Karnes County Court Records

Karnes County court records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk at the courthouse in Karnes City. Located in South Texas between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Karnes County has a population of around 15,000. The county sits in the Eagle Ford Shale region, which has driven activity in property and business records in recent years. Civil, criminal, and family court records are open to the public under Texas law. The county court system here covers felony cases, civil lawsuits above the county threshold, family law, misdemeanors, and probate. Online search is available at karnes.tx.publicsearch.us and through the statewide re:SearchTX portal. In-person requests can be made at the courthouse in Karnes City during regular business hours.

Karnes County District Clerk

The Karnes County District Clerk handles felony criminal cases, civil suits over $200,000, and family law matters filed in the 81st Judicial District. The courthouse is at 101 North Panna Maria Avenue, Karnes City, TX 78118. Phone: (830) 780-3938. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can help you search the case index and request copies of court records. The 81st Judicial District is a multi-county district. The district judge serves more than one county. If you need to confirm when the district court holds sessions in Karnes City, call the clerk's office before making the trip. For records from older cases that predate online indexes, in-person research at the courthouse is often necessary.

The screenshot below shows the re:SearchTX portal at research.txcourts.gov, the best free online tool for finding Karnes County court records. re:SearchTX covers e-filed cases from Karnes County and hundreds of other Texas courts at no cost.

Karnes County Clerk

The Karnes County Clerk maintains misdemeanor records, probate files, deeds, liens, and marriage licenses. Oil and gas lease records and mineral rights filings are also recorded through the County Clerk, which is especially relevant given the Eagle Ford Shale activity in the area. Property records can be searched online through TexasFile at texasfile.com for free. If you need to research oil and gas leases, deed transfers, or property liens in Karnes County, TexasFile provides public access to County Clerk recordings. For probate matters or certified copies, contact the County Clerk's office at the courthouse in Karnes City.

Online Access to Karnes County Court Records

re:SearchTX at research.txcourts.gov is the primary online resource for Karnes County court records. The Texas Judicial Branch runs this platform and it indexes e-filed cases statewide. You can search by party name or cause number for free. The Texas Judicial Branch site at txcourts.gov has local rules and forms for the 81st District. eFileTexas at efiletexas.gov is the required e-filing system for attorneys. The screenshot below shows the Texas Judicial Branch website at txcourts.gov, which provides court rules and resources for all Texas courts including those in Karnes County. The Texas Judicial Branch site is a good reference for court forms, local rules, and contact information for Karnes County courts.

Types of Court Records in Karnes County

Karnes County court records cover district court cases (felony criminal, civil over $200,000, family law), county court cases (misdemeanors, probate, civil under $200,000), and Justice of the Peace cases (small claims, Class C misdemeanors). Criminal records include charging documents and sentencing orders. Civil records cover petitions and final judgments. Family files include divorce decrees and custody orders. Probate records include wills and estate filings. Restricted records include juvenile files, adoption records, expunged cases, and sealed court orders. These do not appear in public search systems. Call the clerk's office if you have questions about a specific case.

Fees for Karnes County Court Records

Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Call (830) 780-3938 to confirm current rates. Online searches are free through re:SearchTX. Fee waivers are available under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145.

Karnes County Court Records Online Portal

The Karnes County District Clerk operates a public records search portal at karnes.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal shown below is the main online tool for finding court records in Karnes County without making a trip to the courthouse in 81st. 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 81st directly.

Use the portal above to run a name or cause number search before visiting 81st. 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 Karnes County District Clerk's office in 81st. 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 Karnes County

Lone Star Legal Aid serves South Texas including Karnes County. Visit lonestarlegal.org or call (800) 733-8394. The State Bar referral service is at (800) 252-9690 or texasbar.com. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has free forms and self-help guides.

Cities in Karnes County

Karnes County includes Karnes City, Kenedy, Cuero (partially), and Falls City. None of these communities reach the population threshold for a separate city page. All court matters go through the courthouse in Karnes City.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Karnes County. Each has its own clerk's office and court system.