Starr County Court Records Search
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Starr County sits along the Rio Grande in deep South Texas, with Rio Grande City serving as the county seat. The county’s judicial system includes two district courts, a county court at law, eight justice of the peace precincts, and two municipal courts—all housed within or near the Starr County Courthouse at 401 N. Britton Avenue. Court records generated by these tribunals document everything from felony prosecutions and civil lawsuits to probate estates, family law disputes, and minor criminal infractions handled at the justice court level. Whether you need to verify a pending case, obtain a certified copy of a judgment, or research property filings tied to litigation, understanding which office maintains the records you need—and how to request them—will save considerable time.
Texas maintains a broad network of court clerks and online resources that can assist members of the public in locating case information. The Texas Judicial Branch oversees statewide court administration, and TexasStateCourts.us can help users identify courts, clerks, and publicly available case data across the state. In Starr County specifically, the District Clerk’s office manages felony and district-level civil filings, while the County Clerk handles county court at law matters, vital records, and property recordings. Both offices are located in the Starr County Courthouse and provide in-person assistance during regular business hours. Several online portals—including the statewide re:SearchTX database operated by the Office of Court Administration—allow remote case lookups as well.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Starr County?
Finding a court case in Starr County depends on the type of case and the court that handled it. The steps below outline the most efficient approaches.
Step 1 — Identify the correct court and clerk.
| Case Type | Court | Clerk Office |
|---|---|---|
| Felony criminal cases | 229th or 381st District Court | District Clerk |
| Civil cases (district level) | 229th or 381st District Court | District Clerk |
| Misdemeanor criminal / traffic | County Court at Law | County Clerk |
| Small claims, evictions, Class C misdemeanors | Justice of the Peace (Precincts 1–8) | JP Court Clerk |
| Municipal violations | Rio Grande City or Roma Municipal Court | Municipal Court Clerk |
| Probate, estates, guardianships | County Court at Law | County Clerk |
| Family law (divorce, custody, support) | District Court | District Clerk |
Step 2 — Gather identifying details. Before contacting any clerk, collect as much of the following as possible: full names of the parties, approximate filing date or year, case number (if known), and the type of proceeding.
Step 3 — Search online or visit in person.
- re:SearchTX — The statewide court records portal maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration allows free searches of case-level data reported by participating courts. Search by party name, attorney, or case number.
- Starr County Official Records Search — The public search portal provides access to recorded documents including deeds, liens, and other instruments filed with the County Clerk.
- Kofile Index Books — Historical deed and deed of trust records dating from 1848 to 1984 can be browsed through the Starr County Kofile portal, a useful resource for older property-related litigation records.
- In-person visit — Both the District Clerk and County Clerk accept walk-in requests at the Starr County Courthouse, 401 N. Britton Avenue, Rio Grande City, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). Bring a valid photo ID.
Step 4 — Request copies. When you locate the case, ask the appropriate clerk for plain or certified copies. Fees are set by the county’s published fee schedule (discussed in detail below). Payment methods and turnaround times vary by office, so confirm these details when you make the request.
For mail requests, send a written letter to the relevant clerk that includes the case number or party names, the specific documents needed, a return address, a daytime phone number, and a check or money order for the estimated fees.
Are Court Records Public in Starr County?
Texas law establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records, including court files. Two primary legal frameworks govern this access in Starr County.
Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552). The Public Information Act requires governmental bodies—including county clerks and district clerks—to make records available for public inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exception applies. Requesters do not need to state a reason for wanting the records. Clerks must respond promptly, and if they believe a record is exempt, they must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General within a defined timeline.
Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 12. This court rule specifically addresses public access to judicial records. It reaffirms that court records are presumed open while identifying categories that courts may or must restrict, including:
- Sealed records ordered confidential by a judge
- Juvenile case files
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Grand jury materials
- Records subject to expunction or nondisclosure orders
- Documents containing sensitive personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth of minors)
In practice, the vast majority of criminal dockets, civil case filings, probate proceedings, family court orders (other than those involving minors’ identifying information), and property-related filings are freely accessible. If a record has been sealed, a court order is typically required before the clerk can release it. Requesters who believe they are wrongfully denied access may file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s Open Records Division or seek judicial relief.
