Court records in Erath County, Texas can be searched through several channels. ErathCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also access records through the Erath County Online Services portal, which connects to County Clerk, District Clerk, and eDiscovery records in a single interface. In-person requests can be made at the County Clerk's or District Clerk's offices in the Erath County Courthouse in Stephenville, and public-access terminals may be available on site during business hours.
Erath Court System & Jurisdictions
Erath County operates several courts, each handling distinct case types. Knowing which court holds a case is the first step to finding the right docket.
- 266th District Court — This is the county's primary trial court of general jurisdiction. It hears felony criminal cases, civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds the County Court's limits, family law cases (divorce, custody, adoption, protective orders), and juvenile cases. The Erath County District Clerk serves as custodian of all District Court records.
- County Court at Law — Erath County's constitutional County Court handles Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes within its jurisdictional limits, probate matters (wills, guardianships, mental-health commitments), and appeals from Justice of the Peace and Municipal courts. The County Clerk maintains these records.
- Justice of the Peace Courts — Erath County has Justice of the Peace precincts that handle small claims (civil cases up to $20,000), evictions, debt claims, traffic and other Class C misdemeanors, and magistrate functions such as setting bail and issuing warrants.
- Municipal Court (Stephenville) — The Stephenville Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanors occurring within city limits, including traffic violations, code violations, and fine-only offenses. Failure to appear can result in a warrant and additional fees.
- Child Protection Court — The Eighth Region South Child Protection Court handles child welfare cases in Erath County through the Texas Judicial Branch's specialized docket system.
Federal cases involving Erath County fall under the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Erath Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Finding today's or this week's court schedule in Erath County depends on which court you need.
- District Court dockets — Contact the District Clerk's office directly for current hearing schedules. Some settings may be posted at the courthouse or available by phone.
- County Court dockets — The County Clerk's office can provide upcoming hearing dates for misdemeanor, civil, and probate cases on the County Court calendar.
- Child Protection Court — View scheduled dockets for Erath County child welfare cases through the Texas Child Protection Court docket portal.
- Municipal Court (Stephenville) — Contact the Stephenville Municipal Court for traffic and fine-only offense hearing dates.
For the most current information, call the appropriate clerk's office the day before or morning of the hearing. Dockets can shift due to plea agreements, continuances, or emergency settings.
Key Contact Information
Erath County District Clerk
Erath County Clerk
How to Get a Copy of a Erath Court Document
You can obtain court documents from Erath County in three ways: online, in person, or by mail. The process and office depend on the type of case.
Step-by-Step Process
- Identify the court. District Court records are held by the District Clerk; County Court, probate, and misdemeanor records are held by the County Clerk.
- Search online. Use the Erath County Online Services portal to search County Clerk, District Clerk, and eDiscovery records. Some documents can be viewed or printed directly.
- Request in person. Visit the appropriate clerk's office at the Erath County Courthouse during business hours. Bring the case number, party names, or other identifying details.
- Request by mail. Send a written request with the case number, document description, and a check or money order for the applicable fee to the appropriate clerk's office.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies are standard photocopies suitable for personal reference. They are less expensive.
- Certified copies bear the clerk's seal and signature, confirming authenticity. Courts, government agencies, and attorneys typically require certified copies.
Mailing Address
Erath County Clerk
Erath County District Clerk
Restricted Records
Certain records are not publicly accessible, including sealed cases, juvenile proceedings, some family law files, and records subject to nondisclosure orders. If you need to clear an arrest from your record, the Texas State Law Library's expunction and nondisclosure forms page provides petition templates and instructions.
Erath Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record services in Erath County are set by Texas statute (primarily Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 118 for county clerks and Chapter 51 for district clerks). The figures below reflect standard statutory rates; confirm current amounts with the clerk's office before submitting payment.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy (first page) | $5.00 | Per Texas Local Gov't Code §118.011 |
| Certified copy (each additional page) | $1.00 | Same document |
| Uncertified photocopy | $1.00 per page | Standard rate |
| Court record search (County Clerk) | $5.00 | Per name, per type of record |
| Court record search (District Clerk) | $5.00 | Per name searched |
| Certification of document | $5.00 | Seal and signature added to existing copy |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Varies | Contact County Clerk for current rates |
Accepted Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, or money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; ask the clerk.
- By mail: Check or money order payable to the appropriate clerk's office.
- Online: Fees for records accessed through the online portal may be payable by credit card; convenience fees may apply.
For criminal history searches beyond local court records, the Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search offers statewide results for a separate fee set by the Department of Public Safety.