Erath County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Erath County?

Public records in Erath 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. This definition encompasses a broad range of documents, data, and files held by county offices.

The following record types are currently available through various Erath County offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files maintained by the Erath County District Clerk, which serves as custodian of all District Court records
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and real property instruments maintained through the county's land records division
Vital records — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees held by the Erath County Clerk's Office
Business records — assumed name (DBA) filings, business licenses, and permits, also administered through the County Clerk
Tax records — property tax assessments and payment histories maintained by the Erath County Appraisal District
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results managed by the County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of Commissioners Court sessions and county board proceedings
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports available from the Erath County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
Land use and zoning records — permits and zoning decisions maintained by county planning authorities

Is Erath County an Open Records County?

Erath 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 member of the public, and a governmental body must promptly produce requested records. The Act further provides, under § 552.228, that a governmental body may not require a requestor to provide a reason or purpose for the request as a condition of access.

Texas is considered a strong open-government state. The TPIA is reinforced by the Texas Open Meetings Act, which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public and that advance notice be posted. Erath County governmental bodies, including the Commissioners Court, operate in compliance with these sunshine law requirements. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the limitations already established in state statute.

How to Find Public Records in Erath County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Erath County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office maintains the record — the County Clerk for vital records and business filings, the District Clerk for court records, the Appraisal District for tax records, or the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement records.
Submit a written request. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by email, or by fax. Written requests are recommended to create a clear record of the inquiry.
Use online services. Erath County currently provides access to court records and eDiscovery through its online records portal, where County Clerk and District Clerk records are accessible through a unified platform.
Visit the office in person. Members of the public may inspect records at the relevant county office during regular business hours without charge.
Await the response deadline. Under the TPIA, a governmental body must respond to a public information request within ten business days of receipt.
Request copies if needed. If physical or digital copies are required, applicable fees will be assessed at the time of fulfillment.

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

Current fees for public records in Erath County are governed by the Texas Public Information Act and the cost rules established by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. Standard fees applicable to most requests include:

Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page (one-sided, letter or legal size)
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; vital record certifications typically carry a statutory fee set by the Texas Health and Safety Code
Electronic records: Charges may apply for programming time, data compilation, or media costs, depending on the complexity of the request
Postage and handling: Actual cost of mailing may be charged when records are delivered by mail
Labor charges: May apply when a request requires more than one hour of staff time to locate, compile, or reproduce records

Accepted payment methods at Erath County offices generally include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, particularly when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the requestor is a representative of the news media or a nonprofit organization. Under Texas Government Code § 552.267, a governmental body may waive or reduce charges if the waiver is in the public interest.

Does Erath County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Erath County. Under the Texas Public Information Act, members of the public have the right to inspect records at the custodial office at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following free access options are currently available:

In-person inspection at the County Clerk's Office, District Clerk's Office, or other custodial offices during regular business hours
Online court and clerk records accessible through the county's online services portal, which provides searchable access to County Clerk and District Clerk filings at no cost
Property and land records available for public review through the county's land records search
Appraisal and tax data accessible through the Erath County Appraisal District's online search tool at no charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Erath County?

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — is entitled to request public records from Erath County governmental bodies. The Texas Public Information Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or affiliation. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Erath County and non-Texas residents may submit requests on equal footing with local residents.
Identification is generally not required. Governmental bodies may not demand identification as a precondition for access to public records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain sensitive personal information.
Purpose need not be stated. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.222, a governmental body may ask the purpose of a request but may not require the requestor to provide one.
Requesting your own records. Individuals seeking records about themselves may be required to provide identifying information to ensure accurate retrieval and to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal data.
Restrictions for specific record types. Certain records — such as juvenile case files, sealed court documents, and adoption records — are restricted by statute and may only be accessed by authorized parties.

What Records Are Confidential in Erath County?

Not all government-held information is subject to public disclosure. Texas law establishes a comprehensive set of exemptions under Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.158, which identify categories of information that are confidential or excepted from required public disclosure. The following record types are currently exempt or restricted in Erath 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 may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure
Medical and health records — 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 — confidential under the Texas Family Code
Personnel records — employee records of governmental bodies are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for salary and certain disciplinary information
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt when submitted to a governmental body under a confidentiality agreement
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety

When a governmental body believes that requested information may be confidential, it must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days, as required by the TPIA.

Erath County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The primary offices responsible for maintaining and providing access to public records in Erath County are listed below.

Erath County Clerk's Office 100 W. Washington St., Stephenville, TX 76401 (254) 965-1482 Erath County Clerk Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Erath County District Clerk's Office 100 W. Washington St., Stephenville, TX 76401 (254) 965-1486 Erath County District Clerk Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Erath County Appraisal District 1195 W. South Loop, Stephenville, TX 76401 (254) 965-5434 Erath CAD Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Erath County Sheriff's Office 205 W. College St., Stephenville, TX 76401 (254) 965-3338 Erath County Sheriff Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.