Calhoun County Court Records
Calhoun County court records cover civil, criminal, family, and probate cases filed in this Texas Gulf Coast county. The District Clerk and County Clerk both maintain public records at the courthouse in Port Lavaca. With about 21,000 residents, Calhoun County sits on the coast between Corpus Christi and Victoria. Cases are heard in the 24th Judicial District Court along with county and justice of the peace courts. The county court system here covers felony cases, civil lawsuits above the county threshold, family law, misdemeanors, and probate. Online search is available at calhoun.tx.publicsearch.us and through the statewide re:SearchTX portal. In-person requests can be made at the courthouse in Port Lavaca during regular business hours.
Calhoun County Overview
Calhoun County District Clerk
The Calhoun County District Clerk handles felony criminal cases, civil suits above the county court limit, and all family law matters filed in the 24th Judicial District Court. The courthouse is at 211 S. Ann Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979. Phone: (361) 553-4630. Office hours run Monday through Friday during regular business hours. For online searches, re:SearchTX covers e-filed cases from Calhoun County. Enter a party name or case number to find results for free. County clerk records are searchable through TexasFile at texasfile.com. The Texas Judicial Branch website at txcourts.gov provides court contact information and guidance. The re:SearchTX portal provides free access to e-filed Calhoun County court cases and covers all 254 Texas counties.
| Office | Calhoun County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 211 S. Ann Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979 |
| Phone | (361) 553-4630 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| District Court | 24th Judicial District Court |
Calhoun County Clerk
The Calhoun County Clerk handles misdemeanor cases, probate matters, and all official public records including deeds, liens, and marriage licenses. The office is at the courthouse in Port Lavaca. You can search recorded instruments through TexasFile at texasfile.com. Calhoun County is a coastal county, and property records often include deeds to beachfront and bay properties. The County Clerk maintains all real property records for land in the county. If you need to look up ownership history or liens on coastal property, start with the County Clerk's office or TexasFile.
How to Search Calhoun County Court Records
Start with re:SearchTX for e-filed cases from Calhoun County. The system is free. Enter a party name or case number to see case details and docket entries. For older cases, call the District Clerk at (361) 553-4630. For property records, TexasFile at texasfile.com provides free access to recorded instruments. To get copies in person, visit the courthouse at 211 S. Ann Street in Port Lavaca. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost more. Mail requests are also accepted.
Types of Calhoun County Court Records
District courts in Calhoun County handle felony criminal cases, civil suits over $10,000, and family law matters. The county court handles misdemeanors and probate. Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims and Class C misdemeanors. Criminal records include charge documents, indictments, and sentencing orders. Civil records include petitions, motions, and judgments. Family law files cover divorce, custody, and support orders. Property records include deeds and liens. Most records are public under Texas Supreme Court Rule 12. The Texas Judicial Branch site provides court information and access guidance for Calhoun County and all Texas counties.
County Clerk Records in Calhoun County
The Calhoun County County Clerk handles a separate set of records from the District Clerk. While the District Clerk focuses on district court cases, the County Clerk is responsible for misdemeanor criminal cases, probate filings, and all official public instruments. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents that affect property or legal status in the county. Probate records in Calhoun County cover estate administration, guardianship proceedings, and mental health cases. When someone passes away with a will, or when a court needs to appoint a guardian, those cases go through the County Clerk. Probate filings are public unless sealed by the court, and you can usually find them through the same online portal used for other county clerk records.
Misdemeanor criminal cases in Calhoun County are handled at the county court level. These are less serious criminal charges than felonies but still produce a court record. County court at law records include Class A and B misdemeanor cases. If you are looking for a minor criminal case that did not go to district court, check with the County Clerk in Port Lavaca. The County Clerk also records official instruments like deeds and liens. These are not court cases but are still public records that can affect property ownership. You can search these records through TexasFile, which indexes county clerk recordings from across Texas. Keep in mind these differ from court case records in how they are filed and where they appear in search results.
Calhoun County Court Records Online Portal
The Calhoun County District Clerk operates a public records search portal at calhoun.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal shown below is the main online tool for finding court records in Calhoun County without making a trip to the courthouse in 24th. 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 24th directly.
Use the portal above to run a name or cause number search before visiting 24th. 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 Calhoun County District Clerk's office in 24th. 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.
Legal Help for Calhoun County Cases
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid serves coastal Texas including Calhoun County. Call (888) 988-9996 or visit trla.org for free civil legal help. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is at (800) 252-9690. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org provides free guides and forms for self-represented litigants.
Cities in Calhoun County
Calhoun County includes Port Lavaca, Port O'Connor, and Seadrift. No cities in the county meet the 100,000-resident threshold for a dedicated city page. All district court cases are handled at the Calhoun County courthouse in Port Lavaca.