Clay County Court Docket
Clay County court docket records are kept at the courthouse in Henrietta, Texas, which is the county seat for this North Texas county just south of the Red River and the Oklahoma border. The District Clerk maintains all docket entries for civil, criminal, and family cases heard in the district court. This page covers the search tools, office information, and access methods you need to find and request court docket records in Clay County.
Clay County Overview
Clay County District Clerk Office
The District Clerk in Clay County maintains the official court docket for all district court cases. Every filing, motion, hearing, order, and judgment gets recorded. The clerk's staff help the public find case files, get copies, and understand fees. This is the primary office for accessing court docket records in the county.
Henrietta sits along U.S. Highway 287 between Wichita Falls and Bowie. The courthouse is the center of county government and the home of all district court records. Clay County is a small, rural county, so the office generally has shorter wait times than you would find in a city. Certified copies, plain copies, and research requests all go through the District Clerk. Walk-in visits are handled during regular hours, and phone calls can help you plan ahead for more involved requests.
| Office | Clay County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N. Bridge Street, Henrietta, TX 76365 |
| Phone | (940) 538-4631 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The County Clerk manages county court records, probate, and misdemeanors. For felony cases and civil disputes exceeding $200, the District Clerk has those records.
Note: Clay County's proximity to Wichita Falls means some parties may have related cases in both Clay and Wichita counties, so it is worth checking both.
The Office of Court Administration tracks court operations across Texas. The image below shows the OCA homepage, which offers reports on case volumes and court performance for all counties including Clay.
OCA data can help you understand how many cases Clay County courts handle annually and how they compare to similar-sized counties in North Texas.
Searching Clay County Court Docket Records
re:SearchTX is the primary free tool for searching Clay County court docket records online. Operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration, this statewide portal covers more than 150 counties. Search by party name or case number at txcourts.gov/researchtx. Results include filing dates, case types, parties, and current status. No account is needed for the basic search.
Not all documents are available online. Full docket sheets, motions, and exhibits typically require a request to the District Clerk. Try alternate spellings when searching by name. Data entry variations are common. Case number searches produce more precise results when you have the number. For older records or cases not in the state portal, contact the clerk directly in Henrietta.
What Clay County Docket Records Include
A court docket is the official record of every action taken in a case. Clay County docket records cover felony criminal matters, civil disputes, family law cases including divorce and custody, and juvenile proceedings. Each docket entry lists the case number, parties, the type of action, and the date it occurred.
Inside a docket file you will find the original petition or indictment, responses from the opposing side, motions and rulings, hearing dates, court orders, and the final judgment. Family law dockets may include temporary orders, property inventories, and decree documents. Criminal dockets track arraignments, pleas, bond information, and sentencing. The Texas Government Code governs how long records are kept. Felony and civil case files are permanent. Juvenile records and sealed cases are restricted from the public.
Attorneys filing in Clay County use eFileTexas, the mandatory e-filing system for Texas courts. The image below shows the login page.
Public users do not file through this portal, but the system is the reason new filings from attorneys appear in the docket quickly after submission.
How to Get Clay County Court Records
There are three methods for accessing Clay County court docket records. An in-person visit to the District Clerk at the Henrietta courthouse is the most direct. You can review files and get copies on the spot. Bring photo ID and a list of cases. Staff handle walk-in requests during normal hours.
Mail requests are accepted for those who cannot visit. Send a letter to the District Clerk with the case name and number if you have it, along with payment for estimated fees. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Allow extra time for processing.
Online searches through re:SearchTX provide basic case information. Full document downloads may not be available for all cases in smaller counties like Clay. The state portal continues to expand over time.
Public Records Laws and Clay County Courts
Court docket records in Clay County are public under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act in Government Code Chapter 552 presumes government records are open unless a specific exemption applies. Most court filings, docket entries, and judgments are covered by this presumption.
Formal open records requests should be sent in writing to the District Clerk. The office has ten business days to respond. The Texas Attorney General at texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government oversees compliance and provides guidance on the request process. You can also search AG opinions at texasattorneygeneral.gov/opinions for past rulings on records access.
The AG's Open Records page explains your rights when requesting documents from offices like the Clay County District Clerk.
Knowing these rights helps if you face any resistance when seeking Clay County docket records that should be publicly available.
Note: Sealed records, juvenile cases, and certain family law filings are exempt from disclosure even under the Texas Public Information Act.
Clay County Court Structure
Clay County is part of the 97th Judicial District. The district court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases above $200, family law matters, and juvenile cases. A constitutional county court manages misdemeanors, probate, and smaller civil disputes. Justice of the peace courts cover small claims and minor offenses throughout the county.
Texas has a dual high court system. The Supreme Court handles civil appeals. The Court of Criminal Appeals handles criminal matters. The Office of Court Administration publishes annual data on court caseloads for all Texas counties. Attorneys must file through eFileTexas. Self-represented parties file in person at the courthouse. Texas statutes governing court procedures are searchable at capitol.texas.gov.
Legal Help for Clay County Residents
Free resources are available for Clay County residents who need help with court docket issues. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has guides on family law, housing, debt, and civil matters. The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov gives free access to statutes, court rules, and research tools.
The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service that covers North Texas. Legal aid organizations serving the Wichita Falls region provide free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents in Clay County. Because Wichita Falls is nearby, additional legal resources from that city may be accessible to Clay County residents.
Nearby Texas Counties
Clay County is in North Texas near the Oklahoma border. Each neighboring county has its own District Clerk office and court docket system. Cases involving parties across county lines may appear in multiple jurisdictions.