La Salle County Civil Court Records
La Salle County civil court records are on file at the courthouse in Cotulla. Both the County Clerk and the District Clerk maintain records there for civil cases at both court levels. This page covers the offices, search tools, and costs for accessing La Salle County civil court records online and in person.
La Salle County Overview
La Salle County Clerk and District Clerk
Cristina L. Rodriguez serves as the La Salle County Clerk. The office is at 101 Courthouse Drive in Cotulla. The County Clerk handles county court civil records, probate filings, misdemeanor records, real property documents, marriage licenses, and assumed name certificates. Online records through TexasFile go back to 1986. Visit texasfile.com/la-salle-county-clerk to search with a free account. Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The District Clerk's office is in the same courthouse. La Salle County is served by the 81st Judicial District, which covers La Salle, McMullen, and Live Oak Counties. The 81st District Court handles major civil suits, family law cases, and felony criminal proceedings for La Salle County. Cases are heard in Cotulla when the judge is scheduled there.
| Office | La Salle County Clerk / District Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | Cristina L. Rodriguez |
| Address | La Salle County Courthouse 101 Courthouse Dr. Cotulla, TX 78014 |
| Phone | (830) 879-2162 |
| Fax | (830) 879-3339 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Judicial District | 81st Judicial District (La Salle, McMullen, and Live Oak Counties) |
Civil Cases in La Salle County
Civil cases in La Salle County are heard at both the county and district court levels. The county court handles smaller civil claims, probate filings, and guardianship proceedings. The 81st District Court takes on larger civil suits, family law matters, and felony cases. Because the district judge serves three counties, hearing dates in Cotulla are set around the rotation schedule.
La Salle County is in the Eagle Ford Shale region of South Texas. Mineral rights disputes, oil and gas lease issues, and property matters are among the types of civil cases that come through the courthouse. Probate cases are also common, especially when property passes between generations. All of these records are kept at the courthouse in Cotulla and are generally public.
Family law cases including divorce, custody, and support modifications are filed in the 81st District Court. Texas law governs all of these proceedings. You can find relevant statutes including the Texas Family Code at statutes.capitol.texas.gov. The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure apply to all civil cases in La Salle County just as they do statewide.
Searching La Salle County Civil Court Records
Try re:SearchTX first. This statewide portal is free and lets you search by party name or cause number. It shows docket entries and case status for courts across Texas including the 81st District Court in La Salle County. No account is required.
TexasFile covers La Salle County from 1986 forward. Register free at texasfile.com/la-salle-county-clerk to search recorded instruments and county clerk filings. This is most useful for property records and recorded documents rather than active court cases.
In-person searches are done at the courthouse at 101 Courthouse Drive in Cotulla. Staff in both clerk offices can search by name or cause number. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Mail requests are also accepted at 101 Courthouse Drive, Cotulla, TX 78014. Electronic filing for district court cases is available through eFileTexas.
Note: For legal assistance with civil matters in La Salle County, TexasLawHelp.org has free guides and forms. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is at (800) 252-9690.
Court Fees and Records Access
Filing fees in La Salle County follow the Texas statutory schedule. District court civil filings typically cost $200 to $350 depending on case type and any local surcharges. County court civil filings are generally less. Recording fees are $26.00 for the first page and $4.00 per additional page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Call (830) 879-2162 to confirm current fees before filing.
If you cannot afford court costs, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. The form is available at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov. The court reviews your financial situation and may waive the fees.
Most civil court records in La Salle County are public under the Texas Public Information Act at Texas Government Code Chapter 552. The clerk's office must respond to public records requests. If a record is sealed or restricted, the clerk will tell you why and what steps you can take.
Nearby Counties
La Salle County is in South Texas. These neighboring counties share the 81st Judicial District or border La Salle County.