Val Verde County Court Records
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Val Verde County sits in the far southwestern corner of Texas along the Rio Grande, with Del Rio as the county seat. The county's court system spans multiple tiers: two district courts, a constitutional county court, a county court at law, four justice of the peace courts, and a municipal court. Together, these courts handle civil and criminal cases, probate administration, family law matters, and minor disputes. Their records are essential resources for attorneys, litigants, researchers, and members of the public.
You can search Val Verde County court records through clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and online portals. TexasStateCourts.us can help you identify the right court division, find county-specific resources, and connect to publicly available case information across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Val Verde County?
Where you search depends on which court handled the case and what format you need. There are two main options: searching online or contacting a clerk's office directly.
Online: re:SearchTX
The Texas Office of Court Administration runs re:SearchTX, a statewide case information repository pulling data from all 254 Texas counties. A free subscription covers civil cases from district, county, and justice of the peace courts. You can search by party name, case number, or hearing date, then preview or purchase documents. This is your best starting point for locating Val Verde County case information without making a trip to the courthouse.
In-Person: Clerks' Offices
If you need certified copies, physical case files, or records that aren't available online, you'll need to contact the right clerk's office — in person, by mail, by email, or by fax. The two main offices are the District Clerk (for district and county court-at-law records) and the County Clerk (for county court, probate, and vital records).
District Clerk's Office
Address: 100 East Broadway, 1st Floor, Del Rio, TX 78840
Mailing: P.O. Box 1544, Del Rio, TX 78841-1544
Phone Civil: (830) 774-7538
Phone Criminal/Juvenile: (830) 774-7539
Phone Child Support: (830) 774-7540
Phone Jury: (830) 774-7541
Fax: (830) 774-7643
Email: jcervantes@valverdecounty.texas.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
County Clerk's Office
Address: 400 Pecan Street, Del Rio, TX 78840
Mailing: P.O. Box 1267, Del Rio, TX 78841-1267
Phone: (830) 774-7564
Fax: (830) 774-7608
Email: tchapoy@valverdecounty.texas.gov
The District Clerk has a dedicated records request form for document requests. The County Clerk's Office has its own records request form, available through the county's forms page. Submit completed forms in person, by mail, by email, or by fax.
Are Court Records Public in Val Verde County?
The Texas Public Information Act (PIA), codified at Texas Government Code Chapter 552, sets a strong default in favor of public disclosure. Under the PIA, anyone — not just Texas residents — can request access to government records. Unless a specific statutory exemption applies or a court has issued a sealing or non-disclosure order, Val Verde County court records are generally open for inspection and copying.
Some categories of information may be withheld or redacted under the PIA, including:
- Personnel information about government employees
- Sensitive crime scene images
- Proprietary information, commercial data, and trade secrets
- Personal identification numbers, home addresses, and phone numbers of private individuals
- Certain motor vehicle records
- Information identifying crime victims
- Personal information concerning minors
- Working papers, drafts, and internal agency deliberations
- Confidential law enforcement records and ongoing investigation materials
Certain record types are also sealed by law regardless of the PIA, including juvenile records, adoption proceedings, and records subject to non-disclosure orders. The Val Verde County Clerk's Office maintains information on non-disclosure orders for records where a court has restricted public access.
Val Verde County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Val Verde County is divided based on offense severity:
- 63rd and 83rd District Courts handle felony criminal cases and serious matters requiring grand jury indictment.
- County Court at Law has jurisdiction over Class A and Class B misdemeanors.
- Justice of the Peace Courts handle Class C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and minor criminal matters within their respective precincts.
Both district courts are located at the Val Verde County Courthouse:
63rd District Court
Address: 100 E Broadway, 2nd Floor, Del Rio, TX 78840
Phone: (830) 774-7523 | Fax: (830) 774-1359
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – Noon; 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
83rd District Court
Address: 100 E Broadway, 3rd Floor, Del Rio, TX 78840
Phone: (830) 774-7654 | Fax: (830) 774-7651
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – Noon; 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Criminal case records from both courts are kept by the District Clerk. To request copies, submit a completed District Clerk records request form with the case number, party names, and filing date, along with applicable fees.
Criminal History Background Checks
A court docket search is not a substitute for a formal criminal history report. For a statewide criminal background check, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Crime Records Services handles both name-based and fingerprint-based searches. A fingerprint-based check costs $15.00 through DPS, plus an additional $10.00 fingerprinting fee when using the FAST system. Name-based searches are available online through the DPS criminal history portal.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff's Office
Arrest records and detention information are maintained by the Val Verde County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Jose Frank Martinez. The office is at 250 FM 2523, Del Rio, TX 78840 and can be reached at (830) 774-7513. An active inmate search tool is available through the public-facing website at valverdesheriff.com. If you need an arrest record tied to a specific law enforcement event, direct your request to the arresting agency.
