Cameron County Court Records Search: District Clerk, County Clerk, Case Portals & Copies
Cameron County court records are split between different clerks and court levels. Use this guide to identify the correct custodian before searching civil, criminal, family, probate, misdemeanor, appellate, historical or federal records.
Public-Court-Records.us is independent. This website is not Cameron County, the District Clerk, County Clerk, a Texas court, PACER, a law firm or a Consumer Reporting Agency. This guide provides general record-access information, not legal advice.
A matching name does not prove identity. A complaint, criminal charge, arrest, indictment, petition, citation or lawsuit does not prove guilt or liability. Do not use this page as an employment, housing, credit, tenant, insurance or other FCRA-regulated screening product.
The most important Cameron County search rule: choose the correct clerk first
Cameron County does not have one clerk responsible for every court record. The District Clerk maintains records filed in the District Courts. The County Clerk maintains judicial records for County Courts at Law, including county civil, probate and Class A or B misdemeanor cases.
The District Clerk is in the Judicial Building at 974 E. Harrison St., third floor.
County Clerk civil, probate and criminal departments are at 974 E. Harrison St., second floor.
The District Clerk FAQ lists a $5 fee when staff must perform a civil case search without a case number.
District Clerk Kofile access includes historical civil case files beginning in 1849.
Which Cameron County court-record system should you use?
Select the record type. This helper does not request or transmit personal information.
Felony district-court cases are maintained by the District Clerk. Use the clerk-linked Tyler Public Portal, re:SearchTX or another currently linked official access route.
Cameron County court records: District Clerk vs County Clerk vs other courts
| Record needed | Likely custodian | Best starting route |
|---|---|---|
| Felony criminal case | Cameron County District Clerk | Use the District Clerk’s current case-search links and verify the district court, case number and disposition. |
| District civil case | Cameron County District Clerk | Search the district portal by case number, party or attorney information. |
| Divorce, adoption, child support or district family matter | Cameron County District Clerk | Use the District Clerk portal, then contact the Civil/Family records side for copies or restricted-document questions. |
| County civil case | Cameron County Clerk | Use the County Clerk Judicial Public Access Portal. The County Clerk states that its civil department handles private-party disputes exceeding $20,000 and not more than $1,000,000. |
| Probate or guardianship | Cameron County Clerk Probate Department | Search the County Clerk Public Portal and contact Probate for certified copies or guardianship-access questions. |
| Class A or B misdemeanor | Cameron County Clerk Criminal Department | Use the County Clerk Judicial search or submit the Criminal Department Search Request Form when needed. |
| Justice of the Peace matter | The specific Justice Court | Identify the precinct and Justice Court shown on the citation, notice or case paperwork. |
| Brownsville or other municipal citation | The relevant municipal court | Use the municipal court named on the citation rather than assuming it is a County Clerk or District Clerk case. |
| State appeal | Thirteenth Court of Appeals / trial clerk | Use the Texas appellate system for the appellate docket and the originating clerk for the trial-court file. |
| Federal district case | Southern District of Texas | Use PACER or the Southern District of Texas Brownsville Division. |
How to search Cameron County District Court records
The District Clerk currently links several case-access routes, including a Tyler Public Portal, iDocket, re:SearchTX and a Kofile QuickLink for historic records. The Tyler Public Portal includes Smart Search and hearing search functions.
Starting from the official county page confirms that the portal you use is currently linked by the record custodian.
The District Clerk lists Tyler Public Portal, iDocket and re:SearchTX options. Portal availability can change, so use the links from the Clerk page rather than an old bookmark.
If you only have a name, compare the court, case number, filing date, party role, attorney and later docket activity before assuming a match.
A filing, complaint, indictment or motion is not necessarily the final outcome. Look for later orders, judgments, dismissals, pleas, sentences, appeals or other disposition entries.
The District Clerk lists the Records Department at 956-574-8130 and dcrecords@co.cameron.tx.us for copy requests.
How to search County Court at Law, probate and misdemeanor records
The Cameron County Clerk maintains a separate Judicial section and Public Access Portals page. Its judicial records cover County Court at Law civil matters, probate and guardianship matters, and Class A and B misdemeanor cases.
Contact the Civil Department at 956-544-0826 or countyclerkcivilprobatesearches@co.cameron.tx.us. The department is at 974 E. Harrison St., second floor.
The same County Clerk office maintains probate records, including wills, administrations, heirship and guardianship case files, subject to confidentiality rules.
The Criminal Department handles Class A and B misdemeanor filings. Contact 956-544-0848 or countyclerkcriminalrequests@co.cameron.tx.us.
How to request a Cameron County court-record copy
The correct copy procedure depends on which clerk maintains the case. A portal printout or screenshot is not a substitute for a certified court record when certification is required.
