Access Burnet County Court Docket Records
Burnet County court docket records document every case filed in the county's two district courts, located in Burnet on the Texas Hill Country's northern edge. These records are public and cover civil lawsuits, felony criminal cases, and family law matters. This page explains how to search Burnet County dockets, what information they hold, how to request copies from the District Clerk, and where to find legal help in the area.
Burnet County Overview
Burnet County District Clerk
The Burnet County District Clerk maintains the official court docket for both of the county's district courts. The clerk files incoming cases, records all orders and judgments signed by the judge, issues citations and subpoenas, and keeps the complete case record from initial filing to final disposition. Burnet County's district courts handle felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits over $200, family law matters including divorce, child custody, and protective orders, as well as juvenile cases. The two courts help manage the county's growing caseload as more people move to the Hill Country from the Austin metro area.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| District Clerk Phone | (512) 756-5406 |
| County Seat | Burnet, TX |
| District Courts | 2 |
| Online Access | Limited |
The courthouse is in the city of Burnet on the town square. Both district courts hold regular sessions there. The clerk's office is your first call for any records request, whether for a docket sheet, a specific order, or a certified copy of a final judgment.
Note: Call (512) 756-5406 before visiting to confirm current office hours and what you need to bring. Hours and access procedures can vary.
Searching Burnet County Court Dockets
The statewide re:SearchTX portal is the primary online tool for searching Burnet County court docket records. It is free and maintained by the Texas Judicial Branch. You can search by party name, attorney name, or cause number and get results that include case type, filing date, current status, and a list of docket events. For a county with limited local online infrastructure, re:SearchTX is often the only practical way to look up records without driving to Burnet.
When searching by name, use the full legal name first. If that doesn't return results, try the last name alone or look for common spelling variations. Business entity searches should use the full legal name as it appears on official filings. For cases not found in the online system - especially older filings - contact the District Clerk directly at (512) 756-5406.
The screenshot below shows the Texas Judicial Branch homepage, which is where re:SearchTX is accessed and where you can find the directory of all Texas district court clerks.
Navigate to re:SearchTX from this page. The county filter helps narrow results when searching a common name across the state.
What Burnet County Docket Records Include
A court docket is a chronological log of everything that happens in a case. In Burnet County, civil dockets track the petition, answer, motions, hearing dates, and the final judgment. Criminal dockets record the indictment or information, arraignment, bond setting, plea, any continuances, and sentencing. Family dockets show divorce filings, temporary orders, final decrees on custody and support, and any modifications filed after the original decree. Probate dockets in the county court track the will, inventory, creditor claims, and distribution orders.
Each docket entry has a date and a short description of what was filed or what happened. The docket itself is an index. Reading the actual content of a specific pleading or order requires requesting that document from the clerk's office by cause number. Keep the cause number on hand - it is the key identifier that links everything in the case record.
Getting Copies of Burnet Court Records
You can request copies of Burnet County court records in person at the courthouse or by sending a written request by mail. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies, used for official legal purposes, cost $5.00 plus $1.00 per page and include the clerk's seal. Mail requests should include the cause number or case name, a description of the specific documents needed, your return address, and a check or money order payable to the Burnet County District Clerk.
The screenshot below shows the Texas Legislature Online site, where you can look up the statutes governing court record copy fees and public access rules in Texas.
The Government Code and Local Government Code govern how Texas courts charge for copies and what documents must be kept accessible to the public.
Note: Call (512) 756-5406 before sending a mail request to confirm the exact fee and payment methods the clerk accepts. Procedures may differ from the general state standard.
Texas Public Information Act
Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code gives everyone the right to request public records held by government agencies in Texas, including court dockets. Burnet County district court records are generally public. Exceptions include juvenile files, sealed court orders, and records restricted by specific statutes. If a record is withheld, the clerk or court must identify the specific legal basis for doing so.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government division handles disputes about records access and provides guidance on the Public Information Act. If your request is denied, you can seek an opinion from the AG's office. Their website has plain-language guides on what records are public and how to write an effective records request letter.
Burnet County Court System Overview
Burnet County has two district courts that handle civil, criminal, and family matters. The courts share the courthouse in Burnet and hold regular sessions throughout the year. As the county's population has grown - driven by proximity to the Austin metro and the appeal of the Hill Country - so has the volume of family law and civil cases filed. The two-court structure helps distribute that load.
Texas uses eFileTexas for electronic submissions in district and county courts. Attorneys must e-file in most cases. Self-represented parties may also use the system. Electronic filings appear on the docket quickly, making it easier to track active cases through re:SearchTX without visiting the courthouse.
The screenshot below shows the OCA site, which publishes annual statistics on all Texas courts, including caseload and processing time data for Burnet County.
Annual OCA reports can give you a sense of how busy Burnet County courts are and what types of cases are most common.
Legal Resources in Burnet County
TexasLawHelp.org offers free legal guides for people navigating Texas courts without an attorney. The site covers family law, civil procedure, housing, and consumer law in plain language. The State Bar of Texas runs a referral service to help you find attorneys who practice in Burnet County and the Hill Country region.
Lone Star Legal Aid serves income-eligible residents in Burnet County with civil legal services. The Texas State Law Library provides free online access to Texas statutes, court rules, and legal research tools. Burnet County does not have any cities with populations over 100,000, so no city pages exist for this county.
Nearby Counties
Burnet County is in the Texas Hill Country north of Austin. The surrounding counties also maintain district court docket records accessible through re:SearchTX.