Smith County Court Records
Smith County court records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Tyler, the county seat and the largest city in East Texas. With about 230,000 residents, Smith County is a regional hub for courts, legal services, and state agencies. Records cover civil, criminal, and family matters filed across multiple district and county courts. Cases in Smith County go through the district court for felony charges, civil lawsuits, and family matters, and through the county court for misdemeanor cases and probate. The county portal at smith.tx.publicsearch.us gives free online access to case information. For certified copies or full document access, contact the District Clerk in Tyler.
Smith County Overview
Smith County District Clerk
The Smith County District Clerk maintains records for multiple district courts in Tyler. These courts handle felony criminal cases, civil suits over $200,000, and all family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, and conservatorship. The District Clerk's office is the main point of contact for searching and obtaining district court records in Smith County. The courthouse is located at 100 N. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75702. Call (903) 590-1660 to reach the District Clerk's office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To search records in person, bring a cause number or the names of the parties in the case. Staff can pull case files and produce copies at $1 per page for plain copies, plus a certification fee for certified copies.
Smith County operates a public records portal at portal.smith-county.com. This online system lets you search court cases by party name or cause number. The screenshot below shows the Tyler Police and Smith County public records interface, which provides online access to case information. The Smith County public portal gives free online access to case information including civil, criminal, and family court records filed in Tyler. TexasFile also provides access to Smith County county clerk records. The screenshot below shows the TexasFile interface at texasfile.com for searching Smith County public filings. TexasFile indexes Smith County deed records, liens, and other county clerk filings available for free basic searches.
| Office | Smith County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Phone | (903) 590-1660 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Online Portal | portal.smith-county.com |
Smith County Clerk
The County Clerk manages misdemeanor criminal cases, probate filings, and all official public records in Smith County. That includes deeds, liens, marriage licenses, and Commissioner Court records. The County Clerk also maintains records from the Justice of the Peace courts. Their office is at the Smith County Courthouse in Tyler. You can search county clerk property and deed records through TexasFile at texasfile.com. Basic online searches are free. For probate records and court filings, contact the clerk's office or visit in person. The Smith County public portal at portal.smith-county.com also covers some county court records.
Types of Smith County Court Records
Smith County court records fall into several categories. District court records cover felony criminal matters, civil suits above the statutory limit, and all family law cases. County court records include misdemeanor criminal cases, probate, and civil suits up to $200,000. Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims, Class C misdemeanors, and eviction cases. Criminal case files contain charges, grand jury indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and probation terms. Civil files include petitions, answers, motions, discovery orders, and final judgments. Family law records cover divorce decrees, property divisions, custody orders, and support calculations. Probate records include wills, estate inventories, and letters testamentary.
Most records are public under Texas Supreme Court Rule 12. Sealed cases, juvenile matters, and expunged records are not available through standard searches. The public portal at portal.smith-county.com generally does not show restricted files. If you are unsure whether a record is available, call the clerk's office before visiting.
How to Search Smith County Court Records
The fastest way to search is through the Smith County public portal at portal.smith-county.com. Enter a party name or cause number to see case details, filed documents, and hearing dates. The system is free and covers many active and recent cases. For older or more detailed records, visit the courthouse or contact the clerk. Re:SearchTX at research.txcourts.gov is the Texas Judicial Branch statewide access system. It covers e-filed documents from courts across Texas and is free to search. For county clerk property records, use TexasFile at texasfile.com. In-person requests can be made at the courthouse at 100 N. Broadway in Tyler. Mail requests should be sent to the District Clerk at the same address. Include the case number, party names, and specific documents needed, along with payment for copies. Call (903) 590-1660 to confirm current fees before sending a mail request.
Smith County Court Records Online Portal
The Smith County District Clerk operates a public records search portal at smith.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal shown below is the main online tool for finding court records in Smith County without making a trip to the courthouse in 7th District. 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 7th District directly.
Use the portal above to run a name or cause number search before visiting 7th District. 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 Smith County District Clerk's office in 7th District. 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 Smith County
Lone Star Legal Aid serves the East Texas region including Smith County. They provide civil legal help for low-income individuals with family law, housing, and consumer matters. Visit lonestarlegal.org to check eligibility and apply for help. The Tyler area also has several private legal aid clinics and volunteer lawyer programs. The State Bar of Texas referral line at (800) 252-9690 can match you with a local attorney. Visit texasbar.com to search for lawyers by county and practice area. TexasLawHelp.org has free guides for common legal tasks. The Texas State Law Library provides legal research tools for the public online.
Cities in Smith County
Tyler is the county seat and largest city in Smith County. All district court and county court cases are handled at the courthouse in Tyler.
Other communities in Smith County include Lindale, Whitehouse, Bullard, and Troup. Court cases for residents of those communities are filed at the Smith County Courthouse in Tyler.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Smith County. Each has its own clerk and courthouse for court records.