Find Civil Court Records in Hays County

Hays County civil court records are maintained at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos by both the District Clerk and the County Clerk. Hays County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, and its court system handles a high volume of civil filings including contract disputes, personal injury cases, property matters, and family law cases. You can search civil court records online through the county's portal, in person at the courthouse, or through the statewide Texas courts search system. Both clerk offices provide copies of civil records to the public.

Hays County District Clerk

The Hays County District Clerk is Avrey Anderson. The office is at the Hays County Government Center, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2211, San Marcos, TX 78666. Phone is (512) 393-7660. Fax is (512) 393-7661. Email is distclerk@co.hays.tx.us. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office provides records management for district courts, handles the child support registry, maintains court registry funds, coordinates jury service, and processes nondisclosure applications.

Hays County has two judicial districts. The 22nd Judicial District and the 453rd Judicial District both serve Hays County. Civil cases go through these district courts depending on case type and assignment. County Courts at Law (two of them) handle civil cases up to $200,000, criminal matters, and probate. Justice courts in five precincts handle small claims up to $10,000.

Civil and family digital records go back to 2006. Criminal digital records go back to 2008. Older records are available in archives and on microfilm. For civil records from before 2006, contact the District Clerk's office directly to ask about availability and request procedures.

Records you can request from the District Clerk include all district court civil cases with unlimited dollar jurisdiction, felony criminal records, family court matters such as divorce, custody, and adoption, and juvenile records with restricted access. Mental health commitment records are also available under limited conditions.

Search Hays County Civil Records Online

The Hays County website provides online access to civil court records at hayscountytx.gov/records-search. You can search by party name, case number, attorney name, attorney bar number, date range, case type, and court division. The system covers all district court civil case types including family law.

For a broader search that covers multiple Texas counties at once, use the statewide re:SearchTX portal. This tool lets you search Hays County civil cases by party name or case number without needing to know which specific court handled the case. It is run by the Texas Office of Court Administration and is free to use.

The Hays County records search at hayscountytx.gov/records-search gives you access to district court civil filings, case status, and party information for Hays County cases.

Electronic filing for Hays County civil cases is done through the statewide eFileTexas system. It is required for attorneys and available to pro se litigants. The system accepts filings 24 hours a day. Payment options at the District Clerk include credit cards (MasterCard, Visa), LegalEase through Frost Bank, cash, and check or money order.

Hays County Clerk

The Hays County Clerk is Elaine Cardenas. The office is at the Hays Government Center, 712 South Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008, San Marcos, TX 78666. Main phone is (512) 393-7338. Records Division phone is (512) 393-7330. Fax is (512) 393-7335. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The County Clerk handles county court at law civil records, misdemeanor criminal matters, probate, real property records, marriage licenses, and assumed name filings.

You can access the County Clerk's online portal at hayscountytx.gov/county-clerk and search records directly at hayscountytx.gov/county-clerk/records. Property records can be searched by grantor or grantee name, document type, date range, book and page reference, legal description, or instrument number. Property records go back to 1848. Marriage records also go back to 1848. Digital conversion covers records from 1986 forward.

Recording fees at the County Clerk are $26.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Non-certified copies are $1.00 per page. Marriage licenses cost $82.00. Assumed name filings are $25.00.

Note: For court cost waivers, file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. Forms are at txcourts.gov/rules-forms.

Legal Help for Hays County Civil Cases

Several organizations can help with civil legal matters in Hays County. Lone Star Legal Aid covers the Central Texas region and provides civil legal help for low-income clients at (800) 733-8394 or lonestarlegal.org. The State Bar of Texas referral service is at (800) 252-9690, and attorney searches are available at texasbar.com. Self-help guides and official court forms are at texaslawhelp.org and txcourts.gov/rules-forms. Texas statutes relevant to civil cases are at statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

Cities in Hays County

Hays County includes San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, and other fast-growing communities. No cities in Hays County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All district court civil cases are filed at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hays County in Central Texas.