Aransas County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Aransas County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through AransasRecords.us as well as through official county offices and online portals maintained by Aransas County, Texas. The records available through these channels may include court filings, property documents, vital records, and other materials created or maintained by county government agencies. Access to specific records depends on the nature of the document, applicable exemptions under state law, and the office responsible for maintaining the record.
Record categories that members of the public may search include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
- Property deeds, liens, and mortgage instruments
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and assumed name filings
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and online tools provided by county and state agencies.
Online Access:
The Aransas County Clerk's Office maintains an online portal through which members of the public may search Official Public Records (OPR), including deeds, liens, and instruments recorded in the county. The Aransas County District Clerk's Office provides access to district court case information, and the county participates in the statewide IDocket system for court docket searches. No registration is required to conduct basic searches through these portals.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the County Clerk's Office or the District Clerk's Office, both located at the Aransas County Courthouse, 308 N Live Oak St, Rockport, TX 78382. Public access terminals are available during regular business hours. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and names of parties involved to facilitate an efficient search.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the applicable office at 308 N Live Oak St, Rockport, TX 78382. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under the Texas Public Information Act, governmental bodies are required to respond promptly and no later than ten business days after receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- Aransas County Clerk's Office: (361) 790-0122
- Aransas County District Clerk's Office: (361) 790-0128
What Are Public Records in Aransas County?
Public records in Aransas County are defined under Texas Government Code § 552.002 as any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. This definition encompasses a broad range of documents regardless of physical form, including paper, electronic files, photographs, and audio recordings.
The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Deeds, liens, mortgages | County Clerk's Office |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | County Clerk's Office |
| Probate records | County Clerk's Office |
| Civil and criminal district court records | District Clerk's Office |
| County court at law records | Aransas County Court at Law |
| Property tax records | Aransas County Appraisal District |
| Business/assumed name filings | County Clerk's Office |
| Election and voting records | County Clerk's Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Judge's Office / County Clerk |
| Law enforcement records | Aransas County Sheriff's Office |
The county court system handles official public records and vital records, as well as criminal, civil, and probate court matters, with the County Clerk serving as the official records keeper for these proceedings.
Is Aransas County an Open Records County?
Aransas County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified at Texas Government Code Chapter 552, which governs public access to government records throughout the state. Under this law, all information maintained by a governmental body is presumed to be available to the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As stated in the Texas Public Information Act, "the people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know." This foundational principle guides the operations of all Aransas County offices that maintain public records.
The Texas Attorney General's Office provides oversight and issues open records rulings when governmental bodies seek to withhold requested information. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may submit a complaint to the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division. Aransas County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance, as the TPIA provides the governing framework for all public information requests.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Aransas County?
The standard fee structure for public records in Aransas County follows the schedule established by the Texas Office of the Attorney General under Texas Government Code § 552.261, which authorizes governmental bodies to charge reasonable fees for producing public information.
Current standard fees include:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copy (8.5" x 11") | $0.10 per page |
| Oversized paper copy | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy of document | Varies by record type |
| Electronic records (CD/DVD) | $1.00 per disc |
| Labor charge (if over 50 pages) | Per OAG schedule |
| Overhead charge | Per OAG schedule |
- Vital records (birth/death certificates): Fees are set by the Texas Department of State Health Services and are collected at the County Clerk's Office.
- Certified copies of recorded instruments: Fees vary and are established by the County Clerk pursuant to the Texas Local Government Code.
- Inspection of records: No fee is charged for inspecting records that do not require compilation or programming.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public may request a cost estimate before records are produced. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, subject to the discretion of the governmental body.
Does Aransas County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at county offices during regular business hours. Under the Texas Public Information Act, governmental bodies may not charge a fee solely for inspecting records that are already compiled and do not require additional labor to produce.
Free access to public records is currently available through the following channels:
- Online portals: The Aransas County District Clerk's Office provides free online access to district court case information and docket searches through the IDocket system.
- Public access terminals: The County Clerk's Office and District Clerk's Office maintain public access terminals at the courthouse where members of the public may search and view records at no charge.
- County Clerk online search: The County Clerk's official public records index is searchable online at no cost.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records is free, obtaining paper or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain records, such as voter registration information provided to candidates and political parties, are available at no cost under specific provisions of the Texas Election Code.
Who Can Request Public Records in Aransas County?
Any person may request public records from Aransas County governmental bodies under the Texas Public Information Act. Requestors are not required to be Texas residents, and there is no requirement to state the purpose of the request for most categories of public information.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to request most public records. However, certain records — such as those containing sensitive personal information — may require the requestor to verify their identity or relationship to the subject of the record.
- Residency: Non-residents of Texas retain the same rights as residents to request public information under state law.
- Purpose: Governmental bodies may not require a requestor to state the reason for a public information request as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances defined by statute.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be entitled to access certain records that would otherwise be restricted, such as personal criminal history or vital records. Proof of identity is required in these cases.
- Third-party records: Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to applicable privacy exemptions, particularly for sensitive categories such as medical, juvenile, or personnel records.
The Aransas County Court at Law provides resources for self-represented litigants seeking access to court records and forms related to their own cases.
What Records Are Confidential in Aransas County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Texas law. Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.352 enumerates specific exemptions that governmental bodies may invoke to withhold information from public release.
Records that are currently exempt or confidential include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders 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 protected from disclosure.
- Medical records: Health information is protected 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.
- Personnel records: Certain employee information, including home addresses and personal telephone numbers of government employees, is exempt.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a governmental body is protected.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Information that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure is withheld.
When a governmental body seeks to withhold information, it may be required to request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office, which applies a balancing test to determine whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in confidentiality.
Aransas County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Aransas County Clerk's Office 308 N Live Oak St, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-0122 Aransas County Clerk's Office
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Aransas County District Clerk's Office 308 N Live Oak St, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-0128 Aransas County District Clerk's Office
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Aransas County Court at Law 308 N Live Oak St, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-0100 Aransas County Court at Law
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Aransas County Appraisal District (property tax and assessment records) 11 HWY 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-9733 Aransas County Appraisal District
As noted on the District Clerk's official page, the office serves "as an elected court official and records keeper" for district court proceedings in Aransas County, maintaining case files and court documents accessible to the public at the courthouse location.