Kenedy County Court Records

Kenedy County court records are maintained at the courthouse in Sarita, the county seat of one of the least populated counties in the United States. With fewer than 500 residents, Kenedy County in deep South Texas handles a small volume of civil, criminal, and family court cases. Records are public under Texas law and can be accessed at the courthouse or through the statewide online systems. The 79th 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 kenedy.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.

Kenedy County District Clerk

The Kenedy County District Clerk handles district court filings in the 79th Judicial District. This is a multi-county district, and given the tiny population of Kenedy County, the volume of cases is very low. The courthouse is in Sarita, accessible via US Highway 77. Address: Kenedy County Courthouse, Sarita, TX 78385. Phone: (361) 294-5220. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Kenedy County is one of the most rural and least populated counties in all of Texas. The county covers a large ranching area in deep South Texas, much of it part of the King Ranch and other large landholdings. Court activity here is sparse compared to metro counties, but the same rules for public records access apply. Most civil, criminal, and family records are open under Texas Supreme Court Rule 12.

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

Kenedy County Clerk

The Kenedy County Clerk maintains misdemeanor cases, probate records, deeds, and other official public filings. Given the ranching character of the county, deed and mineral rights records can be significant here. Property records for Kenedy County are searchable through TexasFile at texasfile.com. For certified copies or other record requests, contact the County Clerk's office in Sarita.

Online Access to Kenedy County Court Records

re:SearchTX at research.txcourts.gov is the primary online tool for Kenedy County court records. The platform indexes e-filed cases from the 79th District and covers courts statewide. Search by party name or case number at no cost. The Texas Judicial Branch at txcourts.gov has local rules and court forms. eFileTexas at efiletexas.gov handles e-filing for attorneys in Texas courts.

Types of Court Records in Kenedy County

Kenedy County court records include district court cases (felony criminal, civil over $200,000, family law), county court cases (misdemeanors, probate), and Justice of the Peace cases. Given the small population, the county handles a limited number of cases each year. Criminal, civil, and family records are public under Texas Supreme Court Rule 12. Restricted records include juvenile files, adoption records, sealed cases, and expunged records.

Fees for Kenedy County Court Records

Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry additional fees. Call (361) 294-5220 to confirm rates. Online searches through re:SearchTX are free. Fee waivers are available under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145.

County Clerk Records in Kenedy County

The Kenedy 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 Kenedy 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 Kenedy 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 Sarita. 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.

Kenedy County Court Records Online Portal

The Kenedy County District Clerk operates a public records search portal at kenedy.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal shown below is the main online tool for finding court records in Kenedy 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 Kenedy 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 Kenedy County

The State Bar of Texas referral service at (800) 252-9690 or texasbar.com can help you find an attorney serving South Texas. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has free self-help guides and court forms. Lone Star Legal Aid serves the region and can be reached at lonestarlegal.org.

Cities in Kenedy County

Kenedy County's only community is Sarita, the county seat. No cities in Kenedy County meet the population threshold for a separate city page. All court matters go through the Sarita courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kenedy County in deep South Texas.