Austin County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Austin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through AustinRecords.us, a directory resource that aggregates guidance on locating official records maintained by government agencies in Austin County, Texas. The site provides data and directional information to assist individuals in navigating the official channels through which public records are maintained and disclosed. Records that may be available through official sources include, but are not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
Property deeds, liens, and mortgage documents
Vital records such as marriage licenses and death certificates
Business licenses and permits
Tax assessment and property tax records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Land use, zoning, and planning documents

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access: The Travis County, Texas official website provides access to a range of county records and department portals. The Travis County Clerk maintains an online records search for recorded documents including deeds, liens, and official instruments. The District Clerk's office provides case information and court records through its public access portal, where users may search civil and criminal case filings without registration for basic searches. The City of Austin also maintains a public information request portal for city-level records.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Austin County Clerk's Office, located at 1 East Main Street, Bellville, TX 77418. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought and may be asked to complete a request form at the counter.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the Austin County Clerk's Office, 1 East Main Street, Bellville, TX 77418. Requests must include a reasonably specific description of the records sought, the requestor's name, and a return mailing address. Under Texas Government Code § 552.228, a governmental body must promptly produce public information upon request, with a standard response timeframe of ten business days.

Phone/Email: The Austin County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (979) 865-5911. Email inquiries may be directed through the county's official contact channels as listed on the county website.

What Are Public Records in Austin County?

Public records in Austin County are defined under Texas law as any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. Under Texas Government Code § 552.002, "public information" means information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by a governmental body.

The following record types are currently maintained by Austin County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	District Clerk, County Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	County Clerk – Recording Division
Marriage licenses and vital records	County Clerk; marriage license information is also available through the Travis County Clerk for Travis County residents
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk, applicable municipal offices
Property tax and assessment records	County Appraisal District
Voting and election records	County Elections Administrator
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Judge's Office, Commissioners Court
Budget and financial documents	County Auditor
Law enforcement records	Sheriff's Office (subject to applicable exemptions)
Land use and zoning records	County Planning Department

Historical Austin County records, including colonial records dating to 1824 and county court civil minutes from 1876 onward, are preserved and indexed through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Is Austin County an Open Records County?

Austin County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act, which establishes the right of the public to access government records. Under Texas Government Code § 552.001, the legislature declares that "government is the servant and not the master of the people" and that it is the policy of the state that each person is entitled to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees.

The Texas Attorney General's Office serves as the primary oversight authority for open records compliance in the state. As stated in the Texas Public Information Act, "a governmental body shall promptly produce public information for inspection, duplication, or both on application by any person to the officer for public information of the governmental body." Austin County governmental bodies are bound by this mandate and may not require requestors to state a reason for their request as a condition of access to non-exempt records. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance that supersedes state law; state sunshine law provisions apply uniformly.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Austin County?

The fee structure for public records in Austin County is governed by state law and the rules promulgated by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. Current standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Standard paper copy (8.5" x 11")	$0.10 per page
Oversized paper copy	$0.50 per page
Certified copy (documents)	Varies by record type; set by statute
Electronic format (CD/DVD)	$1.00 per disc
Labor charge (requests over 50 pages)	Applicable hourly rate per OAG rules
Overhead charge	20% of labor costs
Postage and shipping	Actual cost

Inspection of records at a public counter does not incur a copy fee unless the requestor elects to receive copies. Accepted payment methods at the Austin County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order; credit card acceptance may vary by department. Fee waivers may be available for indigent individuals or where the primary purpose of the request is to benefit the general public, as provided under Texas Government Code § 552.267. Fees for certified vital records such as birth and death certificates are set separately by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Does Austin County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the Austin County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. No fee is charged solely for the act of inspecting records on-site. Several categories of records are also accessible at no cost through official online portals:

Court case information is searchable at no charge through the District Clerk's public access portal for Travis County district court cases
Historical Austin County records, including census data and colonial records, are available for research through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission at no cost
Property and appraisal data may be searched at no charge through the Austin County Appraisal District's online portal
Public health information and certain records maintained by Austin Public Health are accessible without charge through the City of Austin's official website

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, reproduction of records in paper or electronic format is subject to the standard fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Austin County?

Any person may request public records in Austin County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Texas law does not require a requestor to be a Texas resident, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for a records request as a condition of access to non-exempt public information. This broad access right is established under the Texas Public Information Act and applies to individuals, organizations, businesses, and members of the press equally.

Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Requestors seeking records that contain personal identifying information about themselves may be required to provide proof of identity to ensure proper disclosure. Records pertaining to third parties that are subject to confidentiality protections—such as juvenile records or sealed court files—require a court order or demonstrated legal authority for release. Non-residents retain the same access rights as Texas residents for all non-exempt public records. The Austin Municipal Court handles requests for municipal court records, including traffic and ordinance violation cases, and members of the public may submit requests directly to that office.

What Records Are Confidential in Austin County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Texas law enumerates specific categories of information that are exempt from release. The following records are currently withheld from public access under applicable state and federal law:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals under 17 years of age in delinquency proceedings are confidential under the Texas Family Code.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Information compiled during an active law enforcement investigation is exempt to the extent that release would interfere with the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted prior to disclosure.
Medical records: Protected health information is exempt under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential under the Texas Family Code.
Personnel records: Certain employee records are exempt, with exceptions for information relating to the performance of official duties.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted in confidence to a governmental body, such information is protected from disclosure.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Information that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure is withheld.

Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.158 enumerates the specific categories of information that are excepted from required disclosure. Governmental bodies that seek to withhold information must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days of receiving a request, unless the exception is mandatory and self-executing.

Austin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Austin County Clerk's Office 1 East Main Street Bellville, TX 77418 (979) 865-5911 Austin County Clerk

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays

Austin County District Clerk's Office 1 East Main Street Bellville, TX 77418 (979) 865-5911

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Additional Offices:

Travis County Clerk – Recording Division 5501 Airport Boulevard Austin, TX 78751 (512) 854-9188 Travis County Clerk