Howard County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Howard County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through HowardCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Howard County, Texas maintains a range of official records through multiple county offices, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law. Records that may be accessible include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax records, and law enforcement reports, subject to statutory exemptions.

Relevant record categories available through official channels include:

Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records
Property deeds, liens, and mortgage documents
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records
Business licenses and assumed name filings
Property tax and assessment records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted by law)
Land use and zoning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The Howard County official government portal provides access to departmental pages and online resources. The Howard County District Clerk's office maintains a public portal for civil and family court records, excluding criminal case records. No registration is required to conduct basic searches, though a search fee applies prior to results being returned.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Howard County Clerk's Office or the District Clerk's Office at the Howard County Courthouse, located at 300 S. Main Street, Big Spring, TX 79720. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal request identifying the record sought by name, date range, or case number where applicable.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office at 300 S. Main Street, Big Spring, TX 79720. Requests should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and the requestor's contact information. Under Texas Government Code § 552.228, governmental bodies are required to promptly produce public information upon request, with a standard response period of ten business days.

Phone/Email:

The Howard County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (432) 264-2213. The District Clerk's Office may be contacted at (432) 264-2223. Email contact information is available through the respective departmental pages on the county website.

What Are Public Records in Howard County?

Public records in Howard County are defined under the Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code Chapter 552, as any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family): Maintained by the Howard County District Clerk and the County Clerk
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments): Maintained by the Howard County Clerk's Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): The Howard County Clerk's Office processes birth and death record requests using official state forms
Business records (assumed name certificates, licenses): Filed with the County Clerk
Tax records (property tax, vehicle registration): Maintained by the Howard County Tax Office
Voting and election records: Maintained by the County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas: Available through the county government portal
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports): Maintained by the Howard County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions

Is Howard County an Open Records County?

Howard County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act, which establishes the right of the public to access government records. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "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." This provision applies to all county offices and departments operating within Howard County.

The Texas Attorney General's Office provides oversight and guidance on open records compliance. As stated in the Office of the Attorney General's open government resources, "the Public Information Act gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why you want the information." County offices are required to acknowledge requests within ten business days and either produce the records or seek a ruling from the Attorney General if an exemption is claimed. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance, as state law governs all public information requests uniformly across Texas jurisdictions.

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

The cost to obtain public records in Howard County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Current fees established by the Howard County Clerk's Office for recording services are as follows:

Service	Fee
Recording – First Page	$25.00
Recording – Each Additional Page	$4.00
Per Name Index Fee	$0.25
Court Record Search (Civil/Family/Criminal)	$5.00 per name
Certified Copy (standard)	Varies by document

The District Clerk's Office charges a search fee of $5.00 per name for civil, family, and criminal record searches, and this fee is required before a search is conducted. Copy fees for standard documents are set in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.261, which authorizes governmental bodies to charge for the actual cost of producing copies. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as provided by state law, particularly for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.

Does Howard County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at county offices during regular business hours. Under Texas law, members of the public are entitled to inspect public records without charge; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested. The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Howard County government website provides free access to departmental information, meeting agendas, and posted public notices
The District Clerk's public portal allows free browsing of available civil and family court case information online, excluding criminal records
Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for on-site inspection of recorded documents without copy fees
The Howard County Tax Office provides vehicle registration and title information through the TxDMV county tax office portal

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: inspection of original records at a county office carries no charge, while obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Howard County?

Any person may request public records in Howard County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Texas Government Code § 552.021 establishes that the right to access public information is available to "each person," and governmental bodies are not permitted to require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access. Specific provisions include:

Residency: Not required; non-residents of Texas retain full rights to request public records
Identification: Not required for most public records requests, though certain vital records (such as birth certificates) require proof of eligibility under Texas Health and Safety Code
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for standard public information requests
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records may be required to provide identification to verify identity, particularly for vital records or records containing sensitive personal information
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are restricted to authorized parties only, regardless of the general open records framework

What Records Are Confidential in Howard County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Texas law provides a comprehensive set of exemptions that protect certain categories of information from release. The following record types are currently exempt from public disclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 552 and related statutes:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available to the public
Juvenile records: Protected under the Texas Family Code and accessible only to authorized parties
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Exempt while an investigation is active to protect law enforcement operations
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted or withheld
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records: Sealed under Texas Family Code provisions
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Texas Family Code Chapter 261
Personnel records: Certain employee information is exempt, with exceptions for disciplinary actions involving public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety

When a governmental body believes a requested record falls under an exemption, it must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days of receiving the request, as required under Texas Government Code § 552.301. The Attorney General applies a balancing test in certain cases to determine whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in confidentiality.

Howard County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Howard County Clerk serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including property records, vital records, and court filings at the county level.

Howard County Clerk's Office
300 S. Main Street, Suite 101
Big Spring, TX 79720
(432) 264-2213
Howard County Clerk's Office

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays

Additional Offices:

Howard County District Clerk
300 S. Main Street
Big Spring, TX 79720
(432) 264-2223
District Clerk – Howard County, Texas

Howard County Sheriff's Office
309 S. Main Street
Big Spring, TX 79720
(432) 264-2392
Howard County Sheriff's Office

Howard County Tax Office
315 S. Main Street
Big Spring, TX 79720
(432) 264-2232
Howard County Tax Office