Wise County court records, Texas, are available through several channels. WiseCourt.us allows you to find publicly accessible information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official county online portals, including the Wise County public access system, directly at court clerks' offices, and through public terminals in the courthouse. The Texas State Law Library reminds that there is no single statewide court records database in Texas — each court maintains its own archive.
Wise Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in the county, and the type of case determines where to go.
District Courts (271st and 43rd Judicial Districts) handle the most serious categories:
- Felonies (serious criminal offenses)
- Civil claims over $200,000
- Family cases — divorce, custody, adoption
- Juvenile cases
The District Clerk's office keeps all materials of these cases.
County Court at Law covers a wider range of everyday issues. This includes misdemeanors (less serious offenses), civil disputes from $200 to $200,000, appeals from Justice Court, and some probate matters (the legal process of settling an estate). Records are maintained by the County Clerk.
Justice of the Peace Courts — two precincts in the county. Minor civil claims up to $20,000, eviction cases, and traffic violations are handled here. Fines for speeding or running a red light are also Justice Court matters.
General information about the structure of the state court system is available from the Texas Judicial Branch.
Wise Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week is published in the county's online system. The Wise County public access portal contains a Court Calendar section where you can view scheduled hearings for criminal, civil, family, and probate cases.
How to find the needed hearing:
- Go to the public access page.
- Select the "Court Calendar" section.
- Filter by date, court, or case type.
- Click on the case number to see details — time, room, judge.
If you need the schedule of a specific District Court judge, call the clerk's office — judges' coordinators sometimes publish separate schedules that do not always appear on the portal immediately. For Justice of the Peace Courts, the schedule is usually available directly at the respective precinct office.
How to Get a Copy of a Wise Court Document
The type of document determines which office to contact and how much it will cost.
Certified vs. Non-Certified Copies
A certified copy has an official seal and the clerk's signature — it is needed for submission to another court, immigration authorities, or government agencies. A non-certified copy is suitable for personal review.
Ways to Obtain
- In Person: visit the District Clerk or County Clerk's office in the courthouse. Bring identification and the case number, if known.
- By Mail: send a written request specifying the full name of the party, case number, document type, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online: attorneys file and obtain documents through eFileTexas.Gov — the official electronic filing system. For the general public, basic case information can be viewed through the public access portal.
Marriage and divorce records have a separate procedure. Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk, and divorce decrees are kept by the District Clerk. Indexes of these records are available on the Texas DSHS website.
Mailing Address of Clerks' Offices
Wise County District Clerk
Wise County Clerk
Some records have restricted access — juvenile cases, sealed materials, and certain family cases are not released without a judge's order.
Wise Court Records Fees & Payment
The fee amounts are regulated by the Texas Local Government Code (Chapter 118) and may be adjusted by court administrative orders. Below are approximate rates — check the current amounts with the clerk's office before applying.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (by name) | $5 per name |
| Non-certified copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy of a document | $5.00 for the first page + $1.00 for each additional page |
| Certification of an existing copy | $5.00 |
| Criminal history search through DPS | $3.00 (online via Criminal History Name Search) |
Payment at the clerk's office is accepted in cash, money order, and usually credit cards. Mail requests require a money order payable to the respective clerk. Personal checks are not always accepted — it's better to confirm in advance.
For information about inmates in state prisons, the TDCJ Offender Search is available for free. The sex offender registry is accessible through the DPS program also without charge. However, obtaining a full criminal history report from the Crime Records Division incurs a separate fee.