Cooke County Texas

The Office of the District Clerk was created by the Texas Constitution. The District Clerk is responsible for filing and docketing all court documents and is charged with the custody, maintenance, and preservation of all court records. The District Clerk is the clerk of the court for the 235^th Judicial District Court of Cooke County.

All district court civil, family, felony and some juvenile cases are filed with the clerk. The clerk updates child support information with the State Disbursement Unit. At the conclusion of felony cases, the clerk is required to report all dispositions with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Court fees, costs, and fines are collected, and registry funds are held by the clerk. The District Clerk also serves as the Jury Coordinator for Cooke County which includes overseeing of the selection of names for the jury, summons, and payments for jurors.

The District Clerk is the clerk for the family law courts in Cooke County and, as such, plays a pivotal role for people seeking information regarding child support.  To obtain copies of documents in court cases involving child support please visit our online records site at Texas Online Records or contact our office at 940-668-5450. Please have your cause number ready if possible. 

The District Clerk’s office cannot provide legal advice of any kind.

Collecting Child Support that is Owed to You
The Texas Attorney General is responsible for collecting child support payments that have been ordered by a Texas court but have not been paid.  If someone owes child support to you, please contact the Attorney General’s Child Support Division at the following phone number or website: 1-800-252-8014 OR  http://www.oag.state.tx.us/cs/index.shtml

Making a Child Support Payment

• By Mail:  If your payments have been ordered to be paid through the Texas State Disbursement Unit, you can mail a check or money order payment to the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit (TxCSDU). Please ensure the following information is included on your check or money order:
• Your 10-digit case number
• Your cause number (the identification number found on the court case which establishes the child support order)
• Non-custodial parent's name
• Custodial parent's name (optional but preferred)

Mail payments to the following address:
Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit (TxCSDU)
P.O. Box 659791
San Antonio, TX 78265-9791

• By Internet:  Please visit the Attorney General’s link below for more information:     http://www.oag.state.tx.us/cs/pos/pos2option.php
• By Phone: (800) 252-8014

Records Request Form (PDF-A)

Texas Online Records https://www.texasonlinerecords.com/clerk/?office_id=102

Research.txcourts.gov https://research.txcourts.gov/CourtRecordsSearch/Home#!/home

Website: Efile.txcourts.gov

E-File Customer Service Help Desk 855-839-3453

Proposed Orders should be submitted as a separate lead document so that each document receives a file mark.

Exhibits to a motion or pleading should be saved or scanned as 1 document. If the document is too large, the exhibits should be added as an attachment to the lead document.

If you file a Motion and Order in the same envelope, we forward your envelope to the Judge so that she can grant/deny your proposed order, therefore, you will not get a filed marked Motion until the envelope comes back to the clerk from the Judge’s queue. Your Motion will reflect the date and time that you filed it, and the Order will reflect the date and time we received it back from the Judge.

Family Cases (excluding adoption) must include the names, not just initials, of all parties in the style/caption.

If you are unsure which filing code to use, give us a call: (940) 668-5450

Civil Fees in the 235th District Clerk’s Office effective 01-01-2024 (PDF-B)

2025 Fees Charged by Local Sheriff and Constables (PDF-C)  

Abstract of Judgment or Writ of Execution Request (PDF-D)

Change of Name/Address/Employer Form (PDF-E)

Certificate of Adoption

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vital-applications-forms

Information for Filing a Divorce (PDF-F)

Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vital-applications-forms

Records Request Form (PDF-A)

Redaction of SSN Request Form (PDF-H)

Registry Account Deposit/Investment Information (PDF-I)

Request for Issuance of an Order for Income Withholding Order to Employer (PDF-J)

Request for Subpoena (PDF-K)

Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Cost (PDF-L)  

SCAM ALERT:
We have received several reports of people receiving phone calls from scammers claiming to be affiliated with Cooke County and/or law enforcement. The scammers inform people that they have missed jury duty and threaten to have them arrested or attempt to collect a fee. They may also ask for personal information. 

The Cooke County District Clerk’s office will NEVER call you to collect money for failure to appear for jury duty. If you are summoned for jury service, you will receive a summons in the mail. If you receive a suspicious call regarding jury service, please contact us, at (940) 668-5450

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How was I selected?

• You were selected at random from a list provided to us by the Texas Secretary of State composed of a list of those having a valid driver’s license, personal ID card/certificate, and/or voter registration in Cooke County.

2. Am I eligible to serve on a jury? 

To be qualified to serve as a juror you must:

• Be at least 18 Years of age.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be a resident of Cooke County, Texas.
• Be qualified under the Constitution and laws to vote in Cooke County.
• Be of sound mind and good moral character.
• Be able to read and write.
• Have not served as a petit juror for six days during the preceding six months in a district court or during the preceding three months in a county court.
• Have never been convicted of a misdemeanor theft or any felony.
• Not be under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft, felony theft, or any other felony charge.
  

3. Can I be exempt from jury service? 

You can be exempt from jury service if you are: 

• Over 75 years of age.
• The legal custodian of a child younger than 12 years of age and service on the jury would require leaving the child without adequate supervision.
• A student at a public or private high school or in actual attendance at an institution of higher education.
• An officer or employee of the Senate, the House of Representatives, or any department commission, board, office, or any agency in the legislative branch of state government.
• The primary caretaker of a person who is unable to care for him/herself.
• In active service of any branch of the U.S. military and deployed outside of Cooke County.
• A person with a physical or mental impairment making it impossible or very difficult to serve on a jury. To claim this exemption, a disability or physician’s statement must be submitted and indicate whether you should be exempted permanently or for 12 months. You or someone on your behalf may turn the form in, in person at the district clerk’s office

4. Can I reschedule my Jury Service? 

• Jurors may REQUEST a one-time deferral before their summons date at the discretion of the District Court by calling (940) 668-5401. 

5. Can I be excused due to work reasons? 

• You cannot be excused for work related or economic reasons.

6. Is there a penalty for not responding to a jury summons? 

• A person summoned for jury service who does not comply with the summons as required by law, or knowingly provides false information, is subject to a fine of no less than $100 nor more than $1000. 

7. What is the dress code? 

• Dress appropriately for court. Business casual is acceptable. Do NOT wear shorts, tank tops, hats, flip flops, sandals, etc.

8. Will I get paid for my jury service? 

• Prospective jurors receive $20.00 for the first day that they participate in jury selection, and $58.00 for each succeeding day of service. 

9. When will I receive payment? 

• Payment for jury service is processed in approximately 4 - 6 weeks. All payments are mailed by Cooke County Treasurer’s office (940)-668-5423

10. I intended to donate my jury pay but received a check. How can I donate? 

Please be sure to note the charity that you wish to donate to. Available charities are listed below: 

• Abigail’s Arms Family Crisis Center
  
• Cooke County Child Welfare Board
• Texas Victims of Crime Fund
  
• No Donation- I wish to keep my Juror Pay.
  
  

11. I received my check, but the amount is incorrect. Who do I contact? 

• Please contact Jury Services at (940) 668-5450

12. I never received my jury check. How do I get a replacement? 

Local Administrative Order 4-13-2018 (PDF-M)

Local Administrative Order 4-17-2018 (PDF-N) 

Office of Court Administration Appointments & Fees Reports

*We will have the last 12 months posted. Each month the oldest report will be removed, and the newest report will be added**  

Pay Criminal or Civil Court Cost, Fines, Restitution

(https://www.paytexas.com/pay/)

Payment Instructions/Tutorial Video

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fftJ6SyLBNI)

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Appointments Are Required:  

• Please arrive at least 20 minutes if you need to fill out an application, each application takes approximately 10-20 minutes to complete, so please allow enough time to complete applications for your entire party.
• Applicants MUST arrive with their completed Application, all proper documentation, and fees in order to be processed. 
• See the "Fees" section below regarding acceptable forms of payment. 
• Yes, you will need to know your parents date of birth and where they were born. Please get this information before coming to your appointment.

