Leon County Court Docket Records
Leon County court docket records are stored at the courthouse in Centerville, Texas. The District Clerk manages filings for civil, criminal, and family law cases in the 87th Judicial District. Located along the I-45 corridor between Dallas and Houston, Leon County is a rural county with a small but steady flow of court cases each year. This page shows you how to search Leon County court docket records online or at the clerk's office, along with fees, contact details, and legal resources for the area.
Leon County Overview
Leon County District Clerk Office
The District Clerk in Leon County keeps all district court docket records for the 87th Judicial District. Felony criminal filings, civil lawsuits above $200, family law cases such as divorce and custody, and juvenile proceedings pass through this office. Each filing, motion, hearing, and court order gets logged in the official docket. The clerk maintains these records from the start of a case through its resolution.
Centerville is a small town, and the courthouse is easy to find. Walk-in visits during business hours are the fastest way to get copies or look at a file. Staff are helpful and can search by name or case number. Plain copies run $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Calling ahead is a good idea if you need older files or have a large request.
| Office | Leon County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 155 N. St. Mary's Street, Centerville, TX 75833 |
| Phone | (903) 536-2227 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The County Clerk also works from the courthouse and handles county court records, misdemeanors, and probate. Reach that office at (903) 536-2352. For most felony cases and larger civil disputes, start with the District Clerk.
The Texas Judicial Branch website is a useful reference for understanding how the 87th Judicial District works. Below is the main portal for Texas courts.
This page connects you to court directories, the Office of Court Administration, and the re:SearchTX portal that includes Leon County records.
Searching Leon County Court Docket Online
The primary free tool for searching Leon County court docket records online is re:SearchTX. Run by the Office of Court Administration, this statewide portal covers more than 150 Texas counties. You can search by party name or case number. Results display filing dates, case types, involved parties, and current status.
Leon County does not have a local online records system. That makes re:SearchTX the primary option for digital searches. Not every document shows up online, though. Detailed docket sheets, motions, and exhibits usually need a direct request to the District Clerk in Centerville. When searching by name, try spelling variations because data entry errors are common. A case number gives more targeted results when you have one.
For older records or cases missing from the portal, call the clerk's office or visit in person. Internal databases at the courthouse contain more than what the public portal shows.
Note: re:SearchTX is free for basic lookups with no registration needed, though detailed document access may carry a small fee.
What Court Docket Records Include
A court docket is the running record of every step in a case. Leon County court docket records cover the full range of matters heard in the 87th District Court. Each entry shows the case number, parties, action taken, and date. A typical docket includes the original petition or indictment, party responses, motions with rulings, hearing dates, judge's orders, and the final judgment.
Criminal dockets include arraignment dates, bond information, plea entries, and sentencing. Family law dockets contain temporary orders, property inventories, child support figures, and divorce decrees. The Texas Government Code mandates permanent retention of felony and civil case files. Juvenile records and sealed cases are generally not available to the public.
Attorneys file in Leon County through the eFileTexas portal. The image below shows the login page for this mandatory electronic filing system.
The public cannot file through eFileTexas, but the system is why attorney filings show up in the docket soon after electronic submission.
How to Get Leon County Court Records
You have three options for getting Leon County court docket records. Visiting the courthouse in Centerville at 155 N. St. Mary's Street is the most direct. Bring photo ID and a list of cases. Staff can pull files and copy pages while you wait. This is best for older records or when you need to review the full physical file.
Mail requests go to the District Clerk at the courthouse address. Include the case name and number if known, along with a check or money order for the estimated fees. Processing time varies by staff workload. The clerk may contact you if fees are different from your payment.
Online, re:SearchTX covers basic case lookups. Full documents are harder to get online for Leon County, but the portal expands as new records are added over time.
Public Information Act and Court Docket Access
Leon County court docket records are public under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act, found in Government Code Chapter 552, creates a presumption that government records are open unless a specific exception exists. Court records follow additional rules, but public access is the default.
A formal request goes in writing to the District Clerk. Response time is ten business days. The Texas Attorney General's office handles compliance and publishes guidance for requesters and government offices.
The image below shows the Texas Attorney General's Open Records page, which covers your rights when requesting court docket records from Leon County.
This resource is useful if you encounter any difficulty getting records that should be open to the public.
Note: Sealed cases, juvenile records, and some family law documents are exempt from public disclosure under Texas statutes.
Leon County Court System
The 87th Judicial District Court serves Leon County with jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil disputes above $200, family law, and juvenile matters. The constitutional county court handles misdemeanors, probate, and smaller civil disputes. Justice of the peace courts take care of small claims and Class C misdemeanors.
Texas splits its top courts. The Texas Supreme Court hears civil appeals. The Court of Criminal Appeals handles criminal matters. The Office of Court Administration publishes yearly reports on case filings for all counties, including Leon. These reports show filing totals, case types, and how quickly cases move through the system.
Legal Resources for Leon County
Free resources exist for anyone needing help with a court case in Leon County. TexasLawHelp provides guides on family law, debt, housing, and other civil issues. The Texas State Law Library offers free access to statutes, court rules, and research databases online.
The State Bar of Texas has a lawyer referral service covering the Central Texas region. Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents in the Leon County area. They handle family law, housing, and public benefits cases.
The Texas State Law Library homepage below is a free resource for anyone working on a Leon County court case.
Library staff can help you find the right statutes and procedural rules for your situation, whether online or at their Austin location.
Nearby Texas Counties
Leon County sits along the I-45 corridor in Central Texas. Each neighboring county maintains separate court docket records through their own District Clerk offices.