County Clerk Frequently Asked Questions

The Williamson County Clerk's office answers dozens of questions every day. We have compiled the answers to the most frequently asked questions and put them here on this Web page where they can be available to you 24 hours every day.

Please see these answers to questions on:

• County Clerk Records
• Criminal Case Management
• Probate/Civil Case Management

Also please see the list of County Clerk fees which we are required by law to charge for our services. Please call us at (512) 943-1515 or (512) 943-1150 if we can help you.

County Clerk Records

How do I contact the County Clerk's records division?

The County Clerk's office is located in the basement of the Justice Center at 405 MLK, Georgetown, Texas 78626. To contact the County Clerk's office, please call (512) 943-1515 from the Austin Metro area.

The County Clerk's office is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.

How do I get a copy of a birth or death record?

The County Clerk can electronically access and issue a copy of Birth Records of any person born in Texas through the Vital Statistics of the Texas Department of Health in Austin. Copies of birth and death certificates are confidential under Texas law and do not become public records for fifty and twenty-five years respectively, and can only be obtained by qualified applicants before then. Any person or organization that can demonstrate through his or her legal relationship or direct or tangible interest in a particular record may be qualified to obtain a certified copy of the record.

To get a certified copy of a birth or death certificate, please visit the Williamson County Justice Center at 405 MLK in Georgetown. To expedite your visit, please bring a picture ID, such as your driver's license, and the necessary fees. Please note: Failure to provide the purpose in obtaining the record and relationship to the applicant in the request, when the applicant is not the person named on the record, will result in the application being rejected or delayed in processing. Important: Make your check or money order payable to Williamson County Clerk. No telephone, electronic mail requests or verifications will be accepted.

I need a copy of my divorce.

Divorce records are located in the District Clerk's Office, 405 Martin Luther King Blvd., Georgetown, Texas 78626. The telephone number is (512) 943-1212.

Can I look up land records by a legal description?

Williamson County does not index by using the legal description as a reference. You must have the name of the grantor or the grantee and a date to obtain information in the real estate records.

Does Williamson County have zoning?

Only cities in the county have the power to zone property.

Does Williamson County have any rules and regulations for building within the County outside a city's limit?

Please see this information from the County Engineer.

Could I obtain the square footage of a house or the size of a lot from the Williamson County Clerk's Office?

The Williamson County Clerk's Office does not keep records of square footage of a house, but the size of a lot can be obtained from our plat department.

Does Williamson County have a county surveyor?

Yes, His name is Joe Baker and his telephone number is (512) 244-9620.

Where do I get a dba?

You can file for a dba in the Williamson County Clerk's Office. The office is located at 405 MLK Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626. The telephone number is (512) 943-1515.

Where do I register my car?
Where is the tax office?

To register your motor vehicle you should go to the Williamson County Tax Office. The Tax Office has four locations:

• 904 South Main Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626. The telephone number is (512) 943-1602.

• Cedar Park Annex, 350 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park, Texas 78613. The telephone number is (512) 260-4290.
  

• Round Rock Annex, 211 Commerce Cove, Round Rock, Texas 78664. The telephone number is (512) 248-3278.
  

• Taylor Tax Office is located at 113 W. 4^th Street, Taylor, Texas 76574. The telephone number is (512) 352-6932.

What is the number for the appraisal district?

The Williamson County Appraisal District is located at 510 W. 9^th Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626. The telephone number is (512) 930-3787.

What year do your records start?

The birth and death records for Williamson County start in 1903. The marriage records, land records, and probate records start in 1848.

What do I need to do to get a marriage license?

If you wish to apply for a marriage license in Williamson County both applicants should come to the Justice Center located at 405 MLK Street, Georgetown, TX. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.

We will need proper identification such as a drivers license, certified copy of birth certificate (not a hospital record), or passport. We will also ask for social security numbers. Please refer to the fees page for the price of a marriage license.

Once you purchase the license you have to wait 72 hours before you can marry unless either of you happen to be on active duty in the military. You have to be married within 30 days from the date that you purchased the license.

If you are 14 years or older but under 18 years of age a parent will have to sign the consent form. The parent will also need to bring a drivers license or I.D. card for proper identification. If the natural parents are divorced, the parent given custody must give the written consent. The parent will need to bring the custody papers and proper identification.

