Wharton County, Texas Court Records
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Wharton County, Texas — situated along the lower Colorado River, with the city of Wharton as its county seat — generates thousands of civil, criminal, family, and probate records every year. These documents form the official record of judicial proceedings and come up in a wide range of practical situations: verifying legal judgments, conducting background research, resolving estate disputes, confirming marriage or divorce histories, and supporting ongoing litigation. Whether you're an attorney, a litigant, a journalist, or a private citizen, knowing exactly where Wharton County records are kept and how to obtain them will save you considerable time.
If you're starting your search in Texas, TexasStateCourts.us can help you understand the state's court structure and point you toward publicly available case information. Wharton County records are accessible through official court clerk offices, public access terminals at the county courthouse, statewide online case search platforms, and county-specific portals operated by each clerk's office.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Wharton County?
Two separate clerk offices maintain court records in Wharton County. Which one holds the records you need depends on the type of case.
The Wharton County District Clerk maintains records for felony criminal cases and civil actions filed in the 23rd and 329th District Courts — including family law cases, child support matters, and large civil suits. The Wharton County Clerk maintains records for misdemeanor criminal cases, probate proceedings, guardianships, civil cases at the county court level, and all vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates).
Wharton County District Clerk
Address: 103 S. Fulton Street, P.O. Drawer 391
Wharton, Texas 77488
Phone: (979) 532-5542
Fax: (979) 532-1299
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Child Support Deputy: Melissa Mendoza
P.O. Box 807, Wharton, TX 77488
Phone: (979) 532-8894
Wharton County Clerk (Barbara Svatek)
Address: 309 E. Milam Street, Suite 700, P.O. Box 69
Wharton, Texas 77488
Phone: (979) 532-2381
Fax: (979) 532-8426
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
(Telephone calls accepted until 5:00 p.m.)
Email contacts:
Probate/Guardianship/Civil: tracy.klimple@co.wharton.tx.us
Criminal: christine.evanicky@co.wharton.tx.us
Filing & Recording: nijia.garcia@co.wharton.tx.us
Vital Statistics: dawn.ochoa@co.wharton.tx.us
Online search tools for Wharton County cases:
- iDocket.com — Both the District Clerk and County Clerk link to iDocket for online access to civil, criminal, and probate case dockets. Wharton County has participated in the iDocket system since 2013.
- re:SearchTX — The statewide Texas case search platform covering all 254 counties. You can search case information, view upcoming hearings, and access court documents. A free subscription tier is available for basic searches.
- Wharton County Clerk eSearch — The County Clerk's subscription-based portal provides access to the full index and document images for all public records recorded with the County Clerk dating back to 1845.
Are Court Records Public in Wharton County?
Court records in Wharton County are presumptively public under Title 5, Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code — commonly known as the Texas Public Information Act. This law requires governmental bodies, including court clerks, to promptly respond to records requests and provide access to any materials that aren't specifically exempt. In plain terms, you generally don't need to explain why you want a public court record.
That said, several categories are withheld from general public access under Texas law, court rules, or judicial order. The most commonly restricted record types in Wharton County include:
- Juvenile records — proceedings involving minors are sealed and inaccessible to the general public under Texas Family Code provisions
- Adoption records — sealed upon finalization and available only to parties with legal standing or by court order
- Expunged criminal records — removed from public access pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55A, once a court orders expunction
- Records under orders of nondisclosure — certain deferred adjudication matters may be sealed from public inspection under Texas Government Code 411.071 et seq.
- Sealed civil case materials — documents filed under court seal in civil litigation are withheld pending further order of the court
- Sensitive financial and personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly accessible filings
- Child custody and support details in family cases — certain information is restricted to protect minor children and their families
Standard copy fees at the District Clerk's office are $1.00 per page for paper copies, with a $5.00 certification fee per document for certified copies. A civil or criminal records search costs $5.00 per search. At the County Clerk's office, letter or legal size copies are $1.00 per page, with an additional $5.00 certification fee for certified copies.
