Find Court Records in San Patricio County
San Patricio County court records cover civil, criminal, and family cases filed in the district and county courts at the Sinton courthouse. The District Clerk and County Clerk both maintain these public records for this South Texas county near Corpus Christi. You can search records in person, by mail, or online through state and county portals. The 36th 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 san-patricio.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.
San Patricio County Overview
San Patricio County District Clerk
The San Patricio County District Clerk maintains all district court records for the county. The office handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, and family law matters including divorce and custody. San Patricio County is served by the 36th Judicial District. The clerk's office operates at the San Patricio County Courthouse in Sinton and handles filings, searches, and copies during standard business hours. The courthouse is at 400 W. Sinton Street, Sinton, TX 78387. Staff can search records by party name or cause number. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. San Patricio County sits between Corpus Christi and Aransas Pass, so many residents are familiar with the Sinton courthouse. Call ahead to confirm current fees and availability of specific documents before making the trip. Online access is available through re:SearchTX from the Texas Judicial Branch. The statewide portal covers e-filed cases from all 254 Texas counties including San Patricio. You can search for free by party name or case number. Full document access may require a paid subscription. For older or paper-filed cases, contact the clerk's office directly. The screenshot below is from the TexasFile portal showing San Patricio County public records available for search. TexasFile provides free search access to San Patricio County official public records including deeds, liens, and property filings.
| Office | San Patricio County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 W. Sinton Street, Sinton, TX 78387 |
| Judicial District | 36th Judicial District |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Online Search | re:SearchTX |
San Patricio County Clerk
The San Patricio County Clerk manages misdemeanor criminal cases, probate records, and all official public records for the county. That covers deeds, liens, real estate instruments, marriage licenses, assumed name filings, and Commissioner Court minutes. The County Clerk is the official custodian of most property and vital records in San Patricio County. Search county clerk records through TexasFile. The platform provides free access to San Patricio County deeds and other property filings. For certified copies, contact the County Clerk's office in Sinton directly. Standard copy fees apply. Probate matters, including estate filings and guardianship cases, are also with the County Clerk.
Types of Court Records in San Patricio County
San Patricio County court records include felony criminal cases with the District Clerk, civil case files, family law matters, misdemeanor cases with the County Clerk, and probate records. Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims and Class C misdemeanors at the local level. Each court type uses a separate clerk and record system. Criminal records include indictments, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentencing orders. Civil records include petitions, motions, and final judgments. Family law records cover divorce decrees, custody orders, and child support. Probate records include wills, inventories, and letters testamentary. Most records are public under Texas Supreme Court Rule 12. Juvenile records, adoptions, expunged cases, and sealed matters are restricted from public access.
How to Search San Patricio County Court Records
Use re:SearchTX to start your online search for free. The Texas Judicial Branch portal covers all 254 counties including San Patricio. Search by name or cause number. For in-person access, visit the San Patricio County Courthouse at 400 W. Sinton Street in Sinton. Bring a party name or cause number. Plain copies cost $1 per page. For property records, use TexasFile with a free account.
Court Record Fees in San Patricio County
Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies include an extra certification charge. Online searches through re:SearchTX are free at the basic level. Call the clerk's office to confirm current fees. If you cannot afford court costs, Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 allows you to request a fee waiver by filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs.
San Patricio County Court Records Online Portal
The San Patricio County District Clerk operates a public records search portal at san-patricio.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal shown below is the main online tool for finding court records in San Patricio County without making a trip to the courthouse in 36th. 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 36th directly.
Use the portal above to run a name or cause number search before visiting 36th. 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 San Patricio County District Clerk's office in 36th. 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 San Patricio County Cases
Legal aid for San Patricio County residents is available through Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which covers South Texas. Call (956) 996-8752 or visit trla.org. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is at (800) 252-9690. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has free guides and forms for common civil legal issues.
Cities in San Patricio County
San Patricio County includes Sinton, Aransas Pass, Gregory, Portland, Taft, and other communities. No cities in San Patricio County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All district court cases in San Patricio County are filed and heard at the courthouse in Sinton.
Nearby Counties
These counties border San Patricio County. Each maintains court records through its own clerk's offices.