Willacy County Court Records Search

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    Willacy County, Texas, is a small South Texas county with Raymondville as its seat of government. Legal proceedings originating here — whether a felony prosecution, a civil dispute, a probate filing, or a small claims matter — generate permanent records preserved by the clerks of each respective court. These case records include motions, orders, hearings, judgments, and related filings that document everything from the initial complaint through final disposition.

    If you’re searching for Willacy County court records, TexasStateCourts.us offers a directory of all Texas courts, links to court rules, and access to online case search tools. In Texas, you can locate records through clerk offices, public access terminals at county courthouses, and the statewide re:SearchTX online case repository. Because court types vary by case, identifying the right court first is essential.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Willacy County?

    Willacy County’s court system includes the District Court, the County Court, and three Justice of the Peace precincts. Which office holds a case file depends on the type and value of the matter. Knowing whether a case involved a felony, a misdemeanor, a civil claim, a probate proceeding, or a Class C offense will tell you exactly where to direct your request.

    The two main records offices are:

    Willacy County District Clerk (Hon. Isabel Adame)

    • Address: 576 West Main Avenue, Room 102, Raymondville, TX 78580
    • Phone: (956) 689-2532
    • Fax: (956) 689-5713
    • Email: isabel.adame@co.willacy.tx.us

    Willacy County Clerk (Susana R. Garza)

    • Address: 576 West Main Avenue, Room 153, Raymondville, TX 78580
    • Phone: (956) 689-2710
    • Fax: (956) 689-9849
    • Email: susan.garza@co.willacy.tx.us
    • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    There are three practical ways to access Willacy County court records:

    • Online: The re:SearchTX portal, maintained by the Texas judiciary, provides free public access to case information from all 254 Texas counties, including Willacy. Search by party name or case number to view docket entries, upcoming hearing dates, and in many cases linked documents. Registration is required.
    • In person: Visit the relevant clerk's office at the Willacy County Courthouse, 576 West Main Avenue, Raymondville, TX 78580, during business hours. Having the case name, case number, or approximate filing date on hand will speed up the search.
    • By mail: Send a written request to the appropriate clerk's office. Include a description of the records sought, the party's name or case number, and a check or money order for applicable fees.

    Attorneys filing civil, family, probate, or criminal cases in Texas are required to use the mandatory electronic filing system at eFileTexas.gov. Self-represented litigants may also use the system voluntarily.

    Are Court Records Public in Willacy County?

    Under Texas common law and rules enacted by the Texas Supreme Court, court case records are presumptively open to public inspection. While the Texas judiciary is explicitly exempt from the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552), clerks are still prohibited from releasing information the PIA marks as confidential, and records restricted by other state or federal statutes are likewise withheld.

    The following categories of Willacy County court records are not available for public inspection:

    • Juvenile delinquency records — proceedings involving minors are confidential under Texas law
    • Sealed court documents — records sealed by judicial order are unavailable for general review
    • Certain victim information — identifying details for crime victims may be withheld to protect privacy
    • Adoption records — permanently sealed under Texas Family Code provisions
    • Mental health and certain family proceedings — access may be restricted by statute or court order
    • Social Security numbers and financial account identifiers — redacted from publicly available filings under court rules

    If a request involves a restricted record, the clerk’s office will advise you of the limitation and whether any non-restricted portions of the file are available for release.

    Willacy County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Willacy County divide along jurisdictional lines based on offense severity. Felony charges — from state jail felonies through first-degree felonies — are heard in the Willacy County District Court, presided over by Hon. Judge Adolfo Cordova, and are managed by the District Clerk. Class A and B misdemeanors are handled by the County Court, with records maintained by the County Clerk. Class C misdemeanors — offenses punishable by fine only — fall under Justice of the Peace jurisdiction, with records held at the relevant precinct.

    The District Court’s jurisdiction over criminal matters is grounded in Texas Government Code Chapter 24. The 197th District Court, which serves Willacy County, also has local rules available on the county’s website.

    For criminal case searches, the re:SearchTX portal covers District and County Court matters. For Justice of the Peace criminal records, contact the relevant precinct directly.

    For arrest-level information, reach out to the Willacy County Sheriff’s Office:

    Willacy County Sheriff's Office (Hon. Joe Salazar)

    • Address: 1371 Industrial Drive, Raymondville, TX 78580
    • Phone: (956) 689-5576
    • Fax: (956) 689-3867

    The Sheriff’s Office maintains a jail roster and inmate records for individuals in county custody. For a comprehensive statewide criminal history background check covering all Texas counties, direct your request to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which administers the official state criminal history database.

    Appeals from Willacy County District and County Court criminal decisions are heard by the Thirteenth Court of Appeals, which sits in Corpus Christi and Edinburg and has appellate jurisdiction over 20 South Texas counties.

