Matagorda County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Matagorda County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Matagorda County, Texas, may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county offices, online portals, and state-level databases. MatagordaRecords.us aggregates publicly available data to assist individuals in locating records that may be on file with county and state agencies. The categories of records that may be available include, but are not limited to:
- Civil, family, and probate court records
- Criminal case records and jail records
- Property deeds, liens, and mortgage documents
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and appraisal records
- Business licenses and assumed name filings
- Commissioners Court minutes and agendas
- Voting and election records
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by Matagorda County and the State of Texas.
Online Access:
The Matagorda County public records search portal provides online access to civil, family, probate, judicial, and jail records. No registration is required to conduct a basic search. The Texas State Law Library's guide to searching court records statewide describes Re:SearchTX, a free subscription platform that includes civil cases from district, county, and justice courts across multiple counties.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Matagorda County Clerk's Office or the District Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Both offices are located at the Matagorda County Courthouse, 1700 7th Street, Bay City, TX 77414. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests submitted under the Texas Public Information Act must be directed to the applicable custodial office. Requests should include the requester's name, contact information, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Texas Government Code § 552.228, a governmental body must respond to a written request within ten business days.
Phone/Email:
- Matagorda County Clerk: (979) 244-7680
- Matagorda County District Clerk: (979) 244-7621
What Are Public Records in Matagorda County?
Public records in Matagorda 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" encompasses written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained records in any physical form. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, family, and probate court records | District Clerk |
| Criminal court records | District Clerk |
| Property deeds, liens, mortgages | County Clerk |
| Vital records (marriage, assumed names) | County Clerk |
| Commissioners Court minutes | County Clerk |
| Tax appraisal and assessment records | Matagorda County Appraisal District |
| Jail and arrest records | Matagorda County Sheriff's Office |
| Statewide criminal history | Texas Department of Public Safety |
The County Clerk acts as recorder and custodian of important public records for the Commissioners Court, Constitutional County Court, and Statutory County Courts. The District Clerk maintains records for district court proceedings, including family law, civil litigation, and felony criminal cases. Statewide criminal history data is maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division, which serves as the state control terminal for criminal justice programs.
Is Matagorda County an Open Records County?
Matagorda County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), which governs public access to government records throughout the state. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to any member of the public, and a governmental body may not require a requestor to provide a reason for the request.
The Public Information Act Handbook published by the Texas Attorney General states that "the basic principle of the Public Information Act is that government information is presumed to be available to the public." The handbook further clarifies that governmental bodies bear the burden of establishing that an exception to disclosure applies.
Matagorda County's Public Information Act policy confirms that PIA requests are not needed to review public court records or other records maintained by the Clerk. Requests for other county documents, such as administrative records, contracts, and correspondence, are processed through the county's designated PIA officer. The county's policy aligns with the transparency requirements established under state sunshine laws and the Texas Open Meetings Act.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Matagorda County?
The cost to obtain public records in Matagorda County is governed by the fee schedule established under Texas Government Code and the rules promulgated by the Texas Attorney General's Office. Standard fees currently applicable to public records requests include:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copy (8.5" x 11") | $0.10 per page |
| Oversized paper copy | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy (court or vital records) | Varies by document type |
| Electronic records (CD/DVD) | $1.00 per disc |
| Labor charge (requests over 50 pages) | Actual cost per hour |
| Overhead charge | 20% of labor cost |
- Inspection of records at a public counter is provided at no charge.
- Certified copies of instruments recorded by the County Clerk, such as deeds and marriage licenses, are subject to statutory fees set by the Texas Local Government Code.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, as outlined in the Attorney General's cost rules.
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards.
The Texas.gov portal provides access to state agency fee schedules and additional guidance on the cost of obtaining government records across Texas.
Does Matagorda County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at county offices during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while no charge is assessed for viewing records in person at a public counter, fees apply when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to Matagorda County records:
- The Matagorda County public records search portal offers free online access to civil, family, probate, judicial, and jail records without registration.
- The Texas State Law Library's court records research guide identifies Re:SearchTX as a free subscription service for searching district and county court civil case records statewide.
- The Texas Department of Public Safety provides access to certain public criminal history information at no charge through its online portal.
- Property appraisal data maintained by the Matagorda County Appraisal District is available for free inspection on the appraisal district's public website.
Members of the public may inspect records at the County Clerk's Office or District Clerk's Office without incurring a fee, provided the inspection occurs during scheduled office hours.
Who Can Request Public Records in Matagorda County?
Any person may request public records in Matagorda County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Texas Public Information Act, a governmental body may not require a requestor to identify themselves, provide a reason for the request, or demonstrate any particular interest in the records sought. This right extends equally to residents and non-residents of Matagorda County and the State of Texas.
Specific considerations apply in the following circumstances:
- Identification: Requestors are not required to present identification to submit a PIA request. However, certain certified copies, such as vital records, may require proof of identity or legal relationship to the subject of the record.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most public records. Exceptions exist for records subject to restricted access, such as certain law enforcement records.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves may be entitled to access records that are otherwise restricted to third parties, subject to applicable identity verification requirements.
- Restricted record types: Access to juvenile records, sealed court files, and certain law enforcement investigative records is limited by statute regardless of the identity of the requestor.
The Matagorda County homepage provides direct links to both the public records search portal and the PIA request process for members of the public seeking county documents.
What Records Are Confidential in Matagorda County?
Not all records maintained by Matagorda County are subject to public disclosure. Texas Government Code Chapter 552 enumerates numerous categories of information that are exempt from required public release. The Public Information Act Handbook notes that "the exceptions to disclosure are not mandatory withholding provisions; rather, they are permissive, allowing a governmental body to withhold information if it chooses." The following categories are currently recognized as confidential or restricted under state law:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile records and proceedings
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information
- Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records and related proceedings
- Child protective services and welfare records
- Personnel files of government employees (with limited exceptions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, vulnerability assessments, and critical infrastructure details
- Attorney-client privileged communications involving governmental bodies
Under Texas Government Code § 552.101, information considered confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision, is exempt from required disclosure. When a governmental body seeks to withhold records, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days of receiving the public information request, unless a previous determination already applies.
Matagorda County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Matagorda County Clerk's Office
1700 7th Street, Room 202
Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 244-7680
Matagorda County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
The County Clerk serves as the official recorder and custodian of public records for the Commissioners Court, Constitutional County Court, and Statutory County Courts. Records maintained by this office include property instruments, marriage licenses, assumed name certificates, and official court minutes.
Matagorda County District Clerk's Office
1700 7th Street
Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 244-7621
Matagorda County District Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
The District Clerk maintains all records for the district courts of Matagorda County, including civil, family, criminal, and juvenile case files. Staff members currently assigned to the office include clerks specializing in family and civil matters, criminal proceedings, and tax-related cases.
Matagorda County Sheriff's Office (Jail Records)
2200 7th Street
Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 244-7300
Matagorda County, Texas
Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Division
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
(512) 424-2474
Crime Records Division
Lookup Public Records in Matagorda County
- Civil, Family & Probate Records – Matagorda County
- County Clerk – Official Records Custodian
- Public Information Act Policy – Matagorda County
- Matagorda County Official Homepage
- District Clerk – Court Records
- Texas DPS Crime Records Division
- Texas State Law Library – Court Records Research Guide
- Texas.gov – Official State of Texas Website
- Public Information Act Handbook 2024 – Texas Attorney General