Starr County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Starr County are divided among several courts depending on the severity of the offense.
District Courts (felonies). The 229th District Court and the 381st District Court share jurisdiction over felony cases. Both courts are located on the upper floors of the courthouse:
- 229th District Court — Judge Baldemar Garza
Address: 401 N. Britton Ave., Room 303, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Phone: (956) 716-4800 - 381st District Court — Judge Jose Luis Garza
Address: 401 N. Britton Ave., Room 401, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Phone: (956) 716-4800 ext. 8664
Criminal case records for both courts—including indictments, plea agreements, judgments, and sentencing orders—are maintained by the Starr County District Clerk:
District Clerk’s Office
Address: 401 N. Britton Ave., Room 304, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Phone: (956) 716-4800 ext. 8482
Fax: (956) 487-8493
Chief Deputy: Brendaly Guerrero
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
County Court at Law (misdemeanors). The Starr County Court at Law, presided over by Judge Orlando Rodriguez, handles Class A and Class B misdemeanor prosecutions. The court is located at 401 N. Britton Ave., Room 305, Rio Grande City, TX 78582, Phone: (956) 716-4800 Misdemeanor case files are maintained by the County Clerk’s office.
Justice of the Peace Courts (Class C misdemeanors). Minor criminal offenses—including most traffic violations—are processed by one of eight JP precincts. Selected precincts and their contact details are listed below:
| Precinct | Judge | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jesus M. Alvarez | 4192 US-83, Rio Grande City, TX 78582 | (956) 317-1610 |
| 2 | Ramiro Guillen | 1705 N. Athens St., Roma, TX 78584 | (956) 849-1253 |
| 3 | Eloy Zarate Jr. | 530 Gabriela St., Rio Grande City, TX 78582 | (956) 487-7049 |
| 4 | Valerie Clarke | 401 N. Britton Ave., Room 403, Rio Grande City, TX 78582 | (956) 716-4800 ext. 8244 |
| 5 | Veronica Alaniz | 8938 N FM 755, Santa Elena, TX 78591 | (956) 481-3210 |
| 6 | Lamar De La Cruz | 6165 FM 1430 Rd, Rio Grande City, TX 78582 | (956) 487-7180 |
| 7 | Raul Vidal | 78 Salineno Rd, Roma, TX 78584 | (956) 848-5717 |
| 8 | Luis Garcia Jr. | 5095 Old Escobares Hwy 83, Roma, TX 78584 | (956) 849-7450 |
A complete list is available on the Starr County Justice of the Peace page.
Arrest and booking records are maintained by the Starr County Sheriff’s Office, located at 102 E. 6th Street, Rio Grande City, TX 78582, Phone: (956) 487-5571, Fax: (956) 487-0021 Requests for criminal history information may also be directed to the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service, which processes name-based and fingerprint-based background checks statewide.
Municipal Courts handle city ordinance violations and certain Class C misdemeanors within their respective city limits:
- Rio Grande City Municipal Court — 404 E. Main St., Rio Grande City, TX 78582; Phone: (956) 487-8889
- Roma Municipal Court — 1101 N. Grant St., Roma, TX 78584; Phone: (956) 849-1915
Starr County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Starr County is split between district-level and county-level jurisdiction based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
District Court civil cases. The 229th and 381st District Courts hear civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds the county court’s jurisdictional limit, as well as cases over which district courts have exclusive jurisdiction (such as title to real property, contested elections, and slander). Civil case records are filed with and maintained by the District Clerk at the address listed above. The re:SearchTX portal provides online access to many district court civil dockets.
County Court at Law civil cases. The Starr County Court at Law has concurrent jurisdiction over civil disputes within its statutory limits. These case files are maintained by the County Clerk:
Starr County Clerk’s Office
Clerk: Humberto Gonzalez
Address: 401 N. Britton Ave., Room 201, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Phone: (956) 716-4800 ext. 2009
Fax: (956) 487-8674
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Small claims and evictions. Justice of the peace courts handle small claims (now styled as “small claims cases” under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500 et seq.) and eviction (forcible detainer) actions. Contact the appropriate JP precinct listed in the criminal records section above.
