Travis County, Texas court records are available through several channels. TravisCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, official online portals of the county courts, the offices of the District Clerk and County Clerk, as well as public terminals in court buildings provide access to case materials, hearing schedules, and documents.
Travis Court System & Jurisdictions
The Travis County has an extensive court system, and each court handles clearly defined categories of cases.
District Courts are the state's general jurisdiction courts. They handle criminal cases involving felonies, civil lawsuits with a dispute amount over $200,000, family cases (divorce, child custody), and cases involving termination of parental rights. The District Clerk office maintains all records of these cases.
County Courts at Law serve two main areas:
- Criminal County Courts — misdemeanors of classes A and B, traffic violations with possible imprisonment, appeals from Justice of the Peace Courts. Detailed information about these courts is available on the Criminal Courts page.
- Civil County Courts — civil lawsuits with a dispute amount from $200.01 to $200,000, appeals from lower courts, probate cases (the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person).
Justice of the Peace Courts operate in five precincts. They handle small claims up to $20,000, eviction cases, class C traffic violations, and issue search warrants. Records of these courts are available through the Odyssey Public Access portal.
Family and custody cases are distributed between District Courts and specialized Associate Courts depending on complexity. The Title IV-D Court operates separately.
Travis Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Check the date and time of your hearing in advance — the schedule may change.
- Criminal cases (felonies and misdemeanors): use the Criminal Docket Search. The system allows you to search by the defendant's last name or case number and shows the date, time, courtroom, and judge's name. The official website recommends checking the information the day before your appearance.
- Justice of the Peace Courts cases: the hearing calendar and case records are available in the Odyssey Public Access system. Select the desired court or "All Courts," then go to the Court Calendar section.
- Civil and family cases in District Courts: information about hearing dates can be found through the Case Information & Records page of the District Clerk's office.
If your attorney or prosecutor has canceled the appearance, this information is usually reflected in the Criminal Docket Search system. Always confirm the date directly with the court if you have doubts.
How to Get a Copy of a Travis Court Document
There is a difference between an uncertified and a certified copy. An uncertified copy is suitable for review, while a certified copy has the official seal of the clerk and is accepted by other institutions as a legal document.
Online: attorneys can view unofficial copies of District Court case materials through the electronic access system. The general public can search for basic case information on the Court Records portal of the county law library.
In person: visit the District Clerk's office in the courthouse. You need to know the case number or the full name of the party. Certified copies are issued on-site for a fee.
By mail: send a written request specifying the case number, party names, and type of document needed to the address:
For County Clerk records — marriage certificates, real estate documents, DBA — contact the Recording department of the County Clerk's office. Divorce certificates are certified by the District Clerk.
Some records have restricted access: juvenile cases, sealed cases, and certain family cases are not public.
Travis Court Records Fees & Payment
The fee amounts are determined by Texas state law and county internal regulations. Below are the main rates applied by the District Clerk and County Clerk offices. Exact amounts may vary — verify directly with the office before payment.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of a court document | $1.00 per page | District Clerk; the first page may cost more |
| Certified copy | $5.00 per document + $1.00 for each additional page | Includes the clerk's seal and signature |
| Criminal history check (Travis County) | Depends on the type of request | Details on the Criminal History Check page |
| Criminal history check (state of Texas, via DPS) | $3.00 per name search | Through Criminal History Name Search |
| Real estate records (County Clerk) | $1.00 per page (uncertified); $5.00 + $1.00/page (certified) | Recording department |
| Warrant search | Free | Online through the sheriff's Warrant Search |
Payments are usually accepted in cash, money order, and credit/debit cards. An additional fee may be charged for card payments. For mail requests, include a money order payable to the Travis County District Clerk.