Find Public Records in La Salle County
La Salle County public records are kept at the courthouse in Cotulla, a county seat along Interstate 35 in South Texas near the Mexico border. Property deeds, court case files, marriage licenses, and vital records are each maintained by the appropriate county office. Texas state databases supplement local records for criminal history and statewide court case indexes. This guide tells you which office in La Salle County holds what, how to request copies in person or by mail, and what you can search online without a courthouse visit.
La Salle County Overview
La Salle County Clerk
The La Salle County Clerk's office in Cotulla records all real property instruments for the county. Deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, easements, and plats are all indexed here. La Salle County has seen significant oil and gas activity over the years, so mineral interest documents and oil lease instruments are common in the records. Name searches cost $5.00 per name. Copies are $1.00 per page and certified copies add $5.00 per document.
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the County Clerk in Cotulla. Certified copies of La Salle County marriage records can be requested in person or by mail with prepayment. The clerk also keeps commissioners court minutes and probate records opened in the county court.
For certified birth and death certificates, contact the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics. Birth certificates cost $23 and death certificates cost $21. Older records from before state registration began may only exist at the county level.
La Salle County District Court Records
The La Salle County District Clerk manages records for the 81st Judicial District Court, a multi-county district. The court handles felony criminal cases, civil suits above the county court limit, and family law matters including divorce, child custody, and support. Certified copies of divorce decrees, civil judgments, and criminal case records from La Salle County are available from the District Clerk in Cotulla.
Search La Salle County cases for free through the re:SearchTX portal. Enter a name or case number to pull up basic case data. For actual documents, contact the District Clerk directly. Cases filed electronically through eFileTexas.gov appear in the portal after the clerk processes the submission.
Federal cases for La Salle County residents are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Search federal civil, criminal, and bankruptcy filings through PACER.
Note: La Salle County borders Webb County to the south. Some residents near the county line may have matters in either county's court system.
Public Information Requests
The Texas Public Information Act covers all government bodies in La Salle County. You can request records from county departments, the City of Cotulla, school districts, and other public entities. Submit a written request to the specific agency. No reason is required. The agency has 10 business days to respond. If it claims an exemption, it must seek approval from the Texas AG's Open Government division.
Paper copy costs are $0.10 per page. Electronic records may be provided at lower cost. The AG's office handles complaints if agencies fail to respond or improperly deny access.
Criminal History and Supporting Databases
The Texas DPS Crime Records Service provides statewide criminal history searches covering La Salle County cases. Name-based searches pull arrest and disposition data from all Texas jurisdictions. Certified copies of specific La Salle County case files are available from the District Clerk in Cotulla.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds historical records that may include older La Salle County documents. Business entity and UCC filings are at the Texas Secretary of State.
The Texas Public Information Act page at the state statutes site is the best reference for the rules that apply to all La Salle County records requests.
Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code sets the rules for every La Salle County government agency when responding to records requests from the public.
Cities in La Salle County
Cotulla is the county seat and largest city in La Salle County. Encinal is another community in the county. All county property and court records are filed at the Cotulla courthouse.
No city in La Salle County meets the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All residents of the county use the clerk offices in Cotulla.
Nearby Counties
La Salle County is in South Texas along the I-35 corridor between San Antonio and Laredo. Neighboring counties include Webb County to the south, which includes Laredo.