Are court records public in Texas? Generally, yes. Most civil lawsuits, judgments, court orders, and other filed documents are available for public inspection. However, certain records are confidential, restricted, or sealed under Texas law.

Whether you are searching for a lawsuit against a business, reviewing a divorce proceeding, investigating a probate matter, or checking the outcome of an eviction case, understanding how Texas court records work can save time and prevent confusion.

Texas law strongly favors public access to court proceedings. Nevertheless, that access is not unlimited.

This article explains which Texas court records are public, how to find them, when courts can seal them, and what individuals and businesses can do to protect confidential information.

Are Court Records Public Information in Texas?

Most Texas civil court records are public unless a specific law, court rule, or judicial order restricts access.

Publicly accessible records commonly include:

• Original petitions and complaints
• Answers and counterclaims
• Motions and responses
• Court orders
• Final judgments
• Certain exhibits and supporting documents
• Docket information
• Records of hearings and proceedings

For example, if someone files a breach-of-contract lawsuit in a Texas district court, the petition will ordinarily become part of the public court file.

Members of the public generally do not need to be parties to the lawsuit to inspect that filing.

However, a public court record is not necessarily available online. Some records require an in-person request, and others may be accessible only through the clerk's office.

What Does Texas Government Code § 22.010 Say About Court Records?

Texas Government Code § 22.010 addresses the sealing of civil court records.

The statute provides:

The supreme court shall adopt rules establishing guidelines for the courts of this state to use in determining whether in the interest of justice the records in a civil case, including settlements, should be sealed.

This provision is significant because it directs the Texas Supreme Court to establish rules governing when civil court records may be sealed.

Those rules include Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a, which establishes a presumption of public access for covered civil court records.

Importantly, § 22.010 does not itself declare every judicial document public. Instead, it provides statutory authority for the rules governing the sealing of civil court records.

The distinction matters because different categories of court records may be governed by different statutes and procedural rules.

How Can You Search for Court Records in Texas?

People frequently ask whether they can search Texas court records online without hiring an attorney.

In many cases, they can.

However, Texas does not maintain one comprehensive public website containing every document filed in every trial court throughout the state.

Court records are generally maintained by the clerk responsible for the particular court.

Step 1: Identify the County Where the Case Was Filed

Most Texas civil lawsuits are filed in district courts, county courts, county courts at law, or justice courts.

For example, someone searching for a civil lawsuit filed in Harris County would ordinarily begin with the appropriate Harris County court records system.

A lawsuit filed in Montgomery County would generally require searching the records maintained for that county.

Knowing the county can significantly narrow the search.

Step 2: Search the Appropriate Court Clerk's Records

Depending on the type of case, the relevant records may be maintained by:

• The district clerk
• The county clerk
• A justice court clerk
• An appellate court clerk

Many counties provide online search systems allowing users to locate cases by party name or case number.

Some systems also allow users to view or purchase copies of filed documents.

Other systems provide only basic information, such as the parties, filing date, scheduled hearings, and case disposition.

Step 3: Search by Name or Case Number

The most useful information generally includes the case number, the names of the parties, the county, and the approximate filing date.

A case number is particularly helpful because people and businesses may have similar names.

When searching by name, remember that a lawsuit may identify a business by its legal entity name rather than the name commonly used by customers.

Step 4: Request Copies From the Clerk

If the document is not available online, contact the appropriate clerk's office.

You may be able to request an ordinary copy or a certified copy.

Certified copies are sometimes necessary for legal proceedings, property transactions, or other official purposes.

Copying and certification fees may apply.

Important: The absence of a document from an online search does not necessarily mean that the document does not exist or is confidential.

Are Texas Divorce Records Public?

Generally, many Texas divorce records are accessible to the public.

A divorce proceeding may generate documents such as an original petition, temporary orders, motions, and a final decree of divorce.

However, family law records require particular care because certain information may be protected by statute, court rule, or judicial order.

For example, records involving children, family violence, or sensitive personal information may be subject to additional confidentiality requirements.

Furthermore, Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a expressly excludes documents filed in actions originally arising under the Texas Family Code from its definition of court records.

That exclusion does not mean every divorce document is automatically confidential.

Rather, access to family law records must be evaluated under the laws and rules applicable to those proceedings.

Can Someone Look Up Your Divorce in Texas?

In many circumstances, yes.

A person who knows the county where a divorce was filed may be able to locate the case and obtain publicly available documents.

However, access to particular information may be restricted.

Anyone concerned about disclosing financial information, children's information, or other sensitive matters should address those concerns before filing documents with the court.

Are Texas Probate Records Public?

Most Texas probate proceedings also generate publicly accessible court records.

These may include:

• Applications to probate wills
• Wills admitted to probate
• Applications for letters testamentary
• Orders admitting wills to probate
• Certain estate inventories
• Applications to determine heirship
• Orders declaring heirship

Public access serves important purposes.

