Austin County Court Records

Austin County court records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Bellville. This page covers Austin County, a distinct governmental entity from the City of Austin. All district and county court case records for Austin County are filed and kept at the Bellville courthouse. The county court system here covers felony cases, civil lawsuits above the county threshold, family law, misdemeanors, and probate. Online search is available at austin.tx.publicsearch.us and through the statewide re:SearchTX portal. In-person requests can be made at the courthouse in Bellville during regular business hours.

Austin County District and County Clerk Offices

Austin County is separate from the City of Austin, which is in Travis County. Austin County is located in Southeast Texas between Houston and San Antonio. The county seat is Bellville, where both the District Clerk and County Clerk offices are located at the Austin County Courthouse. All court records for the county are filed and stored here. The Austin County District Clerk maintains records for the 155th District Court. This covers felony criminal cases, civil suits filed at the district court level, and family law matters including divorce and custody. The District Clerk is responsible for storing all case files, processing new filings, and handling requests from the public for court records and copies.

The Austin County Clerk handles misdemeanor criminal records, probate filings, and official public instruments. This includes property deeds, liens, marriage licenses, and other recorded documents. For online access to county clerk records, TexasFile indexes Austin County documents and allows searching recorded instruments. For court case records, the statewide re:SearchTX portal is available. Because Austin County is sometimes confused with the City of Austin, make sure you are contacting the correct office. If you need records from courts in the City of Austin, those are in Travis County. Austin County courts are in Bellville and serve residents of Austin County only.

Austin County Court Record Types

Court records in Austin County cover the full range of case types handled by Texas courts. The District Clerk maintains the most serious cases: felony criminal charges, civil suits above the county court threshold, and family law matters. Each case generates a file that includes all documents filed from start to finish, including petitions, motions, orders, and final judgments. Criminal records from felony district court cases show charges, court dates, plea or trial outcomes, and sentencing. These records are public. Expunged cases and sealed records are not available through public search. If you need to know whether someone has a criminal record in Austin County, searching through re:SearchTX is a reasonable first step.

Civil records document lawsuits and disputes. Property disputes, contract matters, personal injury claims, and other civil cases all generate records maintained by the District Clerk. Family law records cover divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders. Some family law records have restricted access to protect minor children and sensitive personal information. Probate records at the County Clerk's office cover estate administration and guardianship proceedings. These include filings when someone dies and their estate goes through the probate process. Probate records are public and can be useful for property research or verifying ownership chains. The County Clerk also handles the official public record for property instruments like deeds and mortgages.

How to Find Austin County Court Records

Use re:SearchTX to start your online search for Austin County court case records. This statewide portal covers courts from across Texas and is maintained by the Texas Judicial Branch. Search by party name or cause number to find basic case information. For complete documents or certified copies, you need to contact the Austin County clerk's offices directly. For county clerk records including deeds and official instruments, TexasFile is a useful tool. This resource indexes recorded documents from the Austin County Clerk and lets you search without visiting the courthouse. It covers property records, liens, and other officially recorded instruments. To visit in person, go to the Austin County Courthouse in Bellville. The District Clerk and County Clerk offices are both there. Bring the names of the parties or a case number. Staff can pull files and help you identify what documents exist. Plain copies cost about $1 per page; certified copies carry an additional fee. Mail requests are also accepted with a written description of what you need and payment for the estimated fee.

Austin County Clerk Records Online

The TexasFile portal for Austin County provides an index of officially recorded documents from the Austin County Clerk's office. This is a good starting point for property and lien research in Austin County before contacting the clerk's office for certified copies or full documents.

Austin County Court Records Online Portal

The Austin County District Clerk operates a public records search portal at austin.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal shown below is the main online tool for finding court records in Austin County without making a trip to the courthouse in 155th. You can search by party name or cause number and get back case type, filing date, party names, and docket history at no cost. The system covers all records maintained by the District Clerk, including felony criminal cases, civil suits, and family law filings. For records that predate the online system or that require actual document images, you will need to contact the clerk's office in 155th directly.

Use the portal above to run a name or cause number search before visiting 155th. If the case you need does not appear in the local portal, try the statewide re:SearchTX system, which covers all 254 Texas counties and is maintained by the Texas Judicial Branch. For certified copies, plain copies, or documents not available online, contact the Austin County District Clerk's office in 155th. Bring a photo ID and the cause number if you have it. Mail requests are also accepted if you include a check or money order for the estimated copy fee along with the case details. The Austin Municipal Court is another online tool for Austin County court records. This resource covers a different part of the court system. Use it alongside the District Clerk portal for a complete picture of available case information in Austin County. The austin.tx.publicsearch.us portal remains the primary source for district court records maintained by the clerk's office in 155th.

Check both resources above when searching Austin County court records. The District Clerk portal covers the widest range of case types. For statewide access across all Texas counties, use re:SearchTX. For certified copies or documents not available online, contact the Austin County District Clerk's office in 155th by phone, mail, or in person. The Travis County District Clerk is another online tool for Austin County court records. This resource covers a different part of the court system. Use it alongside the District Clerk portal for a complete picture of available case information in Austin County. The austin.tx.publicsearch.us portal remains the primary source for district court records maintained by the clerk's office in 155th. Check both resources above when searching Austin County court records. The District Clerk portal covers the widest range of case types. For statewide access across all Texas counties, use re:SearchTX. For certified copies or documents not available online, contact the Austin County District Clerk's office in 155th by phone, mail, or in person.

The Austin Police Department is another online tool for Austin County court records. This resource covers a different part of the court system. Use it alongside the District Clerk portal for a complete picture of available case information in Austin County. The austin.tx.publicsearch.us portal remains the primary source for district court records maintained by the clerk's office in 155th. Check both resources above when searching Austin County court records. The District Clerk portal covers the widest range of case types. For statewide access across all Texas counties, use re:SearchTX. For certified copies or documents not available online, contact the Austin County District Clerk's office in 155th by phone, mail, or in person.

Legal Resources for Austin County

TexasLawHelp.org provides free self-help guides for people handling court matters without a lawyer. The Texas State Law Library offers free online research access to Texas statutes, court rules, and legal forms. Both resources are available at no cost and are helpful for understanding what to expect in Texas courts. Lone Star Legal Aid serves Southeast Texas and may be able to help Austin County residents who qualify for free legal assistance. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is available if you need professional legal representation in Austin County courts.

Nearby Counties

Austin County borders these Southeast Texas counties, each with its own court records system.