Access Kaufman County Court Docket
Kaufman County court docket records are managed by the District Clerk in Kaufman, Texas, a fast-growing county east of Dallas. The district courts here handle a high volume of civil, criminal, and family law cases each year, driven by the county's growing population. If you need to search for a case, check a hearing date, or get copies of court filings, this page covers your options. Kaufman County has better online access than many smaller Texas counties, and the clerk's office provides several ways to find what you need, whether online, in person, or by mail.
Kaufman County Overview
Kaufman County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Kaufman County is the primary keeper of all court docket records for the district courts. This office handles a large number of filings each year across civil, criminal, and family law cases. Every step in a case gets recorded on the docket: hearings scheduled, motions filed, orders issued, and final judgments entered. The District Clerk's office is the place to go for certified copies, case file reviews, and general questions about court records.
Kaufman County has grown significantly in recent years as the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area expands eastward. That growth means more cases and more demand on the courts. The courthouse in Kaufman serves as the hub for all district court business, and the clerk's staff handle both walk-in and phone requests during normal business hours.
| Office | Kaufman County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 W. Mulberry Street, Kaufman, TX 75142 |
| Phone | (972) 932-4331 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The County Clerk handles records for the county courts, including misdemeanor cases, probate, and smaller civil disputes. For felony criminal cases and civil suits above the county court threshold, you want the District Clerk.
Searching Kaufman County Court Docket Online
Kaufman County has online access to court records, which puts it ahead of many Texas counties. The statewide re:SearchTX portal, run by the Office of Court Administration, covers Kaufman County and lets you search by name or case number. Results show basic case data including filing dates, case types, parties, and current status.
Because Kaufman County participates in the state system with fuller coverage, you can find more complete information through re:SearchTX than you would for smaller counties. Still, not every document is available online. Detailed docket sheets, filed motions, and exhibits may require a direct request to the clerk. Use case numbers for the most precise results. Name searches work but try alternate spellings if your first try comes up empty.
For anything you cannot find online, contact the District Clerk by phone or visit the courthouse. The office has internal systems with more complete data than what appears in the public portal. Mail requests are also accepted.
The Texas Judicial Branch website gives an overview of the state court system that includes Kaufman County. The image below shows the Texas Judicial Branch homepage.
This page connects you to court directories, procedural rules, and the re:SearchTX portal for Kaufman County case searches.
Note: re:SearchTX is free for basic searches and does not require account registration for standard case lookups.
What Kaufman County Docket Records Include
A court docket is the official log of every action in a case. Kaufman County court docket records cover felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law proceedings including divorce and child custody, and juvenile cases heard in district court. Each docket entry shows the case number, parties involved, action taken, and date.
Inside a typical docket you will find the original petition or indictment, responses from opposing parties, motions and rulings, hearing and trial dates, orders from the judge, and the final disposition. Family dockets often include temporary orders, property inventories, and divorce decrees. Criminal dockets note arraignments, pleas, bond settings, and sentencing information. Under the Texas Government Code, felony and civil case files are generally permanent records that must be maintained indefinitely.
Attorneys who file in Kaufman County district courts must use the eFileTexas system. The screenshot below shows the eFileTexas login page, the mandatory e-filing portal for all Texas courts.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys, and it is one reason why recent filings appear on the docket quickly after submission.
In-Person, Mail, and Phone Access
Visiting the Kaufman County courthouse gives you direct access to the District Clerk and court docket records. Staff can search internal databases, pull case files, and make copies. Bring photo ID and a list of the cases you need. Small requests are typically handled while you wait. Larger requests may take some time to pull together.
Mail requests work for those who cannot visit in person. Write to the District Clerk with names, case numbers, and any other details. Include a check or money order for estimated copy fees. Processing depends on the office workload, and staff may contact you before filling the request if the cost changes.
Phone inquiries are useful for quick questions. Staff can confirm whether a case exists, check basic status information, and explain the steps for requesting copies.
Standard Texas copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies and $5.00 plus $1.00 per page for certified copies. Certified copies have the court seal and are often required for legal proceedings elsewhere.
Public Access Under Texas Law
Court docket records in Kaufman County are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. The law presumes that government records are open to the public unless a specific exemption applies. Court records are also governed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Government Code, but the core right of access is strong.
To make a formal request, send it in writing to the District Clerk. The office has ten business days to respond in most cases. The Attorney General's office oversees compliance and provides guidance for both requesters and government bodies.
The Texas Attorney General's open records page, shown below, explains the public's rights when requesting government documents from offices like the Kaufman County District Clerk.
Knowing your rights under this act is helpful if you have any difficulty obtaining Kaufman County records that should be publicly available.
Note: Sealed cases, juvenile records, and certain family law documents are exempt from public disclosure even under the Public Information Act.
Kaufman County Court Structure
Kaufman County has multiple district courts due to its growing population and case load. District courts handle felony criminal cases, civil suits above $200, family law, and juvenile cases. The county also has county courts at law for misdemeanors, probate, and smaller civil matters. Justice of the peace courts cover small claims and minor offenses.
The Texas Supreme Court handles civil appeals statewide. The Court of Criminal Appeals is the top criminal court. The Office of Court Administration publishes yearly reports on case volumes for every county, including Kaufman. These are useful for understanding how the local courts manage their growing case loads.
Legal Resources for Kaufman County
TexasLawHelp provides free guides on family law, debt, housing, and civil issues. The Texas State Law Library gives free access to statutes, court rules, and research tools. The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service for finding attorneys who practice in the North Texas region. Legal aid organizations serving the Dallas metro area and East Texas may offer free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents. Current Texas statutes are available at Texas Legislature Online.
Nearby Texas Counties
Kaufman County is east of Dallas in the North Texas region, surrounded by counties that maintain their own court docket records through separate District Clerk offices.