In the state of Texas, there is a 30 day waiting period after a divorce is final. We can issue the license on the 31^st day from the final date. If the applicants are remarrying each other then it does not apply.

You can purchase your license in any county in Texas and get married in any other county in Texas.

If you have any questions, please call (512) 943-1527 or (512) 943-1526.

Criminal Court

How do I contact the County Clerk's office courts division?

The County Clerk's Court Division is located on the second floor of the Williamson County Justice Center at 405 MLK, Georgetown, Texas 78626. To contact the County Clerk's office, please call (512) 943-1150 from the Austin Metro area.

The County Clerk's office is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Our office is open during lunch.

How do I get a case set or get information on a court hearing?

• County Court at Law No. 1: (512) 943-1201
• County Court at Law No. 2: (512) 943-1410
• County Court at Law No. 3: (512) 943-1160
• County Court at Law No. 4: (512) 943-1681

Which court is my case in?

The defendant may call our office at (512) 943-1150 regarding the court to which his/her case has been assigned. Usually this information may be found on the notice to appear in court.

What is my/my client's cause number?

The defendant or his/her attorney may call our office at (512) 943-1150 for the cause number assigned to his/her criminal case.

When is my court date?

Please call the appropriate County Court at Law for court date information.

How can I change my court date?

Requests for court date changes must be made through the Court where the case has been filed. The Clerk's office cannot change court dates.

How much do I owe for fine and court costs?

Court costs vary by case type, disposition type, and other factors. The defendant may call our office at (512) 943-1150 to inquire about his/her fees.

When is my payment due?

The due dates for fines and court costs vary by case. The defendant may call our office at (512) 943-1150 to inquire about payment due dates.

Can I get an extension on my fine and court costs?

The defendant needs to contact the Judge's office for an extension before the due date. Court #1 no longer grants extensions.

What do I need to do to have my cash bond returned?

Due to the different versions of bonds and different situations, this question must be answered on an individual basis. You may call the County Clerk's office at (512) 943-1150 for information regarding the return of cash bond money for a misdemeanor criminal case.

Can you tell me what the status is on a Cause number?

Due to the volume of calls we receive daily, we are not staffed to answer calls of this nature from the general public. They are welcome to come to the office to look up the answer in the court file, or we will provide a certified letter for $10.00, either by mail or in person.  You may also try our online Judicial Search.

Has a case been filed on this person?

Due to the volume of calls we receive daily, we are not staffed to answer calls of this nature from the general public. They are welcome to come to the office to look up the answer in the court file, or we will provide a certified letter for $10.00, either by mail or in person.  You may also try our online Judicial Search.

What do I need to do to get my driver's license reinstated?

This is really a question for DPS. The defendant is sometimes required by the court to take certain classes. If the requirement for the class is reported to DPS, but the defendant does not take the class or does not provide a certificate of completion, DPS will suspend the defendant's license. Sometimes, proof of completion of the course is all that is necessary. The defendant should call DPS if he/she does not know why his/her license has been suspended, or if he/she has any questions regarding reinstatement. This can get rather complicated and cannot be completely answered here.

Where do I make Probation payments?

Probation payments are made at the Probation Department.

Where is the Hot Check Department?

The Hot Check Department is located in the County Attorney's Office in the Courthouse Annex at 405 Martin Luther King in Georgetown.

What do I do if I don't have a lawyer?

The Judge will address this question when the defendant appears for his first court setting for a "First Appearance Docket", along with other information and instructions. It is important to be in the courtroom at the appointed time.

Can you tell me how to file my own court case?

We are not attorneys and are prohibited by law from giving any legal advice. We cannot give you instructions on filing your case or answer any questions on the accuracy of your papers or how to present your case to the judge. If you intend to represent yourself, without the assistance of an attorney, you must have the knowledge to prepare and file the proper pleadings and present your case to the court. We advise you to consult an attorney if you have any questions or are unsure as to what you need to do.

Where are the Criminal Indexes?

The Criminal Indexes are located in our office at the Courthouse Annex (2^nd floor) at 405 Martin Luther King Street, Georgetown, Texas.

Where do I file an Occupational License?

