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March 13, 2026 [Z2A]
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Emergency Notices
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Search Our Records
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Jury
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e-Filing
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Contact Information
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Jury Innovations

The Harris County District Clerk’s Office is committed to making jury service fair, respectful, and worth your time. Our office led the effort to increase juror pay and modernize how you are summoned and checked in for service. Today, more residents are able to serve, and the process is clearer from start to finish.

We have updated online tools so you can respond to a summons, get basic questions answered, and understand what to expect before you arrive at the courthouse. Our goal is to reduce confusion and help you plan your day, whether this is your first time serving or you have been called before.

Jury service is a vital part of our justice system. When more people from different parts of the community are able to participate, court outcomes are more fair and trusted. The District Clerk’s Office will continue to improve instructions, signage, and digital services so that showing up for jury duty feels organized, respectful, and manageable for everyday residents.

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Our Services

The Harris County District Clerk’s Office has worked to make our services easier to reach, easier to understand, and easier to use. Many residents now start online, where they can find clear information about records, payments, and key forms without needing to make an extra trip downtown. Our office has focused on simplifying web pages, using plain language, and offering guidance so you know what you need before you arrive.

In person, we continue to expand access where it matters most. This includes passport services at our Canal location and other efforts that bring services closer to the communities that use them. We are also investing in projects like film conversion, which helps preserve and open up older court records in more modern formats.

Across all of these changes, the goal is the same: reduce wait times, cut down on confusion, and help residents complete their business with the courts in fewer steps. The District Clerk’s Office is here to serve you, whether you interact with us online, by phone, or at one of our locations.

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Transparency

The Harris County District Clerk’s Office is focused on making court-related information easier to see, understand, and trust. Under District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, our office has taken steps to shine more light on how court registry funds are managed and disbursed. We also working to make staff and clerk advocacy more visible, including efforts to address pay concerns and improve working conditions.

When decisions that affect the public are explained clearly, people can have more confidence in how the justice system operates. That is why our office is improving written explanations, online resources, and public-facing updates about key topics like E-filing and records access. We aim to give residents, attorneys, and court partners clearer facts in one place, instead of scattered or hard-to-follow information.

This commitment to transparency also applies to how we respond to public information requests and questions from the community. The District Clerk’s Office is continually refining processes so that responses are timely, accurate, and complete.

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Stay Connected on Social Media

The Harris County District Clerk’s Office uses social media to keep residents informed about services, events, and important changes in real time. Following our office online is one of the easiest ways to learn about jury updates, new or expanded services, passport opportunities, and tips for navigating court-related tasks.

On our social channels, we share short videos, reminders, and educational posts that break down court processes in plain language. You will see updates tied to our three major focus areas: improving the jury experience, expanding access to office services, and increasing transparency about how our office serves the public. Our goal is to provide helpful information, not noise, so you can quickly see what matters and what you may need to do.

We invite you to follow the Harris County District Clerk’s Office on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. By staying connected, you can get timely updates, learn more about your role in the justice system, and share resources with friends, family, and neighbors who may need them.

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Picture of the Harris County District Clerk, Marilyn Burgess


Marilyn Burgess is your Harris County District Clerk. A seasoned businesswoman with leadership skills and administrative experience, Ms. Burgess graduated from Louisiana State University with an accounting degree in 1975 and practiced as a CPA for more than 30 years.

Besides her work in the private sector, Ms. Burgess has also served the community. Ms. Burgess led the Texas Parent Teachers Association (PTA) as Executive Director from 1999 to 2001. In that role, she worked with state lawmakers to pass legislation that benefited the health, education, and welfare of Texas children. Ms. Burgess also stood firm against school vouchers that would have redirected tax dollars to private schools.

During her time leading the Texas Parent Teachers Association, Ms. Burgess found her calling to advocate for causes that improve the lives of working and middle-class families, single mothers, and teachers.

Ms. Burgess moved to Houston in 2002 and served as President of the North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce from 2002 to 2006. In this position, Ms. Burgess quickly learned about her new community by collaborating with Houston and Harris County elected officials, as well as local and regional community and business leaders. Ms. Burgess gained a comprehensive and insightful knowledge of Greater Houston’s economy and political landscape.

Prior to being elected District Clerk, Ms. Burgess worked as the Chief Financial Officer at a family-owned fastener company based in north Harris County.

Ms. Burgess developed her belief in hard work and public service from her parents Oda and Glover Rockett. Both of them held elected office in her hometown of Spearsville, LA. Her father represented the region in a role similar to county commissioner for 12 years.

After Ms. Burgess’ mother retired from her position as chair of the local hospital board, she went on to serve the community as mayor of Spearsville during the final years of her life.

In 2018, Ms. Burgess ran for Harris County District Clerk on a platform focused on modernizing the jury system by launching online registration for prospective jurors, increasing the diversity of juries, and ensuring a living wage for the hardworking professionals that staff the District Clerk’s Office.

In December 2021, District Clerk Burgess received the prestigious G. Thomas Munsterman Award for Jury Innovation bestowed by the National Center for State Courts.

In 2022, she was named one of Houston’s Top 30 Women.

In 2023, she received the Public Official of the Year Award bestowed by the Master of Public Administration Program of the University of Houston (UH).

As District Clerk, she is working hard to make the DCO more efficient, innovative and technology-driven. Ms. Burgess oversees a budget of $60 million and a staff of more than 600 people.


E-mail Marilyn Burgess