Wichita County Court Records

Wichita County sits in north-central Texas along the Red River border with Oklahoma, with Wichita Falls as its county seat. The county's courts handle tens of thousands of cases every year — criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, and probate proceedings. Whether you're an attorney doing case research, an individual checking your own legal history, an employer running a background screening, or simply a member of the public exercising your right to review judicial proceedings, this guide covers the practical steps for locating, requesting, and obtaining court records from Wichita County's various courts and offices.

If you're not sure where to start, the statewide judicial branch website TexasStateCourts.us offers general information about court structure, rules, and resources. For Wichita County specifically, the District Clerk and County Clerk each maintain different categories of case files — so understanding which office holds what you need is the first step toward an efficient search.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Wichita County?

You have several options for finding Wichita County court cases, depending on the case type and how quickly you need the information.

Online Case Search

The most widely used tool is the Texas Office of Court Administration's public case-search portal, which pulls together data reported by county and district clerks statewide. You can search by party name, case number, attorney, or date range. Results typically include case type, filing date, parties, and disposition status, though the detail level varies by reporting court.

For Justice of the Peace court cases specifically, the Justice Court Case Search is a dedicated lookup system covering JP civil and criminal matters in Wichita County.

In-Person Search

You can also search records at the courthouse directly. Both clerk offices are located at the same building:

Office	Address	Phone
Wichita County District Clerk	900 7th Street, Room 230, Wichita Falls, TX 76301	(940) 766-8190
Wichita County Clerk	900 7th Street, Room 270, Wichita Falls, TX 76301	(940) 766-8195

Both offices are generally open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding county holidays. Public terminals in the courthouse let visitors search indices and review non-confidential case information at no charge.

Steps for an In-Person Search

Identify whether your case falls under district court jurisdiction (felonies, civil cases over a certain dollar threshold, divorce, family matters) or county court jurisdiction (misdemeanors, probate, smaller civil disputes).
Visit the appropriate clerk's office during business hours.
Provide the case number if you have it, or supply the full name of a party and an approximate date range.
Review results on the public terminal or ask the clerk for copies.
Pay the applicable copy fees before receiving documents.

Mail Requests

Written requests can be mailed to either clerk's office at the addresses listed above. Include your full name, contact information, detailed case identifiers (party names, case number, approximate filing year), and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Enclose a check or money order for estimated copy and certification fees, made payable to the appropriate clerk's office.

Are Court Records Public in Wichita County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552), government records — including most court documents — are presumed open for public inspection. Anyone can request access without explaining why, and record custodians must respond promptly.

Records That Are Generally Public

Criminal case filings, indictments, judgments, and sentencing orders
Civil petitions, answers, motions, and final judgments
Probate applications, inventories, and orders
Property liens and abstracts of judgment
Court dockets and hearing schedules

Records That Are Restricted or Confidential

Texas law and court rules designate certain records as sealed or confidential:

Juvenile case files (Texas Family Code, Title 3)
Records sealed by court order under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a
Adoption records (Texas Family Code 162.006)
Grand jury proceedings
Mental health commitment records
Certain family violence protective order details involving minors
Information redacted under the Texas Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account numbers, and dates of birth in court filings

Clerks will redact or withhold protected information before releasing copies. If you believe records have been improperly withheld, the matter can be referred to the Texas Attorney General for a ruling through the Public Information Act's dispute-resolution process.

Wichita County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Wichita County are divided among courts based on the severity of the offense.

Court Jurisdiction by Offense Level

Offense Level	Court	Clerk's Office
Felonies (state jail, third, second, first degree, capital)	30th, 78th, and 89th District Courts	District Clerk
Class A and B Misdemeanors	County Courts at Law No. 1 and No. 2	County Clerk
Class C Misdemeanors / Traffic	Justice of the Peace Courts, Precincts 1–4	JP Court Clerk

Searching Criminal Records

The OCA public case search returns criminal case data by defendant name or case number. For felony records, search in person at the District Clerk's office on the second floor of the Wichita County Courthouse (900 7th Street, Wichita Falls). Misdemeanor records are maintained by the County Clerk in Room 270 of the same building.

Arrest and Booking Records

The Wichita County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and current jail rosters. Booking information — including charges, bond amounts, and mugshots — may be available through the Sheriff's Office directly.

Wichita County Sheriff's Office
900 7th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301
Phone: (940) 766-8170

Criminal Background Checks

Statewide criminal history reports are available from the Texas Department of Public Safety through its Crime Records Service. DPS offers both name-based and fingerprint-based searches. Name-based checks can be done online for a fee; fingerprint-based checks are more comprehensive and are often required for licensing and employment purposes.

Key Statutes Governing Criminal Records

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 60 (Criminal History Record System)
Texas Government Code 411.081–411.085 (Criminal History Record Information)
Orders of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter E-1, allow eligible individuals to petition the court to seal certain criminal records from public disclosure

Wichita County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Wichita County covers lawsuits over contracts, property disputes, personal injury claims, debt collection, foreclosures, and other non-criminal matters.

Courts Handling Civil Cases

District Courts (30th, 78th, 89th): Civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $200, or where specific subject-matter jurisdiction applies (such as title to land or election contests). The District Clerk's office files and maintains these records.
County Courts at Law No. 1 and No. 2: Civil matters within their concurrent or exclusive jurisdiction, including appeals from JP courts. The County Clerk maintains these files.
Justice of the Peace Courts: Small claims and civil suits involving amounts up to $20,000, plus eviction (forcible detainer) cases. Records are kept at the individual JP court location.

Filing and Copy Fees

Civil filing fees are set by statute and may be updated periodically. Common fee categories include:

Filing a new civil suit (district court): varies based on case type — check with the District Clerk's office for current amounts
Filing a new civil suit (county court at law): statutory filing fee applies
Copies of court documents: typically $1.00 per page for standard copies; certified copies carry an additional certification fee
Issuance of subpoenas, citations, and writs: individual fees apply per document

Civil Case Search Methods

Online: Use the OCA case search to look up civil filings by party name, case number, or attorney.
In person: Visit the District Clerk (Room 230) or County Clerk (Room 270) at 900 7th Street, Wichita Falls.
By mail: Submit a written request with party names, the case number, and the specific documents needed, along with prepayment for copies.

E-Filing

Texas requires electronic filing in most civil cases through the statewide eFileTexas portal. Self-represented litigants in some case types may still file paper documents, but attorneys must e-file. The system accepts filings around the clock, with documents considered filed as of the submission timestamp.

Liens and Judgments

Abstracts of judgment and other lien records filed with the Wichita County Clerk create a public record that can affect real property in the county. These records are searchable through the County Clerk's official records index. The Wichita County Clerk's office maintains deed records, assumed name certificates, and other recorded instruments alongside court-related filings.

Wichita County Family Court Records

Family law proceedings in Wichita County are heard primarily in the district courts, with the District Clerk's office maintaining the associated records.

Types of Family Court Cases

Divorce and annulment
Child custody, conservatorship, and possession/access
Child support establishment and modification
Suits affecting the parent-child relationship (SAPCR)
Adoptions
Protective orders related to family violence
Termination of parental rights
Name changes (when filed under the Family Code)

Confidentiality Considerations

Family court records occupy a more restricted space than general civil filings. Most divorce and custody case files are technically public, but Texas law imposes specific protections worth knowing:

Adoption records are sealed and accessible only by court order or through the Texas Vital Statistics Unit mutual consent registry.
Protective order applications involving family violence are public, but certain identifying details of minor children may be redacted.
Financial information exchanged during discovery — such as sworn financial statements — may be subject to standing orders that limit public access.
Parties may file a motion to seal sensitive records under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a, which requires a public hearing and specific findings before any restriction takes effect.

Obtaining Family Court Records

To request copies of family case documents, contact:

Wichita County District Clerk
900 7th Street, Room 230
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
Phone: (940) 766-8190

Have the case number ready, or provide the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year of filing. Certified copies of divorce decrees are a common request — the District Clerk can certify those copies for the applicable fee.

Marriage Licenses and Vital Records

The Wichita County Clerk issues marriage licenses and keeps records of licenses issued in the county. Both applicants must appear together in person with valid identification. There is a statutory 72-hour waiting period after issuance before the ceremony may be performed, unless waived by completing an approved premarital education course.

Birth and death certificates filed in Texas are maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit. Local copies of birth and death records may also be obtained from the county clerk's office for events that occurred in Wichita County.

Wichita County Probate Court Records

Probate jurisdiction in Wichita County rests with the county courts at law, and the County Clerk's office is the filing repository for all probate matters.

Types of Probate Proceedings

Wichita County's probate docket covers a wide range of proceedings:

Independent and dependent administration of decedents' estates
Probate of wills (with or without administration)
Muniment of title proceedings
Determination of heirship
Guardianship of incapacitated adults
Guardianship of minors
Small estate affidavits
Temporary and permanent guardianship applications
Trust proceedings filed with the court

Where Probate Records Are Filed

All probate filings are maintained by:

Wichita County Clerk Probate Division
900 7th Street, Room 270
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
Phone: (940) 766-8195

Searching Probate Records

In person: Visit the County Clerk's office and use the probate index to locate case files by decedent name or case number.
Online: The OCA case search includes some probate case data reported by the county.
By mail: Send a written request to the County Clerk with the decedent's full legal name, approximate date of death, and case number if available.

Guardianship Records

Guardianship cases involve ongoing court oversight of an individual's person, estate, or both. Under Texas Estates Code, Title 3, guardianship proceedings require the appointment of an attorney ad litem for the proposed ward, investigation reports, and periodic accountings filed with the court. Annual reports filed by guardians are part of the case record and are generally accessible to the public, though medical and psychological evaluation reports attached to guardianship applications may be restricted.

Common Probate Fees

Probate filing fees in Wichita County are set by the Texas Legislature and may be supplemented by local court costs. Typical fee categories include:

Filing an application to probate a will or for administration
Filing a guardianship application
Certified copies of letters testamentary or letters of guardianship
Copies of court orders and inventories

For current fee amounts, contact the County Clerk's office directly or consult the statutory fee schedule under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 118.

Wills Deposited for Safekeeping

Texas law allows individuals to deposit original wills with the county clerk for safekeeping during their lifetime, under Texas Estates Code 252.001. A deposited will is sealed and cannot be opened except upon the testator's death or by court order. After the testator's death, whoever holds the will must deliver it to the clerk of the court with jurisdiction within 30 days.