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Ector County, Texas State Court Records

Court records in Ector County are the official records of all proceedings in the county’s judicial system. A court record is created when a case is filed, and it remains open until the case is closed. The record is then filed with the Clerk of Court for preservation and may be moved to an off-site location for archiving when the case is closed and deemed inactive.

Court records are not subject to the Texas Public Information Act; however, they are an integral part of the county’s public record system, working with other public records, such as vital records and arrest records.

Are Ector County Court Records Public?

Yes. Under Texas common law and court rules, Ector County court records are presumptively public. Court records are often confused with being governed by the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), like other public records; however, that is not the case, as the TPIA specifically excludes the judiciary.

While court records are presumptively public, access is not absolute. Some records are restricted from the public to protect minors or for privacy and safety reasons. Such records include juvenile records, mental health proceedings, cases involving sexual assault victims, sensitive personal information, and sealed and expunged records.

What Information is Available in Ector County Court Records?

The following information is typically publicly accessible when researching court records in Ector County.

  • Party information
  • Case information
  • Docket sheet
  • Filing documents
  • Hearing summaries
  • Judicial actions

Ector County Court Records Search

Ector County court records may be accessed in the following ways.

Online Access

Court records in Ector County may be accessed online through the Ector County Public Portal. The portal enables users to search for case records and court hearings of the District Courts and the County Courts at Law. Users may search for a record using the case number or the name of an individual involved in the case.

Online access to court records in the county is basic, meaning individuals may view public non-confidential information but cannot download or print documents. The ability to download documents is reserved for individuals with enhanced access. Enhanced access requires registration and an annual subscription and is generally available to attorneys, investigators, bondsmen, and approved agencies.

In-Person Access

Members of the public can visit the courthouse where the case was heard (the Ector County courthouse or the Odessa Municipal Court) to access a court record. Individuals visiting the courthouse should go with sufficient details about the record, such as the case number or the names of the parties in the case, so that the record can be located. An ID card may also be necessary if planning to access a confidential record. Requesters will be charged a fee to obtain copies of a record.

Mail and Phone Requests

Individuals may obtain a copy of a court record via mail in Ector County by sending a request in writing to the Clerk of Court’s Office, where the record is maintained. The request should include the case number, party names, and the specific documents needed. A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) should also be included in the request, along with payment for the required copies.

Fees for Court Records in Ector County

Below is the fee schedule used to charge individuals who request copies of Ector County court records.

  • Paper copies: $1 per page
  • Electronic copies: $1 per page for the first 10 pages and then 10 cents per page for each additional page
  • Certified copies: $5 per document plus the applicable copy fee
  • Exemplified copies: $5 for District Court records and $10 for County Court at Law records, both in addition to the standard copy fees.
  • Probate record search with certificate: $5 per name
  • Birth Certificate: $23 per copy
  • Death Certificate: $21 for the initial copy and $4 each for additional copies requested at the same time
  • Marriage certificate: $21 per copy

Ector County Courthouse Locations

The Ector County trial court system is organized into a hierarchy based on the severity of the case. The District Courts handle the most serious matters, like felonies and large civil lawsuits; the County Courts at Law handle mid-level cases, like misdemeanors and probate; and the Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts deal with minor offenses and small claims. The addresses of the courts are below.

Ector County Courthouse

300 North Grant Avenue

Odessa, TX 79761

District Court Phone: (432) 498-4290

County Courts at Law Phone: (432) 498-4130

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 Phone: (432) 498-4130

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 Phone: (432) 498-202

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Phone: (432) 498-203

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 Phone: (432) 498-204

Odessa Municipal Court

201 North Grant Avenue

Odessa. TX 79761

Phone: (432) 335-3300

Fax: (432) 335-3316

Criminal Records Access in Ector County

Individuals who want to access a criminal record in Ector County have to first determine the appropriate custodian to whom to direct their request. Law enforcement is the custodian of criminal records, like arrest records and criminal history records, while the judiciary maintains criminal case files.

Local access to criminal case files is furnished by the courts. Inquirers may visit the appropriate Clerk of Court’s Office, provide a name or case number, pay the applicable fees, and receive a copy of the record. To obtain an arrest record, inquirers may contact the arresting agency or the Sheriff’s Office.

However, criminal history report access is handled at the state level by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Individuals can access a record by conducting a Criminal History Name Search online. A name search can be done by anyone and costs $1 per name. A fingerprint-based search can also be conducted for review of one’s criminal history record. Individuals are generally barred from obtaining the record of another individual through a fingerprint-based search.

Ector County Probate Records

Ector County probate records are documents maintained by the Ector County Probate Department detailing the process of settling a decedent’s or incapacitated person’s estate. Probate records include the decedent’s last will and testament, appraisements, inventories, claims, affidavits, and court orders.

Probate records in the county, like in all of Texas, are presumed public; however, some records are protected and inaccessible to the public. Such protected records include birth and death certificates (confidential for 75 and 25 years, respectively), social security numbers, bank account numbers, and sealed records.

Probate records are available for viewing online on the Ector County Public Portal. Researchers may search for a record by name or case number. Inquirers may also visit the Ector County courthouse to access the record at the County Clerk’s Office. Probate searches cost $5 per name.

Ector County Family Court Records

Family court records generally involve sensitive matters regarding domestic relationships and children in Ector County. Such cases involve divorce, adoptions, child support and custody, paternity, protective orders, and termination of parental rights.

In 2018, a transfer order was issued centralizing all family-related matters under the jurisdiction of the 446th District Court to ensure consistent rulings. Interested persons may search for public family court records on the Ector County Public Portal or visit the District Clerk’s Office to obtain certified copies of the record.

Federal Court Records in Ector County

Ector County federal court records are heard by the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, specifically the Midland-Odessa Division. Federal cases are neither heard nor filed with local county courts, but with the federal court.

Most federal court records can be accessed through the Public Access to Electronic Records (PACER) tool. Individuals using the portal must have an account and pay the required fees before a search can be made.