Find Kaufman County Court Records

Kaufman County court records are filed with the District Clerk and County Clerk at the courthouse in Kaufman, east of Dallas. The county has grown to around 120,000 residents as DFW sprawl has expanded eastward. Civil, criminal, family, and probate cases are handled here, and most records are open to the public. You can search online or visit the courthouse in Kaufman to request copies. The 86th Judicial District Court serves the area, handling felony charges, civil suits, and family law matters. Most records can be searched online through the county portal at kaufman.tx.publicsearch.us or through the statewide re:SearchTX system. Certified copies and documents not available online require a direct request to the clerk's office.

Kaufman County District Clerk

The Kaufman County District Clerk manages all district court filings in the 86th Judicial District. The office handles felony criminal cases, civil suits over $200,000, and all family law matters. The courthouse is at 100 North Washington Street, Kaufman, TX 75142. Phone: (972) 932-4331. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Kaufman County has seen rapid growth driven by residents relocating east from Dallas. The county seat is Kaufman, a smaller town that serves as the legal and government center for the area. Terrell is the largest city in the county, and residents there file court cases through the Kaufman courthouse. For searches of district court records, start online with re:SearchTX at research.txcourts.gov.

The screenshot below shows Kaufman County court records available through TexasFile, which provides free access to County Clerk filings including deeds and property records. TexasFile provides free online access to Kaufman County Clerk filings including deeds, liens, and assumed name certificates.

Kaufman County Clerk

The Kaufman County Clerk maintains misdemeanor cases, probate files, property records, and marriage licenses. Property and deed records are searchable for free through TexasFile at texasfile.com. This is useful for checking ownership history, liens, and recorded instruments without visiting the courthouse. For certified copies or probate records, contact the County Clerk's office in Kaufman.

Online Access to Kaufman County Court Records

re:SearchTX at research.txcourts.gov is the main online tool for Kaufman County court records. Search by party name or case number to find district and county court cases. The Texas Judicial Branch at txcourts.gov has local rules and forms. eFileTexas at efiletexas.gov is the required e-filing system for attorneys in Kaufman County courts. The screenshot below shows the re:SearchTX portal at research.txcourts.gov, which covers Kaufman County along with hundreds of other Texas courts. re:SearchTX is the best free tool for searching Kaufman County court records online, especially for cases filed electronically.

Types of Court Records in Kaufman County

Kaufman County court records include district court cases (felony criminal, civil over $200,000, family law), county court cases (misdemeanors, civil under $200,000, probate), and Justice of the Peace cases (small claims, Class C misdemeanors). Criminal records include charging documents, pleas, and sentencing orders. Civil records include petitions and judgments. Family files cover divorce and custody. Probate records cover wills and estate administration. Restricted records include juvenile files, adoption records, expunged cases, and sealed orders. These are not available through public search systems. Call (972) 932-4331 if you have questions about a specific case's availability.

Fees for Kaufman County Court Records

Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry additional fees. Call (972) 932-4331 to confirm current rates. Online searches through re:SearchTX are free. Fee waivers are available under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 for those who qualify.

Kaufman County Court Records Online Portal

The Kaufman County District Clerk operates a public records search portal at kaufman.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal shown below is the main online tool for finding court records in Kaufman County without making a trip to the courthouse in 86th. 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 86th directly.

Use the portal above to run a name or cause number search before visiting 86th. 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 Kaufman County District Clerk's office in 86th. 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 Kaufman County

Lone Star Legal Aid covers East Texas including Kaufman 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 guides for Texas courts.

Cities in Kaufman County

Kaufman County includes Terrell, Forney, Mesquite (partially), Kaufman, and Seagoville. All district court cases go through the Kaufman County courthouse. Mesquite is a qualifying city but the majority of Mesquite lies in Dallas County. Other communities include Forney, Terrell, and Combine. Court filings for these areas are handled at the Kaufman County courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kaufman County east of Dallas.