Tyler County Court Records Search
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Tyler County, Texas, is a small East Texas county with Woodville as its seat of government and home to all principal courts. When civil disputes, criminal prosecutions, probate proceedings, or family law matters are resolved here, the resulting documentation — filings, orders, exhibits, dockets, and judgments — becomes part of the official court record. Knowing which office holds a specific type of record, and how to reach it, saves time and avoids unnecessary trips to the courthouse.
If you’re starting your research online, TexasStateCourts.us is a useful resource for understanding how Texas courts are organized and for finding available online tools. Court records in Texas may be accessed through clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online databases, depending on the case type and court involved. The state courts website also links to publicly accessible case repositories and provides guidance on court rules and forms.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Tyler County?
Tyler County’s court system is spread across the District Court, the County Court, four Justice of the Peace precincts, and a municipal court in Woodville. Which office holds a case file depends on the type of proceeding and the court where it was filed. Before you start searching, narrow down the case type — felony, misdemeanor, civil, probate, or small claims — because that determines which clerk to contact.
The two primary offices responsible for Tyler County court records are:
Tyler County District Clerk (Pamela Reneé Crews)
- Address: 100 West Bluff, Room 203, Woodville, TX 75979
- Phone: (409) 283-2162
- Email: districtclerk@co.tyler.tx.us
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tyler County Clerk (Janet Brown)
- Address: 116 South Charlton Street, Woodville, TX 75979
- Phone: (409) 283-2281
- Fax: (409) 283-8049
- Email: countyclerk.cc@co.tyler.tx.us
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The split between these two offices follows a clear jurisdictional line:
- The District Clerk maintains records for felony criminal cases and civil disputes valued above $500.
- The County Clerk maintains records for Class A and B misdemeanors, civil matters valued between $200 and $10,000, and all probate proceedings.
- Justice of the Peace precincts handle Class C misdemeanor cases and small claims matters; records reside with the individual precinct where the case was filed.
For online access, the statewide re:SearchTX portal provides case information from all 254 Texas counties, including Tyler County. A free subscription lets you search civil cases from district, county, and justice courts, as well as criminal case records. Searching by party name or case number returns docket-level information, and registered users can view court documents in many instances. Attorneys and parties may also use the eFileTexas.gov system for electronic filing in district and county courts.
Are Court Records Public in Tyler County?
In Texas, court case records are governed by common law and rules enacted by the Texas Supreme Court rather than the Texas Public Information Act, which explicitly exempts the judiciary from its requirements. Access to judicial administrative records — records not tied to a specific case — is governed separately by Rule 12 of the Rules of Judicial Administration, as outlined in the Texas Courts’ Open Records Policy.
Despite the broad common-law presumption of openness, the following categories of records are restricted from public access in Tyler County:
- Juvenile records — proceedings involving minors are confidential under Texas Family Code provisions
- Sealed court documents — any record sealed by judicial order is unavailable for general inspection
- Child custody proceedings — case details involving minor children may be withheld or redacted
- Adoption records — sealed by statute to protect all parties
- Social Security numbers and certain financial identifiers — redacted from publicly accessible filings under court rules
- Victim-identifying information — certain details in criminal cases involving victims may be restricted
If you run into a restricted record, contact the relevant clerk’s office to find out what portions, if any, can be released. The Texas State Law Library’s court records guide provides a useful overview of the statutes and rules governing access at each court level.
Tyler County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Tyler County are split between two courts based on the severity of the offense. Felony charges — ranging from state jail felonies through first-degree felonies — are prosecuted in the Tyler County District Court and maintained by the District Clerk. Class A and B misdemeanors are tried in the Tyler County Court, with records kept by the County Clerk. Class C misdemeanors, which include most traffic offenses and minor infractions punishable by fine only, fall under the Justice of the Peace courts.
Start your search for a criminal case on the re:SearchTX portal, which covers both District and County Court criminal cases. For Justice of the Peace cases, contact the relevant precinct directly, as those records are not always indexed through statewide databases.
For arrest-level information and incarceration records, reach out to the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office:
Tyler County Sheriff's Office
- Address: 702 North Magnolia, Woodville, TX 75979
- Non-Emergency: (409) 283-2172
- Corrections/Jail: (409) 283-6331
- Fax: (409) 283-8656
The Sheriff’s Office maintains criminal records request instructions on its county webpage. For statewide criminal history background checks, direct your request to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which maintains the official Texas criminal history database. DPS background checks cover conviction records across all Texas counties and are the right resource when you need a comprehensive history rather than a single-county case lookup.
Tyler County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Tyler County is divided by the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. The District Court hears civil disputes exceeding $500 with no upper limit, while the County Court handles civil matters valued between $200 and $10,000. For claims of $20,000 or less involving money or personal property, the Justice of the Peace courts offer a small claims option.