Val Verde County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Val Verde County are assigned to courts based on the claim amount and the nature of the dispute:
| Court | Civil Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| 63rd & 83rd District Courts | Major civil litigation; no jurisdictional ceiling |
| County Court at Law | Civil claims up to $250,000; concurrent family and juvenile jurisdiction |
| Justice of the Peace Courts (PCT 1) | Civil lawsuits up to $10,000; evictions and small claims |
| Justice of the Peace Courts (PCT 2–4) | Small claims, evictions, debt claims, repair and remedy cases |
All four Justice of the Peace precincts are located at 309 Mills Street in Del Rio:
- Precinct 1: Suite D — Phone: (830) 774-7545 | Fax: (830) 774-7546
- Precinct 2: Suite A — Phone: (830) 774-7579 | Fax: (830) 774-2514
- Precinct 3: Suite B — Phone: (830) 774-7511 | Fax: (830) 774-7512
- Precinct 4: Suite C — Phone: (830) 774-7581 | Fax: (830) 774-7278
For civil cases filed in the District Court, contact the District Clerk's Office at 100 East Broadway. Use the records request form and submit it in person, by mail, by fax, or by email. The County Clerk's Office at 400 Pecan Street handles civil records from county court matters — use the County Clerk's records request form for those. If you need self-help legal resources, the County Clerk's website also links to Texas Law Help.
Val Verde County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Val Verde County — including divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, adoption, and juvenile proceedings — are handled primarily by the 63rd and 83rd District Courts. The County Court at Law also has concurrent jurisdiction over domestic and juvenile matters.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and related pleadings are filed with and maintained by the District Clerk. To get copies, submit a completed records request form with the names of both parties and the approximate filing date. You can submit your request in person at 100 East Broadway or by mail, email, or fax.
If you only need a divorce verification letter — which confirms that a divorce was recorded with the State of Texas — the Texas Vital Statistics Section (VSS) issues these for $20.00 per verification for divorces on record since 1968. You'll need a completed application form, a photocopy of a valid ID, and a check or money order payable to DSHS, mailed to: DSHS–VSS, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Val Verde County Clerk's Office. Getting a marriage license requires an in-person appointment. Certified copies can be picked up at 400 Pecan Street or requested by submitting the County Clerk's records request form with fees by mail, email, or fax. In-person payments are accepted by cash, money order, or credit card. The VSS also issues marriage verification letters for $20.00 per copy using the same mail-in process described above.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Val Verde County are maintained by the Texas Vital Statistics Section. Under state law, birth records are confidential for 75 years after the event, and death records are confidential for 25 years. During those restriction periods, only eligible individuals — including the subject, immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized representatives — can obtain certified copies.
Current DSHS fees are as follows:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate (long form, short form, or verification) | $22.00 per copy |
| Death certificate (first copy) | $20.00 |
| Marriage/Divorce verification letter | $20.00 per verification |
You can submit requests online, by mail with a completed application, or in person at the Austin DSHS office. Mail applications for birth records and death records are available on the DSHS website.
Val Verde County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Val Verde County is shared between the County Court at Law and the District Courts. The County Court at Law handles most probate matters, while the constitutional county court also plays a role in certain estate filings. If you need to file a small estate affidavit for a modest estate, that's handled through the County Clerk's Office, with a filing fee of $360.00.
Probate Records Custodians
Two offices maintain probate-related records in Val Verde County:
District Clerk (for probate cases filed in District Court)
Address: 100 East Broadway, Del Rio, TX 78840 | P.O. Box 1544, Del Rio, TX 78841
Phone: (830) 774-7538 | Fax: (830) 774-7643
Email: jcervantes@valverdecounty.texas.gov
County Clerk (for county court probate matters, wills, guardianships, small estates)
Address: 400 Pecan Street, Del Rio, TX 78840 | P.O. Box 1267, Del Rio, TX 78841
Phone: (830) 774-7564 | Fax: (830) 774-7608
Email: tchapoy@valverdecounty.texas.gov
Through the County Clerk, you can access wills filed for safekeeping, letters testamentary, letters of administration, guardianship filings, and small estate affidavits. The District Clerk keeps records for contested probate matters and guardianship cases transferred to the district courts. Both offices accept requests in person, by mail, by fax, or by email using their respective request forms. When submitting a request, include the decedent's name, approximate date of death, and any known case number to help staff locate the file. Copy and certification fees apply at the time of fulfillment.