Ector County Court Docket
Ector County court docket records are kept by the District Clerk's office in Odessa, Texas. Six district courts handle the full range of civil, criminal, family, and juvenile cases in this West Texas county. If you are trying to look up a case filing, check the status of a pending matter, or get copies of court documents, this page walks you through the process. You will find the contact details for both the District Clerk and County Clerk, search tools that work for Ector County records, and the fees you can expect to pay. Around 14,000 new cases are filed here each year.
Ector County Overview
Ector County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Ector County is the official custodian of court docket records for all six district courts. This office records every filing, hearing, motion, and order that takes place in a case. From the initial petition through the final judgment, the docket tracks it all. The courthouse is at 300 N. Grant Avenue in Odessa. Staff can help you locate case files, pull documents, and walk you through the copy process. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, but calling first helps if your request involves older records or multiple cases.
| Office | Ector County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 N. Grant Avenue, Room 150, Odessa, TX 79761 |
| Phone | (432) 498-4290 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.ector.tx.us |
The Ector County Clerk handles a separate set of records. That office covers county courts at law, probate, and misdemeanor filings. Reach them at (432) 498-4130. Their office is in the same building at 300 N. Grant Avenue, Room 139. If your case involves a felony or a civil matter over $200, the District Clerk is where to go. County-level misdemeanors and probate matters are the County Clerk's area.
Note: Both the District Clerk and County Clerk in Ector County are in the same courthouse building on Grant Avenue, but they handle different types of cases.
Searching Ector County Court Docket Online
The best free tool for searching Ector County court docket records online is re:SearchTX. This statewide portal, run by the Texas Office of Court Administration, covers more than 150 counties. You search by party name or case number and get results showing the filing date, case type, parties, and current status. No fee or account is needed.
Online results give you a starting point but not the full picture. Detailed docket sheets, filed motions, and exhibits are usually not available through the web portal. For those, you need to contact the District Clerk directly. When searching by name, try alternate spellings because data entry errors are common across all counties. A case number search gives more precise results if you have one.
For older Ector County records or cases not yet in re:SearchTX, call the District Clerk at (432) 498-4290. Internal systems at the courthouse cover records that the public portal does not include. Mail-in requests are accepted too, though they take longer.
The Texas Judicial Branch website is the gateway to court directories, rules, and the re:SearchTX portal for all Texas counties including Ector. The image below shows the homepage.
From this page you can access court contact information, procedural rules, and the Office of Court Administration data for Ector County and every other Texas county.
What Ector County Court Docket Records Contain
Court docket records are the official log of every action in a case. Ector County docket records cover felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $200, family law matters including divorce and child custody, and juvenile cases. Each docket entry shows the case number, parties, the action taken, and the date it happened.
Inside a typical Ector County docket you will find the original petition or indictment, responses from the opposing side, motions and their rulings, hearing and trial schedules, orders from the judge, and the final disposition. Criminal dockets show arraignments, pleas, bond settings, and sentencing. Family law dockets often include temporary orders, property inventories, and decree documents. The Texas Government Code requires courts to record and preserve these documents, with permanent retention for felony and civil case files.
Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases and sealed proceedings are not open to the public. If you are unsure whether a specific Ector County record is available, call the clerk before visiting.
Fees for Ector County Court Docket Copies
Ector County follows the standard Texas fee schedule for court document copies. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry the court seal and are typically required when you need to use documents in legal proceedings elsewhere. Marriage licenses cost $81.00, or $11.00 with a premarital education course.
The County Clerk charges the same copy rates. Birth certificates are $23.00, death certificates are $21.00. Check with the office about accepted payment methods before you visit. For mail requests, send a check or money order along with your written request.
Attorneys in Ector County file cases electronically through the eFileTexas portal. The screenshot below shows the eFileTexas login page.
The public cannot file through eFileTexas, but this system is why new Ector County docket entries often appear in the record shortly after an attorney submits them.
Texas Open Records and Ector County Court Access
Court docket records in Ector County are public under the Texas Public Information Act, codified in Government Code Chapter 552. The law presumes government records are open unless a specific exemption applies. Court records have additional rules under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, but the core principle of public access stands.
To make a formal records request, write to the District Clerk. The office has ten business days to respond. The Texas Attorney General's office oversees compliance with this law and publishes guidance for requesters.
The image below shows the Attorney General's Open Records page, which outlines your rights when asking for government documents from offices like the Ector County District Clerk.
If you face resistance when requesting Ector County docket records that should be public, knowing this law and the AG's role can be helpful.
Ector County Court Structure
Ector County has six district courts with general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters above $200, family law, and juvenile cases. The county also has county courts at law and justice of the peace courts for misdemeanors, small claims, and lower-level offenses.
The Office of Court Administration publishes annual reports showing case loads for all Texas counties, including Ector. These reports break down filings by type and track clearance rates over time. Attorneys filing in Ector County district courts must use eFileTexas. Self-represented litigants can file in person at the courthouse. The District Clerk's office can tell you which forms to use and where to file them.
Legal Help in Ector County
If you need help understanding a court docket or navigating the courts in Ector County, several free resources exist. TexasLawHelp provides plain-language guides covering family law, debt, housing, and other civil matters. The Texas State Law Library gives free access to statutes, court rules, and legal research tools.
The Texas State Law Library, shown below, is a free resource for Ector County residents needing access to Texas statutes and court rules.
Library staff can help you locate the right procedural rules for your case.
The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service that covers the Permian Basin region, including Ector County. West Texas Legal Services also provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents in the Odessa area.
Nearby Texas Counties
Ector County is surrounded by other Permian Basin counties in West Texas. Each one maintains its own court docket records through separate District Clerk offices.