Brazos County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Brazos County?

Public records in Brazos County encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by various county departments and agencies pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 552, also known as the Texas Public Information Act. These records are created, received, retained, maintained, or held by public officials and government bodies in the transaction of public business.

The following categories of public records are maintained by Brazos County:

Property Records: Property deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and property tax assessment records maintained by the Brazos County Clerk's Office and Brazos Central Appraisal District
Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1903), death certificates (from 1903), marriage licenses (from 1841), and divorce decrees maintained by the County Clerk
Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files, judgments, and orders from Brazos County Courts
Business Records: Assumed name certificates (DBA), business licenses, and permits
Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports from the Brazos County Elections Administration
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest records, incident reports, and jail records from the Brazos County Sheriff's Office
Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax rolls, and payment records from the Tax Assessor-Collector's Office
Geographic Information System (GIS) Data: Maps, aerial photographs, and spatial data available through the Brazos County Open Data Portal
Public Health Records: Restaurant inspections, environmental health permits, and vital statistics from the Brazos County Health District
Financial Records: County budgets, expenditure reports, and audit information from the Brazos County Treasurer's Office

Is Brazos County an Open Records County?

Brazos County is an open records county that operates in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This statute establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain exceptions as defined by law.

Pursuant to § 552.021 of the Texas Government Code, "Public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." Brazos County adheres to this mandate by providing multiple avenues for public access to county records.

The county's commitment to transparency is further evidenced by the implementation of the Brazos County Public Records Portal, which allows members of the public to search and access many official records online. Additionally, the Texas Office of the Attorney General provides oversight and guidance regarding open records compliance throughout the state.

While Brazos County maintains an open records policy, certain information may be exempt from disclosure under specific provisions of the Texas Public Information Act, including records related to ongoing investigations, certain personnel matters, and information protected by other state or federal laws.

How Do I Find Public Records in Brazos County in 2025

Members of the public seeking access to Brazos County records in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they require:

Online Access:

The Brazos County Public Records Portal provides 24/7 access to many official records including property records, court filings, and other public documents
Property records and GIS data can be searched through the Brazos Central Appraisal District's online database
Court records may be accessed through the Brazos County Courts website

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For property records, vital records, and general county records: Brazos County Clerk's Office
- For court records: The specific court where the case was filed
- For tax records: Brazos County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office
- For law enforcement records: Brazos County Sheriff's Office

Written Requests:

Submit a written public information request to the appropriate county department
Requests must be specific enough to identify the desired records
Pursuant to § 552.301 of the Texas Government Code, governmental bodies must promptly produce public information in response to written requests

Telephone Inquiries:

Contact the relevant department directly for guidance on record availability and retrieval procedures
Staff can provide information about record types, search options, and request procedures

For specialized records such as federal court documents that may involve Brazos County matters, individuals may need to access the PACER system for federal court records.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Brazos County?

Fees for public records in Brazos County are established in accordance with § 552.261 of the Texas Government Code, which permits governmental bodies to charge reasonable fees for the cost of providing copies of public information. The fee structure for Brazos County records is as follows:

Standard Document Fees:

Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size documents
Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page plus $0.10 for each additional page
Electronic copies provided on CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
Electronic copies via email (when available): May be provided at no cost for small files

Vital Records Fees:

Birth certificates: $23.00 per certified copy
Death certificates: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Marriage licenses: $82.00 to issue; $20.00 per certified copy
Divorce verification: $20.00 per certified copy

Court Records Fees:

Case file copies: $0.10 per page
Certified court documents: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
Criminal background checks: $20.00 per name search

Property Records Fees:

Deed copies: $0.10 per page
Certified property records: $5.00 for certification plus copy fees
Recording new documents: $26.00 for the first page, $4.00 for each additional page

Additional charges may apply for extensive document searches requiring more than one hour of staff time, at a rate of $15.00 per hour. Large or complex requests may also incur programming costs if special computer programming is required to extract the requested information.

