Ellis County Court Records
Ellis County court records constitute the official collection of documents and data generated during legal proceedings within the county’s judicial system. The county maintains court records to preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings and ensure public transparency. Specifically, these records are maintained by the clerks of court or the particular court that heard the case. For example, the District Clerk arranges and maintains case records for the three Judicial District Courts within the county. All records custodians maintain case documents and information in accordance with the laws and regulations.
Court records are a key source of legal insight, often linking to and enriching other official documents. For instance, merging state court records with federal case files offers a complete picture of an individual’s legal history across both state and federal criminal justice systems. Furthermore, records related to divorce and marriage contribute to the vital statistics maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Are Ellis County Court Records Public?
Yes. Under the Texas Judiciary’s Open Records Policy, most court records are presumed open to the public. As such, anyone has the right to request access to this information from an official custodian (a court or a clerk’s office).
While court records are generally public, specific interests necessitate exceptions to disclosure. For instance, to maintain privacy, courts commonly seal or restrict access to records related to family cases and those involving minors. Additionally, state rules prevent the public filing of documents that contain sensitive personal information, which includes social security numbers, bank account numbers, or the home addresses of minors.
What Information is Available in Ellis County Court Records?
Court records in Ellis County include a variety of information and documents specific to the proceeding that was heard in a court of law. These records are maintained by each court or the court clerk’s office.
For example, the County Clerk’s records include all minutes, orders, and official bonds generated by the Commissioners Court. Additionally, this office maintains vital records such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and cattle brand registrations.
District Clerk records provide detailed accounts of civil, criminal, and family law proceedings within the Judicial District Courts. These files typically contain court judgments, executions issued by the judge, and returns on those executions. They also document child support payments, trust accounts for minors, and a full index of parties involved in litigation.
General court dockets list the names of parties and their attorneys, the nature of each action, and specific rulings made by the presiding judge.
Ellis County Court Records Search
Ellis County courts offer multiple avenues for accessing court records, including online, in-person, and mail-based options. For instance, both the County Clerk and District Clerk maintain an online portal that allows individuals to view and print court records. While searching the index is free, users must register a verified account to purchase and download full images.
The specific clerk’s office to query depends on the case type. Case in point:
- District Clerk: For felonies and divorces.
- County Clerk: For misdemeanors, probate, and guardianship matters.
Individuals can also visit or write to the courthouse where a case was filed for records access. For example, individuals may use public access terminals at the Courts and Administration building, 109 South Jackson, in Waxahachie, to access case records held by the County Clerk. These computers are available during regular operating hours on weekdays. For mail-based requests to the County Clerk’s office, individuals can send documentation to P.O. Box 250, Waxahachie, TX 75168. Requesters must make checks payable to the Ellis County Clerk and ensure they are no more than 90 days old. Finally, for general questions about procedures or current fees, residents may call the main office line at (972) 825 -5070.
Fees for Court Records in Ellis County
Ellis County applies standardized fees for the reproduction and certification of court documents. These fees vary by court, so verification with the appropriate office is essential. For example, copies of Commissioners Court records cost $1 per page, and a $5 certification fee per document. Electronic copies of documents up to ten pages cost a flat rate of $1, while documents exceeding ten pages incur a charge of 10 cents per additional page.
Ellis County Courthouse Locations
Ellis County operates a multi-tiered judicial system composed of trial-level courts that handle specific case types within their respective jurisdictions. The Judicial District Courts specifically adjudicate family law matters such as divorce and child custody. Simultaneously, the County Courts at Law process misdemeanor cases, probate, guardianship, and mental health commitments. Justice of the Peace Courts throughout the county manage small claims and Class C misdemeanors, while Municipal Courts focus on traffic violations and city ordinance infractions.
