Texas

Public records can provide a wealth of information. While the documents are helpful, they can be challenging to find, request, and receive.

Knowing how to maneuver the process can save you time and energy.

Those needing to access records have a right to submit a request through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Every state has different processes, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.

• Criminal Records
• Court Records
• Inmate Records
• Vital Records

What does the Texas public records law say?

Under the Texas Public Records Act, you do not have to be a resident to receive records. The records must be produced for you within ten days, or a written response should be mailed explaining when the documents will be available.

If the agency denies your request, they need to send a written exemption to the attorney general. This is a benefit because it means the agency will not just automatically deny records requests.

The Texas Attorney General makes the final decision on releasing the records, but this step will also slow down the acquisition of documents. That attorney general has 45 days to respond to the denial. There is no appeal option in Texas, but you can file a lawsuit to obtain the records.

There are exemptions within the Texas Public Records Act. The judicial system is exempt, although you can obtain records from the executive and state agencies.

You can be refused records on audits, confidential documents, personnel files, records that are an invasion of privacy, crime or abuse victims records, and specific law enforcement procedures due to security.

The fee associated with copying records in Texas is $.10 per page. If a search is required for your request, you can be charged $15.00 per hour.

You may be charged more if the records you request are from different agencies. If an employee needs to redact confidential information, you can be charged for that work.

For more information, visit Texas.gov.

How can I access public records in Texas?

Some Texas records are available online, and some must be requested through a physical form. If a form is required, it can be sent via mail, email, or phone to the record-holding department.

Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you’re accessing records from multiple places.

In general, a public records request should include:

• Your name
• Contact information
• The name of the document
• Details about the document
• A time frame that you would like to receive the materials by
• Document delivery method, mail or email

Texas Criminal Records

A criminal record from Texas provides arrest information, prosecutions, and dispositions for a Class B misdemeanor or more significant violation.

It will include specific details on the person’s interactions with law enforcement.

The Department of Public Safety maintains criminal records in Texas.

What’s on a Texas criminal record?

A criminal record provides a detailed report of a person’s interactions with various police departments in the state.

The information stems from multiple sources and includes arrest records, convictions, and incarcerations within the state’s nine prisons.

The criminal record you receive will provide you with this pertinent information:

• Date of birth
• Driver license number
• Photograph/mugshot
• Fingerprints
• Current and past addresses
• Former arrest records
• Current and past warrants
• Sex offender status

Where can I find Texas criminal records?

You will visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division website to access the criminal record.

You will need to set up an account and supply your name, address, email, phone number, and credit card information. You will not receive a refund if there are no records found.

Texas Inmate Records

Texas has 700 prisons and jails that, in 2017, housed 1435,341 inmates. This can make a search for an inmate’s records difficult.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains inmate records.

What’s on a Texas inmate record?  

Each state varies in what information it will provide on an inmate’s record. Usually, it contains personal details and where the person is incarcerated.

Conducting a public records search can provide the following information on an inmate:

• Name and aliases
• Date of Birth
• Height and weight
• DOC ID
• Booking photo
• Assigned location
• Sentence summary

Where can I find Texas inmate records?

You will visit the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Information Search to access the inmate record.

To request an inmate’s records, visit the website listed above and enter the last name and the first initial of the person, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) number or the state identification (SID)  number.

You can enter gender and race if you know them.

Texas Court Records

The Texas judicial branch includes various courts with specific functions. Because of its large number of courts, it can be hard to track down records.

Texas courts can be broken down into levels by what type of case they manage. The majority of the cases are an appeal from an appellate ruling.

The Supreme Court helps the whole Texas judiciary system run efficiently and creates the rules for the other courts.

• The Court of Criminal Appeals is for criminal matters. Texas has fourteen Courts of Appeals that deal in civil and criminal cases.
• Texas has four trial or district courts levels, including civil court, family law, criminal court, and juvenile cases. The Trial Court system uses either a jury trial or a decision by a judge. They handle both criminal instances where the defendant may be sent to prison if a crime has been committed and civil cases where a decision is made on a lawsuit.
• Appellate Courts make decisions on appeals that were filed on trials that were previously tried in the state.
• Probate Courts rule on court cases involving estates of the deceased, wills, guardianship, mental health, and incapacitated persons.
• Texas requires each of its 254 counties to have a judge and a county court. There are also 254 justice courts.

What’s on a Texas court record?

Since cases can take a long time to come to trial, court records can be large and unwieldy.

Public access to inmate records can provide the following information when accessed:

• Name and aliases
• Dockets
• Date of Birth
• Height and weight
• DOC ID
• Booking photo
• Assigned location
• Sentence summary
• Child support orders

Where can I find Texas court records?

In order to receive court documents from Texas, you need to complete the Texas Request for Records Application.