Wharton County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecution in Wharton County operates across two court levels. Felony charges — those potentially resulting in imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice — are tried in the 23rd District Court or the 329th District Court, both of which share a common general docket under Texas Government Code 24.124. Misdemeanor offenses are handled at the county court level and maintained by the County Clerk.
23rd District Court
Judge: John C. Maher, Jr.
Address: 100 S. Fulton St., Suite 102, Wharton, TX 77488
Phone: (979) 532-0896
329th Judicial District Court
Judge: Randy M. Clapp, Presiding
Address: 100 South Fulton, Suite 200, Wharton, TX 77488
Phone: (979) 532-1514
Fax: (979) 532-4752
Court Administrator: Cassie Ritter (cassie@329th.com)
Website: www.329th.com
Criminal case records filed in the District Courts are maintained by the District Clerk and searchable online through iDocket.com or re:SearchTX. If you need certified copies of criminal judgments, orders, or other filings, contact the District Clerk at (979) 532-5542 or submit a written request by mail to 103 S. Fulton Street, P.O. Drawer 391, Wharton, TX 77488.
Arrest records and current inmate information are maintained by the Wharton County Sheriff's Office rather than the court clerk.
Wharton County Sheriff's Office (Sheriff Shannon Srubar)
Address: P.O. Box 726, Wharton, TX 77488
Phone: (979) 532-1550
Fax: (979) 282-2849
For expunction petitions filed with the District Court, an additional $15.00 fee per agency is charged on top of the base civil filing fee for each agency served with the expunction order.
Wharton County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Wharton County is divided by the amount in controversy and the nature of the dispute. The 23rd and 329th District Courts handle large civil suits and matters beyond the jurisdictional limits of lower courts. The County Clerk maintains civil records at the county court level. Justice of the Peace courts in all four precincts handle small claims and minor civil disputes.
District Clerk Civil Filing Fees (effective January 1, 2022):
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| All new civil cases | $350.00 |
| New/transferred-in civil suit | $350.00 |
| New/transferred-in family cases | $350.00 |
| New/transferred-in SAPCR | $45.00 |
| Petition for protective order | $350.00 |
| Suit for writ of habeas corpus | $350.00 |
| District Clerk issuances (citations, subpoenas, writs, etc.) | $8.00 each |
| Employer's wage withhold order | $15.00 |
| Paper copies | $1.00/page |
| Certified copy (additional fee) | $5.00 each |
| Civil or criminal records search | $5.00 each |
Revised Civil Case Information Sheets and filing instructions are available directly from the District Clerk's office.
Small Claims in Justice Courts — Wharton County has four Justice of the Peace courts handling small claims matters, evictions, debt claims, and minor civil infractions. The filing fee for a small claims case in any Wharton County JP precinct is $54.00, plus a separate service fee for serving the defendant. Self-help packets for small claims plaintiffs and defendants, eviction proceedings, debt claims, and repair-and-remedy cases are available directly from the Wharton County Justice of the Peace page.
Justice of the Peace Courts Location and Hours:
| Court | Address | Phone | Office Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 (Judge Jared Cullar) | 1017 N. Alabama Road, Wharton, TX 77488 | (979) 532-3941 | Mon–Thu 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Fri 8:00–11:30 a.m. |
| Precinct 2 (Judge Glenn P. Russell) | 736 Clubside Drive, East Bernard, TX 77435 | (979) 335-6210 | Mon–Thu 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Precinct 3 (Judge Donna Wessels) | 340 W. North St., Louise, TX 77455 | (979) 648-2363 | Mon–Thu 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Precinct 4 (Judge Tim Drapela) | 605 E. Calhoun, El Campo, TX 77437 | (979) 543-4322 | Mon–Thu 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and related instruments — are recorded with the County Clerk and searchable through the County Clerk's eSearch portal, which indexes all public documents dating back to 1845. Property valuation data is maintained separately by the Wharton County Appraisal District at 308 E. Milam Street, Wharton, TX 77488, Phone: (979) 532-8931
County Clerk recording fees (effective January 1, 2024):
- Real property recordings: $25.00 for the first page + $4.00 per additional page
- Abstract of judgment: $25.00 first page + $4.00 each additional
- Assumed Name (DBA): $23.00
- Notice of Trustee Sale: $2.00
- Federal tax lien filings: $30.00
- State tax lien filings: $15.00
Wharton County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, termination of parental rights, adoptions, and protective orders — are filed with the District Clerk and heard in the 23rd or 329th District Court. The District Clerk at 103 S. Fulton Street maintains all family court case files, and records are searchable through iDocket.com and re:SearchTX.
