Lubbock County Court Records Questions

Common Lubbock County Court Record Questions

The questions below cover the tasks people ask about most. Use them as a quick guide. Each answer ends with a link to the page on this site that covers the topic in depth, so you can go deeper when you need to.

Online Court Record Search

Q: How do I search Lubbock County court records online?

Use the official Online Access to Court Records page and register at the county Public Access portal. Right now only County Clerk and District Clerk files are online. JP files are planned for a later phase. A registered user can see the case index, general case data, parties, attorneys, and hearing settings. The portal does not show document images for a standard user. Start at the court records page to walk through the steps and read tips on field formats.

Document Images Online

Q: Can I view court document images online?

For a standard registered user, no. The county says document images are not part of the public portal view. If a file is not viewable online, use a public access computer at the courthouse or ask the clerk for a copy. The right office depends on the case type. For a roadmap of what is online and what is not, see the public records page on this site.

Public-Access Terminals

Q: Where are the public-access court-record terminals?

The county runs public access computers inside the Lubbock County Courthouse at 904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401. These terminals let you search records, view some documents that are blocked from online viewing, and ask for copies. The terminals are the next step when the online portal does not show what you need. The court dockets page covers how to use them for hearing and setting data.

District Clerk Case Numbers

Q: What case-number format does the District Clerk use?

Civil files use DC-YYYY-CV-XXXX. Family files use DC-YYYY-FM-XXXX. Felony criminal files use DC-YYYY-CR-XXXX. Magistrate files use PFF-YYYY-MAG-XXXX. Hyphens are required for current files. Cases filed before August 2021 use older no-hyphen formats like 2015123456 or 2015123456A. Get the format right and the portal will pull the case fast. The District Clerk page lists each case type and the format it uses.

Who Is the District Clerk

Q: Who is the Lubbock County District Clerk?

Sara L. Smith is the District Clerk. The office sits at 904 Broadway in the courthouse, with a mailing address at P.O. Box 10536, Lubbock, TX 79408. The phone is 806-775-1585. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office runs district court files for civil, family, and felony cases. The full District Clerk page has each phone line, e-mail, and division contact.

Who Is the County Clerk

Q: Who is the Lubbock County Clerk?

Kelly Pinion is the County Clerk. The office sits at 904 Broadway, Room 207, Lubbock, TX 79401. The phone is 806-775-1076. Lobby hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The County Clerk holds misdemeanor case files, probate files, marriage records, and other county-level records. For the full list of duties, divisions, and fee notes, see the County Clerk page on this site.

County Clerk Search Policy

Q: Will the County Clerk search records for me?

The County Clerk page says staff will not run searches that are not authorized by statute. The office cites Texas Property Code 14.004(d) and Attorney General Opinion WW-607. The one authorized statutory search is for Federal Tax Liens. For all other records, you run your own search on the portal or at a courthouse terminal. The County Clerk page lists the workflow staff will and will not do.

Lubbock County Court Offices

A few questions come up so often that it helps to keep the key contacts in one block. The card below holds the three offices people call first.

Find a Lubbock County Inmate

Q: Where do I find an inmate?

Use the Sheriff's Active Jail Search page and the linked jail roster. The Sheriff says you can find an inmate by name, booking number, or SO number. The Detention Center phone lines are 806-775-7009 and 806-775-7048. Roster data is updated as the jail logs new bookings and releases. For step-by-step search tips, charge code notes, and bond field help, see the inmate records page on this site.

Who Is the Sheriff

Q: Who is the Lubbock County Sheriff?

Kelly S. Rowe is the Lubbock County Sheriff. The Sheriff's main office is at 712 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401. The Detention Center is at 3502 N. Holly Avenue. The Sheriff runs the jail, the roster, civil process, and warrant service. For warrant lookup tips and how the Sheriff posts active warrants, see the warrant records page. That page also notes how to confirm a warrant before you act.

Visit an Inmate

Q: How do I visit an inmate?

Register at SmartInmate. Get an activation code. Send a connection request to the inmate. Upload a valid photo ID and a recent photo. Wait for facility approval. Schedule the visit at least 24 hours ahead of time. On-site visits are limited to one per person, per inmate, per day. The Sheriff posts the full rule set on the visitation page. For more on jail life and rules, see the inmate population page.

Jail Visitation Hours

Q: What are jail visitation hours?

The official FAQ lists visitation from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The last visit must start no later than 9:30 PM. Slots fill up fast on weekends and holidays, so book early. Bring the same ID you used to register. If your photo or ID has changed, update it in SmartInmate before the visit date. The inmate records page on this site covers more on visit prep and what to expect.

Send Money to an Inmate

Q: How do I send money to an inmate?

Use the cash kiosk in the Detention Center main lobby. Use the downtown Sheriff property room kiosk. Use Access Corrections online. Or call 1-866-345-1884. The facility number is 20172. Each path has its own fee. Inmates use the funds for commissary, phone time, and tablet services. For more on what money can be used for once it lands, see the inmate population page.

Send Mail to an Inmate

Q: Where do I send inmate mail?