The form is short and easy to complete. You must supply your name, address, phone and email. Be specific on the records you want to request.

Typically, the request is sent to the County Clerk or County Clerk’s Office, which maintains records.

Texas Vital Records

Texas Department of Health and Human Services maintains vital records in the state.

Texas’ vital records include:

• Birth Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Marriage Licenses
• Divorce Decrees

Public record requests for vital records in Texas will vary depending on the document you are requesting.

The Texas Department of State Health Services
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040

Phone number: 512-776-7111

What information do I need to request a Texas birth certificate?

The Mail Application for Birth Record will ask for specific information when ordering a birth certificate.

• Full name on the birth record
• Date of birth
• Gender
• City or town of birth
• County of birth
• Parents’ full name

Where can I find a Texas birth certificate?

You can order a Texas birth certificate online using the Texas Department of State Health Services – Order Records website.

Or, you can request a certified copy of a Texas birth record by completing the Mail Application for Birth Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified birth certificate in Texas is $22.

What information do I need for a death certificate in Texas?

The Mail Application for Death Record will ask for specific information when ordering a copy of a death certificate in Texas.

• Full name on the death record
• Date of death
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Social security number
• City or town of death
• County of date
• Parents’ full name

Where can I find a Texas death certificate?

You can order a Texas death certificate online using the Texas Department of State Health Services – Order Records website.

Or, you can request a certified copy of a Texas death record by completing the Mail Application for Death Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified death certificate in Texas is $20, and $3 for every additional copy.

What information do I need for a marriage certificate in Texas?

The Mail Application for Marriage Record will ask for specific information when requesting a marriage certificate in Texas.

• Spouses’ full name
• Date of marriage
• City or town of the event
• County the marriage certificate was issued
• Spouse’s full name

Where can I find a Texas marriage certificate?

You can order a Texas marriage certificate online using the Texas Department of State Health Services – Order Records website to e-file.

Or, you can request a certified copy of a Texas marriage record by completing the Mail Application for Marriage Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified marriage certificate in Texas is $20.

You can also contact the County Clerk where the marriage took place. Forms, fees, and office hours vary.

What information do I need for a divorce certificate in Texas?

The Mail Application for Divorce Record will ask for specific information when requesting a divorce certificate in Texas.

• Spouses’ full name
• Date of marriage
• City or town of the event
• County the marriage certificate was issued
• Spouse’s full name

Where can I find a Texas divorce certificate?

You can order a Texas divorce certificate online using the Texas Department of State Health Services – Order Records website.

Or, you can request a certified copy of a Texas divorce record by completing the Mail Application for Marriage Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

The cost of a certified divorce certificate in Texas is $20.

You can also contact the Clerk of District Court where the divorce was granted. District clerk’s offices have different forms, fees, and office hours will differ.

Texas Property Records

The County Appraisal District maintains all property records in Texas.

The property records you can access include:

• Liens
• Land records
• Titles
• Property deeds
• Real estate information
• Mortgages
• Property tax assessment records
• Zoning information
• Probate
• Voter registration

For data, parcel, and land use maps, you will need to contact the Geographic Information System(GIS) to ask about public access.

What information do I need to request property records in Texas?

You will need basic information to access a public property record in Texas.

Forms, fees, and office hours will vary depending on the County Appraisal District where the property record is maintained.

Where can I find a Texas property record?

You will need to contact the County Appraisal District where the property record is maintained.

Example – Angelina County Appraisal District
Angelina County Appraisal District Forms
P.O. Box 2357
Lufkin, TX 75902-2357

Phone number: 936-634-8456

FAQs

Can a request be submitted by non-residents of Texas?

You can request public records if you do not live in the state of Texas.

Is there a records custodian in Texas?

Texas public record laws do not mandate a records custodian. Every governmental agency is responsible for its own record keeping.

What exemptions exist for public records requests in Texas?

The records of the judicial branch are exempt from the law in Texas.

Other exempt documents often deal with an invasion of privacy or confidentiality laws. You cannot receive personnel files, mental health files, trade secrets, academic files, credit card information, or crime and abuse victim records.

How long does Texas have to respond to a public records request?

The agency is supposed to produce records for you within ten days.

If they cannot get you the documents within ten days, the Public Information Act says they must send you a letter stating when the records will be available.

Is there an appeals process in place for public records requests in Texas?

You may file a lawsuit, but there is no appeals process in Texas. If the agency refuses your records, they must send a letter to the attorney general, who will agree with the agency or recommend that the documents be released.

The Texas Attorney General has up to 45 days to respond to the letter.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in Texas?

Texas is required to charge reasonable fees for copying and labor for a record request statewide.

If the request is under 50 pages, they can only charge for photocopying the pages at $0.10 a page.

If the pages are over 50, the charge for labor is $15.00 an hour. If the records are housed in two separate buildings, they are allowed to charge for labor.