Court records of Upshur County, Texas, are available through several channels. UpshurCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official state court system resources, court clerks' offices, and public terminals in the courthouse in Gilmer. Below is a practical guide to the county's court system, hearing calendar, obtaining document copies, and fee amounts.
Upshur Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Upshur County, each handling specific categories of cases. The state of Texas does not have a unified database for searching all court records — each court maintains its own registry.
District Court (115th Judicial District)
The district court handles the most serious cases:
- Criminal felonies (serious crimes)
- Civil lawsuits with a dispute amount over $200,000
- Family cases — divorce, child custody, name changes
- Child protection cases (child cases also fall under the Northeast Texas Child Protection Court)
County Court at Law
The constitutional county court in Upshur County covers a broader range of everyday cases. These include misdemeanors (minor offenses), civil lawsuits with a dispute amount from $200 to $200,000, as well as probate and appeals from justice of the peace courts.
Justice of the Peace Courts
Justice of the peace courts are the first contact for most residents. They handle:
- Small claims up to $20,000
- Traffic violations
- Eviction proceedings
- Preliminary hearings in criminal cases
Probate
Inheritance and estate management cases are handled by the constitutional county court. The county clerk maintains the registry of wills and probate cases through the Office of the County Clerk.
Upshur Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, there are several ways.
- Texas Judicial Branch website — through the Court Activity Reporting system, you can select the type of court (District, Constitutional County, Justice of the Peace) and Upshur County to view case reports.
- Child Protection Court Dockets — the schedule of child protection hearings is available on the Northeast Texas CPC page for Upshur County.
- In-person visit or phone call — the county clerk's office and individual court offices publish daily case lists. Call the clerk or visit the courthouse in Gilmer.
- eFileTexas — attorneys filing documents through the official electronic filing system can track case statuses and hearing dates in their account.
Note: The state does not maintain a single online calendar showing all county courts in real-time. The most reliable option is to contact the specific court office directly.
How to Get a Copy of a Upshur Court Document
You can obtain a copy of a court document in three ways: in person, by mail, or online (for some categories of records).
Certified and Uncertified Copies
A certified copy has the official seal of the clerk and confirms the authenticity of the document — it is usually required by other courts, government agencies, and employers. An uncertified copy is suitable for personal review.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Determine which court heard the case (District Court or County Court).
- Prepare search information: case number, full name of the party, approximate filing date.
- Contact the appropriate office — for most civil, family, and probate cases, this is the Upshur County Clerk's Office.
- Pay the copying and/or certification fee.
Channels for Obtaining
- In person — visit the clerk's office in the courthouse.
- By mail — send a written request with case details and a check or money order to the office's address.
- Online — marriage and divorce records can be ordered through Texas DSHS. For state-level criminal records, use the Crime Records Division DPS.
Mailing Address of the Office
Some records have restricted access — including juvenile cases, sealed cases, and records subject to a non-disclosure order. If you are unsure whether a specific document is available, ask the clerk before paying.
Upshur Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are determined by Texas state law and local administrative orders. Below are approximate rates; we recommend confirming exact amounts on the Fee Structure page or directly at the office.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Document certification | $5.00 |
| Record search (by name) | $5.00 |
| Civil lawsuit filing (District Court) | Depends on case type |
| Civil lawsuit filing (County Court) | Depends on case type |
| Marriage/divorce verification through Texas DSHS | From $20.00 (online) |
Accepted Forms of Payment
The office accepts cash, money orders, and Visa/Mastercard. Personal checks are not always accepted — confirm in advance. For mail requests, send a money order made out to "Upshur County Clerk."
For cases filed through eFileTexas, fees are deducted electronically at the time of filing. If you need state-level inmate information, searching through TDCJ Offender Search is free.