Jim Wells County Court Records
Jim Wells County court records cover civil, criminal, family, and probate cases filed in Alice, the county seat of this South Texas county. The District Clerk and County Clerk maintain public records at the courthouse, and most case information can be accessed through state and local online systems. With a population of around 41,000, Jim Wells County sees a steady volume of court filings each year across its district and county 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 jim-wells.tx.publicsearch.us and through the statewide re:SearchTX portal. In-person requests can be made at the courthouse in Alice during regular business hours.
Jim Wells County Overview
Jim Wells County District Clerk
The Jim Wells County District Clerk handles all felony criminal cases, civil cases over $200,000, and family law matters filed in the 79th Judicial District. The office is located at the Jim Wells County Courthouse, 200 North Almond Street, Alice, TX 78332. Staff can help you search case records, request copies, and find information about pending court dates. Phone: (361) 668-5717. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The courthouse is in downtown Alice, the county seat and the largest city in Jim Wells County. Alice is a regional hub for South Texas, sitting roughly midway between Corpus Christi and Laredo along US Highway 281.
Court records in Jim Wells County follow the standard Texas framework for public access. Most civil, criminal, and family case records are open under Texas Supreme Court Rule 12. Exceptions apply to juvenile records, sealed cases, and any files restricted by court order. If you are not sure whether a record is available, call the clerk's office before making a trip to the courthouse. The screenshot below shows the statewide re:SearchTX portal at research.txcourts.gov, which indexes e-filed documents from Jim Wells County and courts across Texas. re:SearchTX lets you search Jim Wells County court records along with cases from hundreds of other Texas courts at no cost.
| Office | Jim Wells County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 North Almond Street, Alice, TX 78332 |
| Phone | (361) 668-5717 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Judicial District | 79th |
Jim Wells County Clerk
The Jim Wells County Clerk maintains misdemeanor criminal cases, probate records, deeds, liens, marriage licenses, and other official public records. The County Clerk's office is also located at the courthouse in Alice. For property records and real estate filings, the County Clerk keeps historical records going back many years. You can request copies in person or by mail. For deed and property records, TexasFile provides free public access to Jim Wells County Clerk filings. Visit texasfile.com to search by name, document type, or recording date. This is useful if you need to track ownership history, verify liens, or find recorded instruments without a trip to the courthouse.
The County Clerk also keeps Commissioner Court minutes and official county government records. These are public and can be reviewed during regular business hours. The clerk processes assumed name certificates, also called DBA filings, which are searchable through the same systems used for deed records.
Online Access to Jim Wells County Court Records
The best starting point for Jim Wells County court records online is re:SearchTX at research.txcourts.gov. This is the Texas Judicial Branch's official statewide search platform. It covers e-filed documents from district and county courts, including cases from Jim Wells County. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. Basic searches are free. The Texas Judicial Branch website at txcourts.gov provides links to each court's local rules, forms, and procedures. If you plan to file a case or respond to one in Jim Wells County, review the local rules that apply to the 79th Judicial District before you go. eFileTexas at efiletexas.gov is the state's mandatory e-filing system for attorneys. If you are representing yourself, you may still use eFileTexas to submit documents electronically. Check with the Jim Wells County District Clerk's office to confirm whether self-represented filers must use e-filing for your case type. The screenshot below shows the Texas Judicial Branch website at txcourts.gov, a central resource for court rules, forms, and case information statewide. The Texas Judicial Branch site links to local court rules and resources for Jim Wells County and all other Texas courts.
Types of Court Records in Jim Wells County
Jim Wells County court records cover several categories. The District Clerk handles felony criminal cases, civil suits over $200,000, and all family law matters. The County Clerk handles misdemeanor cases, probate, and property records. Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims, Class C misdemeanors, and eviction cases. Criminal records include charging documents, indictments, plea agreements, trial records, and sentencing orders. Civil records include original petitions, motions, discovery orders, and final judgments. Family law files cover divorce decrees, custody and conservatorship orders, child support orders, and modification filings. Probate records include wills, letters testamentary, inventory and appraisement documents, and estate closing orders. Records that are generally not public include juvenile case records, adoption files, expunged records, and anything sealed by court order. If you need to check whether a case has been expunged or sealed, you will typically not find it in the public search systems. Call the clerk's office with any questions about whether a specific record is available.
Fees for Jim Wells County Court Records
Jim Wells County charges $1 per page for plain copies of court records. Certified copies cost more and include a certification fee on top of the per-page rate. The exact amount depends on the document type and page count. Call the District Clerk at (361) 668-5717 before your visit to confirm current rates, since fees can change. Online searches through re:SearchTX are free. You can view basic case information, party names, and filing dates at no cost. Some document downloads may carry a fee depending on the platform. If you need certified copies, plan to visit in person or request by mail with payment included. Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. Under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The court reviews the request and, if approved, waives filing and copy fees. Forms are available at the courthouse or through txcourts.gov.
Jim Wells County Court Records Online Portal
The Jim Wells County District Clerk operates a public records search portal at jim-wells.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal shown below is the main online tool for finding court records in Jim Wells County without making a trip to the courthouse in 79th. 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 79th directly.
Use the portal above to run a name or cause number search before visiting 79th. 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 Jim Wells County District Clerk's office in 79th. 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 in Jim Wells County
Legal aid organizations serve Jim Wells County residents who need help with civil legal matters. Lone Star Legal Aid covers parts of South Texas and handles family law, housing, and consumer issues for people with low incomes. Visit lonestarlegal.org or call (800) 733-8394 to learn about eligibility and services available in Alice and Jim Wells County. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service can help you find an attorney who practices in Jim Wells County. Call (800) 252-9690 or search online at texasbar.com. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org provides free court forms, step-by-step guides for common legal tasks, and plain-language explanations of Texas law. The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov also has free legal research tools available online.
Cities in Jim Wells County
Jim Wells County is centered on Alice, the county seat. All district court and county court cases in the county are handled at the courthouse in Alice. Other communities in Jim Wells County include Orange Grove, Ben Bolt, and Premont. None of these communities reach the population threshold for a separate city page, but all court matters for these areas go through the Jim Wells County courthouse in Alice.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Jim Wells County. Each has its own clerk's office and court system.