Key fees from the Starr County Clerk’s published fee schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Official records search | $120.00 |
| Certification of a document | $10.00 |
| Copies per page (official records) | $10.00 |
| Other copies | $5.00 or $1.00 (varies) |
| Real estate recording — first page | $25.00 |
| Each additional page | $4.00 |
| Federal tax lien / release | $41.00 |
| State tax lien / release | $13.00 |
| Assumed name certificate | $23.00 |
Property records. Recorded instruments such as deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and plats are filed with the County Clerk and can be searched online through the Starr County Official Records Search portal. Property valuation and ownership data are available through the Starr County Appraisal District, located at 100 N. FM 3167, Suite 300, Rio Grande City, TX 78582, Phone: (956) 487-5613 Electronic recording of real estate instruments is available through services such as CSC Global and Simplifile.
Appeals from Starr County district and county courts are directed to the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio.
Starr County Family Court Records
Family law matters—including divorce, child custody, child support enforcement, protective orders, and adoptions—are heard in the district courts and managed by the District Clerk. The Texas Attorney General Child Support Division also handles enforcement actions that may generate court filings in Starr County.
Divorce records. A divorce decree is a court order and is therefore maintained in the District Clerk’s case file for the corresponding cause number. To obtain a certified copy, visit or write to the District Clerk with the case number or the names of both parties and the approximate year of the decree. Standard copy and certification fees from the County Clerk’s fee schedule apply to related documents.
Marriage licenses. Marriage licenses are issued by the Starr County Clerk’s office. According to the county’s fee schedule, the applicable fees are:
- Standard marriage license: $81.00
- Marriage license with Twogether in Texas certificate (completion of a state-approved premarital education course): $21.00
- Informal (common-law) marriage license: $45.00
An application form for a marriage certificate is available for download from the county website. Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between issuance and the ceremony unless waived. Both applicants must appear in person with valid identification. Additional information about marriage requirements statewide is available through the Texas State Law Library guide.
Birth and death certificates. Starr County serves as a local registrar for vital records. Fees listed on the county schedule include:
- Long-form birth certificate: $23.00
- Death certificate (each additional copy): $20.00
- Vital statistics search fee: $4.00
- Vital records copies: $5.00
A birth and death certificate request form can be downloaded and submitted to the County Clerk. The Texas Department of State Health Services also processes vital record requests statewide through its Vital Statistics Unit.
Adoption and juvenile records are confidential under Texas law. Access requires a court order or falls within narrow statutory exceptions. These records are not available through public online searches.
Starr County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Starr County—including the administration of decedents’ estates, will contests, guardianship proceedings, and conservatorships—are within the jurisdiction of the County Court at Law. Case files are maintained by the County Clerk at 401 N. Britton Ave., Room 201.
How to locate probate records:
- Online — Search re:SearchTX for case-level docket information by entering the decedent’s or ward’s name. The Starr County public records search portal may also contain recorded instruments related to estate transfers.
- In person — Visit the County Clerk’s office during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) with the decedent’s full legal name, approximate date of death, and case number if available. Staff can assist with locating the probate file and providing copies.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Starr County Clerk, 401 N. Britton Ave., Room 201, Rio Grande City, TX 78582, including the decedent’s name, case number, the specific documents requested, your return address and phone number, and a check or money order covering estimated fees.
Common probate documents available through the clerk include:
- Applications to probate a will
- Letters testamentary and letters of administration
- Inventories, appraisements, and lists of claims
- Annual and final accountings
- Orders approving distribution or closing the estate
- Guardianship applications and annual reports
Fees for copies and certifications follow the County Clerk’s published schedule: $10.00 per certification and $10.00 per page for official record copies, with lower rates for non-official copies. A records search fee of $120.00 applies when the clerk must conduct an index search on the requester’s behalf.
Certain probate-related records may contain sensitive information—such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, or medical records submitted in guardianship proceedings—that is redacted or restricted from public view under Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration and applicable provisions of the Texas Estates Code. Involuntary commitment records filed in connection with guardianship matters are generally confidential. If you need access to a restricted probate document, you may petition the court for an order permitting disclosure.
For jurors summoned to serve in any Starr County court, the District Clerk’s office provides a Uniform Jury Handbook in English and a Spanish-language version to explain juror rights and responsibilities.