Uvalde County Court Records Search
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Uvalde County, Texas is served by a multi-tier court system handling everything from local traffic offenses to felony prosecutions and complex civil litigation. Whether you need documentation of a past criminal case, a certified copy of a divorce decree, or records tied to an estate, knowing which court holds the records — and how to request them — makes the process straightforward rather than frustrating. This guide organizes that information by court type and record category so you can find what you need without unnecessary delays.
Residents and researchers looking for Texas court case information can consult TexasStateCourts.us to get oriented. The state's centralized case search tool, re:SearchTX, aggregates civil filings from district, county, and justice courts across all 254 Texas counties — including Uvalde — and offers a free subscription tier for basic lookups. In-person searches, clerk offices, and public access terminals at the courthouse remain available for records not yet digitized or for those requiring certified copies.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Uvalde County?
Court Search Options
Uvalde County case records can be accessed through several channels depending on the court level and record type.
Online — re:SearchTX
The re:SearchTX portal, maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration, is the most practical starting point for most searches. It covers civil and criminal cases filed in district and county courts. Free accounts allow basic case lookups; document downloads require a paid subscription. Search parameters include party name, case number, and date range.
In Person — District Clerk's Office
For cases filed in the 38th Judicial District, visit the District Clerk in person. Bring the subject's full legal name or a case number to initiate the search. The clerk charges $5.00 per name search and $1.00 per copied page.
38th Judicial District Clerk (Christina J. Ovalle)
Address: Courthouse Plaza, Box 15, Uvalde, Texas 78801
Phone: (830) 278-3918
Fax: (830) 591-1344
Email: christina.ovalle@uvaldecounty.gov
Online — County Clerk's Records Portal
The Uvalde County Clerk's Office maintains a separate Online Records Search portal for probate, property, vital records indexes, and marriage records. Guest access is free for index-level information; purchasing document images requires account registration and incurs a $0.30 transaction fee per purchase.
Step-by-step for in-person District Court requests:
- Arrive at the District Clerk's office during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).
- Provide the full legal name of a party or the cause number.
- Pay the $5.00 search fee at the time of the request.
- Request plain copies ($1.00/page) or certified copies (additional certification fee applies).
- Allow processing time for older or archived records.
For appellate matters, Uvalde County falls under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Court of Appeals, located at 300 Dolorosa, Suite 3200, San Antonio, TX 78205. That court's docket can be accessed through the Texas Judicial Branch website.
Are Court Records Public in Uvalde County?
Texas law broadly favors public access to court records. Two legal frameworks govern disclosure in Uvalde County.
Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552)
The Texas Public Information Act establishes the right of the public to inspect and copy government records, including many types of court documents. Government bodies must respond to written requests promptly, and any decision to withhold records requires a ruling from the Texas Attorney General.
Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 12
Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 12.4 specifically addresses access to judicial records and confirms that court records are generally open to public inspection and copying during regular business hours. Rule 12.2 defines judicial records broadly to include any materials — paper, electronic, photographic, or otherwise — created or maintained by a court in the ordinary course of its operations.
Restricted and Confidential Records
Rule 12.5 identifies categories that are exempt from public disclosure, including:
- Judicial work product and draft opinions
- Court law library records and judicial calendar information
- Personnel records whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile case files (protected under the Texas Family Code)
- Mental health and medical records related to competency proceedings
Records subject to nondisclosure orders — typically related to certain first-time, nonviolent offenses — are also withheld from public release under the Texas Government Code.
Uvalde County Criminal Court Records
Court Jurisdiction
Felony criminal cases in Uvalde County are heard by the 38th Judicial District Court, presided over by District Judge Kelley T. Kimble. Misdemeanor Class A and B offenses are handled at the county court level. Class C misdemeanors — typically traffic and fine-only offenses — are resolved through the Justice of the Peace courts and Municipal Courts.
Requesting Criminal Court Records
Criminal case filings, docket sheets, and judgment records for district court proceedings are held by the District Clerk. Requests may be made in person, by phone, or by email.
| Request Method | Contact |
|---|---|
| In person | Courthouse Plaza, Box 15, Uvalde, TX 78801 |
| Phone | (830) 278-3918 |
| Fax | (830) 591-1344 |
| christina.ovalle@uvaldecounty.gov |
Arrest Records — Sheriff's Office
Arrest records, inmate information, jail rosters, and warrant data are maintained by the Uvalde County Sheriff's Department. Requests can be submitted in person, by phone, or by email. When making a request, provide the subject's full name and approximate arrest date to help staff locate the record quickly.
Address: 339 King Fisher Ln., Box 1, Uvalde, TX 78801
Phone: (830) 278-4111
Email: sheriff@uvaldecounty.gov
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive Texas criminal history check spanning all reporting jurisdictions, the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division offers a name-based search at $1.00 per search credit through its online portal. Offline name-based requests processed directly by DPS cost $10.00. Fingerprint-based checks — which produce more complete results — cost $15.00 and are typically required for employment and licensing purposes.
Municipal and Justice Court Criminal Records
Class C misdemeanor records from the Uvalde Municipal Court (101 East Main Street, City Hall Second Floor, Uvalde, TX 78801; (830) 278-8357) and from the six Justice of the Peace precincts are maintained separately by each court. Contact the specific court where the case was filed to request those records.
Uvalde County Civil Court Records
Court Structure for Civil Matters
Civil litigation in Uvalde County is distributed across several court levels based on the dollar amount at issue and the nature of the claim.
