Taylor County Court Records Search
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Taylor County is located in west-central Texas, with Abilene serving as the county seat and the region’s primary urban center. The county’s court system includes four district courts (42nd, 104th, 326th, and 350th), two county courts at law, four justice of the peace precincts, and the Abilene Municipal Court. The Taylor County District Clerk maintains records for all district-level civil and criminal proceedings, while the County Clerk handles probate, guardianship, marriage, vital records, and official public (property) records. Together, these offices preserve the full body of case documents generated by the county’s trial courts.
Those seeking court records in Texas can begin by contacting the appropriate clerk’s office, visiting in person during business hours, or using online case-lookup tools. Official county websites, public-access terminals in the courthouse, and the statewide judicial resources available through TexasStateCourts.us can help users identify where publicly accessible case data is maintained and how to request specific documents.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Taylor County?
Taylor County’s two principal records custodians—the District Clerk and the County Clerk—are both housed in the courthouse complex on Oak Street in Abilene.
Taylor County District Clerk
Address: 300 Oak Street, Suite 400, Abilene, TX 79602
Phone: (325) 674-1316
Fax: (325) 674-1307
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.)
Taylor County Clerk
Address: 300 Oak Street, Suite 100, Abilene, TX 79602
Phone: (325) 674-1202
Fax: (325) 674-1279
Email: county.clerk@taylorcounty.texas.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (open through lunch)
Online case searching. Taylor County operates the Court Records Inquiry system (Odyssey Public Access), which offers separate search categories:
- Criminal Case Records
- Civil, Family & Probate Case Records
- Court Calendar
- Jail Records and Jail Bond Records
Users can search by party name, case number, or filing date. This portal covers cases filed after September 1994. For older records, you must visit or write to the appropriate clerk’s office.
In-person access. Both the District Clerk and County Clerk offices have public-access computer terminals. The County Clerk’s office provides eight public search stations for official public records and two for court records. If all stations are occupied, a 15-minute-per-user rule applies.
Mail requests. Written requests for copies should be sent to the relevant clerk’s office at 300 Oak Street, Abilene, TX 79602, along with payment and the case number (or the $5 research fee if no case number is known). Records will not be released until full payment is received.
General copy fees across clerk offices:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-certified copies (District Clerk) | $1 per page |
| Certified copies (District Clerk) | $1 per page |
| Records research fee (no case number) | $5 |
| Plain copies (County Clerk — probate) | $1 per page |
| Certified copies (County Clerk — probate) | $1 per page + $5 certification |
Are Court Records Public in Taylor County?
Texas law creates a strong presumption of public access to court records. Under the Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, government information is generally available to the public. However, court records specifically are not governed by the Texas Public Information Act. Instead, access to adjudicative records is controlled by the common-law right of public access and, for civil court records, by Rule 76a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, which establishes that court records are presumed open and may only be sealed upon a showing that meets strict statutory criteria.
The Texas Courts open-records policy provides further guidance on how access requests are handled by the judicial branch.
Records generally open to public inspection include:
- Criminal case filings, indictments, judgments, and sentencing records
- Civil petitions, motions, orders, and final judgments
- Probate documents (wills, inventories, administration filings)
- Property recordings (deeds, liens, mortgages)
- Marriage licenses
- Traffic and misdemeanor case records
Records that may be restricted or sealed include:
- Sealed or expunged records (accessible only with a judicial order)
- Family court documents involving minors (sealed by law or court order)
- In-camera records (documents filed with the court for private review)
- Information whose disclosure may negatively affect public health or safety
- Trade secrets and financial account information
- Juvenile case records
For sealed family court records specifically, the District Clerk requires an Application for Release of Sealed Records signed by the presiding judge before any copies can be provided. A $15 unsealing fee applies, plus $1 per page for copies.
Taylor County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Taylor County are prosecuted in the four district courts (42nd, 104th, 326th, and 350th), the county courts at law, and the justice of the peace courts. Per Texas Government Code § 24.001, the district courts function as the trial courts of general jurisdiction and handle all felony prosecutions. The county courts at law share concurrent jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases, while the JP courts adjudicate minor offenses and issue arrest and search warrants.
Taylor County District Courts
Address: 300 Oak Street, Suites 401–404, Abilene, TX 79602
| Court | Phone |
|---|---|
| 42nd District Court | (325) 674-1314 |
| 104th District Court | (325) 674-1313 |
| 326th District Court | (325) 674-1325 |
| 350th District Court | (325) 674-1242 |
Searching criminal court records. The District Criminal Court division is the central custodian for all criminal court documents filed in the district court. Online searches can be performed through the Court Records Inquiry portal by selecting “Criminal Case Records”. For in-person or mail requests, provide the defendant’s name and case number to:
Taylor County District Clerk’s Office
Attn: Criminal Felony Court Records
300 Oak Street, Suite 400
Abilene, TX 79602
Phone: (325) 674-1316
A $5 research fee is charged when no case number is provided. Copies (certified and non-certified) cost $1 per page. Records are not released until payment is received in full.
Arrest records from the Sheriff’s Office. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Records Division provides free copies of criminal records on file with the agency for offenses that occurred within Taylor County. All requests must be in writing and can be submitted in person, by fax at (325) 672-8066, or by U.S. Mail. Requesters must provide a copy of a photo ID and relevant details about the record subject. The Sheriff’s Office processes requests during business hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Wednesday 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office
Phone: (325) 674-1300 (non-emergency, available 24/7)
Address: 450 Pecan Street, Abilene, TX 79602
Fax: (325) 672-8066
State-level criminal history checks. The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division serves as the central repository for criminal history information statewide. Two primary search methods are available:
- Name-based conviction search: Open to any individual through the DPS online portal. Users create an account and purchase search credits at $1 each (credit card payments incur a 2.25% fee plus $0.25 per transaction). Results include Class B misdemeanor or higher convictions and deferred adjudications.
