Shelby County Court Records Search
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Shelby County, Texas runs a multi-tiered court system based in the county seat of Center. The District Courts, Constitutional County Court, Justice of the Peace Courts, and Municipal Courts all generate records that document civil and criminal proceedings from initial filings through final judgments. Attorneys, journalists, litigants, employers, and private individuals all have legitimate reasons to access these records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Shelby County?
You don't necessarily need to visit the courthouse to find case information. The official re:SearchTX portal, maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration, lets you search civil cases filed in district courts, county courts, and courts of appeals across all 254 Texas counties — Shelby County included. A free subscription gets you started, and document previews and purchases are available through the platform. For criminal case information, you'll generally need to contact the appropriate clerk's office directly.
TexasStateCourts.us is another useful starting point for identifying publicly available case information and understanding how Texas's court structure works. Beyond online tools, records are accessible in person through the clerk's offices of each court. Public access terminals at the courthouse in Center also give you an on-site research option if you prefer to search there.
Are Court Records Public in Shelby County?
Public access to court records in Shelby County is rooted in Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, along with applicable common law and statutory provisions. Under Rule 12.4, judicial records that aren't otherwise excepted are open for public inspection and copying during regular business hours. The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and various provisions of the Texas Government Code reinforce this framework across the county's courts.
That said, not every record is freely accessible. Texas law restricts or entirely shields several categories:
- Juvenile records — case files and proceedings involving minors are sealed by statute
- Sealed and expunged records — court orders removing records from public access apply to all requesters
- Mental health records — psychiatric and commitment-related documents carry heightened confidentiality protection
- Judicial work product — drafts, bench notes, and deliberative materials prepared by judges during adjudication are not open for public inspection
- Sensitive personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain identifying data are redacted from publicly accessible documents even when the underlying case file is open
If you believe a records request has been improperly denied, Rule 12.6 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration outlines the process for submitting a formal written request to challenge that decision.
Shelby County Criminal Court Records
Criminal proceedings in Shelby County are divided across the District Courts, the Constitutional County Court, and the Municipal Courts, depending on how serious the offense is. The District Courts handle felony cases and other serious criminal matters. The Constitutional County Court has original jurisdiction over Class A and Class B misdemeanors. Municipal Courts take care of Class C misdemeanors and local ordinance violations.
The Shelby County District Clerk's Office maintains criminal case files for District Court proceedings and is your primary contact for felony-level records.
Shelby County District Clerk — Dee Dee Green
| Physical Address | 200 San Augustine Street, Suite B, Center, TX 75935 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Drawer 1953, Center, TX 75935 |
| Phone | (936) 598-4164 |
| Fax | (936) 598-3323 |
| deedee.green@co.shelby.tx.us | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
For arrest records, booking information, and incident reports, contact the Shelby County Sheriff's Office:
Shelby County Sheriff — Gerald Corbell
Address: 100 Hurst Street, Center, TX 75935
Phone: (936) 598-5600
You can also verify custody status through VINELink, Texas's statewide victim notification system, which allows you to search offender custody status and register for alerts online or by phone.
A few things to keep in mind when requesting criminal records:
- Case dockets for felony proceedings are searchable through re:SearchTX by party name or case number
- Records sealed by court order and juvenile arrest records are not publicly accessible, regardless of how or where you submit your request
- Active cases and records under active investigation are generally withheld from public disclosure
- If you need certified copies of criminal case documents, contact the District Clerk's Office directly
Shelby County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Shelby County move through several court levels. The 123rd and 273rd District Courts have broad authority over major civil litigation — contract disputes, tort claims, property matters, civil rights lawsuits, and more. The Constitutional County Court handles civil cases within its statutory jurisdictional limits. For smaller disputes, the five Justice of the Peace precincts handle small claims and civil suits up to $20,000, which is the current cap for Texas Justice Court cases under state law.