Divorce records in Wharton County are generally accessible through the District Clerk, though sensitive contents — such as financial settlement terms, child custody arrangements, and Social Security numbers — are routinely redacted from public copies. The filing fee for all new family cases is $350.00.
Marriage records are issued and maintained by the Wharton County Clerk. A standard marriage license costs $81.00; applicants who complete the state-approved premarital education course through the Twogether in Texas program qualify for a reduced fee of $21.00 for the license. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $21.00 for the first copy. Marriage certificates can also be requested through the Wharton County Vital Records Online Portal, which processes requests online during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Informal (common-law) marriage licenses cost $46.00.
For statewide marriage verification letters, the Texas DSHS Marriage and Divorce Records page provides searchable indexes from 1966 to the present, along with a mail application form (VS-142) for submitting requests to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Birth certificates are available from the County Clerk for $23.00 per certified copy. Access to birth records less than 75 years old is restricted under Texas Government Code 552.115 to the person named on the record (if 18 or older), their immediate family members, legal guardians, or authorized representatives. Online orders can be placed through the County Clerk's Online Birth Certificate Request Portal or through the Texas DSHS Birth Records page. A mail application form (VS-140) is available for postal requests to either the County Clerk or the state vital records office.
Death certificates cost $21.00 for the first certified copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Death records are restricted for 25 years following the death; during that period, access is limited to immediate family, authorized attorneys, legal guardians, and persons with a direct legal interest. Online requests can be submitted through the County Clerk's Online Death Certificate Portal or via the Texas DSHS Death Records page, using the VS-142 mail application.
Adoption records are sealed upon entry of the adoption decree and are not accessible through standard public records requests.
Wharton County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Wharton County — including estate administration, will probation, guardianships, conservatorships, trust administration, intestate succession, and escheat proceedings — are filed with and maintained by the Wharton County Clerk. The dedicated contact for probate, guardianship, and civil department matters at the Clerk's Office is Tracy Klimple, reachable at tracy.klimple@co.wharton.tx.us.
Probate and guardianship case records are searchable online through iDocket.com, which the County Clerk links directly from its official page. For a comprehensive fee schedule governing probate and guardianship filings, the County Clerk publishes a Probate and Guardianship Fee Schedule and a Civil Fee Schedule on its official website.
To request probate records in person or by mail:
- Identify the decedent's full name and approximate date of death or case filing year.
- Check iDocket.com or re:SearchTX to obtain the case number if possible.
- Contact the County Clerk's probate department at (979) 532-2381 or email tracy.klimple@co.wharton.tx.us to confirm availability and applicable fees.
- For in-person requests, visit 309 E. Milam Street, Suite 700, Wharton, TX 77488 during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).
- For mail requests, send a written description of the records needed along with a check or money order payable to the Wharton County Clerk, a copy of valid photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to P.O. Box 69, Wharton, TX 77488.
- Standard copy fees apply: $1.00 per page, plus $5.00 per document for certified copies.
Certain probate records — such as sealed guardianship files involving incapacitated adults where disclosure could harm the ward — may be withheld from general public access by court order. Records involving minors in guardianship proceedings are subject to the same confidentiality protections applicable to juvenile proceedings generally.