Find Family Court Records in Bastrop County

Bastrop County family court records are filed and maintained at the District Clerk's office at 804 Pecan Street in Bastrop, Texas. These records cover all family law cases heard in the county's district court, including divorces, custody matters, child support orders, and protective orders. You can search for cases in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the statewide re:SearchTX portal for more recent electronic filings. This page explains how to find and request Bastrop County family court records and who to contact for help.

Bastrop County District Clerk

The Bastrop County District Clerk handles all family court filings and maintains the official records for every case heard in district court. This includes the full case file for each divorce, custody proceeding, child support case, and protective order filed in the county. If you need to get a copy of a divorce decree or look up a custody case, this is the office to contact.

The District Clerk's office is located at 804 Pecan Street in Bastrop, the county seat. Rose Pietsch serves as the Bastrop County Clerk and handles vital records, while the District Clerk, located at the same address, maintains the court case files. Both offices can help direct you to the right records depending on what you need.

Bastrop County is one of the faster-growing counties in Central Texas, sitting east of Austin. The county has seen significant population growth in recent years, which means more filings going through the district court. If you are searching for a recent case, the online tools described below are a good starting point.

How to Search Bastrop County Family Court Records

The primary online tool for searching Bastrop County family court records is the re:SearchTX system, the Texas Judicial Branch's official court records portal. It covers cases filed electronically through eFileTexas and allows you to search by case number, party name, or date. Coverage starts around November 2018 for most counties. This tool provides unofficial copies. For certified copies, you need to contact the District Clerk directly.

For older cases and in-person access, go to the District Clerk's office at 804 Pecan Street. Bring the name of at least one party to the case or a cause number if you have it. Staff can search records and tell you what documents are on file. You can request standard copies or certified copies depending on what you need.

The county's case search portal allows searching by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show case status and access to docket entries. Some records may not be available online and require an in-person request. Financial information in case files may be redacted. Sealed cases and cases involving minors may have limited access.

The eFileTexas.gov system is used by attorneys to file new cases and documents. Looking at the Texas e-filing portal helps illustrate how court filings are processed across Texas.

The eFileTexas.gov system is the official statewide e-filing platform used by attorneys and available to self-represented parties filing family court cases in Bastrop County and across Texas.

Types of Family Court Cases in Bastrop County

The Bastrop County District Court handles all major family law matters. Divorce cases are the most common filing. These include agreed divorces where both parties sign off on a settlement and contested cases that require a judge to decide disputed issues. The court file for a divorce in Bastrop County includes the petition, any responses, property settlement documents, and the Final Decree of Divorce. That final decree is the document most people need for name changes, refinancing, or other legal purposes.

Custody and conservatorship cases, known in Texas as Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR), are also filed here. These cases establish which parent has the right to make major decisions for the children and set out the possession schedule. Texas Family Code Chapter 153 governs these decisions and sets the best interest of the child as the main standard. Modification cases, where a parent seeks to change an existing order, follow the same process.

Child support cases are handled by the district court, with enforcement handled separately by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. Support amounts are set using guidelines in Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Protective order cases and adoption cases are also part of the family court docket in Bastrop County.

Filing Procedures in Bastrop County

To start a divorce or family court case in Bastrop County, you must meet the Texas residency rule. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Bastrop County for at least 90 days before filing. The case is started by filing an Original Petition with the District Clerk. After filing, the other party must be served with the petition and citation.

Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period after the divorce petition is filed before a court can grant the divorce. This comes from Texas Family Code Section 6.702. The wait period exists even in agreed divorces. It can be waived when there is a history of family violence. After the wait period, if both parties agree on everything, an agreed final decree can be submitted for the judge to sign.

All attorneys must file through eFileTexas.gov. Self-represented parties can also use e-filing or bring paper documents to the clerk's office in person. The Texas courts rules and forms page has approved statewide forms and local rules posted by each court. Check there for any Bastrop County-specific local rules before you file.

Fees and Public Access

Bastrop County follows standard Texas fee structures for record copies. Standard paper copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry a certification fee in addition to the per-page cost. Contact the District Clerk at (512) 332-7244 for the current fee schedule. Vital records such as birth certificates cost $23.00 and death certificates cost $21.00 through the County Clerk.

Most family court records in Bastrop County are public records under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Anyone can request copies of public case files. Some documents are protected. Financial source documents submitted under seal, minor children's personal information, and sealed case records are not public. Social Security numbers are redacted from copies made for the public.

If you cannot afford filing fees or copy costs, you can ask the court to waive fees by filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. This form is available from the clerk's office or on the Texas courts website. The court reviews your financial situation and decides if you qualify.

Note: For a statewide divorce index, contact Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. Certified divorce decrees still come from the Bastrop County District Clerk for divorces filed in this county.

Legal Help in Bastrop County

Bastrop County residents have access to several legal help resources. The Texas Judicial Branch offers a statewide self-help program for people representing themselves in family court. Visit txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help for guides covering common family law situations. This resource is free and designed for non-lawyers.

TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org provides plain-language guides, forms, and instructions for family law cases across Texas. The site covers divorce, custody, child support, protective orders, and modifications. Most guides are step-by-step and designed to help people who cannot afford an attorney handle their own filings.

The Texas State Law Library maintains a comprehensive guide to family law forms at guides.sll.texas.gov. It includes links to SAPCR forms, custody modification kits, paternity packets, and temporary restraining order toolkits. Texas residents can access the library's digital collections for free.

Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Central Texas area and may be able to help qualifying residents of Bastrop County with free legal services in family law matters. Call their intake line or visit their website for information on eligibility. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is available at (800) 252-9690 if you need a private attorney.

Cities in Bastrop County

Bastrop County includes Bastrop and several other communities including Smithville, Elgin, Cedar Creek, and Rosanky. All family court cases for residents anywhere in the county are filed at the Bastrop County District Court on Pecan Street. No individual cities in Bastrop County currently have separate city pages , but all residents use the same county district court for family law matters.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bastrop County. If you are unsure which court handles your family law case, check which county you live in and file there.