Kaufman County Court Records
Kaufman County court records are files, materials, and documents received, generated, or maintained in relation to cases filed or adjudicated in the county’s judicial system. These records encompass all case types and chronicle events, judicial actions, and decisions in a legal proceeding. The role of court records is to document and provide insight into court activities, preserve case history, promote openness and accountability in the judicial system, and provide a resource that the public can access to research case information and monitor legal proceedings. The custodians of Kaufman County court records include the Kaufman District Clerk and the County Clerk.
In Kaufman County, court records are created and maintained as digital files, paper documents, microfilms, and other formats in accordance with relevant laws and court rules, such as the Texas Government Code 552 and Rule 12.2(d) of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration. Court records, along with other public records, such as vital records, arrest information, and federal case files, constitute the broader Kaufman County public records.
Are Kaufman County Court Records Public?
Yes. Kaufman County court records are public pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), which provides that records maintained by government agencies, including courts, are open to inspection and copying unless exempt by law or sealed by court order. To this effect, Kaufman County court records are accessible to interested individuals online or offline through the relevant court clerk’s office in the county. The types of cases whose records are generally public include criminal, civil, probate, and certain family matters, such as divorce proceedings. In contrast, those restricted or exempt from public disclosure under Texas law include juvenile case records, adoption case files, cases sealed by court order, domestic abuse files, and mental health cases.
What Information is Available in Kaufman County Court Records?
The following are the types of information typically contained in Kaufman County court records, depending on the case type:
- Case details-case numbers, filing dates, attorney information, case types, case status, and court names
- Involved party details-the names of plaintiffs, defendants, and other individuals or parties involved
- Court minutes/minute orders
- Documents and filings-pleadings, original petitions, complaints, indictments, motions, and answers
- Court orders, judgments, rulings, decrees, and sentences
- Hearing transcripts
- Summonses and subpoenas
- Service/process records, including citations and affidavits of service
- Evidence/exhibit
- Witness testimonies
Kaufman County Court Records Search
Individuals can search or access Kaufman County court records in three ways:
- Online Access - Available through the "Public Records Search" portal for Kaufman County. The portal is searchable by name, case number, judgment, and other criteria. It encompasses all public case types handled in the county, including criminal, civil, and probate. Alternatively, use the re:SearchTx portal to access Kaufman court records. Note that online access to court records through these portals may vary by case.
- In-Person Access - Through the relevant court clerk’s office to request copies and/or searches of court records/documents. For example, visit the district clerk’s office for district court records, the county clerk’s office for county courts at law records, and a Justice of the Peace courthouse for the records of a matter handled there.
Kaufman County District Clerk’s Office
1902 E US Hwy 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4640
Email: dc@kaufmancounty.net
Kaufman County Clerk
1902 US HWY 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4736
Hours: 8 am to 4:30 pm (Monday through Friday)
- Mail and Phone Requests - Submit requests for court record searches and/or copies by mail/phone to the appropriate courthouse or clerk’s office. For example, search or copy requests for court records can be sent to the Kaufman County Clerk’s Office (the custodian of county court at law records) by mail to:
Court Department
Kaufman County Clerk
PO Box 729
1902 US HWY 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Applicable fees for searches or copies of case documents must accompany a mail request, which must include specific case details (e.g., name or case number for search) and return address.
Fees for Court Records in Kaufman County
In Kaufman County, the public can inspect court records maintained by local custodians, such as the district clerk and the county clerk, in person or via the public records search portal at no charge. However, fees apply for copies and/or certification as follows:
- Plain copies: $1 per page
- Certified copies: $5 for certification plus $1 per page
- Certification of Facts: $5 (results of search without copies)
Similarly, fees for vital records handled by the Kaufman County Clerk are as follows: A certified copy of a marriage certificate costs $5, while a plain copy costs $1. Birth certificates cost $23, and death certificates cost $21, plus $4 for each additional copy requested at the same time. However, these records can be searched and viewed for free via the "Birth Records Search," "Death Records Search," and "Marriage Records Search" portals.
