Ellis County Court Dockets

Court records in Ellis County, Texas can be searched through several channels. EllisCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also access records through the Ellis County official public records portal, the County Clerk's and District Clerk's offices, and public access computers available at the courthouse in Waxahachie during business hours (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday). The Texas State Law Library court records guide is another useful starting point for understanding what is available statewide.

Ellis County Court System & Jurisdictions

Ellis County operates several levels of courts, each handling distinct case types. Knowing which court heard a case determines where to search for its docket and records.

• District Courts — The Judicial District Courts in Ellis County are courts of general jurisdiction. They handle felony criminal cases, civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds the county court's limits, family law cases (divorce, child custody, adoption, protective orders), and juvenile matters. The District Clerk maintains all records for these courts, including judgments, case filings, and jury service accounts.
• County Courts at Law — Ellis County's statutory county courts at law hear Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes within their jurisdictional dollar limits, probate matters, guardianship proceedings, and mental health commitments. The Criminal Misdemeanor Division of the County Clerk's office records information from these courts.
• Justice of the Peace Courts — JP courts handle small claims (civil cases up to $20,000), eviction suits, Class C misdemeanors (including most traffic offenses), and truancy cases. Each JP precinct maintains its own docket.

For felony case information, contact the District Clerk. For misdemeanor records, the County Clerk's misdemeanor division is the correct office. Traffic citations and small claims are typically filed in the Justice of the Peace court for the precinct where the offense or dispute occurred.

Ellis County Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings

Court calendars in Ellis County are generally set by each individual court and judge. To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's scheduled hearings:

1. Contact the appropriate clerk's office directly. The District Clerk's office can provide scheduling information for district court cases. The County Clerk's office handles county court at law calendars.
2. Check the statewide court portal. The Texas Judicial Branch website provides links to court calendars and case management systems used across the state.
3. Visit the courthouse in person. Docket sheets and hearing schedules are often posted at the Ellis County Courthouse in Waxahachie. Public access terminals are available during office hours.
4. Call the Justice of the Peace court for your precinct if you need traffic or small claims hearing dates.

Attorneys who e-file through the statewide e-filing system may also receive calendar notifications electronically. If you have a case number, provide it when calling the clerk's office — this speeds up the lookup considerably.

How to Get a Copy of an Ellis County Court Document

Ellis County offers several ways to obtain court documents, whether you need a certified copy for legal proceedings or an uncertified copy for personal reference.

Certified vs. Uncertified Copies

• Certified copies bear the clerk's official seal and signature, confirming the document is a true copy of the court record. These are typically required for legal filings, immigration matters, and real estate transactions.
• Uncertified copies are plain reproductions without the official seal. They work for personal review or informal purposes.

How to Request

1. Online: Use the Ellis County online records search to locate and purchase copies of recorded documents. Note that not all court case documents may be available through this portal — it primarily covers official public records maintained by the County Clerk.
2. In person: Visit the appropriate clerk's office at the Ellis County Courthouse. Bring the case number, party names, and approximate filing date if possible. Public access computers are available between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
3. By mail: Send a written request including the case number, party names, document type needed, and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy. Include payment (check or money order payable to the appropriate clerk).

For District Court records (felonies, civil cases over the county court limit, family law, divorce):

Ellis County District Clerk

109 S. Jackson St.Waxahachie, TX 75165

For County Court records (misdemeanors, probate, official public records):

Ellis County Clerk

101 W. Main St.Waxahachie, TX 75165

For divorce records, contact the District Clerk. Birth, death, and marriage records are available through the County Clerk's office.

If your request involves records held by other county departments (such as the Sheriff's Office), you may need to submit a formal open records or public information request under the Texas Public Information Act.

Ellis County Court Records Fees & Payment

Fees for court document copies and recordings in Ellis County are set by Texas statute and local fee schedules. The following table summarizes common charges. Confirm current amounts with the appropriate clerk's office before submitting payment.

Payment methods: The clerk's offices generally accept cash, checks, and money orders in person. Online purchases through the county's online records search may accept credit or debit cards. Confirm accepted payment methods before mailing a request.

Recordings received after 4:00 p.m. are processed the next business day. Some restricted records — such as sealed juvenile cases, certain family law filings, and mental health proceedings — are not available to the general public regardless of payment. Ask the clerk whether the specific record you need has any access restrictions before submitting your request.