Johnson County Court Docket Records
Johnson County court docket records are kept by the District Clerk's office in Cleburne, Texas, where five district courts process civil, criminal, family, and juvenile cases. If you need to search for a court docket filing, check the status of a pending case, or request copies of court documents, this page explains how to do it. Johnson County handles about 12,000 new cases each year, and understanding which office to contact and which tools to use will help you get the records you need without wasted trips or phone calls.
Johnson County Overview
Johnson County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Johnson County is the official keeper of court docket records for all five district courts. This office logs every petition, motion, hearing, order, and judgment in each case that comes through the system. The docket is the complete record of a case from its first filing to its final resolution. Staff at the courthouse on 2 N. Main Street in Cleburne can help you find files, pull documents, and explain what is available for public access.
| Office | Johnson County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 N. Main Street, Cleburne, TX 76033 |
| Phone | (817) 556-6220 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | johnsoncountytx.org |
The Johnson County Clerk manages records for county courts at law, probate, and misdemeanor cases. Their office is also at 2 N. Main Street. The phone number is (817) 556-6370. Felony cases and civil matters above $200 go through the District Clerk. County-level misdemeanors and probate matters are handled by the County Clerk. Both offices share the same building in downtown Cleburne.
The Texas Judicial Branch website provides court directories, rules, and links to statewide resources for all Texas counties. The image below shows the homepage.
From this page you can navigate to the Office of Court Administration, find Johnson County court contacts, and access the re:SearchTX portal for case lookups.
How to Search Johnson County Court Docket
The primary free tool for searching Johnson County court docket records online is re:SearchTX. This statewide portal, operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration, covers more than 150 counties. Search by party name or case number. Results show filing dates, case types, parties listed, and the current case status. It is free and does not need an account.
Online results provide basic case information but do not always include the full documents. Detailed docket sheets, motions, and exhibits typically require a request to the District Clerk's office. Try alternate spellings when searching by name. Data entry errors happen in every county. A case number search is more reliable when you have one available.
For older Johnson County records or cases not yet in the system, call the District Clerk at (817) 556-6220. Staff can search internal databases that the public portal does not reach. Written mail requests are also accepted, though processing takes longer.
Note: Johnson County's growing population south of Fort Worth means court caseloads have been rising in recent years, which can affect processing times.
What Johnson County Docket Records Include
A court docket records every action that takes place in a case. Johnson County dockets span felony criminal matters, civil disputes over $200, family law cases such as divorce and child custody, and juvenile proceedings. Each docket entry shows the case number, parties, the action taken, and the date.
A typical Johnson County docket includes the original petition or indictment, answers from the opposing side, all motions and their rulings, hearing and trial dates, court orders, and the final judgment or disposition. Criminal dockets also include arraignment records, pleas, bond amounts, and sentencing. Family law dockets may have temporary orders, property inventories, and divorce decrees. The Texas Government Code requires courts to maintain these records, with permanent retention for felony and civil case files.
Juvenile cases and sealed proceedings stay closed to the public. Call the clerk to confirm availability before visiting the Cleburne courthouse.
Johnson County Court Docket Fees
Johnson County follows the standard Texas fee schedule. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 plus $1.00 per page and include the official court seal. Certified copies are usually needed when you plan to use documents in legal proceedings elsewhere. Marriage licenses cost $81.00, or $11.00 if you complete a premarital course.
The County Clerk charges the same copy rates. Birth certificates are $23.00 and death certificates cost $21.00. For mail requests, include a check or money order with your written request. Staff may reach out to confirm the cost before processing larger orders.
Attorneys file cases in Johnson County electronically through the eFileTexas system. The image below shows the eFileTexas login portal.
The general public cannot file through eFileTexas, but this system explains why recent Johnson County docket entries show up fast after an attorney submits them.
Texas Public Records Law and Johnson County
Johnson County court docket records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, codified in Government Code Chapter 552. The law presumes government records are open unless a specific legal exception applies. To make a formal request, write to the District Clerk. The office has ten business days to respond to most requests.
The Attorney General's Open Records page, shown below, explains the rights of the public when asking for government documents from offices like the Johnson County District Clerk.
The AG's office oversees compliance with this law and publishes guidance for requesters and government offices statewide.
Sealed cases, juvenile records, and some family law documents may be withheld even under this act. The Office of Court Administration publishes annual reports and guidance about court records access for all Texas counties.
Legal Help in Johnson County
Free help is available for Johnson County residents who need assistance with court docket matters. TexasLawHelp provides plain-language legal guides covering family law, debt, housing, and civil matters. The Texas State Law Library offers free access to statutes, court rules, and research databases.
The Texas State Law Library, shown below, provides free legal resources for anyone dealing with Johnson County court cases.
Staff at the library help you find the statutes and procedural rules that apply to your case.
The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service covering North Texas, including Johnson County. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas provides free civil legal services to income-qualifying residents in the Cleburne area.
Nearby Texas Counties
Johnson County sits south of Fort Worth in North Texas. Each neighboring county maintains its own court docket records through separate District Clerk offices.