Atascosa County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Atascosa County?

Public records in Atascosa County are defined under the Texas Public Information Act, codified at 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. Members of the public may access a broad range of documents maintained by county offices, courts, and administrative agencies operating within Atascosa County.

The following categories of records are currently available through various Atascosa County offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files maintained by the Atascosa County District Clerk and the County Clerk's office
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats recorded with the County Clerk
Vital records — birth and death certificates (Texas Department of State Health Services), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees held by the County Clerk and District Clerk respectively
Business records — assumed name (DBA) filings, permits, and occupational licenses maintained by the County Clerk
Tax records — property tax assessments, payment histories, and appraisal data maintained by the Atascosa County Appraisal District and Tax Assessor-Collector
Voting and election records — voter registration rolls and election results maintained by the County Elections Administrator
Meeting minutes and agendas — Commissioners Court minutes, board agendas, and official proceedings available through the County Judge's office and the Atascosa County official government portal
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports maintained by the County Auditor
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports available from the Atascosa County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
Land use and zoning records — subdivision plats and land use filings maintained by the County Clerk and relevant planning authorities

Is Atascosa County an Open Records County?

Atascosa County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), which establishes the right of the public to access government records. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to any person upon request, and governmental bodies are required to promptly produce responsive records. The TPIA is Texas's primary "sunshine law," ensuring transparency in the operations of all county and municipal governmental bodies.

Two key provisions govern access at the county level:

Governmental bodies must respond to a public information request no later than ten business days after the date of receipt, either by producing the records, requesting an Attorney General ruling on withholding, or notifying the requestor of a reasonable time estimate for production.
Agencies may not inquire into the purpose for which information is sought, nor require a requestor to identify themselves as a condition of access to non-restricted records.

Atascosa County does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance; all offices operate in accordance with the statewide framework established by the TPIA and related provisions of the Texas Local Government Code.

How to Find Public Records in Atascosa County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Atascosa County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

In person: Requestors may visit the relevant county office during regular business hours and submit a written or verbal request at the public counter. Staff are required to assist in identifying responsive records.

By mail: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. Requests should include a clear description of the records sought, the requestor's contact information, and any relevant case numbers or parcel identifiers.

Online: Certain court records and property documents are accessible through the District Clerk's online portal. The 81st & 218th District Court serves Atascosa County and provides case information for district-level civil and criminal matters online.

By email or fax: Many county offices accept requests submitted electronically. Contact information for each office is available through the county's official website.

Steps to follow when submitting a request:

Identify the correct custodial office for the record type sought.
Prepare a written request describing the records with sufficient specificity.
Submit the request in person, by mail, or electronically.
Await acknowledgment within ten business days per TPIA requirements.
Pay any applicable fees upon notification of record availability.
Retrieve records in the format specified (paper copies, electronic files, or in-person inspection).

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

Current fees for public records in Atascosa County are governed by the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Government Code, which authorize governmental bodies to charge reasonable costs for producing records. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies (8.5" x 11"), as established under the Texas Office of the Attorney General's cost rules
Oversized copies: Higher rates apply for documents larger than standard letter size
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; certified copies of vital records and court documents typically range from $1.00 to $25.00 per document depending on the issuing office
Electronic records: Charges for labor, overhead, and media may apply when records require programming or significant staff time to compile
Court record images: The District Clerk's office currently permits the purchase of up to five document images before additional account or payment arrangements are required

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Under Texas Government Code § 552.261, the Office of the Attorney General establishes the maximum rates that governmental bodies may charge for copies and related services. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial office.

Does Atascosa County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Atascosa County. Under the Texas Public Information Act, governmental bodies are required to allow members of the public to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours, provided that inspection does not require the production of copies or significant staff resources.

The following free access options are currently available:

In-person inspection at the County Clerk's office, District Clerk's office, and other custodial agencies during posted business hours, at no cost to the requestor
Online court records accessible through the Atascosa County District Clerk portal, which provides searchable access to case information for criminal, civil, probate, and property-related court matters
Appraisal and tax data available at no charge through the Atascosa County Appraisal District's online search tools
County government documents, including meeting agendas, minutes, and budget summaries, posted publicly on the Atascosa County government website

Who Can Request Public Records in Atascosa County?

Any person may request public records from Atascosa County governmental bodies under the Texas Public Information Act. Eligibility is not restricted by residency, citizenship, or organizational affiliation. The following conditions apply under current law:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be Texas residents or Atascosa County residents to submit a valid public information request.
Identification: Governmental bodies generally may not require a requestor to provide identification as a condition of access to non-restricted public records.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose for which records are sought, except in limited circumstances involving certain law enforcement or sensitive records.
Non-residents: Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under the TPIA.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves may be entitled to access additional information that would otherwise be withheld from third parties, particularly in the context of criminal history or personnel records.
Restrictions: Certain record categories, such as juvenile records, sealed court files, and records subject to attorney-client privilege, are accessible only to authorized parties regardless of the requestor's identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Atascosa County?

Not all government-held information is subject to public disclosure. Texas law identifies numerous categories of records that are exempt from mandatory release. Under Texas Government Code § 552.101 and related provisions, the following records are currently considered confidential or exempt from public disclosure in Atascosa County:

Sealed court records — documents sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in the juvenile justice system are confidential under the Texas Family Code
Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that release would interfere with the investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers 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 — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential under the Texas Family Code
Personnel records — certain employee information held by governmental bodies is exempt, with exceptions for salary and position data
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to governmental bodies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

When a governmental body believes a requested record falls within an exemption, it must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days rather than unilaterally withholding the information, ensuring an independent balancing of disclosure interests.

Atascosa County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The County Clerk serves as the primary recorder of official documents in Atascosa County, maintaining property records, vital records, court filings at the county level, and official instruments. The District Clerk maintains district court records including civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters.

Atascosa County Clerk One Courthouse Circle Drive, Suite 104, Jourdanton, TX 78026 (830) 767-2511 Atascosa County official government portal Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Atascosa County District Clerk One Courthouse Circle Drive, Suite 303, Jourdanton, TX 78026 (830) 767-2513 District Clerk – Atascosa County Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Atascosa County Tax Assessor-Collector One Courthouse Circle Drive, Suite 101, Jourdanton, TX 78026 (830) 769-3842 Atascosa County official government portal Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Atascosa County Appraisal District 1 Courthouse Circle Drive, Suite 201, Jourdanton, TX 78026 (830) 769-3842 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

81st & 218th District Court One Courthouse Circle Drive, Jourdanton, TX 78026 (830) 767-2340 81st & 218th District Court – Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, La Salle & Wilson Counties Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.