Parker County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Parker County?

Public records in Parker County are defined as information created, collected, or maintained by government entities in the course of official business, as established under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552. These records document the activities and decisions of county government and are generally accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

Parker County maintains numerous types of public records across various departments, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Parker County Courts, including judgments, filings, and case dispositions
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments maintained by the County Clerk's office
Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1903), death certificates (from 1903), and marriage licenses maintained by the County Clerk
Business Records: Assumed name certificates (DBA), alcohol permits, and other business licenses
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax rolls maintained by the Parker County Appraisal District
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Official proceedings of the Commissioners Court, boards, and committees
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports, and jail records (with statutory limitations)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, and zoning decisions

The Parker County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, particularly those related to property transactions, vital statistics, and court proceedings. Other specialized records are maintained by their respective departments, such as the District Clerk for district court records and the Tax Assessor-Collector for tax-related documents.

Is Parker County an Open Records County?

Parker County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), Texas Government Code § 552, which establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public. Under this statute, Parker County operates as an open records county, providing citizens with the right to access government records with certain statutory exceptions.

The TPIA specifically states in § 552.001(a) that: "Under the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government that adheres to the principle that government is the servant and not the master of the people, it is the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."

Parker County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains a dedicated public records section on its official website that outlines the process for requesting various types of records.

Additionally, Parker County adheres to the Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 551), which requires governmental bodies to conduct open meetings except in specific circumstances, further demonstrating the county's commitment to transparency in government operations.

The Parker County Commissioners Court has adopted policies that align with these state mandates, ensuring that county departments respond to public information requests within the timeframes established by state law, typically within 10 business days of receipt.

How to Find Public Records in Parker County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Parker County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Parker County provides a Judicial Records Search portal where citizens can access court and jail records electronically. This self-service option is available 24/7 and represents the most efficient method for accessing many commonly requested records.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records in person:
- For property records, vital statistics, and county court records, visit the County Clerk's Office
- For district court records, contact the District Clerk's Office
- For tax records, visit the Tax Assessor-Collector's Office
Written Requests: Submit a written public information request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Clear description of the records sought
- Preferred format for receiving the records (paper copies, electronic files, etc.)
Official Public Information Request Form: Parker County provides a standardized form for public information requests, available at the County Clerk's Office or on the county website.

For specialized records, contact the appropriate department directly:

Property and deed records: County Clerk's Office
Criminal and civil court cases: District Clerk or County Clerk (depending on court level)
Commissioners Court minutes: County Clerk's Office
Tax records: Parker County Appraisal District
Law enforcement records: Parker County Sheriff's Office

The county currently does not conduct record searches over the telephone, as noted on the Public Records page of the official county website.

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

Parker County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the guidelines established by the Texas Administrative Code (Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70) and the Texas Public Information Act § 552.261. The current fee structure for obtaining public records includes:

Standard Search Fee: $5.00 per written record search conducted by county staff
Photocopies: $0.10 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 per document for certification
Birth Certificates: $23.00 per certificate
Death Certificates: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time
Marriage Licenses: $82.00 to issue a new license; $20.00 for certified copies of existing marriage records
Electronic Records: Varies based on the medium and time required for preparation

Additional fees may apply for:

Records requiring extensive redaction
Documents requiring specialized reproduction (large-format maps, blueprints)
Records requiring programming or manipulation of data
Postage costs for mailed records

The county accepts the following payment methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks (with proper identification)
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to a processing fee)

Under Texas Government Code § 552.267, fee waivers or reductions may be available if the county determines that providing the information primarily benefits the general public. Additionally, the first 50 pages of standard paper copies may be provided at reduced rates under certain circumstances.

Does Parker County Have Free Public Records?

Parker County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost, in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act § 552.221, which establishes the right to inspect public information without charge:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect available records during normal business hours at no cost. This right applies to most public records, provided the inspection does not disrupt normal office operations.
Online Resources: Parker County offers free access to several online record systems:
- Judicial Records Search - Provides access to court case information and jail records
- Commissioners Court Agendas and Minutes - Available through the county website
- Property Tax Information - Accessible through the Parker County Appraisal District
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices for public use in searching electronic records at no charge.

