Education & Training

What is a District Clerk?

The district clerk performs the duties assigned by the Texas Constitution as registrar, recorder and custodian of all court pleadings, instruments and papers that are part of any legal cause of action in the district courts.

What Does a District Clerk Do in Texas?

• Serves as clerk and custodian of all records for the District Courts.
• Indexes and secures all court records, collects filing fees, and handles funds held in litigation and money awarded to minors.
• Coordinates the jury panel selection process.
• May process passport applications.
• Manages court registry funds.

For more complete information about the responsibilities of a district clerk and other county officials, see the "Guide to Texas Laws for County Officials."

Please note: Some duties performed by officials may vary within individual counties. In Texas Counties with a population of fewer than 8,000 (unless there has been a special election) the county clerk also serves as the district clerk and assumes all constitutional and statutory duties of both positions.

District Clerk Requirements

District clerks are required to attain 20 hours of continuing education during each calendar year that begins after election or appointment.

District Clerk Qualifications⁶

The District Clerk must meet the following qualifications at the time of appointment or election:

• U.S. Citizen.
• Resident of Texas for at least 12 consecutive months.
• Resident of the county for at least six consecutive months.
• Registered to vote in the county.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Not have been finally convicted of a felony from which they have not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities.
• Not have been determined by a court with probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.

Candidates for this office generally must meet the above qualifications at the time of filing.

For more information, see the Secretary of State Elections Division website.

Legal source: Government Code, Section 51.605

⁶Vernon’s Ann. Texas Const. Art. 5, §9; V.T.C.A., Election Code §141.001