Bexar County Court Docket
Bexar County court docket records are kept by the District Clerk's office in San Antonio, Texas, serving 35 district courts across civil, criminal, family, and juvenile divisions. With over 100,000 new cases filed each year, Bexar County is one of the most active court systems in the state. This guide covers the search tools, clerk offices, fees, and access methods you need to find docket information in Bexar County, whether you search online or visit the courthouse in person.
Bexar County Overview
Bexar County District Clerk Office
The Bexar County District Clerk is the official record keeper for all 35 district courts. The office sits in the historic Bexar County Courthouse at 100 Dolorosa in downtown San Antonio. Some divisions also operate out of the Paul Elizondo Tower nearby. The District Clerk manages filings for felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, and juvenile proceedings. Staff process new cases, maintain docket entries, and handle public requests for copies and certified documents.
Bexar County's court docket records go all the way back to 1837. That makes them some of the oldest court records in Texas. The Records Management Division handles archiving, preservation, and digitization of these files. Older records are stored in county archives and can be pulled by request. For current cases, the docket tracks every action from the initial filing through final judgment, including motions, rulings, hearing dates, and dispositions.
| Office | Bexar County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Dolorosa, Room 108, San Antonio, TX 78205 |
| Phone | (210) 335-2216 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | bexar.org/2258/District-Clerk |
The Bexar County Clerk runs a separate operation covering 15 county courts at law and 4 probate courts. That office handles misdemeanor criminal cases, smaller civil disputes, and probate filings. The County Clerk is also at 100 Dolorosa and can be reached at (210) 335-2216. For felony cases, high-value civil matters, and family law docket records, the District Clerk is the right place to start.
The Bexar County Clerk's website provides access to county court records, property filings, and vital records. The image below shows the County Clerk's homepage for Bexar County, which covers court case information at the county level.
Use this site for county court at law docket records, probate case lookups, and other records managed by the Bexar County Clerk.
How to Search Bexar County Court Dockets
Bexar County provides online case search through the Bexar County Records Search portal. Name searches need at least three characters. You can also search by case number or filter by date range. Results show basic case information including party names, filing dates, case type, and current status. The portal covers both district and county court filings, though some document images may require a fee to view or download.
For a broader search, the statewide re:SearchTX portal includes Bexar County records. It is run by the Texas Office of Court Administration and covers more than 150 counties. The basic search is free and needs no registration. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name with date range and court type filters.
Public access computers at the courthouse are available during business hours. Staff can help you navigate the search system and locate specific documents. Walk-in visits work well for complex searches or older records that may not be fully digitized yet.
Note: Some Bexar County document copies available online require payment, so check the fee before you download to avoid surprises.
Bexar County Court Docket Contents
Court docket records in Bexar County cover the full range of district court business. Each docket entry identifies the case number, parties involved, the action taken, and the date. The Criminal Division tracks felony prosecutions from indictment through sentencing. You will find arraignment dates, bond settings, plea entries, trial dates, and disposition information on criminal dockets. The office coordinates with the Bexar County District Attorney on these cases.
The Family Division handles divorce filings, child custody disputes, child support orders, and other family law matters. Family dockets contain temporary orders, mediation notes, inventory filings, and final decrees. The Civil Division covers personal injury, contract disputes, property cases, and other lawsuits above the county court threshold. Each docket provides a complete timeline of every filing and ruling in the case.
Juvenile records are kept by the Juvenile Division but are confidential under the Texas Family Code. Access to those records is limited to authorized parties only.
The Texas Judicial Branch website explains how Bexar County district courts fit within the statewide system. The image below shows the Judicial Branch homepage with links to court directories across Texas.
From this page you can access the Office of Court Administration, statewide court rules, and the re:SearchTX portal for Bexar County case searches.
Fees for Bexar County Docket Copies
Bexar County uses the standard Texas fee schedule for court record copies. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for certification plus $1.00 per page. You will need certified copies if you plan to submit documents to another court or government agency, since those carry an official court seal. Copies are available in person, by mail, or through the online portal.
Marriage licenses in Bexar County cost $81.00 without counseling or $11.00 with a premarital counseling certificate. Both parties must appear in person. Birth certificates run $23.00 and death certificates $21.00 through the County Clerk. Mail-in requests need a check or money order.
The eFileTexas portal is where attorneys submit filings to Bexar County courts. The image below shows the eFileTexas login screen, which handles mandatory e-filing for attorneys in Texas district and county courts.
Electronic filings appear on the Bexar County docket quickly after the clerk processes them, which is why new entries often show up the same day they are submitted.
Public Records Law and Bexar County Courts
Bexar County court docket records are public under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act in Government Code Chapter 552 establishes that government records are open to the public unless a specific exception applies. Court records follow their own rules under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Government Code, but the default is public access. A written request to the District Clerk starts the formal process. The office has ten business days to respond.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government page has guidance for people requesting records from government offices including court clerks. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and certain family law documents may be withheld. For everything else, the law is on your side.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Records page outlines public access rights for court filings and docket sheets from offices like the Bexar County District Clerk.
This resource helps you understand what to do if a request for Bexar County docket records gets denied or delayed.
Note: If the District Clerk withholds records you believe should be public, you can file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's Open Records Division.
Bexar County Court System
Bexar County operates 35 district courts, 15 county courts at law, and 4 probate courts. District courts hold general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases above $200, family law, and juvenile matters. County courts at law take misdemeanors, smaller civil cases, and appeals from justice courts. The probate courts handle estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments.
Texas has a split system at the top. The Supreme Court of Texas oversees civil law. The Court of Criminal Appeals handles criminal law. The Office of Court Administration publishes annual reports on case loads for every county. Bexar County ranks among the highest in the state for total filings. Attorneys must use eFileTexas for all district court submissions. Pro se litigants may file in person at 100 Dolorosa.
Legal Resources in Bexar County
Free legal help is available for people dealing with Bexar County courts. TexasLawHelp has guides on family law, housing, and consumer debt issues. The Texas State Law Library gives free access to statutes and court rules. The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service for the San Antonio area. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying Bexar County residents.
The Texas State Law Library, shown below, provides free access to Texas statutes, court rules, and legal research databases useful for Bexar County court cases.
Library staff can assist you in finding the right rules and statutes for your Bexar County legal matter, whether you visit in person or use their online tools.
Nearby Texas Counties
Bexar County sits in South Central Texas and borders several neighboring counties, each with its own District Clerk and court docket records. Cases involving parties across county lines may appear in more than one court system.