Bell County Court Records
Rule 12.2 of Texas Rules of Judicial Administration defines court records as any material like document, letter, film, paper, book, map, tape, photograph, or recording created or maintained by or for a court. The County Clerk and District Clerk are the custodians of court records in Bell County. These records are kept in compliance with the Texas Court Rules. Access to court records holds Bell County courts accountable by ensuring any oversights, errors, and injustices are transparent to the public.
Are Court Records Public in Bell County
The Texas Public Information Act permits court records open to the general public for inspection and copying during regular business hours. Therefore, members of the public can access court records at any court in Bell County. However, some records are deemed confidential and only accessible to a selected few. Per Rule 12.5 of Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, the following records are exempt from public disclosure:
- Security plans
- Personnel information
- Court law library information.
- Judicial work product and drafts
- Judicial Calendar Information
- Litigation or Settlement Negotiations
- Investigations of Character or Conduct
- Internal deliberations on the court or judicial administration matters
- Any record revealing a person's social security number, home or personal telephone number, or home address.
Where to Conduct a Bell County Case Lookup
Court records are typically generated during a judicial proceeding. Record seekers can conduct a Bell County case lookup at the following record custodian offices:
- The Third Court of Appeals
- Bell County District Courts
- Bell County Courts
- Justice of the Peace
- Bell County Municipal Courts
How to Conduct a Bell County Case Records Search
Here's how to conduct a case records search in Bell County through some of the aforementioned record custodian offices:
- Bell County Courts
The Bell County Clerk provides access to court records online, by email, mail, phone, in person, or by fax. Online requests can be made through the Odyssey Portal. Individuals can perform a search using a case number, business name, or party name. Click the Advanced Filtering Options to expand additional search fields to streamline the search. Email, phone, mail, and fax requesters must download a search form to request court records. In-person requests can be made at the County Clerk’s Office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. The Bell County Clerk charges $5 for a record search fee, $1 per page for copies of instruments associated with a case, and $1 per case for certified copies of instruments.
- Bell County District Courts
The Bell County District Clerk provides a two-step process for obtaining a copy of a court record:
STEP 1:
The first step in making a court record request in Bell County District Court is to complete the Copy Request Form and mail it to:
Joanna Staton
Bell County District Clerk
Attn: Copy Clerk
P.O. Box 909
Belton, TX 76513
Requesters who do not know the case/cause number should include a $5 search fee per name. Payments should be made via money order or cashier’s check. The requester must provide sufficient details to facilitate the search for the desired record.
STEP 2:
Upon discovering the record, the Clerk will inform the requester about the cost of the court record copies. The record will be mailed to the requestor once the clerk receives the payment. Regular copies cost $.50 per page, and certified copies cost $1 per page. Payments should be made by cashier's check or money order. A self-addressed, stamped envelope must be sent with the form and fees. In-person requesters can make payments by cash or credit cards. The Clerk's office does not accept personal checks.
Bell County Civil Court Case Records
A civil court case record is any material that results from a disagreement or dispute between individuals or organizations handled by a Bell County Court. The County Clerk and District Clerk Civil Department maintain civil court records in Bell County. The District courts handle civil cases like damages, malpractice, breach of contract, and personal injury, in which the money is $200 or more.
In-person civil court record requests can be made at both clerk’s offices during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). Record seekers can find civil court records held by the County Clerk online ( Index from Oct. 1989 to present), by phone at (254) 933-5174, and by email at County.Civil.Probate@BellCounty.Texas.gov. Probate records can be copied by completing the Probate Record Search Form and sent via mail, phone, or fax to:
Bell County Clerk
P.O. Box 480
Belton, TX 76513
Phone: (254) 933-5160
Fax: (254) 933-5176
The District Clerk provides access to civil court records by mail, phone at (254) 933-5198, or email at dc.copyrequest@bellcounty.texas.gov. Mail requesters must fill out the Copy Request Form and send it alongside the required fees to:
Bell County District Clerk
Attn: Civil Copy Clerk
P.O. Box 909
Belton, TX 76513
Bell County Criminal Court Case Records
A criminal court case records contain information where a person commits a crime against the state. The County Clerk and District Clerk's Criminal Department keep criminal court records in Bell County. The Bell County Clerk allows individuals to access criminal court records online, by mail, phone at (254) 933-5161, email at cccriminal@bellcounty.texas.gov, fax at (254) 933-5176, or in person. Mail record seekers must submit a completed Misdemeanor Record Search Form to the Clerk’s office. Request for Bell County District Clerk criminal records can be made by mail, phone at (254) 933-5193, or email at dcfelonycopy@bellcounty.texas.gov.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Bell County Courts provides access to court records online for free through the Odyssey Portal. Users must enter a case number, business name, or name in the search criteria field. At least four characters must be entered in the search box to perform a case number or business name. For a name search, a name must be entered in Last, First Middle Suffix format. Type at least three characters followed by an asterisk for the last name and at least one character followed by an asterisk for the first name.
Courts in Bell County
Below is the address of the Bell County Courthouse:
Bell County Justice Center
1201 Huey Road
Belton, TX 76513
