Hardin County
Hardin County was founded in 1858 and named for the family of William Hardin from Liberty County, Texas. It has over five municipalities, and its county seat, Kountze, is described as “The Gateway to the Big Ticket." This county is home to a mix of ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, savannas, bayous, and a variety of plant and animal species. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the county has a population of over 56,231 residents and an 891 square-mile land area.
The judicial system of Hardin County consists of District Courts, Constitutional County Court, Justice of the Peace Courts, and Municipal Courts. The District Courts hear felonies, land disputes, election petition cases, divorce cases, and civil matters where the amount in dispute exceeds $200. The Constitutional County Court has jurisdiction over some domestic violence cases, misdemeanors with sentences of less than a year in jail, and civil matters between $200 and $10,000. The Justice of the Peace Courts are divided into six precincts across five different cities. They typically hear minor civil matters, misdemeanors, and small claims cases. Lastly, the Municipal Courts hear cases related to city ordinance violations, forfeitures, and bail bonds. They also conduct preliminary hearings for felonies.
Public court records include a variety of legal documents, such as case filings, rulings, orders, dockets, transcripts, and exhibits. These records are essential tools for legal research. They also support public oversight and promote transparency in the judicial system. The Texas Public Information Act guarantees the public access to these court records and outlines the process for accessing them. One such access point is the office of the Hardin County Clerk of Courts. This office is responsible for managing, processing, and maintaining court records. It provides access to the following records:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Private records
- Family records
Interested individuals can obtain these records by visiting the clerk's office at the county courthouse in Kountze. Alternatively, they may call the office at (409) 246-5185 or send a request via e-mail.
Individuals unable to visit in person may utilize the record search tool maintained by the Texas judiciary to access the records by following these steps:
- Visit the Texas Judiciary's iDocket site
- Register by selecting "Register Now" and choose a subscription level (Free, Bronze, Silver, or Gold) based on your needs
- Log in with the registered username and password
- Search for cases using criteria such as the plaintiff's or defendant's name, attorney, or case number
- Refine the search by selecting Hardin County in the county filter.
- Access the case details for the desired court record
Note that requesters may need a higher tier of subscription to view full records or get case updates.
Certified copies of Hardin County court records typically cost between $1 and $5 per page, while divorce and marriage verification letters are priced at $20 each. Additional fees may also apply for certified copies, mailing, or special handling requests. For online access, iDocket charges approximately $5 per name search.