For example, creditors may need to determine whether an estate has been opened. Heirs may need to identify the person appointed to administer an estate. Purchasers may need to examine probate records when determining ownership of inherited real property.

However, not every document concerning an estate must be publicly filed.

Texas law permits certain estate information to be handled through alternative procedures.

For example, under Texas Estates Code § 309.056, qualifying independent executors may file an affidavit in lieu of an inventory, appraisement, and list of claims when the statutory requirements are satisfied.

This can reduce the amount of detailed estate information appearing in the public court file.

Are Business Lawsuits and Contract Disputes Public?

Generally, yes.

Commercial lawsuits frequently involve contracts, financial disagreements, ownership disputes, employment relationships, and allegations of misconduct.

Once documents are filed with a court, they may become publicly accessible even when they concern private business relationships.

For example, a lawsuit alleging breach of a commercial lease might disclose:

• The identity of the landlord and tenant
• The amount of rent allegedly owed
• Contractual obligations
• Alleged defaults
• Claims for damages
• The relief requested from the court

Business owners sometimes assume that labeling a document "confidential" prevents public disclosure.

That assumption can be mistaken.

A confidentiality provision in a contract does not automatically seal documents filed in court.

Businesses seeking to protect trade secrets or proprietary information may need to pursue appropriate protective measures.

Can Texas Courts Seal Public Court Records?

Yes. However, sealing covered civil court records generally requires more than a party's preference for privacy.

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a establishes the applicable framework for many civil proceedings.

The rule states that covered court records are presumed open to the general public.

Under Rule 76a(1), sealing ordinarily requires a showing of a specific, serious, and substantial interest that clearly outweighs the presumption of openness and any probable adverse effect on public health or safety.

The rule also requires consideration of whether a less restrictive alternative could adequately protect the interest involved.

In other words, a party generally cannot obtain a sealing order merely because the contents of a lawsuit are embarrassing.

What Reasons Might Justify Sealing Court Records?

Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, potential grounds may involve:

• Trade secrets
• Confidential proprietary information
• Significant privacy interests
• Legally protected information
• Other specific interests recognized by law

The party requesting sealing must establish the applicable legal grounds.

Rule 76a also contains procedural requirements concerning written motions, public notice, and hearings.

Importantly, the rule does not apply identically to every type of proceeding or document.

Can an Entire Lawsuit Be Hidden From the Public?

Ordinarily, parties should not assume that an entire civil lawsuit can be concealed.

Even when particular documents qualify for protection, the court may consider whether redaction or another narrower measure would adequately protect the information.

The goal is to protect legitimate interests without unnecessarily restricting public access to judicial proceedings.

What Is the Difference Between a Protective Order and a Sealed Court Record?

A protective order governing discovery is not the same thing as an order sealing court records.

This distinction is particularly important in commercial litigation.

During discovery, parties may exchange documents containing financial information, customer lists, business plans, or other sensitive materials.

A court may issue a protective order under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 192.6 to regulate the disclosure and use of such information.

For example, a protective order may limit access to confidential business documents to the attorneys and designated participants in the litigation.

However, discovery materials exchanged between parties do not necessarily become public court records merely because they were produced during discovery.

If those materials are later filed with the court, separate questions concerning public access and sealing may arise.

Additionally, Rule 76a contains special provisions concerning certain unfiled discovery materials.

The practical lesson is that confidentiality during discovery does not automatically guarantee confidentiality after a document is filed with the court.

What Personal Information Must Be Redacted From Texas Court Filings?

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c addresses privacy protection for documents filed in civil proceedings.

The rule generally prohibits filing certain sensitive information without appropriate redaction unless an exception applies.

Sensitive information can include:

• Social Security numbers
• Driver's license numbers
• Passport numbers
• Tax identification numbers
• Financial account numbers
• Certain birth dates
• Certain residential addresses
• Identifying information concerning minors

The rule contains specific requirements and exceptions, including provisions concerning wills and documents filed under seal.

When a document must contain sensitive information, the filing party must follow applicable notice procedures.

A failure to redact sensitive information can create serious privacy concerns.

Consequently, attorneys and litigants should review documents carefully before filing them.

Are Texas Eviction Records Public?

Generally, yes.

Eviction proceedings in Texas justice courts ordinarily generate records that may be available for public inspection.

These records can include eviction petitions, hearing information, judgments, and certain post-judgment filings.

However, online access varies by court and county.

A landlord, tenant, or other interested person may need to contact the particular justice court to obtain records.

An important distinction is that the filing of an eviction lawsuit does not necessarily mean the landlord prevailed.

An eviction case may be dismissed, settled, or decided in favor of the tenant.