Free records inspection is subject to reasonable restrictions regarding:

The time and location of inspection
Supervision requirements to protect original documents
Scheduling to prevent disruption of operations

While inspection is free, fees still apply for copies, certified documents, and staff-conducted searches as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, certain specialized databases or electronic records systems may require subscription fees for full access.

The Parker County Clerk's Office and other departments maintain public viewing areas where citizens can examine records during regular business hours without incurring charges.

Who Can Request Public Records in Parker County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act § 552.023, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request and receive public records from Parker County government offices. The law specifically states that "all government information is presumed to be available to the public."

Key eligibility considerations include:

Identification Requirements: While requestors generally do not need to identify themselves, certain records may require verification of identity, particularly when:
- Requesting one's own confidential records
- Seeking records with restricted access (such as certain vital records)
- Requesting records on behalf of another person
Purpose Disclosure: In most cases, requestors are not required to explain why they want the records or how they plan to use them. Texas Government Code § 552.222 specifically prohibits county officials from inquiring about the purpose of a request, with limited exceptions.
Special Provisions for Certain Records:
- Vital Records (birth/death certificates): Requestors must demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record, typically as a family member, legal representative, or authorized agent
- Criminal History Information: Access may be restricted based on the requestor's relationship to the subject
- Medical Records: Access generally limited to the individual or their authorized representative
Commercial Use: The law does not distinguish between commercial and non-commercial requests; businesses have the same access rights as individuals.
Incarcerated Individuals: Under Texas Government Code § 552.028, Parker County is not required to accept or comply with public information requests from incarcerated persons or their agents, though the county may choose to do so.

For requests involving confidential information about oneself, proper identification must be provided in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.023, which grants individuals a special right of access to information that relates to them.

What Records Are Confidential in Parker County?

Parker County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with exemptions specified in the Texas Public Information Act § 552.101-158. These protected records include:

Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information as protected under Texas Government Code § 552.147 and § 552.136
Medical and Mental Health Records: Protected under both HIPAA and Texas Government Code § 552.115
Juvenile Records: Most juvenile justice and juvenile court records as specified in Texas Family Code § 58.007
Ongoing Criminal Investigations: Information that would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime (Texas Government Code § 552.108)
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product (Texas Government Code § 552.107)
Certain Personnel Information: Home addresses, phone numbers, emergency contact information, and family information of public employees and officials (Texas Government Code § 552.117)
Certain Law Enforcement Records: Information related to security procedures, critical infrastructure, and certain tactical response procedures (Texas Government Code § 552.108)
Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order
Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents
Child Welfare Records: Child protective services investigations and case files
Certain Economic Development Information: Trade secrets and commercial or financial information (Texas Government Code § 552.110)
Test Items: Standardized test questions and assessment instruments (Texas Government Code § 552.122)

The county applies a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy interests, as required by Texas Government Code § 552.101-158. When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by Texas Government Code § 552.114.

Requestors seeking access to potentially confidential records may be required to demonstrate legal authority or provide documentation establishing their right to access such information.

Parker County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Parker County Clerk's Office
1112 Santa Fe Drive
Weatherford, TX 76086
(817) 594-7461
Parker County Clerk

Regular Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
Issuance of marriage licenses
Birth and death certificates (from 1903)
County court records
Assumed name certificates (DBA)
Military discharge records (DD-214)
Commissioners Court minutes
Notary public registrations

Additional Information:

Recording documents: Documents presented before 4:30 PM will typically be processed the same day
Marriage licenses: Applicants must appear in person; 72-hour waiting period applies unless waived
Birth/death certificates: Requestors must provide identification and establish relationship to the subject
Research assistance: Staff can provide guidance but cannot conduct legal research or offer legal advice

District Clerk's Office
117 Fort Worth Highway
Weatherford, TX 76086
(817) 594-7343
Parker County District Clerk

Regular Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided: