Find Civil Court Records in Fort Worth
Fort Worth civil court records are maintained by the Tarrant County District Clerk, covering all civil cases filed in the district courts and county courts at law that serve the city. If you need to look up a civil lawsuit, find a judgment, or get copies of court filings in Fort Worth, the Tarrant County courthouse is where those records are kept. Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in Texas with about 900,000 residents, and Tarrant County handles a significant volume of civil litigation each year. This guide explains how the civil court system is organized, how to search records online, and what types of civil cases are handled by Fort Worth courts.
Fort Worth Court Overview
Civil Courts Serving Fort Worth
Civil court records for Fort Worth are held by the Tarrant County District Clerk. The courthouse is the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center and the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building complex in downtown Fort Worth. The District Clerk's main office for civil records is at 200 Taylor Street, Suite 400, Fort Worth, TX 76196. Phone: (817) 884-1574. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Their website is tarrantcountytx.gov/district-clerk.
Tarrant County has more than 30 district courts handling civil and criminal matters. The civil courts deal with personal injury cases, commercial litigation, real estate disputes, and family law matters. County Courts at Law cover civil cases in the mid-range, up to $200,000. Small claims under $20,000 go to Justice of the Peace courts.
| Office | Tarrant County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Taylor Street, Suite 400, Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Phone | (817) 884-1574 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | tarrantcountytx.gov/en/district-clerk |
The Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building is dedicated to civil matters and is where most civil court hearings are held. It's located on the south side of downtown Fort Worth near Weatherford Street. The courthouse complex requires security screening at the entrance.
Search Fort Worth Civil Court Records
Tarrant County provides an online case search tool through the District Clerk's portal. You can look up civil cases by party name, cause number, or case type. The portal shows party listings, case status, docket entries, and filed documents. Visit the Tarrant County District Clerk's website to access the public search. The online records cover most cases filed since the mid-1990s.
The statewide re:SearchTX platform also indexes Tarrant County civil courts. It's a free public tool run by the Office of Court Administration and covers courts across Texas. For electronically filed documents, eFileTexas is the state's mandatory e-filing system, and cases filed there are accessible through both portals.
The Fort Worth Municipal Court handles a separate category of records. That court is at 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102, phone (817) 392-6700, website fortworthtexas.gov/department/courts. Municipal courts handle traffic citations, Class C misdemeanors, and city ordinance violations. If you need civil lawsuit records or judgments, go to the District Clerk's portal rather than the municipal court site.
The Fort Worth Municipal Court handles citation and Class C misdemeanor records separate from the civil district courts at the Tarrant County courthouse.
Types of Civil Cases in Fort Worth
Fort Worth district courts handle all major civil litigation. Personal injury, medical negligence, product liability, and wrongful death suits are common. Commercial cases involving contract disputes, business torts, and real property disputes are a significant part of the civil docket. Family law cases -- divorce, child custody, adoption, and protective orders -- go to the family district courts in Tarrant County.
Probate courts in Tarrant County handle wills, estate administration, and guardianship matters. The County Courts at Law handle mid-range civil disputes up to $200,000. Justice of the Peace courts cover small claims and landlord-tenant disputes under $20,000. These courts are spread across the county's precincts and serve different parts of the Fort Worth metro area.
Federal civil cases involving Fort Worth parties go to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, at 501 W. 10th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Federal records are searchable through PACER.
Get Copies of Fort Worth Civil Records
You can get copies of Fort Worth civil court records from the Tarrant County District Clerk by visiting in person, submitting a mail request, or using the online records system. Certified copies include the clerk's seal and cost more than plain copies. Many documents filed since the mid-1990s are available digitally through the online portal.
For older case files or records not yet digitized, plan to visit in person or call ahead at (817) 884-1574 to confirm availability. Staff can locate the file and let you know turnaround time for copies. The clerk's office can also accept mail requests with a check or money order for the applicable fees.
Note: Bring a valid photo ID and the cause number or party names when visiting the Tarrant County District Clerk in person.
Legal Help in Fort Worth
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is the primary civil legal aid provider for Fort Worth and Tarrant County. They assist income-eligible clients with civil matters including housing, family law, consumer protection, and benefits. Visit lanwt.org for eligibility information and intake options. LANWT does not handle criminal defense or personal injury cases on contingency.
The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is at (800) 252-9690. You can search for Fort Worth attorneys through the online directory at texasbar.com. TexasLawHelp.org provides free guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for common civil legal matters. The Tarrant County Law Library at the courthouse also provides public access to legal research resources.
Tarrant County Civil Court Records
Fort Worth is the county seat of Tarrant County. All civil court filings for the city go through the Tarrant County court system. For information on the full range of courts, filing fees, and the District Clerk's services, visit the Tarrant County civil court records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Fort Worth with civil court record pages: