Fort Bend County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Fort Bend County?

Public records in Fort Bend County are defined as information created, received, or maintained by government entities that document official business and activities. According to the Texas Public Information Act, specifically under § 552.002, public records include "information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business."

Fort Bend County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Fort Bend County court system
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other real property documents filed with the County Clerk
• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Assumed name certificates (DBA), business licenses, and permits
• Tax Records: Property tax assessments, payment records, and delinquent tax information
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commissioners Court and other boards and commissions
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
• Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest records, incident reports, and jail records (with statutory limitations)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Plats, surveys, zoning applications, and development permits

The Fort Bend County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, particularly property records, vital statistics, and business filings. Court records are maintained by the respective court clerks, while tax records are managed by the Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector.

Is Fort Bend County an Open Records County?

Fort Bend County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. This comprehensive state law establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain exceptions explicitly defined by statute.

Under § 552.021 of the TPIA, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision ensures that Fort Bend County residents and others have legal access to government records.

Fort Bend County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county adheres to the statutory timeframes for responding to requests, typically providing requested information within 10 business days as required by § 552.221 of the TPIA.

Additionally, Fort Bend County complies with the Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 551), which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, with proper notice given in advance. This "sunshine law" ensures transparency in government decision-making processes.

The county has established an online records portal to enhance public access to many frequently requested documents, demonstrating its commitment to open government principles.

How to Find Public Records in Fort Bend County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Fort Bend County may utilize several methods to access information. The county currently provides multiple pathways for obtaining public records:

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's electronic systems:

   • Search Official Public Records for property documents, marriage licenses, and other County Clerk filings
   • Access court case information through the Odyssey Public Access portal
   • View property tax records through the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District

2. Submit a Public Information Request:

   • Complete the county's Public Information Request form
   • Submit requests via email, mail, or in person to the appropriate department
   • Clearly identify the records sought with reasonable specificity
   • Provide contact information for correspondence

3. Visit County Offices in Person:

   • County Clerk's Office for property records, marriage licenses, and assumed name certificates
   • District Clerk's Office for court records
   • Tax Assessor-Collector's Office for tax records
   • Elections Administration for voting records

4. Request by Mail:

   • Send written requests to the specific department that maintains the desired records
   • Include detailed description of records sought
   • Provide return address and contact information

For records not available online, requestors should contact the specific department that maintains the desired information. Under the TPIA, county officials must respond to requests promptly, typically within 10 business days.

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

Fort Bend County assesses fees for public records in accordance with guidelines established by the Texas Attorney General under § 552.262 of the Texas Government Code. Current standard fees include:

• Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size documents
• Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
• Oversize Documents: $0.50 per page for documents larger than 8.5 x 14 inches
• Electronic Records: $0.10 per page for PDF documents; actual cost for other electronic formats
• Labor Charges: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive programming
• Vital Records:
  • Birth Certificates: $23.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for each additional copy
  • Death Certificates: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
  • Marriage Licenses: $82.00 for issuance; $20.00 for certified copies

The county accepts payment via cash, check, money order, and credit card (with processing fee) for in-person requests. Online record searches may require credit card payment or subscription fees for certain services.

Fee waivers or reductions may be available in specific circumstances, particularly for requests that serve the public interest. Governmental entities requesting records for official purposes are often exempt from fees under interlocal agreements.

Pursuant to § 552.267 of the Texas Government Code, the county may waive or reduce fees if doing so is in the public interest because providing the information primarily benefits the general public.

Does Fort Bend County Have Free Public Records?

Fort Bend County provides free access to certain public records as required by Texas law. Members of the public may inspect records without charge during normal business hours at the appropriate county office, provided the records are readily available and do not require extensive retrieval or redaction.

Free public records resources in Fort Bend County include:

• In-Person Inspection: The public may examine non-confidential records at no cost at the appropriate county office during regular business hours. This right is established under § 552.221 of the Texas Government Code.

