Search Hood County Court Docket
Hood County court docket records are managed by the District Clerk in Granbury, Texas. This growing North Central Texas county sits southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area and handles an increasing volume of court cases each year. Whether you need to track an active case, look up old filings, or get certified copies of court documents, this page covers all the search options and contact information for Hood County court dockets.
Hood County Overview
Hood County District Clerk Office
The District Clerk in Hood County is the primary keeper of all district court docket records. This office handles filings for civil, criminal, and family law cases. Every action in a case gets recorded in the docket, from the first petition through the final judgment. Staff process new filings, track hearing schedules, and maintain the official record for each case.
Granbury is the county seat. The Hood County Justice Center on Pearl Street is the main courthouse facility. Walk-in visits work well during business hours. The staff can search for cases, pull docket sheets, and make copies. For requests involving many documents, call ahead so staff can have things ready when you arrive. The office also coordinates jury service and collects filing and copy fees.
| Office | Hood County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1200 W. Pearl Street, Granbury, TX 76048 |
| Phone | (817) 579-3233 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The County Clerk handles county court records, probate filings, and misdemeanor matters. Both offices are accessible at the same courthouse location. For most felony cases and civil lawsuits over $200, start with the District Clerk.
Looking Up Hood County Court Docket Online
The best free online tool for searching Hood County court docket records is re:SearchTX. This statewide portal covers more than 150 Texas counties. You can search by party name or case number. Results show filing dates, case types, parties listed, and current case status.
Hood County has solid coverage in re:SearchTX given its growing population and active court system. Most recent filings should be available. For older records or cases that do not appear, contact the District Clerk directly. The office can search internal systems that are not part of the public portal. Phone and mail requests are both accepted as alternatives to online searching.
Note: Try different name spellings when searching re:SearchTX, since data entry variations can prevent matches in the system.
What Hood County Docket Records Include
A court docket is the official log of everything that happens in a case. Hood County court docket records cover felony criminal cases, civil disputes, family law matters such as divorce and child custody, and juvenile proceedings. Each entry identifies the case number, parties, type of action taken, and the date.
A typical docket file includes the original petition or indictment, answers from the other side, motions with their rulings, hearing and trial dates, orders issued by the judge, and the final disposition. Criminal dockets show arraignment records, plea entries, bond settings, and sentencing information. Family law dockets contain temporary orders, financial inventories, and decree documents. Under the Texas Government Code, courts must keep permanent records of felony criminal and civil cases.
The Texas Judicial Branch website is a solid resource for understanding the state court system. Below is the homepage for the Texas Judicial Branch.
This site links to court directories, the Office of Court Administration, and the re:SearchTX portal for Hood County case searches.
How to Access Hood County Court Records
Hood County offers three main ways to access court docket records. In person at the District Clerk's office in Granbury is the most direct method. Bring a photo ID and a written list of cases you need. Staff can make copies while you wait. This is the best option for complex searches or older records.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the District Clerk with the case name and number if you have it. Include a check or money order for estimated copy fees. Staff may call you if the total cost is uncertain before they fill the request. Mail requests take longer to process depending on volume.
Online access through re:SearchTX works for basic case lookups. Full document retrieval may still require direct contact with the clerk. The Office of Court Administration expands coverage regularly.
Copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies are $5.00 plus $1.00 per page and include a court seal. Hood County uses these standard Texas rates.
Texas Public Information Act and Hood County
Court docket records in Hood County are public records under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act in Government Code Chapter 552 presumes that government records are open unless a specific exemption applies. Court records follow this general rule, with additional provisions in the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
To make a formal open records request, put it in writing and send it to the Hood County District Clerk. The office must respond within ten business days. The Texas Attorney General's office oversees compliance and publishes guidance for the public on how to request records.
Attorneys in Hood County file court documents through eFileTexas. The image below shows the eFileTexas login page used by attorneys across the state.
The public cannot file through eFileTexas, but the system is why new docket entries show up quickly after attorney submissions.
Hood County Court Structure
Hood County has one district court that handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $200, family law, and juvenile matters. The county also has a county court at law and justice of the peace courts for misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic cases. With the county's growing population, court caseloads have increased in recent years.
The Office of Court Administration publishes annual caseload data for every Texas county. Hood County's reports show the volume and types of cases moving through the local courts. Attorneys must use eFileTexas for district court filings. Self-represented litigants may file in person at the courthouse in Granbury.
Note: Hood County's proximity to the DFW metro area means some cases involve parties from neighboring Tarrant or Johnson counties.
Legal Resources for Hood County
Several free resources can help Hood County residents with court docket questions and legal matters. TexasLawHelp provides plain-language guides on family law, debt, housing, and civil issues. The Texas State Law Library offers free access to Texas statutes, court rules, and legal research databases.
The Texas State Law Library homepage, shown below, offers free legal research tools available to all Texas residents, including Hood County.
Library staff can help you find the right statutes and court rules for your situation.
The State Bar of Texas has a lawyer referral service connecting you with attorneys in the North Central Texas area. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas also serves Hood County residents who qualify based on income for free or low-cost civil legal help.
Nearby Texas Counties
Hood County borders several North Central Texas counties, each with its own District Clerk office and court docket system. Cases involving parties in multiple counties may appear in more than one court.