Castro County Court Docket Lookup
Castro County court docket records are stored at the courthouse in Dimmitt, Texas, which is the county seat for this rural Panhandle county on the South Plains. The District Clerk keeps track of all filings for civil, criminal, and family cases in the district court. This page covers how to search Castro County court docket records, who to contact at the courthouse, and the different ways you can request copies of court documents.
Castro County Overview
Castro County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Castro County maintains the official court docket for all district court cases. Every filing, motion, hearing, order, and judgment gets logged into the docket. The clerk's staff help the public locate case files, explain the fee structure, and process copy requests.
Dimmitt is the county seat. The courthouse is the central hub for all district court filings in Castro County. If you need certified copies of court orders or docket entries, this office handles those requests. Because Castro County has a small population, the office tends to be less busy than urban courthouses, which can mean faster service for walk-in visitors. Calling ahead is still a good idea for complex or multi-case requests.
| Office | Castro County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 E. Bedford Street, Room 101, Dimmitt, TX 79027 |
| Phone | (806) 647-3338 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The County Clerk in the same building handles county court records, probate, and misdemeanor cases. For felony cases and civil matters over $200, the District Clerk is the right office to contact.
The Office of Court Administration publishes reports on court operations for all Texas counties. The image below shows the OCA homepage, where you can find data on case volumes and court performance for Castro County.
Annual reports from OCA can tell you how many cases Castro County courts process each year and how they compare to other rural counties in the Panhandle.
How to Search Castro County Court Docket
re:SearchTX is the primary free tool for searching Castro County court docket records online. The Texas Office of Court Administration runs this statewide portal, which covers more than 150 counties. Visit txcourts.gov/researchtx to search by party name or case number. Results show the filing date, case type, parties, and current case status. No account is needed for basic searches.
Not everything is online. Detailed docket sheets, motions, and exhibits often require a direct request to the clerk. Try alternate spellings when searching by name because data entry mistakes happen. Case number searches are more reliable when you have the number.
For cases not in re:SearchTX or historical records that predate the digital system, call or visit the District Clerk in Dimmitt. Staff can search internal databases that are not available to the public online. You can also send a mail request if an in-person visit is not possible.
Note: re:SearchTX updates daily, but the timing of Castro County's data uploads to the state system can vary.
What Castro County Court Docket Records Include
A court docket is the official log of every action in a case. Castro County docket records cover felony criminal matters, civil disputes, family law cases such as divorce and custody, and juvenile proceedings. Each entry shows the case number, parties, what happened, and when.
A typical docket file contains the original petition or indictment, answers from the other side, motions and their rulings, hearing and trial dates, court orders, and the final judgment. Family law dockets may also include temporary orders, property inventories, and decree documents. Criminal dockets track arraignments, pleas, bonds, and sentencing. The Texas Government Code establishes retention rules for court records. Felony and civil case files are permanent. Juvenile records and sealed cases are restricted from public view.
Texas attorneys file documents in Castro County through the eFileTexas system. The image below shows the eFileTexas login page.
The public does not file through this portal, but the electronic system is why new attorney filings appear in the docket soon after submission.
Getting Court Docket Copies in Castro County
You can access Castro County court docket records three ways. An in-person visit to the District Clerk's office in Dimmitt is the most straightforward approach. You can review case files and get copies while you wait. Bring a photo ID and know which cases you want to look at. Small requests are usually handled quickly.
Mail requests are accepted for those who cannot visit. Send a letter to the District Clerk identifying the case by name and number if you have it, along with a check or money order for copy fees. Standard rates are $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Processing times depend on staff availability.
Online, re:SearchTX provides basic case information. Full document access through the portal is more limited for rural counties like Castro. The state continues to expand the portal over time.
Public Access to Castro County Court Records
Court docket records in Castro County are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. The law says government records are open unless a specific exemption applies. Most court filings, docket entries, and judgments fall under this presumption of openness.
To make a formal request, write to the District Clerk. The office must respond within ten business days. The Texas Attorney General handles disputes about record access and posts guidance at texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government. If your request is turned down, you can ask the AG for a ruling on whether the records should be released.
The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov provides free access to statutes and court rules. The image below shows the library homepage.
This resource helps you look up the specific laws and procedures that apply to court records access in Castro County.
Note: Sealed records, juvenile cases, and some family law filings are not available to the public even under the Texas Public Information Act.
Castro County Court Structure
Castro County is part of the 64th Judicial District, which it shares with other counties in the South Plains region. The district court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases above $200, family law matters, and juvenile cases. A constitutional county court handles misdemeanors, probate, and smaller civil disputes. Justice of the peace courts manage small claims and minor offenses.
The statewide court system operates under the Texas Supreme Court for civil matters and the Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal matters. Attorneys must file through eFileTexas. Self-represented litigants can file in person at the Dimmitt courthouse. Texas statutes related to court proceedings are available at capitol.texas.gov, including the Family Code and Government Code.
Legal Help in Castro County
Free legal resources exist for people who need guidance on court docket issues in Castro County. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org provides plain-language guides on family law, housing, debt, and other civil matters. The State Bar of Texas has a lawyer referral service for the South Plains region.
Legal aid organizations serving the Panhandle and South Plains area provide free civil legal help for income-qualifying residents. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission at tsl.texas.gov maintains historical court records and provides research assistance for those looking into older case files. For criminal history checks related to Castro County cases, the DPS Crime Records service at dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records is a useful resource.
Nearby Texas Counties
Castro County borders several South Plains and Panhandle counties. Each has its own District Clerk office and court docket system. Cross-county matters may result in records appearing in multiple jurisdictions.