Kaufman County Courthouse Locations
Listed below are the courthouse locations, addresses, and phone numbers of Kaufman County courts.
Kaufman County 489th District Court
1902 US Highway 175
Kaufman, TX 7514
Phone: (469) 376-4505.
Kaufman County 86th District Court
1902 E. US Highway 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4100.
Kaufman County 422nd District Court
1902 E. US Highway 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4100.
1902 US HWY 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4745.
Kaufman County Justice Center
P.O. Box 729
1902 US Hwy 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4757.
Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
1906 E. US Highway 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4182
Fax: (469) 595-0201.
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
200 E. Main Street
Forney, Tx 75126
Phone: (469) 376-4600.
Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
408 E College
Terrell Sub Courthouse
Terrell, TX 75160
Phone: (469) 376-4587
Fax: (469) 595-0204.
Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
1906 E. US Highway 175
2nd Floor
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4620
Fax: (469) 595-0490.
Kaufman County also has municipal courts in Combine, Crandall, Forney, Kaufman, Kemp, Talty, Mabank, and Terrell.
The case types handled by these courts include:
- Kaufman County district courts: Felonies, civil cases over $500, and family law matters (e.g., divorce, child custody & support), and juvenile cases.
- Kaufman County courts at law: Misdemeanors, civil cases up to $250,000, felony cases, juvenile cases, probate matters, and appeals from JP courts.
- The Justice of the Peace Courts: Criminal misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only, civil cases in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $20,000, and traffic trials.
- Municipal courts-city ordinance violation cases, class C misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, and civil matters within the court’s jurisdiction.
Criminal Records Access in Kaufman County
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.083 et seq., the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), through the Crime Records Division (CRD), is responsible for providing state-level criminal history checks. To this effect, access to criminal history records is available through the TxDPS Criminal History Name Search.
However, for local criminal court records (e.g., transcripts, sentences, case dockets, etc.) of felony and misdemeanor cases handled in Kaufman County, these records are available through the "Public Records Search" portal or via in-person searches or by mail requests to the district clerk’s office (for felony cases) and the county court clerk’s office (for misdemeanor cases).
Kaufman County Probate Records
Kaufman County probate records refer to official documents received, generated, and maintained about will contests, estate litigation, trust disputes, guardianships, and conservatorships. In Kaufman, the county clerk is the custodian of probate records. These records are considered public records, though certain probate matters are confidential or restricted by law. Public probate records, more recent filings, are available online and may be searched through the "Public Records Search" portal.
However, note that while some probate records may be available online, older or more detailed files may require in-person searches/requests. As such, concerned individuals should request copies and/or searches of wills and probate filings in person or by mail from the Kaufman County Clerk’s Office. In-person visits should be made during the clerk’s office hours (8 am to 4:30 pm), Monday through Friday. Fees apply for copies and certification. Requests for probate cases should include the name of the deceased and the approximate date of death.
Kaufman County Clerk
PO BOX 729
1902 US HWY 175
Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 376-4736.
Kaufman County Family Court Records
In Kaufman County, family court records contain filings, details of legal proceedings, decrees, and judgments in family law cases, including divorce, paternity, custody, adoption, and support matters. These records are considered public records. However, certain records, such as adoption records, child support, child custody, and paternity records, are sequestered from public access under Texas Government Code § 552.108.
Public family court records are available in Kaufman County through the public records search portal. Requests for copies, including certified copies, should be made in person, by mail, or via email to the Kaufman County District Clerk. Mail requests should include a return address and the applicable copy fee (payable by check or money order). Copy fees include $1 per page, $5 for transcripts of proceedings, and $5 for certification.
Federal Court Records in Kaufman County
Federal court records in Kaufman County are available through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, as this court hears all federal cases arising in Kaufman County (28 U.S.C. § 124(a)(1)). The contact information of this court is listed below.
United States District Court
1100 Commerce Street, Room 1452
Dallas, TX 75242
Phone: (214) 753-2200
Email: usdcemergencyfile@txnd.uscourts.gov
Alternatively, interested persons may use PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) to search for and view court records of Kaufman County federal cases handled in the Dallas Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
