Lubbock Probate Court Records

Lubbock probate court records are handled by the Lubbock County Clerk and District Clerk. Lubbock is the county seat, so the courthouse is in the city. All probate matters for Lubbock residents go through the county courts. The District Clerk, Sara L. Smith, serves nine courts including district and county courts at law. You can search for Lubbock probate cases online through the county records portal or through the statewide re:SearchTX system. Since January 2026, Lubbock County has moved to electronic-only filing retention for most documents. Public access terminals are also available at the courthouse for in-person searches.

Where Lubbock Probate Cases Go

Lubbock is the county seat of Lubbock County. Under Texas Estates Code Chapter 51, probate must be filed in the county where the person who died last lived. For Lubbock residents, that means Lubbock County.

The Lubbock County District Clerk's office handles probate case filings and maintains court records. The District Clerk is Sara L. Smith. Her office serves nine courts. You can reach the office at (806) 775-1585.

Attorneys must e-file probate documents through eFileTexas. Self-represented parties can file in person. Since January 1, 2026, the county has shifted to electronic-only filing retention for most case documents. Original wills must still be filed in hard copy.

Search Lubbock Probate Records

You can search Lubbock probate court records online through the county's records portal. The re:SearchTX system also has Lubbock County document access. Register at research.txcourts.gov to use the statewide system.

Public access terminals at the Lubbock County Courthouse let you search records in person at no charge. Staff can help with searches and pull case files from the system. Certified copies are available for the standard Texas fees. Plain copies cost about $1 per page. Certified copies run $5 per document plus the per-page charge.

For best results, have the full name of the person who died, the executor's name, or the case number ready before you start your search. The online system covers recent filings. Older probate court records may require an in-person visit or a phone call to the clerk's office at (806) 775-1585.

Note: Lubbock County's move to electronic-only retention means more records should be available online going forward.

Probate Case Types in Lubbock

Lubbock probate court records cover the full range of Texas probate case types. Independent administration under Chapter 257 is the most common path. Muniment of title under Chapter 256 works for simpler estates.

Small estate affidavits under Section 205 are available for estates under $75,000. Heirship proceedings under Chapter 304 come up when there is no will. Guardianship cases are also handled through the Lubbock County probate system. The four-year filing deadline for wills applies here just like anywhere else in Texas.

Lubbock Probate Resources

The Texas Probate Records Public Access Guide explains what records are available and how to get them.

This guide covers the basics of public access to probate files in Texas, including what you can see online and what requires an in-person visit.

All official forms are at txcourts.gov. TexasLawHelp has step-by-step probate guides. The Texas State Law Library offers free research tools. The State Bar referral service at (800) 252-9690 can help you find a Lubbock probate attorney. For death certificates, contact DSHS Vital Statistics at (888) 963-7111.

Lubbock Probate Filing Fees

Lubbock County probate filing fees are about $360. Certified copies follow the standard Texas rate of $5 per document plus $1 per page. Search fees may apply. E-filing costs $30 per new case and $2 per envelope.

Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. The form is at txcourts.gov.

Nearby Cities

Lubbock is in the Texas Panhandle region. The nearest qualifying cities are:

Amarillo • Midland • Odessa • Abilene • Wichita Falls

Lubbock County Probate Court Records

Lubbock is the county seat of Lubbock County. All probate filings go through the county system. See the county page for more.

View Lubbock County Probate Court Records