Ellis County, Texas Courts
Ellis County 40th District Court
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
Third Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5060
Fax: (972) 825-5061
Ellis County 378th District Court
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
2nd Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5014
Fax: (972) 825-5016
Ellis County 443rd District Court
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
Third Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5284
Fax: (972) 825-5276
Ellis County Constitutional Court
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
2nd Floor
PO Box 250
Waxahachie, TX 75168
Phone: (972) 825-5070
Fax: (972) 825-5075
Ellis County Court at Law No. 1
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
2nd Floor
PO Box 250
Waxahachie, TX 75168
Phone: (972) 825-5070
Fax: (972) 825-5075
Ellis County Court at Law No. 2
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
2nd Floor
PO Box 250
Waxahachie, TX 75168
Phone: (972) 825-5070
Fax: (972) 825-5075
Ellis County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
207 South Sonoma Trail
Ennis, TX 75119
Phone: (972) 825-5319
Fax: (972) 875-6819
Ellis County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
701 S I-35 East
Suite 1
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5022
Fax: (972) 825-5025
Ellis County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Ellis County Courthouse
101 West Main Street
Suite 106
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5030
Fax: (972) 825-5033
Ellis County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
301 North 8th Street
Midlothian, TX 76065
Phone: (972) 825-5310
Fax: (972) 723-8629
Bardwell Municipal Court
PO Box 271
Bardwell, TX 75101
Phone: (972) 646-5332
Ennis Municipal Court
119 West Brown Street
PO Box 220
Ennis, TX 75120
Phone: (972) 875-4457
Fax: (972) 875-9738
Ferris Municipal Court
104 South Central Street
Ferris, TX 75125
Phone: (972) 842-2028
Garrett Municipal Court
208 North Ferris Street
Garrett, TX 75119
Phone: (972) 875-1136
Italy Municipal Court
161 West Main Street
PO Box 840
Italy, TX 76651
Phone: (972) 483-7329 ext. 106
Fax: (972) 483-2800
Maypearl Municipal Court
104 East 2nd Street
PO Box 400
Maypearl, TX 76064
Phone: (972) 435-2380
Fax: (972) 435-2082
Midlothian Municipal Court
1150 North Highway 67
Suite 200
Midlothian, TX 76065
Phone: (972) 775-8932
Milford Municipal Court
PO Box 26
Milford, TX 76670
Phone: (972) 493-4193
Fax: (972) 493-5981
Oak Leaf Municipal Court
301 Locust Drive
Oak Leaf, TX 75154
Phone: (972) 617-2660
Ovilla Municipal Court
105 South Cockrell Hill Road
Ovilla, TX 75154
Phone: (972) 617-7262
Palmer Municipal Court
113 West Jefferson Street
PO Box 489
Palmer, TX 75152
Phone: 972-449-3272
Fax: (972) 449-3274
Pecan Hill Municipal Court
1094 South Lowrance Road
Pecan Hill, TX 75154
Phone: (972) 617-6274
Red Oak Municipal Court
101 Live Oak
Red Oak, TX 75154
Phone: (469) 218-7700
Fax: (469) 218-1216
Waxahachie Municipal Court
401 South Rogers Street
PO Box 757
Waxahachie, TX 75168
Phone: (469) 309-4070
Criminal Records Access in Ellis County
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) manages official state-level criminal history checks rather than the Ellis County courts. DPS operates a paid database, the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system, which includes arrests, prosecutions, and dispositions for Class B misdemeanors or greater offenses reported to the state. Users may access these state-level records through the conviction name search portal.
Locally, the Ellis County Clerk maintains misdemeanor court records, while the District Clerk handles felony files. Members of the public can view local criminal case information via the clerks’ online court records portal. Additionally, the clerks’ offices provide public access computers for in-person searches during regular business hours. These local resources track local criminal case outcomes but do not replace the comprehensive criminal history reporting provided by the state.
Ellis County Probate Records
The Ellis County Clerk is the official custodian of the Ellis County probate records, which are essential for managing asset distribution and protecting vulnerable individuals. These records include wills and probate filings, trust administration papers, and documents related to mental health commitments.
Probate matters commonly involve validating a deceased person’s last will, overseeing estate administrations, and establishing guardianships or conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults.
Many probate documents can be searched for and purchased via the County Clerk’s official online portal. However, certain probate information remains confidential or restricted by law to safeguard sensitive family and medical details. While recent filings are often available digitally, older or more extensive records may necessitate a physical visit to the Courts and Administration building in Waxahachie.
Ellis County Family Court Records
The Ellis County District Clerk manages family law records, including records of divorce, child custody, and name changes. In Ellis County, the 378th Judicial District Court specializes exclusively in these matters. Litigants also rely on the District Clerk to administer child support payments and minor trust accounts.
While the county offers an online portal for searching and purchasing these records, state law and court rules may restrict access to family cases or redact sensitive information to protect minors. For certified copies, individuals can visit or submit written requests to the District Clerk’s office. The office charges $1 per page for copies and a $5 certification fee.
Federal Court Records in Ellis County
Federal judicial matters for Ellis County fall under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The U.S. District Clerk’s Office serves as the primary custodian for these records, answering procedural questions and providing copies of documents from court files.
For electronic access, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service provides users with instant access to over 1 billion federal court documents. PACER users can search by specific court or utilize a nationwide index to locate party details or case numbers. Accessing case information through PACER costs 10 cents per page, with a $3 cap per document, though fees are waived if quarterly charges remain at $30 or less.
