About the McLennan County District Clerk's Office
Ralph Strother serves as the current McLennan County District Clerk. The office holds district court pleadings, runs jury administration, and processes criminal, civil, and family copies. The case index covers criminal and civil cases from 2001 forward, with general case information from the early 1980s forward converted from the legacy Bridge system. Older records date back to 1850 and can be viewed by arrangement.
The office accepts visitors through security, with handicap access through the alley entrance between the main courthouse and the annex. Spanish-language services are available. The page itself summarizes the office and how to reach the right division.
The case index landing page sits at mclennan.edoctec.com and requires accepting a disclaimer before entering the public case index.
District Clerk Office
501 Washington Avenue, Suite 300
Waco, TX 76701
Civil 254-757-5057 / Criminal 254-757-5054
Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
What the District Clerk Does in McLennan County
The District Clerk is the official custodian of district court files. The office accepts new filings, processes service, maintains the case index, manages jury summons, accepts copy requests, and collects court costs and fees. Texas Government Code Chapter 51 frames the basic duties of court clerks. The District Clerk also keeps an expunction information page and a list of agencies that may need to be notified when an expunction order is signed.
- Receive and file civil and criminal pleadings for district courts.
- Manage the jury system, including summons and check-in.
- Process record searches and copy requests.
- Collect court costs, fines, and fees.
- Send orders to outside agencies, such as DPS for expunction.
The County Clerk handles a different set of files. The County Clerk pages explain those duties for context.
The County Clerk page at mclennan.gov/166 covers official public records, marriage, assumed names, and misdemeanor and civil court clerk work for cross-reference.
How to Request a Certified Copy
Requests can be made in person, by mail, by fax, or by phone for name-only criminal queries. The office suggests calling first to confirm the correct fee. Mailed requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope, the document list, and payment by check, money order, or cashier's check made out to McLennan County District Clerk.
- Decide whether you need a civil, family, or criminal copy.
- Gather the cause number if you have it; if not, plan for a $5 search fee.
- Mail or fax the request to the right division, or come in person during office hours.
- Include payment by check, money order, or cashier's check; credit card is accepted for fax requests.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the result mailed back.
- For archived files before 2000, allow time for the pull between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The office publishes a Filing Fees page that covers civil and family filings.
The page at mclennan.gov/377/Filing-Fees explains civil and family filing fees and how to file an Affidavit of Indigency.
Records Request Form Fields
The District Clerk's public-record copy request instructions list what to include. There is no single online form, so requests are usually a clear letter or fax with the items below.
| Field | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Text | Yes | Mark the envelope Civil Division or Criminal Division. |
| Party Full Name | Text | Yes for criminal | Last name first; full names required for criminal. |
| Date of Birth | Date | Yes for criminal | Required for criminal information. |
| Cause Number | Text | If known | Speeds the pull; add $5 search fee if unknown. |
| Documents Requested | Text | Yes for copies | List the documents you need. |
| Payment | Check, money order, cashier's check, cash, credit | Yes if fee due | Money orders payable to McLennan County District Clerk. |
| Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope | Mail item | For mail return | Required for written mail requests. |
The Public Record Copy Requests page lays out the mail, fax, and walk-in routes.
See mclennan.gov/382 for the full instructions covering civil, family, and criminal copies.
McLennan County District Clerk Fees
The fee table below covers the most common requests. Fees are set by state law and county practice. Confirm any current amount with the proper division before mailing payment.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain or certified copy per page | $1 |
| Civil or family search if cause number unknown | $5 |
| Criminal research letter | $5 |
| Certified criminal research letter | $10 |
| Name-only criminal query by phone (with DOB) | $5; major credit cards accepted |
| Criminal record search certificate (certified) | $10 |
| Fax-back local first page / each additional | $3 / $1 |
| Fax-back long distance first page / second page | $5 / $2 |
| Credit card vendor fee for criminal fax requests | $3 plus 1.77% |
The Record Searches and Copy Requests page covers criminal record search and copy procedures.
The page at mclennan.gov/399 details criminal record search and copy request fees and procedures.
Common Clerk Forms
The District Clerk's site links to commonly used forms. Pro se litigants can also use the Texas Law Help and the Texas State Law Library self-help portals. The clerk cannot give legal advice, but the office can confirm whether a filing is complete and properly formatted.
The Case Index Search page itself sits at the gateway between the public and the docket.
The page at mclennan.gov/993 describes civil and criminal coverage, free docket sheets, copy fees, fax ordering, and the limits on the attorney portal.
Mail, Fax, and Online Filings
The office accepts new district court filings through eFileTexas and local e-filing rules. Mailed copies of orders require a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office cannot give legal advice, and indigency does not entitle a person to free copies or record searches, though it can support a fee waiver on certain filings.
Fax copy requests need credit-card prepayment. Civil and public copy faxes go to 254-757-5060; criminal copies go to 254-752-1146. The credit-card vendor fee is $3 plus 1.77 percent for criminal fax requests.
Accessibility and Spanish Services
The District Clerk's office is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All visitors enter through security. Handicap access to the District Clerk and the annex runs through the alley entrance between the main courthouse and the annex; call 254-757-5054 or 254-757-5057 before entering because security procedures must be maintained. Spanish language services are available in the office for filings and counter help.
The third-floor sky bridge connects the main courthouse to the annex, which is where the District Clerk sits. Plan extra time on busy days to clear security and reach the office. For accessibility help or jury matters, the office maintains a separate jury entrance in the alley for handicap and jury access.
Jury management is a core District Clerk function. Summonses, check-in, and panel assignment all run out of this office. If you receive a jury summons for a McLennan County district court, the District Clerk is the office to contact for date changes, hardship requests, or status questions.