• Online Resources:

  • Fort Bend County Clerk's Records Search - Free basic search functionality for property records and other official documents
  • Court Records Research - Limited case information available without charge
  • Commissioners Court Agendas and Minutes - Free access to meeting documents
  • County Budget Documents - Financial reports and annual budgets

• Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at various county offices for public use in searching electronic records at no charge.

While inspection is typically free, fees may apply for copies, certified documents, or records requiring extensive processing time. Additionally, certain specialized databases or subscription services may involve user fees for enhanced search capabilities or document retrieval.

Who Can Request Public Records in Fort Bend County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, specifically § 552.023, any person may request access to public records maintained by Fort Bend County. The law does not restrict access based on citizenship, residency, age, or purpose of the request for most public records.

Key eligibility considerations include:

• Residency Requirements: No residency restrictions exist for general public information requests. Both Texas residents and non-residents have equal rights to access public records.

• Identification Requirements: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when:

  • Requesting one's own confidential information
  • Seeking vital records (birth, death certificates)
  • Accessing records with restricted access under state or federal law

• Purpose Disclosure: Requestors generally do not need to state the purpose of their request. The TPIA specifically states in § 552.222 that a governmental body may not inquire about the purpose of a request.

• Special Provisions: Enhanced access rights exist for:

  • Individuals seeking information about themselves (§ 552.023)
  • Elected officials requesting information for official purposes
  • Other governmental entities requesting information for governmental functions

• Commercial Use: While commercial use of public records is permitted, bulk requests or those requiring significant programming may incur additional fees.

Fort Bend County may ask for contact information to communicate about the request, provide cost estimates, or clarify the scope of the request, but this information is not used to determine eligibility to receive public records.

What Records Are Confidential in Fort Bend County?

Fort Bend County maintains certain records that are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure. These exemptions are primarily established under Chapter 552, Subchapter C of the Texas Government Code. Pursuant to § 552.101, information is considered confidential if it is "information considered to be confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision."

Records that are generally confidential in Fort Bend County include:

• Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information as protected under § 552.147 and § 552.136
• Medical and Mental Health Records: Protected health information under HIPAA and § 552.115
• Juvenile Records: Most juvenile justice and child welfare records under Texas Family Code § 58.007
• Certain Law Enforcement Records: Information related to ongoing investigations, confidential informants, and security procedures under § 552.108
• Victim Information: Details about victims of crimes, particularly sexual assault victims and family violence under § 552.1325
• Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product under § 552.107
• Personnel Information: Certain employee records including home addresses, phone numbers, family information, and emergency contacts under § 552.117
• Critical Infrastructure: Information related to security systems, emergency response plans, and infrastructure vulnerabilities under § 552.139
• Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records and sealed divorce proceedings
• Adoption Records: Information related to adoptions under Texas Family Code Chapter 162
• Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets under § 552.110

When a request involves potentially confidential information, Fort Bend County officials must seek a determination from the Texas Attorney General's Office before withholding records, unless a previous determination applies. This process is governed by § 552.301 of the Texas Government Code.

The county applies a balancing test when considering discretionary exceptions, weighing the public's right to information against privacy interests and other protected values.

Fort Bend County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Fort Bend County Clerk's Office (Recording Division)
301 Jackson Street, Suite 101
Richmond, TX 77469
281-341-8685
Fort Bend County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Additional Locations:

Fort Bend County Clerk's Office - Missouri City Annex
5855 Sienna Springs Way, Suite 103
Missouri City, TX 77459
281-403-8050

Fort Bend County Clerk's Office - Katy Annex
22333 Grand Corner Drive, Suite 110
Katy, TX 77494
281-238-1460

Fort Bend County Clerk's Office - Sugar Land Annex
12550 Emily Court, Suite 200
Sugar Land, TX 77478
281-242-6610

The Fort Bend County Clerk serves as the county recorder and is responsible for maintaining and providing access to official public records including property documents, marriage licenses, assumed name certificates, and various other official filings. The office provides recording services, issues certified copies, and maintains both electronic and physical archives of county records dating back to the county's formation.

Lookup Public Records in Fort Bend County

Search Official Public Records

Access Court Case Information

Research Court Records

Visit the County Clerk's Office

Find Real Property Records