- Fingerprint-based background check: Available to designated applicants and entities (employers, licensing agencies, childcare providers, etc.) through the Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) program. These checks are by appointment only. Subjects of records who want their own complete history may submit fingerprints using the Texas Personal Review form (CR-63).
Taylor County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Taylor County span contract disputes, personal injury claims, real-estate matters, evictions, and other monetary claims. The district courts handle cases involving $200 or more in controversy, while the JP courts and county courts at law adjudicate smaller claims up to $20,000.
Searching civil records. The Civil Searches page on the county website explains the process. Online searches through the Court Records Inquiry portal cover cases filed after September 1994. For older records, requesters should visit in person or submit a records request form by mail to:
Taylor County District Clerk’s Office
300 Oak Street, Suite 400
Abilene, TX 79602
Information required on the form includes the plaintiff or defendant’s name, case number (if known), year of filing, telephone number, and the number of copies needed. Without a case number, a $5 research fee applies. All copies cost $1 per page.
E-filing. As of January 1, 2015, e-filing is mandatory in Taylor County for represented parties, per a Texas Supreme Court order. Pro se filers are exempt and may continue to file in person or by mail. The District Clerk does not accept personal checks for filings; payment must be made in cash or money order. Copies can also be requested and paid for through an e-filing service provider.
Property and land records. The County Clerk maintains the Official Public Real Property Records of Taylor County, including deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, oil and gas leases, liens, bills of sale, and livestock brands. Records date back to the founding of the county in 1878. The Self-Service Property Records database allows online searching and printing at $1 per page. The county also accepts e-recording through authorized vendors including Simplifile, CSC, and ERX. The standard recording fee is $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page. A full recording fee schedule is available on the county website. Under House Bill 1195, a valid ID is now required for all in-person document filings in the Property Department.
Taylor County Family Court Records
Family courts in Taylor County operate within the district court system and handle divorce, child custody, child support, visitation rights, protective orders, and emancipation of minors. The District Clerk’s office processes all family court filings and maintains the associated records.
Searching family records. Online searches for cases filed after September 1994 are available through the Court Records Inquiry portal under “Civil, Family & Probate Case Records”. For pre-1994 records, submit a family records request form or a written letter to the District Clerk’s office. Copy fees are $1 per page, with a $5 research fee if no case number is provided.
Sealed records. Due to the sensitive nature of family cases involving children, many records are sealed. To obtain copies of sealed family court documents, the requester must file an Application for Release of Sealed Records, which must be signed by the presiding judge before the clerk can release any files. The fee is $15 to unseal plus $1 per page for copies.
Marriage licenses. The County Clerk issues marriage licenses in Taylor County. Applicants must complete the online marriage license application and then visit the County Clerk’s office in person between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to finalize the process. Key requirements and fees:
- Both applicants must be 18 or older and present at issuance (unless the absent-applicant affidavit process applies)
- Valid original government-issued photo ID required
- Marriage license fee: $81 (cash, credit, or debit; a 2.65% convenience fee applies for card payments)
- Reduced fee of $21 available for couples who complete an approved premarital counseling course through the Twogether in Texas program
- The license is valid for 90 days; a 72-hour waiting period applies (waived for active-duty military)
- Certified copies of existing marriage licenses cost $12 by mail; a request form is available online
The FAQ section on the county website addresses common questions about marriage license procedures. The Texas Vital Statistics Unit also provides an online ordering system for statewide marriage records (from 1966) and divorce records (from 1968).
Birth and death certificates. Under Texas Government Code § 552.115, birth and death records are not freely accessible. Birth records become public 75 years after the date of birth; death records after 25 years. During the restricted period, only qualified applicants—including the registrant, parents, children, siblings, spouses, grandparents, legal guardians, managing conservators, or legal representatives—may obtain copies.
Taylor County birth certificate fees and application options:
- In-person or mail: $23 per copy
- Birth certificate application (by mail)
- Birth certificate application (in person)
- Order birth certificate online (additional $5 non-refundable convenience fee plus $0.35 VitalVerify fee for delivery orders)
- Death certificate: $21 for the first copy, $4 for each additional copy issued at the same time
- Death certificate application
Applications must include a copy of the requester’s driver’s license and required identifying information (full name on the record, date and place of event, parents’ names, relationship to the subject, and purpose of the request). Mail applications and payment to: Taylor County Clerk, 300 Oak Street, Suite 100, Abilene, TX 79602. Persons born in the City of Abilene after 1950 should contact the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District at (325) 692-5600 for birth records.
Taylor County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Taylor County—including the probating of wills, intestate administrations, guardianships, and conservatorships—are filed in the county courts and maintained by the County Clerk. The County Clerk’s office serves as the official custodian of all probate and guardianship records.
Searching probate records. The Search Probate Records page directs users to the Court Records Inquiry portal, where they can search by the decedent’s name. All probates filed in Taylor County are listed; if a name does not appear, no probate case exists under that name. Search results display a list of all documents filed within each case.
Requesting copies. To obtain copies, first locate the case number through the online portal, then contact the County Clerk at (325) 674-1202 or by email with the cause number and the titles of the documents needed. Staff will confirm the total page count and cost. Mail a written request along with payment to:
Taylor County Clerk
300 Oak Street, Suite 100
Abilene, TX 79602
Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies add $5 to the total page cost. Accepted payment methods include personal checks and money orders (credit and debit cards accepted in person only). Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with mail requests. Most probate records requests are processed the same day payment is received.
The courthouse also houses a law library on the third floor, which is available for individuals who wish to research probate law independently. The County Clerk’s office strongly recommends consulting an attorney before initiating any probate or guardianship proceeding.