Mail goes to Lubbock County Detention Center, Inmate's Name and SO#, PO Box 9136, Seminole, FL 33775. The name and SO# must be clearly printed on the envelope or postcard. Mail with a missing SO# may be returned or held. The PO Box is the off-site mail center used for inmate mail. For more on inmate housing and unit rules, see the inmate records page.

Inmate Mail Scanning

Q: Does Lubbock County scan inmate mail?

Yes. The Sheriff's FAQ says regular inmate postal mail is scanned into the system. Inmates see the scanned mail on tablets or wall kiosks, based on the housing unit. Hard-copy mail is not passed to the inmate. This rule cuts down on contraband and helps the jail keep mail flow safe. For more on the path a person takes from booking to release, see the released inmates page.

Get a Marriage License

Q: Where do I get a marriage license?

Apply through the County Clerk at 904 Broadway, Room 207. Both applicants must be present. Bring a current accepted photo ID. Provide a Social Security number or state that you have none. Fill out the full application form on site. Application hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Texas has a 72-hour waiting period after issue for most applicants. The marriage and divorce records page covers the full process.

Marriage License Copy Fee

Q: How much is a certified copy of a Lubbock County marriage license?

The County Clerk marriage page lists $21.00 for a certified copy. Mail requests need a cashier's check or money order. The office does not take personal checks for mail copies. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope with the request. Include the license reference number, both party names, and the marriage date. The marriage and divorce records page lists what to send and where.

File for Divorce in Lubbock

Q: Where do I file for divorce?

Divorce is a family case. The District Clerk holds family case files. The current family case format is DC-YYYY-FM-XXXX. Attorneys file through eFileTexas. Self-represented filers may file in person at the District Clerk office. Texas has a 60-day waiting period after filing in most divorces. Residency rules apply. For local forms tips and what to expect after filing, see the marriage and divorce records page on this site.

Search Lubbock Probate Records

Q: Where do I search probate records?

Start with the County Clerk probate and guardianship office. The line is 806-775-1067. You can also use the Public Access portal for County Clerk records. Some document images may not be online, so a courthouse terminal or a custodian request can fill the gap. The County Clerk holds wills, letters testamentary, and guardianship files. The probate records page on this site covers each step.

Lubbock County Courts Overview

Q: What courts does Lubbock County have?

Official pages list six district courts, three county courts at law, and four JP precinct courts. City municipal courts exist outside the county system, for city ordinance and traffic cases. District courts handle felony, civil, and family. County courts at law handle misdemeanor, civil, and probate. JP courts handle small civil and Class C cases. The district court page covers each district bench in detail.

What a Justice of the Peace Does

Q: What does a Justice of the Peace handle?

JP courts handle civil cases up to $20,000. They handle evictions and other landlord-tenant matters. They handle fine-only Class C misdemeanors and most traffic tickets. JPs also handle juvenile truancy, alcohol, tobacco, and shoplifting matters. They sign warrants, run preliminary hearings, give oaths, issue emergency protective orders, and perform marriages. The justice court page on this site lists each Lubbock precinct, address, and phone.

Texas Public Information Act

Q: Are Texas court records under the Texas Public Information Act?

Not quite. The Texas judiciary says courts and judicial branch agencies are not subject to the Texas Public Information Act or FOIA for judicial records. Rule 12 of the Rules of Judicial Administration covers judicial records that are not court case records. Case records sit under court rules, statutes, common law, and judicial policy. The public records page on this site sums up the two paths.

Certified Court Copies

Q: How do I get certified court copies?

Contact the right custodian. District Clerk Archives takes copy requests at 806-775-1322 and dcarchives@lubbockcounty.gov. After five business days, certified copies from the District Clerk are $1.00 per page, per the FAQ. County Clerk record and copy requests go to 806-775-1048 or Countyclerk@lubbockcounty.gov. JP copies go to the precinct court. The court records page lists each contact and fee.

Find a Federal Case in Lubbock

Q: How do I find a federal case in Lubbock?

Use PACER for federal district and bankruptcy files. Lubbock County sits in the Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division. The federal courthouse is at 1205 Texas Avenue, which is a separate building from the county courthouse at 904 Broadway. PACER charges per page for searches and document views. State court files do not appear on PACER, so use the county portal for state cases. See the criminal records page for the state path.

Case Not Online

Q: What if I cannot find my case online?

Check the case-number format first. Hyphens matter for cases after August 2021. Older cases use a no-hyphen format like 2015123456. Try the older format if the new one fails. Call District Clerk support for help with portal access. Use a public terminal at 904 Broadway for restricted or older files. Some files are sealed or out of view by court order. The traffic court records page also has notes on JP file lookups.

Juvenile Record Access

Q: Are juvenile records public?

Many juvenile records are restricted under Texas Family Code Chapter 58. Access turns on the statute, the role of the person asking, court orders, and the sealing or restricted-access status of the file. A parent, guardian, attorney, or a judge with a signed order may see files that the public cannot. For more on sealed and restricted files in the county, see the released inmates page on this site.

Still Have Questions?

For the right office, see District Clerk or County Clerk. For broader access rules, see public records. For records by topic, browse court records, criminal records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate records.