Foard County Court Docket
Foard County court docket records are filed and stored at the courthouse in Crowell, Texas. This is one of the smallest counties in the state by population, but the same rules for court records apply here as anywhere in Texas. Civil, criminal, and family cases go through the 46th Judicial District Court. This page covers how to search for Foard County court docket records, who to contact, what fees apply, and your options for getting case information both online and in person.
Foard County Overview
Foard County District Clerk Office
The District Clerk in Foard County manages all district court docket records. This office handles filings for the 46th Judicial District Court, which serves Foard, Hardeman, and Wilbarger counties. Civil cases, felony criminal prosecutions, family law proceedings, and juvenile matters all pass through this clerk. Each case has a docket that logs every filing, motion, hearing, order, and final judgment.
Crowell is a very small county seat. Case volumes are far lower than in urban areas. But the same statewide procedures, fee schedules, and records retention rules apply. Staff at the clerk's office can help you find cases and make copies. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Because the office is small, hours and staffing may vary, so call before you visit.
| Office | Foard County District/County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 S. Main Street, Crowell, TX 79227 |
| Phone | (940) 684-1365 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
In Foard County, the District Clerk and County Clerk roles are combined. The county court side handles misdemeanors, probate, and smaller civil matters. Contact the office to confirm which records fall under which role.
The Texas Judicial Branch website provides context for how Foard County's courts fit within the state system. The image below shows the Texas Judicial Branch homepage.
This site links to court directories, procedural rules, and the re:SearchTX portal for searching cases in counties across Texas including Foard.
How to Search Foard County Court Docket
The main free option for looking up Foard County court docket records online is re:SearchTX at txcourts.gov/researchtx. Managed by the Office of Court Administration, this portal covers more than 150 Texas counties. You can search by party name or case number. Basic results show filing dates, case types, parties, and current status. No registration is needed.
Foard County has very limited online resources of its own. re:SearchTX may be the only remote search option. Not every document is available through the portal. Detailed docket sheets and motions usually require a direct request to the clerk. Try different name spellings if your search comes up empty.
For historical records or cases not yet in re:SearchTX, a phone call or in-person visit is your best bet. The clerk has internal records that go beyond the public portal. Mail requests work too, but expect longer turnaround times.
Note: Foard County is one of the least populated counties in Texas, so fewer records have been digitized and an in-person visit may be the most effective search method.
What Foard County Docket Records Include
A court docket is the official record of every action in a case. Foard County court docket records cover felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits over $200, family law matters, and juvenile proceedings. Each entry lists the case number, the parties, the action taken, and the date.
Typical docket contents include the original petition or indictment, responses, motions and rulings, hearing and trial schedules, orders from the judge, and the final judgment or disposition. Criminal dockets track arraignments, pleas, bond settings, and sentencing. Family law dockets may have temporary orders, property inventories, and divorce decrees. The Texas Government Code requires most felony and civil case files to be kept permanently. Juvenile and sealed records are not public.
Getting Foard County Court Records
Three ways exist for accessing Foard County court docket records. Visiting the courthouse in Crowell puts you in direct contact with staff and physical case files. You can look through records and get copies on the spot. Bring a photo ID. Because the office is small, response time for complex requests may vary.
The eFileTexas system handles electronic filings for Foard County district courts. The image below shows the login page for the mandatory e-filing platform.
Attorneys must use eFileTexas to submit documents. Self-represented litigants can still file in person. The system is why new filings often show up on the docket promptly.
Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request to the clerk with case details and a check or money order for estimated fees. Standard Texas rates apply. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus $1.00 per page with the court seal.
Public Records Law and Foard County
Foard County court docket records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. The law presumes government records are open unless a specific exception applies. Written requests go to the clerk, who has ten business days to respond.
The Texas Attorney General's office oversees compliance. If the clerk believes a record is exempt, they must get an AG ruling before withholding it. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and certain family law documents are exceptions to public access.
The Attorney General's Open Records page explains how to request government documents from offices like the Foard County clerk.
This resource covers your rights as a requester and the steps to take if access is improperly denied.
Foard County Court Structure
Foard County is part of the 46th Judicial District. The district court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters above $200, family law, and juvenile proceedings. A constitutional county court handles misdemeanors, probate, and smaller civil disputes. Justice of the peace courts deal with Class C misdemeanors and small claims.
The Texas court system runs under the Supreme Court for civil and the Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal matters. The Office of Court Administration publishes annual case load reports for all counties. Statutes and rules are available at capitol.texas.gov and through the Texas State Law Library.
Legal Resources for Foard County
Free legal resources exist for Foard County residents. TexasLawHelp has guides on family law, debt, housing, and other civil topics. The Texas State Law Library offers free access to statutes and legal research tools for self-represented litigants.
The State Bar of Texas runs a referral service at texasbar.com connecting you with attorneys in the North Texas area. Legal aid organizations serving rural Texas may provide free civil legal help to qualifying residents. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission maintains historical records that can assist with older Foard County case research. For criminal history information beyond the court docket, the DPS Crime Records Service keeps a separate statewide criminal history database.
Nearby Texas Counties
Foard County is in North Texas and borders several counties that each keep their own court docket records through separate clerk offices.