Sterling County Court Records
Sterling County court records are filed with the District Clerk and County Clerk in Sterling City, the county seat in West Texas. With about 1,300 residents, Sterling County is one of the least populous counties in Texas. Court cases are handled through the 51st Judicial District. All civil, criminal, and family records are maintained at the courthouse in Sterling City. The 51st 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 sterling.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.
County Clerk Records in Sterling County
The Sterling 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 Sterling 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 Sterling 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 Sterling City. 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.
Sterling County Overview
Sterling County District Clerk
The Sterling County District Clerk maintains all district and county court records in Sterling City. The 51st Judicial District covers Tom Green and Sterling counties, with the district court based out of San Angelo. The clerk's office in Sterling City handles local filings including felony criminal cases, civil matters, and family law cases. For smaller counties, the district and county clerk roles are sometimes combined. The courthouse is at 609 Fourth Street, Sterling City, TX 76951. Call (325) 378-5191 to reach the clerk. Office hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. For records requests, bring a case number or party names. Staff can locate files and make copies. Plain copies are $1 per page.
The TexasFile portal indexes Sterling County county clerk filings. The screenshot below shows the TexasFile interface at texasfile.com, which provides free access to public records. TexasFile offers free basic searches of Sterling County public records including deeds and official county clerk filings.
| Office | Sterling County District/County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 609 Fourth Street, Sterling City, TX 76951 |
| Phone | (325) 378-5191 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Judicial District | 51st (shared with Tom Green) |
Types of Sterling County Court Records
Sterling County court records include district court filings and county court matters. District court records cover felony criminal cases, civil suits above the county court threshold, and family law cases including divorce and custody. County court records include misdemeanor cases, probate, and smaller civil suits. Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims and Class C violations. Criminal case files include charges, indictments, and sentencing orders. Civil records include petitions and judgments. Family law records cover divorce decrees and custody orders. Probate records include wills and estate filings. Most records are public under Texas Supreme Court Rule 12. Juvenile and sealed records are not available through standard searches.
How to Search Sterling County Court Records
Use re:SearchTX at research.txcourts.gov to search for Sterling County court records online. This Texas Judicial Branch tool covers e-filed cases statewide and is free to use. Search by name, case number, or attorney bar number. For county clerk records, TexasFile at texasfile.com offers free basic searches. To review records in person, visit the courthouse at 609 Fourth Street in Sterling City. Mail requests go to the District Clerk at that address. Include case number, party names, documents needed, and payment for copies. Call ahead to confirm current fees. The Texas Judicial Branch website lists all Texas courts. The Texas State Law Library has online research tools for public use.
Sterling County Court Records Online Portal
The Sterling County District Clerk operates a public records search portal at sterling.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal shown below is the main online tool for finding court records in Sterling County without making a trip to the courthouse in 51st. 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 51st directly.
Use the portal above to run a name or cause number search before visiting 51st. 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 Sterling County District Clerk's office in 51st. 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.
Cities in Sterling County
Sterling City is the county seat and only incorporated town in Sterling County. No cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page.
All court cases in the county are filed at the Sterling City courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Sterling County in West Texas. Each has its own court records system.