Fort Bend County Civil Court Records
Fort Bend County civil court records are on file at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Richmond. The District Clerk handles district court civil cases, family law matters, and felony records. The County Clerk manages county court civil cases, probate filings, real property records, and other official documents. Fort Bend County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, covering communities like Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford southwest of Houston. If you need to find a civil court case or get documents from Fort Bend County, this page covers your options online and in person.
Fort Bend County Overview
Fort Bend County District Clerk
The Fort Bend County District Clerk's office handles all district court civil cases filed in the county. This includes civil suits, family law matters such as divorce and custody, and other district court filings. The District Clerk is located at 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469. The phone number is (281) 341-8600. You can also find information and search records online at fortbendcountytx.gov.
Fort Bend County has multiple district courts due to its large and growing population. Multiple district courts handle the volume of civil, family, and criminal cases filed each year. The District Clerk keeps all records from these courts, including the original petition, all filings, court orders, and the final judgment in each case. Staff can search by party name, case number, or attorney name.
The Fort Bend County Clerk is also at 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469, with the same phone number (281) 341-8600. The County Clerk handles county court civil records, probate, real property, and marriage license records. Both offices are in the same building, making it easy to check both while in Richmond.
| District Clerk Office | Fort Bend County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 |
| Phone | (281) 341-8600 |
| Website | fortbendcountytx.gov/government/courts |
| County Seat | Richmond, TX |
How to Search Fort Bend County Civil Records
Fort Bend County has a case search portal available through the county courts website. You can search civil, family, and criminal records by case number, party name, or attorney. Visit fortbendcountytx.gov to access the search tool. This portal is a good starting point for recent filings and active cases.
You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX portal to search Fort Bend County district court civil cases. This system is free and covers district court filings across all Texas counties. It shows docket entries and basic case information. The two systems complement each other, and sometimes one will show more detail than the other.
In-person searches at the courthouse in Richmond give you access to the full case file. Staff at the District Clerk office can pull records by name or case number. Bring your ID. Copies cost a per-page fee plus a certification charge for certified copies. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
Note: Fort Bend County processes a high volume of civil cases. For complex searches across multiple years, an in-person visit or a written records request may give you the most complete results.
Types of Civil Records in Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County civil court records cover a wide range of case types. The District Clerk's office holds district court civil cases, which include large civil suits for money damages, property disputes, and family law matters. Family law records cover divorce, custody, child support, and adoptions. The County Clerk holds county court civil cases, probate records, deed and land records, and marriage licenses.
Civil court records in Fort Bend County include:
- Civil suits and money damage claims in district court
- Family law cases including divorce and child custody orders
- Probate and estate records at the County Clerk
- Real property records, deeds, and liens
- County court civil cases
- Judgment abstracts and court orders
- Felony criminal records in district court
Most civil court records in Fort Bend County are public under the Texas Public Information Act. Court files include the petition, motions, and orders. Financial records filed as exhibits may be restricted. Records involving juveniles or sealed by court order are not publicly available.
Civil Court Rules and Access in Fort Bend County
Civil cases in Fort Bend County follow the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. These statewide rules govern filing, service, discovery, and trial. All Texas counties use the same procedural framework. Fort Bend County has local rules as well, which the clerk office can provide or you can find posted at the courthouse.
Public access to civil court records is protected by Texas Government Code Chapter 552. You can submit a written records request to either clerk office. The office has ten business days to respond. Most civil records will be provided. Records sealed by court order or restricted by statute will not be released.
Clerk duties and fee rules are set out in Texas Government Code Chapter 51 for district courts. County court rules fall under Texas Government Code Chapter 26. All civil filers in Fort Bend County must use eFileTexas for electronic submissions unless they qualify for an exemption.
Legal Help in Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County has legal aid and bar resources available. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 connects you with a licensed attorney. You can also search for lawyers serving Fort Bend County at texasbar.com. Attorneys in Sugar Land, Richmond, and the Houston area handle civil cases here regularly.
Lone Star Legal Aid serves Fort Bend County and provides free civil legal help to people with low income. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org for more information on eligibility and services. For free self-help resources and court forms, visit TexasLawHelp.org. Official forms and procedural guides are also at txcourts.gov.
Searching Fort Bend County Records Online
The re:SearchTX statewide portal gives free online access to Fort Bend County district court civil records by party name or cause number.
You can view docket entries for Fort Bend County civil cases in re:SearchTX without visiting the Richmond courthouse.
Cities in Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County includes several major cities southwest of Houston. All civil cases in these cities are filed at the Fort Bend County District Clerk or County Clerk offices in Richmond.
Other Fort Bend County communities include Stafford, Rosenberg, Pearland (partial), Katy (partial), and Richmond. Civil court cases from all these areas go through the Fort Bend County courts in Richmond.
Nearby Counties
Fort Bend County is surrounded by several large Texas counties. If you need civil records from a neighboring county, the links below will direct you to the right page.