WHAT TO BRING: 

1. Application for U.S. Passport
2. Evidence of Citizenship
   • U.S. Birth Certificates must meet the following requirements:
     • Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
     • Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
     • List your parent’s full name
     • Has the date filed with registrar’s office (must be within one year of birth)
     • Has the registrar’s signature
     • Has the seal of the issuing authority

3. Passport Photo
• The District Clerk’s Office DOES NOT offer this service. You must bring your photo with you. Please make sure your photo is not blurry or pixelated.
• Must be 2" x 2" in size
4. Fees
• Application Fee
• Personal Check or Money Order made payable to the U.S. Department of State
• Execution Fee
• Debit/Credit, Exact Cash or Money Order made payable to the Cooke County District Clerk

Passport Quick Links:

1. United States Passport Fees 2025 (PDF-P) - English
2. United States Passport Fees 2025 (PDF-P) - Spanish
3. Passport Quick Reference 2025 (PDF-Q)

Adoption Criminal History Requirement (PDF-R)

Change of Name/Address or Employer (PDF-E)

Information for filing a Divorce (PDF-F)

Information for filing a Non-Disclosure https://www.txcourts.gov/rules-forms/orders-of-nondisclosure/

Notice of Self-Help Resources (PDF-S)

Protective Order Information https://www.txcourts.gov/rules-forms/standardized-protective-order-forms/

Redaction of SSN Request Form (PDF-H)

Second Court of Appeals serving Cooke County https://www.txcourts.gov/2ndcoa/

Statement of Inability to Afford Court Cost (PDF-L)

Supplemental Instructions for Self-Represented (Pro-Se) (PDF-T)

Texaslawhelp.org https://texaslawhelp.org/family-divorce-children

Txcourts.gov https://texascourthelp.gov/

OTHER FAQ’S

1.Where can I get forms to file my lawsuit or divorce?

The District Clerk’s office cannot provide legal advice and does not provide forms for lawsuits or divorces. A helpful website for forms is Texas Law Help.

2.Who can serve process?

Cooke County Sheriff’s Office can serve process for $75.00, to serve process, you will need to make arrangements for service and payments with that office.

3.What if I am unable to attend my hearing with the Attorney General?

For child support case information or payment information you may call the Attorney General's Fort Worth Division 817-731-9811 and the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit 800-252-8014.

4.Where can I pay my taxes?

If a lawsuit has been filed against you for delinquent taxes, you may pay the court costs at the District Clerk’s Office. Contact the District Clerk at 940-668-5450

To pay the balance of outstanding taxes, contact the Cooke County Appraisal District at 940-665-7651

5.How much does it cost to file an expunction?

The filing fee is $350. There is an additional fee of $17.20 per entity that you would like to receive notice of the hearing and a certified copy of the final order. If the hearing is rescheduled, the fee to resend notice of the hearing is $17.20 per entity.

The court coordinator sets the hearings and require a separate notice or order setting hearing.

 6.How do I get my cash bond back?

The defendant or person who deposited the cash bail bond needs to complete a Motion and Order to Release Cash Bond. Once the judge signs the order, granting release of the bond, the District Clerk will provide a check to the person ordered to receive the money.
Click here for the Motion and Order to Release Cash Bond (PDF-U).

7.How do I request copies of case paperwork? And how much are they?

You can get copies of case records by visiting:

www.texasonlinerecords.com or www.research.txcourts.gov

You may request copies in person or by mail. Record Request Form (PDF-A)

Please provide as much information as possible so that we know which documents you are requesting (our Judicial Record Search website may help). If you are sending a request by mail, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. There is a $5.00 research fee if the clerk must locate the cause number or ascertain the existence of a document in a file. Copies are $1.00/page, certified or uncertified. 

9.Who do I call to discuss my upcoming jury duty?

Please call: 940-668-5450