Anyone reviewing an eviction record should examine the actual disposition rather than assuming that the existence of a filing establishes wrongdoing.

Are Criminal Court Records Public in Texas?

Many Texas criminal court records are publicly accessible, but criminal records are governed by legal provisions that differ from those applicable to civil lawsuits.

Certain criminal records may be subject to expunction, nondisclosure, or other statutory restrictions.

Juvenile records may also receive special protection.

An order of nondisclosure and an expunction are different legal remedies, with different requirements and consequences.

Therefore, individuals concerned about the availability of criminal history information should not assume that the civil sealing procedures under Rule 76a provide the appropriate remedy.

Does the Texas Public Information Act Apply to Court Records?

Not in the same manner that it applies to many executive-branch and local-government records.

The Texas Public Information Act, found in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, generally governs access to information held by covered governmental bodies.

However, the judiciary is excluded from the Act's definition of a governmental body.

Texas courts operate under separate rules governing access to court records and certain judicial administrative records.

For example, Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration governs access to specified judicial records, generally concerning judicial administration rather than records filed in individual lawsuits.

Case records and judicial administrative records should not be confused.

A person seeking a filed petition or judgment would ordinarily contact the appropriate court clerk rather than rely solely on a Public Information Act request.

Can You Remove Your Name From a Texas Court Record?

Sometimes information can be corrected, restricted, or sealed when authorized by law.

However, there is no general right to remove one's name from a public civil lawsuit simply because the case is inconvenient or embarrassing.

The available options depend on the nature of the information and the legal basis for requesting protection.

For example, a filing containing improperly disclosed sensitive information may require corrective action under Rule 21c.

A document containing protected commercial information might justify a motion seeking appropriate relief.

Nevertheless, removing information from an official court file does not necessarily eliminate copies previously obtained by third parties.

This is one reason why protecting confidential information before filing is often more effective than attempting to correct an unnecessary disclosure afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Court Records

Can anyone look up a lawsuit in Texas?

Generally, yes. Most civil lawsuits generate public records that can be searched through the appropriate court clerk, subject to applicable restrictions.

Can I search Texas court records for free?

Many counties offer free online searches for basic case information. However, access to document images, copies, or certified records may involve fees.

Can I search Texas court records by name?

Often, yes. Many county court record systems permit searches using a person's or business's name. Search features vary by jurisdiction.

Are court judgments public records in Texas?

Generally, yes. Civil judgments are ordinarily part of the public court file unless a specific legal restriction applies.

Are sealed court records available online?

Generally, sealed documents are not available for ordinary public inspection. The scope of any restriction depends on the applicable law and sealing order.

Are court records automatically deleted when a lawsuit is dismissed?

No. Dismissal of a lawsuit does not ordinarily erase the court file or automatically make the proceeding confidential.

Can an employer or landlord search my court records?

Publicly available court records may be accessible to employers, landlords, and other members of the public. However, separate laws may regulate how certain information is obtained or used in employment or housing decisions.

Why Public Access to Texas Court Records Matters

Public access to court records serves several important functions.

It allows citizens to examine how courts resolve disputes, promotes accountability, and provides information about legal rights and obligations.

For example, a business considering a commercial transaction may want to determine whether another company is involved in significant litigation.

A prospective purchaser of real property may need to examine probate proceedings or judgments affecting ownership.

A party considering litigation may want to understand whether particular allegations or financial information could become publicly accessible.

At the same time, transparency must be balanced against legitimate privacy and confidentiality interests.

Texas law attempts to accommodate both concerns through rules governing public access, redaction, protective orders, and sealing.

Conclusion: Most Texas Court Records Are Public, but Important Exceptions Apply

Most Texas civil court records are publicly accessible, but the availability of a particular document depends on the type of proceeding, applicable law, and any restrictions imposed by the court.

Texas Government Code § 22.010 and Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a establish an important framework for sealing covered civil court records.

Other rules, including Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c, protect sensitive personal information.

Individuals and businesses involved in litigation should understand these rules before filing documents that may become part of the public record.

If you are considering filing a lawsuit, responding to litigation, or seeking to protect confidential information in a Texas court proceeding, consulting an attorney can help you understand the applicable requirements and available options.

David C. Barsalou, Attorney at Law, PLLC, assists clients with civil litigation, business disputes, contract matters, real estate disputes, probate proceedings, and other legal matters throughout Texas.

This article provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice. The application of Texas law depends on the particular facts and circumstances of each case.

At David C. Barsalou, Attorney at Law, PLLC, we help clients navigate business, family, tax, estate planning, and real estate matters ranging from document drafting to litigation with clarity and confidence. If you’d like guidance on your situation, schedule a consultation today. Call us at (713) 397-4678, email barsalou.law@gmail.com, or reach us through our Contact Page. We’re here to help you take the next step.