    Willacy County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Willacy County is distributed across courts based on the dollar amount in controversy:

    CourtCivil JurisdictionCustodian
    District CourtClaims over $500, title to land, divorceDistrict Clerk
    County CourtClaims between $200 and $5,000County Clerk
    Justice of the PeaceClaims under $200; small claimsJP Precinct Clerk

    The District Court’s civil jurisdiction is established by Texas Government Code Chapter 24, which grants original jurisdiction over civil matters exceeding $500. For civil case searches across all courts, the re:SearchTX portal offers the most comprehensive online access, returning docket information from both the District and County courts.

    To request civil case documents from the District Clerk, contact the office at Room 102 of the Willacy County Courthouse. The Civil Court administrator, Veronica Caballero, assists with civil matters at (956) 689-6250 ext. 116.

    The Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims and minor civil matters, including landlord-tenant disputes. The three active JP precincts in Willacy County are:

    Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 (Judge Jessica "Annie" Rosas)

    • Address: 576 West Main Avenue, Room 148, Raymondville, TX 78580
    • Phone: (956) 699-5018 / (956) 689-2735
    • Fax: (956) 699-0103
    • Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

    Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 (Judge Juan Salinas, Jr.)

    • Address: 494 West Hidalgo Avenue, Raymondville, TX 78580
    • Phone: (956) 689-3381
    • Fax: (956) 689-9524
    • Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

    Justice of the Peace Precinct 5

    • Address: 494 West Hidalgo Avenue, Raymondville, TX 78580
    • Phone: (956) 689-6255
    • Fax: (956) 689-9524
    • Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

    Property records — including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements — are recorded with the Willacy County Clerk’s office. Property appraisal and tax assessment records are maintained separately by the Willacy County Tax Assessor-Collector at 192 North 3rd Street, Room 202, Raymondville, TX 78580 (Phone: (956) 689-3621), and by the Willacy County Appraisal District at 688 FM 3168, Raymondville, TX 78580 (Phone: (956) 689-5979).

    Willacy County Family Court Records

    Divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and family violence matters in Willacy County fall under the District Court’s jurisdiction. The statutory basis for dissolution of marriage proceedings is found in Texas Family Code Chapter 6. All such case files are maintained by the District Clerk’s office at Room 102 of the Willacy County Courthouse.

    Divorce decrees and family court case files are public records searchable through re:SearchTX or reviewable in person at the District Clerk’s office. Certified copies of divorce decrees can only be obtained from the District Clerk — the state’s Vital Statistics division cannot issue certified copies of divorce judgments, only informal verification letters.

    Marriage records are issued and maintained by the Willacy County Clerk’s office. The clerk issues marriage licenses and provides certified copies at a fee of $10.00 per copy. For verification purposes only — not as legal proof — the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Division issues marriage verification letters for $20.00 per copy, covering marriages recorded in Texas since 1966.

    Divorce verification letters, also available through DSHS Vital Statistics for $20.00 per copy, reflect divorces recorded since 1968. These letters confirm whether a divorce was recorded with the state but are not substitutes for certified court documents and carry no legal weight in formal proceedings. The current DSHS costs and fees schedule lists all applicable vital record fees.

    Birth and death vital records connected to family matters are issued through the Willacy County Clerk’s office and through the DSHS Vital Statistics office. Access is restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized legal representatives.

    Vital RecordCounty Clerk FeeDSHS Fee
    Birth Certificate (certified copy)$23.00$22.00
    Death Certificate (first copy)$21.00$20.00
    Death Certificate (additional copies)Varies$3.00 each

    For birth and death records, the DSHS Vital Statistics birth records page and death records page outline eligibility requirements, application procedures, and ordering options.

    Willacy County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Willacy County — including administration of decedents’ estates, guardianships, and conservatorships — fall within the jurisdiction of the Willacy County Court, presided over by County Judge Aurelio Guerra Jr. This is consistent with the authority granted to constitutional county courts over probate proceedings under Texas Estates Code Chapter 256.

    Willacy County Court (Probate)

    • Address: 576 West Main Avenue, Room 152, Raymondville, TX 78580
    • Phone: (956) 689-3393
    • Fax: (956) 689-4817

    The County Clerk is the clerk of record for all probate proceedings filed in the County Court. Probate filings that are generally accessible to the public include:

    • Applications to probate a will or open an intestate estate
    • Letters testamentary and letters of administration
    • Inventory, appraisement, and list of claims
    • Annual accounts and final settlements
    • Guardianship applications and orders
    • Conservatorship filings

    Most probate estate records are public and searchable through the re:SearchTX portal. For documents not available online or for certified copies, contact the County Clerk’s office directly. Fees for certified copies are established by Texas statute. Payments accepted at the clerk’s office include cash, money order, cashier’s check, and credit or debit cards where available.

    For small estate proceedings that do not require formal probate, Texas law allows the use of a small estate affidavit when the total estate value does not exceed a statutory threshold and no real property is involved. Information on this procedure is available through Texas Law Help, a free legal information resource maintained for Texas residents.