Find Civil Court Records in Galveston County
Galveston County civil court records are filed and maintained at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Galveston. 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. Galveston County covers the barrier island city of Galveston along with mainland communities including League City, Texas City, and Friendswood. If you need to find a civil case or get court documents from Galveston County, this page covers your options both online and in person.
Galveston County Overview
Galveston County District Clerk
The Galveston County District Clerk's office is located at 600 59th Street, Galveston, TX 77551. The phone number is (409) 766-2200. You can find more information and search for cases online at galvestoncountytx.gov. The District Clerk handles all district court civil cases in the county, including civil suits, family law cases, and felony criminal matters. Staff can search by party name, case number, or attorney.
The Galveston County Clerk's office is at the same address: 600 59th Street, Galveston, TX 77551, with the same phone number (409) 766-2200. The County Clerk maintains county court civil records, probate filings, real property records, and marriage licenses. Both offices are open during standard weekday business hours. Because both are in the same building, you can often take care of multiple record needs in one visit.
Galveston County has multiple district courts that handle civil and family law cases. The county covers a large coastal area with a substantial population. The courts process a significant number of civil filings each year. The District Clerk keeps all of these records and can provide copies to the public.
| District Clerk | Galveston County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 59th Street, Galveston, TX 77551 |
| Phone | (409) 766-2200 |
| Website | galvestoncountytx.gov |
| County Seat | Galveston, TX |
How to Search Galveston County Civil Records
Galveston County has a case search system available online. Visit galvestoncountytx.gov to access the portal. You can search civil, criminal, and family court records by case number or party name. This is a good starting point for finding active cases and recent filings.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal is another free option for searching Galveston County district court civil cases. This system covers district court filings across all Texas counties. You can search by party name or cause number and view docket entries. Both systems may have the same cases but sometimes differ in the level of detail shown.
For in-person record access, visit the courthouse complex at 600 59th Street in Galveston. Staff at the District Clerk office can look up cases by name or cause number and make copies. The County Clerk handles property and probate records. Bring a valid ID. Copies cost a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
Note: For complex civil record searches spanning many years, an in-person visit or written request to the Galveston County District Clerk may give you the most thorough results.
Galveston County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Galveston County are maintained at two levels. The District Clerk holds district court civil case records including civil suits, family law filings, and judgments. The County Clerk holds county court civil records, probate files, deed records, and other official documents. Both sets are public unless sealed by court order.
Records commonly found in Galveston County include civil suits and judgments, family law cases including divorce and custody, child support orders, probate and estate records, real property deeds and liens, and county court civil matters. These records date back many years. Under the Texas Public Information Act at Texas Government Code Chapter 552, you have the right to request these records. The clerk must respond within ten business days.
Civil Court Rules in Galveston County
Civil cases in Galveston County follow the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. The same statewide procedural rules that apply in every Texas county apply here. Galveston County may also have local court rules for its individual district courts, which you can get from the clerk's office or find posted at the courthouse.
All civil filers in Galveston County must use eFileTexas for electronic submissions. This is required for most represented parties in district and county courts. Clerk duties and fee rules are set by Texas Government Code Chapter 51 for district courts and Texas Government Code Chapter 26 for county courts. Filing fees vary by case type and include a base amount plus statutory add-ons.
Legal Help for Galveston County Civil Cases
Legal resources in Galveston County are well-developed given the county's size. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with an attorney. You can also search at texasbar.com for lawyers in Galveston, League City, or the Houston area who handle civil cases.
Lone Star Legal Aid serves Galveston County and provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org. For free self-help resources and court forms, visit TexasLawHelp.org. Official court forms and procedural guides are at txcourts.gov.
Online Records Access for Galveston County
The re:SearchTX statewide portal provides free online access to Galveston County district court civil records by party name or cause number.
Search Galveston County civil cases through re:SearchTX to view docket entries without visiting the courthouse at 600 59th Street in Galveston.
Cities in Galveston County
Galveston County includes several major cities on the upper Texas Gulf Coast. Civil cases from all of these cities are filed at the Galveston County District Clerk or County Clerk offices in Galveston.
Other Galveston County communities include Texas City, Friendswood, Dickinson, La Marque, and Galveston itself. All civil court filings from across the county go through the Galveston County courts.
Nearby Counties
Galveston County is on the upper Texas Gulf Coast southeast of Houston. These neighboring counties have their own clerk offices for civil court records.