McLennan County, Texas court records are available through several channels. McLennanCourt.us allows you to search public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, the county's official online tools, the District Clerk and County Clerk offices, as well as public terminals in the courthouse in Waco, provide access to criminal, civil, and other case records.
McLennan Court System & Jurisdictions
The McLennan County has a complex court system, and each court handles specific categories of cases. Understanding the jurisdiction will help you immediately access the necessary registry.
District Courts
District courts (19th, 54th, 74th, 170th, and 414th Judicial Districts) handle:
- Felonies (serious criminal offenses)
- Civil lawsuits with a dispute amount of $200 and above
- Divorce, child custody, and family law cases
- Real estate rights cases
The case index for these courts — starting from 2001 — is available through the District Clerk's registry search. General case information is also available for earlier years, approximately from the early 1980s.
County Courts
County Court at Law No. 1 and No. 2 handle cases that do not fall under the jurisdiction of district courts:
- Misdemeanors (less serious offenses) — the County Clerk's criminal division maintains records of such cases
- Civil lawsuits with a limited dispute amount
- Appeals from Justice Courts
- Probate and will approval cases
Justice Courts and Municipal Courts
Justice of the Peace Courts (precincts 1–5) handle small civil claims up to $20,000, eviction cases, and traffic violations. Municipal courts in Waco and other county cities handle city ordinances and traffic fines. The list of outstanding warrants for Justice Court PCT. 2 is published as a separate PDF file.
McLennan Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
There is no single publicly accessible online calendar for all McLennan County courts. The hearing schedule depends on the specific court and level of jurisdiction.
To find out the hearing date:
- Contact the District Clerk's office — this office coordinates the district courts' schedule. Use the case index search to find the case number, then call the office to confirm the hearing date.
- For misdemeanors and probate cases, contact the County Clerk, which serves the County Courts at Law.
- For Justice Courts, call the office of the respective precinct directly — the number is listed on the county's official website.
Some courts post a weekly schedule on the bulletin board in the courthouse at 501 Washington Avenue, Waco. Public terminals in the same building allow you to view the case status.
How to Get a Copy of a McLennan Court Document
Copies of court documents in McLennan County come in two types: certified and uncertified. A certified copy has the clerk's seal and confirms the document's authenticity — it is usually required for submission to another court or government agency.
Obtaining Channels
- In person. Visit the District Clerk or County Clerk office in the courthouse. You will need the party's name or case number.
- By mail. Send a written request with the full name of the party, case number (if known), document type, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online request. Through the public records request page, you can submit an application for document search and provision.
District Clerk Mailing Address
County Clerk Mailing Address
For criminal records, the County Clerk offers a separate service — criminal search by name. The result is provided in the form of a letter with information on the presence or absence of records.
Records documented in the official public records since 1996 are available electronically; documents from 1849 to 1995 are stored in book volumes directly in the clerk's office.
McLennan Court Records Fees & Payment
Below are the main fees charged by the McLennan County Clerk. The source is official information from the Criminal Searches page and general office rates.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Criminal search by name | $5 per name |
| Letter with criminal search results | $5 |
| Document copy (per page) | $1 |
| Document certification | Check with the office — depends on the document type |
The District Clerk may have a separate fee schedule for civil and criminal district court cases. It is advisable to call and confirm the exact amount before visiting, especially if multiple certified copies are needed.
Payment is usually accepted in person (cash, check, money order) or by mail. For online payments — including fines and court costs — check the payment section on the official county website. Credit cards are not accepted in all departments; confirm this in advance.