Occupational licenses are now filed through the Civil Section of the County Clerk's office for misdemeanor criminal cases. It is located on the second floor of the Courthouse Annex at 405 Martin Luther King in Georgetown.

How do I file an appeal from J.P./Municipal Court?

Appeals from lower courts must be filed in the lower court where the case originated.

How much do you charge for copies?

Per Local Government Code 118.001, the charge for copies is $1.00 per page and a $5.00 charge for certification if the copies need to be certified.

What are your fees?

Please see this list.

How do I get jury information?

See this information from the District Clerk about serving on District Court and County Court at Law juries. For updates on jury information, call (512) 930-3125.

I've moved to another county/state. Do I still have to report for jury duty?

No. The "qualifications" section of the jury card states that the prospective juror "must be a citizen of this State and County and qualified to vote." The potential juror would be disqualified for that reason. The individual still needs to return the jury card with the appropriate box checked.

Probate/Civil Court

The County Clerk's Court Division is located on the second floor of the Williamson County Justice Center at 405 MLK, Georgetown, Texas 78626. To contact the County Clerk's office, please call (512) 943-1140 from the Austin Metro area.

The County Clerk's office is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Our office is open during lunch.

How do I file a probate on a decedent's will?

As with any legal matter, contacting an attorney experienced with these cases is always the safest choice. However, anyone may file a case on their own behalf. All probate records are open to the public if you would like to research how other probates have been completed. (Copies may be obtained at $1.00 a page.)

Please keep in mind that no one in the County Clerk's office is an attorney, and we cannot answer legal questions or offer legal advice regarding the appropriate course of action.

Is there a probate open on a particular individual?

Due to the volume of calls we receive daily, we are not staffed to answer calls of this nature from the general public. They are welcome to come to the office to look up the answer in the court file, or we will provide a certified letter for $10.00, either by mail or in person.  You may also try our online Judicial Search.

How do I schedule a hearing with the County Courts?

County Court at Law No. 1: (512) 943-1200
County Court at Law No. 2: (512) 943-1410
County Court at Law No. 3: (512) 943-1160
County Court at Law No. 4: (512) 943-1681

Does the County Clerk accept wills prior to the testator's death?

Unfortunately, the Williamson County Clerk's office does not have the capacity to store wills prior to the testator's death.

How do I get to the Courthouse Annex (also known as the Criminal Justice Center)?

Please see this map. From Austin: Take IH-35 to Exit 261. Turn right onto Highway 29 East. Continue until you reach Austin Ave. (third stoplight); turn left onto Austin Avenue. Continue until you reach 4^th Street. Turn left onto 4^th Street. Continue until you reach MLK Street and turn right onto MLK Street. The Williamson County Clerk's office is located at 405 MLK Street in the Williamson County Criminal Justice Center on the second floor.

What are your fees?

Please see this list.

Can you recommend an attorney?

No. However the Williamson County Bar Association may be contacted at (512) 863-2191 or the Texas Bar Association may be contacted at (800) 252-9690. J Legal Aid of Central Texas provides free legal assistance to qualified applicants, and they may be contacted at (800)369-9270. (They do not handle criminal cases.)

What is this judgment on my credit report?

A credit report listing a judgment from a case in Williamson County may be from a Justice of the Peace, County Court, or District Court case. Additionally, this listing may refer to an Abstract of Judgment on record with the Real Estate section of the County Clerk's office. Each of these offices should be contacted for additional information..

Has an answer been filed?

Information on a particular case can only be obtained by contacting the County Clerk's office at (512) 943-1140.

Has a citation been served?

Information on a particular case can only be obtained by contacting the County Clerk's office at (512) 943-1140.

Do we have forms for caller to use?

The only forms available are the Small Estate Affidavit and the Annual Report of the Guardian of the Person. Please contact the County Clerk's office at (512) 943-1140 to have these forms mailed to you.

How do I obtain letters testamentary?

If you have already been appointed by the Court, you may obtain additional Letters Testamentary by forwarding $2.00 for each Letter requested to the County Clerk's office. If you have not been appointed, the decedent's estate must be probated before any Letters Testamentary may be issued.

Has the Judge signed the Order on a particular case?

Information on a particular case can only be obtained by contacting the County Clerk's office at (512) 943-1140 or contacted the Judge's individual office.