College Station Probate Records
College Station probate court records are handled by Brazos County, not by the city. If you need to find a will, estate case, or guardianship order for someone who lived in College Station, the Brazos County Clerk's office at the courthouse in nearby Bryan is where those records are kept. College Station and Bryan share the same county court system for all probate matters. You can search records in person at the courthouse in Bryan or use the statewide re:SearchTX online tool to check on case filings. The drive from College Station to the Brazos County Courthouse is about ten minutes.
College Station Overview
College Station Probate Filing
College Station does not have its own probate court. Texas law places probate at the county level. Under Texas Estates Code Chapter 51, probate cases must be filed in the county where the person who died last lived. For College Station residents, that is Brazos County.
The Brazos County Clerk's office at the courthouse in Bryan handles all probate filings. The County Judge presides over probate matters in the constitutional county court. Brazos County also has County Courts at Law that share probate jurisdiction. Even though Bryan is the county seat, College Station is right next door, so getting to the courthouse is quick and easy.
| Office | Brazos County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 E. 26th St., Suite 120 Bryan, TX 77803 |
| Phone | (979) 361-4128 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
College Station residents should note that all in-person probate business goes through the Bryan courthouse. There is no satellite office in College Station for probate filings. Phone and email inquiries can be made to the clerk's office to check on case status before making the trip.
Search College Station Probate Records
There are a few ways to search for College Station probate court records. The fastest online option is the re:SearchTX system. It covers Brazos County filings and lets you search by party name or case number.
You can also go in person to the Brazos County Clerk's office at 300 E. 26th St. in Bryan. Staff can look up cases by name or docket number. Copies are $1 per page. Certified copies run $5 per document plus $1 per extra page. A clerk search costs $5.
To search probate records for College Station, bring at least one of these:
- Full name of the person who died
- Executor or administrator name
- Case or docket number
- Approximate year of filing
No appointment is needed. Walk in during business hours and the staff will help you. The courthouse is about a ten-minute drive from Texas A&M University.
College Station Probate Resources
The DSHS Vital Statistics office handles death certificates, which are often needed as part of probate filings for College Station and Brazos County estates.
Death certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You can order them online, by mail, or in person at a local vital records office.
College Station Probate Fees
Filing fees for College Station probate court records follow the Texas standard. The base fee for a new probate case in Brazos County is $360. This covers will probates, administrations, small estate affidavits, and guardianships.
Extra costs come up during the case. Citations are $8 each time. Letters testamentary or letters of administration cost $2 per set. Certified copies are $5 per document plus $1 per page. Plain copies are $1 per page.
If you cannot pay the fees, Texas allows a fee waiver. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. If your income falls below 125% of the federal poverty line or you get government benefits, you likely qualify. The waiver form is at the Texas Courts forms page. E-filing adds a $30 state fee for new cases through eFileTexas.
Probate Record Types for College Station
College Station probate court records in Brazos County cover the same case types as any Texas county. Will probates are the most common. The executor files the will under Texas Estates Code Chapter 256. If no administration is needed, the will may be probated as a muniment of title only.
Independent administration under Chapter 257 is the standard path. The executor gets broad power with little court oversight. Other types include guardianship cases, heirship determinations under Chapter 304, and small estate affidavits for estates valued under $75,000 per Section 205.
Wills can be deposited for safekeeping with the County Clerk for $5. The deadline to probate a will is four years from the date of death.
Legal Help for College Station Probate
College Station residents have some options for legal help with probate matters. Lone Star Legal Aid covers the Brazos Valley and may assist with probate cases for qualifying individuals. The Brazos County Bar Association can refer you to a local probate attorney.
For self-help resources, the Texas State Law Library has research guides on estates and probate. TexasLawHelp provides step-by-step instructions and forms for self-represented parties. All official court forms are at txcourts.gov. If you are not a lawyer, you do not have to e-file. You can bring your papers to the clerk in person. Original wills must always be filed in person or by mail.
Note: Court staff can help you with forms but are not allowed to give legal advice.
Nearby Cities
College Station is in the Brazos Valley of Central Texas, home to Texas A&M University. Nearby qualifying cities with probate information are listed here.
Brazos County Probate Court Records
College Station is in Brazos County. All probate filings for College Station go through the Brazos County courts in Bryan. For a full look at the county probate system, see the Brazos County page.