access to civil case records. New users can register for a free account on the portal; those who already have an eFileTexas account may log in with existing credentials. Viewing case information on re:SearchTX is free. Downloading documents costs $1.00 for the first ten pages plus $0.10 for each additional page. The County Clerk also provides access to recorded civil documents through the Official Records Search portal, which covers records from 1983 to the present and allows searches by grantor/grantee name, document type, recording date, book/volume, or legal description.
District Clerk Civil Filing Fees (Effective 1/1/2022)
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Clerk of the Court | $50.00 |
| County Law Library | $35.00 |
| Records Management | $30.00 |
| Court Reporter Fee | $25.00 |
| Courthouse Security Fee | $20.00 |
| Court Facility Fee | $20.00 |
| Dispute Resolution Fee | $15.00 |
| County Jury Fund | $10.00 |
| Appellate Judicial Fee | $5.00 |
| Language Access Fund | $3.00 |
| Local Consolidated Fee | $213.00 |
| State Consolidated Fee | $137.00 |
| Total Base Filing Fee (new civil case) | $350.00 |
Additional fees include $8.00 for issuance of citation, $100.00 for service of citation by Sheriff (in-county), $100.00 for service by certified mail, $5.00 for filing and approving a bond, and $80.00 for motions to modify, intervene, counterclaim, cross-action, or file a third-party petition. Tax suits carry a base filing fee of $358.00 (includes one citation). Foreign judgments are $350.00 base, or $458.00 with citation and Sheriff service.
Copy and Search Fees
- Paper copies (certified): $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification and seal per document
- Paper copies (non-certified): $1.00 per page
- Electronic documents: $1.00 for up to 10 pages, $0.10 per additional page
- Records search: $5.00 per party name
The District Clerk accepts cash, money orders, cashier’s checks, credit cards, and business checks. Personal checks are not accepted. All new civil cases must be filed electronically through eFileTexas.
Property Records
Property-related records—deeds, liens, plats, and other instruments—are recorded with the County Clerk and searchable through the Official Records Search portal. The Tax Assessor-Collector provides online property tax records through its Public Access Portal, which supports searches by owner name, property address, account number, or CAD reference number.
San Patricio County Family Court Records
Family law cases in San Patricio County—including divorce, suits affecting the parent-child relationship (SAPCR), child custody, child support, adoption, termination of parental rights, protective orders, and name changes—are filed with the District Clerk and heard in the District Courts. The District Clerk’s office maintains all family case records and provides electronic access through re:SearchTX.
Family Case Filing Fees (Effective 1/1/2022)
| Case Type | Base Fee |
|---|---|
| All new family cases | $350.00 |
| Divorce (with or without children) | $350.00 |
| Divorce with citation | $358.00 |
| Divorce with citation and service | $458.00 |
| Parent-child relationship (SAPCR) | $350.00 |
| Adoption | $350.00 |
| Termination of parental rights | $350.00 |
| Protective order (paid by respondent) | $350.00 + $16.00 application fee |
| UIFSA / Name change / Removal of disabilities of minor | $350.00 |
| Expunction | $350.00 + $15.22 per certified mail notice |
| Petition for non-disclosure | $350.00 |
| Motion to modify (SAPCR, within existing case) | $80.00 |
| SAPCR transferred into county | $45.00 |
| Issuance of income withholding for support | $15.00 |
The District Clerk’s Child Support Division handles filings related to wage withholding and enforcement of support orders.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk. Both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk’s office with valid identification. The County Clerk’s FY 2025 fee schedule lists the following:
- Marriage license: $81.00
- Duplicate copy of marriage license: $30.00
- Certified copy of marriage certificate: $7.00
Marriage records can be searched free of charge through the County Clerk’s Official Records Search portal by selecting “Marriage” from the document type dropdown and entering the record holder’s name. Copies may also be ordered online through the county’s vital records ordering system for $7.00 per certified copy, plus a $5.00 service and credit card processing fee.
Mail requests require a completed Application for Certified Copy of Marriage License, a copy of the requester’s valid photo ID, and a money order sent to: San Patricio County Clerk, P.O. Box 578, Sinton, TX 78387.
Birth and Death Records
The County Clerk maintains birth records for San Patricio County and surrounding areas dating back to 1906, and death records for decedents who died within the county. These are restricted records under Texas law—only eligible individuals such as the registrant, a parent, legal guardian, or close family member may obtain certified copies.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate | $23.00 each |
| Certified death certificate | $21.00 (first copy); $4.00 each additional |
| Amendment to birth or death certificate | $37.00 ($15.00 amendment + $22.00 certified copy) |
Requests can be made in person at the County Clerk’s office, online through the vital records ordering system (with an additional $5.00 service fee), or by mail using the Application for Birth or Death Record form. Mail requests should include a valid photo ID copy and a money order payable to the San Patricio County Clerk.
San Patricio County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in San Patricio County—including estate administration, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships—are under the jurisdiction of the County Courts at Law and the Constitutional County Court. The County Clerk maintains probate case files, and the Probate Division can be reached at (361) 364-9350 (option 1).
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be accessed through the County Clerk’s re:SearchTX partnership for electronically filed records. Older probate files that predate electronic filing are available by contacting the County Clerk’s office directly. In-person requests are accepted during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), and the clerk’s staff will search by party name or case number. The County Clerk also publishes guardianship citations as required by law.
Requesting Probate Copies
Copies of probate records can be obtained in person, by phone, or by mail. Provide the decedent’s full name, the case number if available, and a description of the documents needed. Standard copy and certification fees apply—$1.00 per page for non-certified copies and $5.00 per document for certification and seal, consistent with the county’s general copy fee structure.
Common Probate Filings
The County Clerk’s Probate Division handles applications for probate of a will, applications for administration of an estate (with or without a will), independent administration proceedings, small estate affidavits, determination of heirship proceedings, guardianship of incapacitated persons, guardianship of minors, and trust matters. Individuals needing assistance with probate forms or procedures may consult the Texas Courts Self-Help Center or the California Courts forms page—for Texas-specific forms, the Judicial Branch maintains a court forms library and the local County Clerk’s fee schedule provides current pricing for all probate-related filings.
Payment methods accepted by the County Clerk’s office include cash, money orders, cashier’s checks, and credit or debit cards. Persons who cannot afford filing fees may inquire about the availability of fee waivers by contacting the clerk’s office. The District Clerk’s office also handles certain probate-adjacent matters, such as termination of parental rights and guardianship cases filed through the District Court system, at the fees outlined in its fee schedule.