To find a civil case filed in the District or County Court, the re:SearchTX portal is the most efficient place to start. For in-person or mail requests, contact either the District Clerk or County Clerk depending on the claim amount and court involved. Copy fees for civil case documents in Texas courts are established by statute and collected at the clerk’s window.
For small claims matters filed at a Justice of the Peace precinct, forms are available on the Tyler County Justice of the Peace forms page, including the small claims cover sheet and plaintiff forms. The four Justice of the Peace precincts in Tyler County share the same hours and physical address building:
| Precinct | Judge | Phone | Fax | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | Tina L. Self | (409) 283-3631 | (409) 283-5043 | Mon–Thu 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Precinct 2 | Ken Jobe | (409) 283-6320 | (409) 283-5043 | Mon–Thu 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Precinct 3 | Michael Hughes | (409) 283-6320 | (409) 283-5043 | Mon–Thu 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Precinct 4 | (contact court) | (409) 429-9500 | (409) 429-3488 | Mon–Thu 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
All precincts are closed on Fridays. Precincts 1 and 2 are located at 203 West Dogwood Street, Woodville. Precinct 4 maintains a separate mailing address at P.O. Box 576 / 20316 FM 92 S., Fred, TX 77616.
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and recorded instruments affecting real estate title in Tyler County — are maintained by the Tyler County Clerk. Instructions for requesting recorded documents and making payments are available through the county’s recorded document page.
Tyler County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective order cases in Tyler County are filed in the District Court and maintained by the District Clerk. The Ninth Court of Appeals, which serves Tyler County, handles appellate review of family law decisions coming out of the county.
Divorce case files are public records searchable through re:SearchTX or available for in-person review at the District Clerk’s office at 100 West Bluff, Room 203, Woodville, TX 75979 (Phone: (409) 283-2162). For cases involving minor children — custody, visitation, and support matters — certain case details may be subject to redaction or restricted access under applicable Texas court rules.
Marriage records are issued and maintained by the Tyler County Clerk. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage license, submit the certified marriage license request form to the County Clerk’s office at 116 South Charlton Street, Woodville, TX 75979. The fee is $8.00 per certified copy. If you only need a marriage verification letter — an informal confirmation that a marriage was recorded with the state — the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics division issues these letters for $20.00 per copy. Keep in mind that a verification letter is not a certified legal document and cannot be substituted for a certified license in legal transactions.
Divorce verification letters are similarly issued by DSHS Vital Statistics and are available to order online or through other methods described on the DSHS website. For a certified copy of the actual divorce decree or case file, contact the District Clerk directly — DSHS does not issue certified copies of divorce court documents.
Vital records for Tyler County:
- Birth certificates: Available from the Tyler County Clerk's office ($23 per copy plus a $10 certified mail return fee) or from the DSHS Vital Statistics Division ($22 per copy). Access is restricted to the registrant or close family members.
- Death certificates: Available from the Tyler County Clerk ($21 per copy, $4 per additional copy, plus a $10 certified mail return fee) or from DSHS. Eligibility requirements mirror those for birth records.
Tyler County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Tyler County are handled by the Tyler County Court, functioning as the local probate court, with the County Clerk as clerk of record. The Tyler County Probate Department, staffed by Deputy Clerk Christen Johnson, manages all probate-related filings. Contact for probate matters:
Tyler County Probate Department
- Address: 116 South Charlton Street, Woodville, TX 75979
- Phone: (409) 283-2281
- Email: cjohnson.cc@co.tyler.tx.us
The probate court hears matters involving the estates of deceased residents, guardianships for incapacitated persons, and mental health commitments. The clerk’s Probate Division issues citations, letters testamentary, letters of guardianship, writs of execution, and other required instruments. All probate cases must be initiated by filing an application with the County Clerk, which in most circumstances requires an attorney. An exception exists for small estate affidavits, which may be filed without an attorney; requirements are outlined at texaslawhelp.org.
Probate copy fees follow the standard schedule used by the County Clerk’s office: physical document copies cost $1.00 per page, and electronic copies cost $1.00 for the first 10 pages (including partial pages), with $0.10 per page thereafter. To schedule a probate case on the court’s docket, contact the Tyler County Judge directly at (409) 283-2141.
Every guardianship filed in Texas after June 1, 2018 must be registered with the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC). Instructions for guardianship registration are available at the JBCC registration page. Monthly probate reports listing attorney ad litem appointments and fees are published on the county’s website and can be reviewed through the Tyler County Probate page for current and prior reporting periods.
Cases pending before the Tyler County District Court may be appealed to the Ninth Court of Appeals, which serves Tyler County and the surrounding East Texas region.