Starr County Court Records
Starr County court records are kept by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Rio Grande City, the county seat along the Texas-Mexico border in South Texas. With about 65,000 residents, Starr County handles a significant volume of civil, criminal, and family court cases. Records are maintained through the 229th Judicial District at the courthouse in Rio Grande City. Cases in Starr 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 starr.tx.publicsearch.us gives free online access to case information. For certified copies or full document access, contact the District Clerk in Rio Grande City.
Starr County Overview
Starr County District Clerk
The Starr County District Clerk maintains all district court filings in Rio Grande City. The 229th Judicial District covers Starr County. The clerk's office handles felony criminal cases, civil suits above the county court threshold, and all family law matters including divorce, custody, and child support. The District Clerk is the main office for requesting district court records in the county. The courthouse is at 401 N. Britton Avenue, Rio Grande City, TX 78582. Call (956) 716-4800 to reach the clerk. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For in-person records, bring a cause number or party names. Staff can locate files and make copies. Plain copies cost $1 per page, with an extra charge for certification.
The TexasFile portal indexes Starr County county clerk records. The screenshot below shows the TexasFile search interface at texasfile.com, which provides free basic searches of public filings. TexasFile offers free basic searches of Starr County public records including deeds, liens, and other county clerk filings.
| Office | Starr County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 401 N. Britton Avenue, Rio Grande City, TX 78582 |
| Phone | (956) 716-4800 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Judicial District | 229th |
Types of Starr County Court Records
Starr County court records span district court cases, county court matters, and Justice of the Peace filings. District court records include felony criminal cases, civil suits above the statutory limit, and all family law matters. County court records cover misdemeanor cases, probate, and civil suits up to $200,000. JP courts handle small claims and Class C misdemeanors. Criminal files contain charge documents, indictments, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. Civil records include petitions, motions, and final judgments. Family law files cover divorce decrees, custody orders, and support calculations. Probate records include wills, letters testamentary, and estate inventories. Most records are public under Texas Supreme Court Rule 12. Sealed and juvenile records are not accessible through standard searches.
How to Search Starr County Court Records
Use re:SearchTX at research.txcourts.gov as a starting point for statewide court record searches. This Texas Judicial Branch system covers e-filed cases from courts across Texas at no charge. Search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. For county clerk records, try TexasFile at texasfile.com. To request records in person, visit the Starr County Courthouse at 401 N. Britton Avenue in Rio Grande City. Mail requests can be sent to the District Clerk at the same address. Include the case number, party names, the documents you need, and payment for copies. Call (956) 716-4800 to confirm fees before sending a mail request.
The Texas Judicial Branch website lists all Texas courts and their contact details. The Texas State Law Library has online legal research tools available to the public.
Starr County Court Records Online Portal
The Starr County District Clerk operates a public records search portal at starr.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal shown below is the main online tool for finding court records in Starr County without making a trip to the courthouse in 229th. 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 229th directly.
Use the portal above to run a name or cause number search before visiting 229th. 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 Starr County District Clerk's office in 229th. 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 Starr County
Starr County is part of the Rio Grande Valley region. Coastal Bend Legal Services and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid both serve this area and provide civil legal help for qualifying individuals. The State Bar of Texas referral line at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with an attorney who practices in Starr County. Visit texasbar.com to search by area. TexasLawHelp.org provides free self-help guides for common court tasks. The Texas State Law Library offers online public access to Texas legal materials. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid at trla.org also serves the Valley and may have bilingual staff available.
Cities in Starr County
Rio Grande City is the county seat of Starr County. No cities in this county meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All court cases in Starr County are filed at the courthouse in Rio Grande City.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Starr County along the Rio Grande Valley. Each has its own clerk and court records system.