Records Department:
956-574-8130
dcrecords@co.cameron.tx.us
The District Clerk states that copies may be requested in person, by mail or by email. In-person copies may be available the same day unless the record is in storage. Stored records may require at least 24 hours for retrieval.
Use the relevant Civil/Probate or Criminal Department and confirm the current copy and certification fee before ordering. Fees can differ by record type and request method.
For civil/probate: 956-544-0826
For criminal: 956-544-0848
Write down the case number, court, party names and approximate filing year.
For example: final judgment, divorce decree, dismissal, sentencing order, probate order, letters testamentary or another specific filing.
A plain copy and a certified copy serve different purposes.
Ask about current page fees, certification fees, payment methods, mailing charges and retrieval time for stored records.
Cameron County has unusually useful online historical court indexes
The District Clerk’s authorized Kofile QuickLink is especially useful for older court research. The site identifies several historical series and makes some images available for online purchase.
| Record series | Listed coverage | Access note |
|---|---|---|
| Historical civil case files | 1849–1920 | Index books and corresponding case-file images are listed for search and online purchase. |
| Declaration of Citizenship | 1871–1890 | Index books and certificates are listed. |
| Naturalization | 1890–1930 | Index books and certificates are listed. |
| Civil case index books | 1972–1986 | Search index; contact the Clerk to purchase documents in this series. |
| Criminal case index books | 1953–1987 | Search index; contact the Clerk for document-purchase instructions. |
Official Cameron County court-record links and what to do next
Use this as the trusted starting page for district-level case records.
- Scroll to “Case Search.”
- Choose the current Tyler, iDocket or public-portal link.
- Search by case number when possible.
- Use Records Department contact information for copies.
The District Clerk currently links this portal for public case access.
- Allow JavaScript and cookies if prompted.
- Open Smart Search for broad case criteria.
- Use Search Hearings for hearing-specific criteria.
- Verify results against the court and case number.
Use this for older District Clerk index books and selected document images.
- Choose the record-series type.
- Select the year or year range.
- Search last and first name.
- Contact the District Clerk if the index exists but images are not directly purchasable online.
The District Clerk links to this Texas judicial-record access system.
- Create or sign in to the required account if prompted.
- Search cases, filings, documents or hearings.
- Use Cameron County as a filter.
- Remember that public document access can be restricted by security rules.
Use this for County Clerk judicial records rather than District Court cases.
- Select Public Access Portal Judicial or i-Docket Judicial Records.
- Choose the appropriate civil, probate or criminal category.
- Verify the County Court at Law and case number.
- Contact the relevant County Clerk department for certified copies.
Use this for County Court at Law civil records and related forms.
- Confirm the matter is a County Civil case.
- Use the judicial public portal for the case search.
- Review the current 2026 fee schedule if you need a filing or paid service.
- Contact 956-544-0826 for civil-record assistance.
Use this for probate, heirship, administration and guardianship records.
- Open the linked public portal to search existing probate cases.
- Note the probate case number.
- Contact Probate before requesting restricted guardianship documents.
- Ask specifically for certified copies when required.
Use this for County Court at Law Class A and B misdemeanor records.
- Use the County Clerk judicial search first.
- If necessary, open the Criminal Department Search Request Form.
- Do not confuse misdemeanor records with District Clerk felony cases.
- For expunction questions, use the Clerk’s dedicated expunction contact.
Use this for individual district-court information and current posted dockets.
- Find the district court shown on the case.
- Check its posted docket and court contact information.
- Do not rely on an old hearing date without checking the latest docket.
- Use the District Clerk for record copies.
Use this for applicable appeals from Cameron County trial courts.
- Search using the appellate case number when known.
- Compare the trial-court case number.
- Review appellate orders and opinions separately from the trial docket.
- Use the originating clerk for the underlying trial record.
Use PACER for federal district and bankruptcy cases rather than Cameron County portals.
- Search by case number when available to reduce search charges.
- Use the specific federal court for the most current docket.
- Review the page-count cost before opening a document.
- Remember that federal records are separate from Texas county records.
The Brownsville Division serves Cameron and Willacy Counties.
- Confirm the case belongs in federal court.
- Use PACER for electronic records.
- Check the courthouse page for current hours and security rules.
- Bring government-issued identification when courthouse access is required.
Cameron County federal court cases use the Southern District of Texas
Cameron County is served by the Brownsville Division of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Federal civil and criminal records are searched through PACER, not through the Cameron County District Clerk or County Clerk portals.
Reynaldo G. Garza-Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse
600 E. Harrison St.
Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone: 956-548-2500
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
PACER currently lists electronic access at $0.10 per page, with a $3 cap for many individual case documents. Fees are waived when quarterly usage is $30 or less.