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit cards (with a 2.5% processing fee for credit card transactions).

Does Brazos County Have Free Public Records?

Brazos County provides certain public records at no cost to requestors under specific circumstances:

Free Online Access:

The Brazos County Public Records Portal offers free search capabilities and viewing of many public documents
The Brazos Central Appraisal District provides free online access to property appraisal records and GIS data
Voter registration status can be verified online at no cost
Court docket information is available for free online viewing

Free In-Person Access:

Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours without charge, as provided by § 552.021 of the Texas Government Code
Public access computers are available at the Brazos County Clerk's Office for on-site research
The Brazos County Law Library provides free access to legal resources and certain public records

Fee Waivers:

Pursuant to § 552.267 of the Texas Government Code, fees may be waived or reduced if disclosure of the information primarily benefits the general public
Governmental entities requesting information for official purposes may receive records without charge
Indigent individuals may qualify for fee waivers for certain vital records upon demonstration of financial hardship

While inspection of records is generally free, charges typically apply for copies, certifications, and extensive searches as detailed in the fee schedule section.

Who Can Request Public Records In Brazos County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, public records in Brazos County are available to all persons regardless of:

Citizenship status
Place of residence
Age (though minors may face certain restrictions)
Purpose or intended use of the information

The following entities and individuals may request public records:

Individual Requestors:

Any member of the general public
Persons directly involved in matters documented in the records
Attorneys representing clients with interest in specific records
Professional researchers, including title companies, genealogists, and journalists

Organizational Requestors:

Business entities and corporations
Non-profit organizations
Educational institutions
Media outlets and news organizations

Governmental Entities:

Other county departments and agencies
State agencies and departments
Federal government entities
Law enforcement agencies

Pursuant to § 552.223 of the Texas Government Code, requestors are not required to identify themselves, provide a reason for their request, or explain the intended use of the information. However, certain records with restricted access may require verification of identity or legal authority to access the information.

The county may ask for clarification if a request is unclear but cannot inquire about the purpose of the request except to establish whether the information falls under an exception to disclosure or to determine applicable fees.

What Records Are Confidential In Brazos County?

Certain records maintained by Brazos County are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure pursuant to exceptions established in the Texas Public Information Act and other state and federal statutes. These confidential records include:

Personal Privacy Information:

Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
Certain personnel records containing private employee information
Juvenile records sealed by court order pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.003

Law Enforcement and Security Records:

Active criminal investigation materials
Information that would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime
Emergency response plans and security assessments
Information related to critical infrastructure vulnerability

Court-Protected Records:

Records sealed by court order
Adoption records
Certain family law proceedings involving minors
Mental health commitment proceedings

Vital Records Access Restrictions:

Birth certificates less than 75 years old (except to qualified applicants)
Death certificates less than 25 years old (except to qualified applicants)
Marriage and divorce records with restricted access designations

Other Protected Information:

Attorney-client privileged communications
Certain economic development negotiations
Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
Certain audit working papers
Test items developed by licensing agencies

Pursuant to § 552.101 of the Texas Government Code, information considered confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision, is excepted from the requirements of public disclosure. Unauthorized release of confidential information may result in criminal penalties under § 552.352.

Brazos County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Brazos County Clerk's Office
300 E. 26th Street, Suite 120
Bryan, TX 77803
(979) 361-4430
Brazos 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, liens, and other property documents
Issuance of marriage licenses
Maintenance of vital records (birth and death certificates)
Processing of assumed name certificates (DBA)
Passport application acceptance (by appointment only)
Maintenance of Commissioners Court records
Probate court records

Additional Information:

The Recording Department accepts documents for recording between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM
Marriage licenses are issued between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM
Vital Records requests are processed between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM
Passport services are available by appointment only between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM

For specific questions regarding document requirements, fees, or record availability, members of the public are encouraged to contact the office directly during regular business hours.