- 38th Judicial District Court — General civil jurisdiction, including cases involving more than $200 in controversy and matters that cannot be resolved at lower court levels.
- Justice of the Peace Courts — Civil claims up to $20,000, including small claims cases (suits not requiring an attorney). Uvalde County has six JP precincts.
- Uvalde Municipal Court — Limited civil jurisdiction for fine-only matters within city limits.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case filings at the district level are maintained by the District Clerk. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the search plus $1.00 per page. Online searches for civil case information are available through the re:SearchTX portal.
Justice of the Peace Courts
The JP courts handle small claims, eviction (forcible entry and detainer) actions, and civil matters up to $20,000. Each precinct operates independently. Key contacts:
- JP Precinct 1: Courthouse Plaza, Box 14, Uvalde, TX 78801 | (830) 278-3921
- JP Precinct 2: P.O. Box 177, Sabinal, TX 78881 | (830) 988-2462
- JP Precinct 3: P.O. Box 416, Utopia, TX 78884 | (830) 966-3445
- JP Precinct 4: Courthouse Plaza, Box 12, Uvalde, TX 78801 | (830) 278-3904
- JP Precinct 6: 339 King Fisher Ln., Box 4, Uvalde, TX 78801 | (830) 278-8123
Full contact details for all Justice of the Peace courts are available on the county's official website.
E-Filing Requirement
Per a Texas Supreme Court mandate, attorneys must electronically file all civil documents through eFileTexas.gov. Self-represented litigants (pro se filers) are exempt from this requirement and may still submit paper documents at the courthouse. No fax filings are accepted by the County Clerk or District Clerk.
Property Records
Deeds, liens, and other property instruments recorded in Uvalde County are maintained by the County Clerk and can be searched through the Clerk's Online Records Search portal. The Tax Assessor-Collector and County Treasurer maintain additional property-related records. Search parameters include instrument number, party name, filing date range, record type, volume, and page number.
Uvalde County Family Court Records
Jurisdiction
Family law cases in Uvalde County — including divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions — are primarily heard by the 38th Judicial District Court. The District Clerk is the official custodian for all family court filings.
Divorce Records
Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the District Clerk's Office. You'll need to supply the full name of at least one party or the cause number. The search fee is $5.00, with copies at $1.00 per page. Requests may be made in person, by phone at (830) 278-3918, by fax at (830) 591-1344, or by email at christina.ovalle@uvaldecounty.gov.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are filed with and maintained by the Uvalde County Clerk. Certified copies cost $21.00. Index information is searchable online for free using the guest login on the County Clerk's Online Records Search portal; purchasing a certified copy requires account registration and a $0.30 transaction fee.
County Clerk Physical Address: 100 N. Getty St., 1st Floor, Uvalde, TX 78801
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 169, Uvalde, TX 78802
Phone: (830) 278-6614
Fax: (830) 278-8692
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Vital Records: Birth and Death Certificates
Birth and death certificates for events recorded in Uvalde County are issued by the County Clerk's Office. Birth records become publicly accessible 75 years after the date of birth; death records become public after 25 years. Fees are as follows:
| Record Type | First Copy | Each Additional Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $23.00 | $4.00 |
| Death Certificate | $21.00 | $4.00 |
Accepted payment methods include cash, money order, cashier's check, and credit card (method varies by request channel). Mail requests require a completed Application for Birth or Death Record, a sworn statement, a copy of a valid photo ID, and the applicable fee. Alternatively, vital records for events occurring in Texas can be ordered through the Texas DSHS vital records application.
Juvenile and Protective Order Records
Juvenile case files are confidential under the Texas Family Code and are not open to public inspection. Domestic violence protective orders are filed with the District Clerk and are accessible to parties and their legal representatives; public access to the underlying details may be restricted by court order.
Uvalde County Probate Court Records
Jurisdiction and Administration
Probate matters in Uvalde County — including the administration of decedents' estates, will filings, guardianships, and conservatorships — are handled by the Uvalde County Clerk's Office, which also acts as the probate court clerk for proceedings governed by the county court. Wills filed for safekeeping or admitted to probate are recorded by the County Clerk and retained as permanent public records.
Requesting Probate Records
Probate records can be accessed in person at the County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Copy fees are structured as follows:
- Plain copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 plus $1.00 per page
Bring a valid photo ID and the applicable fee. If you know the cause number or decedent's name, have it ready to speed up the search.
Online Access
The County Clerk's Online Records Search portal allows users to search probate records using a cause number, the decedent's or applicant's name, case type, court designation, filing date range, or address. Free guest access displays index-level information. To purchase document images, users must register an account; the first five images are available before a subscription or per-transaction fee of $0.30 applies.
E-Filing for Probate
Attorneys are required to e-file probate documents through eFileTexas.gov. One important exception applies: original wills may not be filed electronically. If an application to probate a will is e-filed, the original will must be physically presented to the County Clerk's Office within three business days of the filing date.
County Clerk Contact
| Physical Address | 100 N. Getty St., 1st Floor, Uvalde, TX 78801 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 169, Uvalde, TX 78802 |
| Phone | (830) 278-6614 |
| Fax | (830) 278-8692 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
For historical probate records and genealogical research, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds microfilmed Uvalde County records that predate modern digital systems. Some of those records are also accessible through the FamilySearch platform.