PACER has announced a temporary increase beginning January 1, 2027 to $0.12 per page, with the quarterly waiver threshold increasing to $40.
How to verify that a Cameron County case belongs to the correct person or business
- Case number
- District or County Court at Law
- Filing date
- Party role
- Attorney
- Case category
- Later docket activity
- A complaint is an allegation.
- An indictment is not a conviction.
- An arrest is not a disposition.
- A civil judgment may later be appealed, vacated or satisfied.
- A dismissal may have legal details not obvious from the result screen.
Do not confuse court cases with jail, property or vital records
| What you need | Correct source type |
|---|---|
| District civil or felony case | Cameron County District Clerk |
| County civil, probate or Class A/B misdemeanor | Cameron County Clerk Judicial division |
| Current jail custody or booking | Cameron County Sheriff / detention system |
| Deed, mortgage, lien or property recording | Cameron County Clerk Official Records |
| Birth or death certificate | Vital statistics / County Clerk vital-record service |
| Federal lawsuit or federal criminal case | PACER / Southern District of Texas |
Cameron County court-record offices and contact points
Cameron County Courthouse
Judicial Building, 3rd Floor
974 E. Harrison St.
Brownsville, TX 78520
Civil: 956-544-0838
Criminal: 956-544-0839
Records / Copies: 956-574-8130
Email for copies: dcrecords@co.cameron.tx.us
Main Office:
835 East Levee St., 3rd Floor
Brownsville, TX 78520
956-544-0815
Judicial departments:
974 E. Harrison St., 2nd Floor
Brownsville, TX 78520
956-544-0867
3302 W. Wilson Road
Harlingen, TX 78552
956-406-6081
Hours listed by the Clerk: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
1390 W. Expressway 83
San Benito, TX 78586
956-247-3509
Contact the office before traveling to confirm which judicial or record service is available at that branch.
What to do if you cannot find a Cameron County court case online
- District Clerk vs County Clerk
- Felony vs misdemeanor
- District civil vs County Court at Law civil
- Probate vs district family case
- Justice Court or municipal court
- State vs federal case
- Older record may be in an index book.
- File may be in storage.
- Name spelling may differ.
- Record may be confidential, sealed or restricted.
- Portal data may not reflect a newly filed item immediately.
Frequently asked questions about Cameron County court records
Where should I search Cameron County court records?
Start by identifying the court. District-court civil, criminal, family and related records are maintained by the Cameron County District Clerk. County Courts at Law civil, probate and Class A or B misdemeanor records are maintained by the Cameron County Clerk. Justice, municipal, appellate and federal cases use separate routes.
Can I search Cameron County court records by name?
Yes. Cameron County links to online case-search systems that allow party-based searching. A matching name alone does not prove identity, so compare the court, case number, filing date, party role, attorney and docket activity.
Who keeps Cameron County district court records?
The Cameron County District Clerk is the custodian of records filed in the county’s district courts. The office handles district civil and criminal records and also provides services for family, juvenile, child-support and appellate matters.
Who keeps Cameron County probate records?
The Cameron County Clerk maintains probate and guardianship records. The Probate Department is at 974 East Harrison Street, second floor, Brownsville, Texas 78520.
Where do I search Cameron County misdemeanor records?
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases are filed with the Cameron County Clerk. Felony district-court cases are handled through the District Clerk, so the correct portal depends on the level of the criminal case.
How much does a District Clerk case search cost?
The Cameron County District Clerk states that its free public case-access service can be searched with case number, party or attorney information. If staff must perform a civil case search because the case number is unknown, the District Clerk’s FAQ states that a $5 search fee is assessed.
How can I obtain a copy of a Cameron County district court case?
The District Clerk states that copies may be requested in person, by mail or by email. In-person copies may be available the same day unless the record is in storage; the office says stored files may require at least 24 hours to retrieve.
Are old Cameron County court records available online?
Some historical District Clerk records are available through the clerk-authorized Kofile QuickLink. It lists civil case file index books and images from 1849 to 1920, civil indexes from 1972 to 1986 and criminal case index books from 1953 to 1987.
Where do Cameron County court appeals go?
Cameron County trial-court appeals may proceed to the Texas Thirteenth Court of Appeals depending on the case. The District Clerk also maintains an Appeals Department for trial-court appellate records and filings.
Where do I search federal cases from Cameron County?
Federal cases use PACER and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas rather than Cameron County portals. Cameron County is served by the Southern District’s Brownsville Division at 600 East Harrison Street in Brownsville.
Source and freshness notes
This guide was reviewed against current Cameron County District Clerk, County Clerk, District Courts, Civil, Probate, Criminal, Public Access Portal, historical Kofile, Texas appellate, Southern District of Texas and PACER resources on September 30, 2026.