District Courts (123rd and 273rd)
Address: 200 San Augustine Street, P.O. Drawer 1953, Center, TX 75935
Phone: (936) 598-4164 | Fax: (936) 598-3323
Constitutional County Court
Address: 200 San Augustine Street, P.O. Box 6, Center, TX 75935
Phone: (936) 598-3863 | Fax: (936) 598-3146
Justice of the Peace Courts:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | 518 Nacogdoches Street, Center, TX 75935 | (936) 598-3735 |
| Precinct 2 | 174 FM 417 E, P.O. Box 220, Shelbyville, TX 75973 | (936) 598-7797 |
| Precinct 3 | 12723 US Highway 84 East, Suite 1, Joaquin, TX 75954 | (936) 269-3152 |
| Precinct 4 | 140 Ed Wall Street, P.O. Box 902, Tenaha, TX 75974 | (936) 248-4001 |
| Precinct 5 | 501 Austin Street, P.O. Box 285, Timpson, TX 75975 | (936) 254-3922 |
To search civil case records online, the re:SearchTX portal provides access to District and County Court civil filings. For in-person research or to request certified copies, visit the clerk's office of the court where the case was filed. Bring valid identification if the records contain sensitive information, and note that the District Clerk does not accept personal checks for payment.
Shelby County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and adoptions are all handled primarily in the District Courts. The District Clerk maintains these case files and can issue certified copies upon request.
Divorce records in Shelby County are generally public documents, though sensitive data such as Social Security numbers and financial account details are redacted before copies go out to the public. If you need a certified divorce decree, contact the District Clerk at (936) 598-4164 or stop by the office at 200 San Augustine Street, Suite B. For a divorce verification letter — a document that simply confirms a divorce occurred — the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section offers several options:
- Online:Order a divorce verification letter through the DSHS Vital Records Ordering Page
- By Mail: Download and complete the Marriage or Divorce Records Application Form, include a valid photo ID copy and a check or money order for $20.00 per verification, and mail to: DSHS–VSS, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040
- In Person: Visit the DSHS Vital Statistics Section at 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756
Marriage records are maintained by the Shelby County Clerk and are accessible through the county's online Marriage Records Web Access Portal. Certified copies can also be requested in person or by mail:
Shelby County Clerk — Jennifer Fountain
Address: 124 Austin Street, P.O. Box 1987, Center, TX 75935
Phone: (936) 598-6361 | Fax: (936) 598-3701
Email: jennifer.fountain@co.shelby.tx.us
Marriage verification letters are available through Texas Health and Human Services online at the same $20.00 fee.
Birth and death records for Shelby County residents are issued by both the Shelby County Clerk and the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section. Texas law restricts public access to birth records for 75 years from the date of filing and death records for 25 years, per Texas Health and Safety Code § 195.003. Outside those restriction periods, or if you qualify for access, the following fee schedule applies at DSHS:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate (long or short form) | $22.00 |
| First death certificate | $20.00 |
| Each additional death certificate ordered at the same time | $3.00 |
| Expedited processing fee | $25.00 |
Birth certificates can be ordered online via the DSHS Birth Certificate Page, and death certificates through the DSHS Death Certificate Page. Mail applications use the Birth Records Application Form or Death Records Application Form, submitted with valid identification and payment to Texas Vital Statistics, Department of State Health Services, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040.
Shelby County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Shelby County fall under the jurisdiction of the Constitutional County Court, which handles estate administration, will contests, intestate succession, trust administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and claims against estates. The Shelby County Clerk's Office is the records custodian for probate filings and maintains documents going back to 1882.
Probate case records can be searched online through the re:SearchTX portal, which indexes County Court probate proceedings by case name or number. For certified copies of probate documents — including letters testamentary, orders admitting wills to probate, and guardianship appointment orders — reach out to either of the two offices below:
Shelby County District Clerk
200 San Augustine Street, Suite B
Center, TX 75935
Phone: (936) 598-4164
Shelby County Clerk
124 Austin Street, Center, TX 75935
Phone: (936) 598-6361
Email: jennifer.fountain@co.shelby.tx.us
Property records tied to estate transactions — including deed transfers following probate, liens, and mortgage filings — are recorded and maintained by the County Clerk. The Shelby County Appraisal District offers an online property search portal for ownership history and valuation data. In-person and mail requests for property documents can be directed to the Appraisal District at 724 Shelbyville Street, Center, TX 75935, Phone: (936) 598-6171, email scad@shelbycad.com.
Municipal Courts in Shelby County handle local ordinance violations and Class C misdemeanors. Their contact details are as follows:
| Municipal Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Center | 1020 Shelbyville Street, Center, TX 75935 | (936) 598-3080 |
| Joaquin | 124 Preston Street, Joaquin, TX 75954 | (936) 269-3021 |
| Tenaha | 122 North Center Street, Tenaha, TX 75974 | (936) 248-5942 |
| Timpson | 456 Jacob Street, Timpson, TX 75975 | (936) 254-2421 |