Texas public records
Texas property research usually needs both an appraisal district and a county clerk. Court records are distributed across courts; SOSDirect business filings and Comptroller tax accounts also answer different questions. A state marriage/divorce verification is not a certified county record or full court decree.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsTexas Office of Court Administration | Identify the court and its clerk; use the judiciary's linked case-access services. | County/court copies and provider access charges vary. Texas court records are distributed; re:SearchTX and local portals do not guarantee every case or document. |
| Property and land recordsTexas Comptroller county property-tax directory | Find the appraisal district for parcel values and county clerk for deeds. | County copies and certified instruments have separate fees. Appraisal-district data is not a chain-of-title search or a certified ownership report. |
| Business recordsTexas Secretary of State SOSDirect | Use SOSDirect for business filings and certified document services. | SOSDirect searches and document services can carry per-service charges. A Comptroller franchise-tax account search and a Secretary of State entity filing answer different questions. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceTexas DSHS Vital Statistics | Choose birth/death certificates or marriage/divorce verification and local record routes. | State verifications and county certified documents have different fees. A marriage/divorce verification is not a certified marriage license or complete divorce decree. |
| Criminal-history checksTexas Department of Public Safety | Choose public criminal-history conviction search or the authorized fingerprint process. | Name search and fingerprint-service charges differ. Public conviction information excludes some repository data; it is not every arrest or a nationwide check. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Texas
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Any person may make a written request for existing governmental-body records. Direct it to the body's public information officer through an accepted channel.
- How to submit
- Identify the Texas agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- Records must be released promptly. Ten business days is an important ruling-request threshold, not a blanket delivery deadline; delayed production requires an estimate.
- Fees and estimates
- State cost rules govern copies and staff work. Estimated charges over $40 generally require a written itemized estimate before the work proceeds.
- If access is denied
- The Attorney General's Open Records Division handles ruling questions and certain compliance or overcharge complaints. Preserve the written request and any ruling notice.
Texas records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Texas public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Public Information Act (Tex. Gov't Code § 552.001 et seq.), I request electronic copies of the governmental body's executed contract and final payment ledger for [contract number]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Texas public records FAQ
Where can I find Texas court records?
Identify the court and its clerk; use the judiciary's linked case-access services. Texas court records are distributed; re:SearchTX and local portals do not guarantee every case or document.
Sources: Texas Office of Court AdministrationAre Texas public records free?
State cost rules govern copies and staff work. Estimated charges over $40 generally require a written itemized estimate before the work proceeds. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Texas official public-records guidance; Texas Office of Court Administration; Texas DSHS Vital StatisticsHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Texas?
Choose birth/death certificates or marriage/divorce verification and local record routes. A marriage/divorce verification is not a certified marriage license or complete divorce decree.
Sources: Texas DSHS Vital Statistics; Texas Office of Court AdministrationIs a Texas court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. Public conviction information excludes some repository data; it is not every arrest or a nationwide check. Choose public criminal-history conviction search or the authorized fingerprint process.
Sources: Texas Department of Public Safety; Texas Office of Court AdministrationSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Texas official public-records guidance — checked
- Texas Office of Court Administration — checked
- Texas Comptroller county property-tax directory — checked
- Texas Secretary of State SOSDirect — checked
- Texas DSHS Vital Statistics — checked
- Texas Department of Public Safety — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions