Denton County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Denton County?

Public records in Denton County encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by county government offices for public access pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). These records serve as the official documentation of government activities and transactions within Denton County jurisdiction. The following categories of public records are maintained and accessible through various county departments:

Real Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other land-related documents
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses
Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files and dockets
Tax Records: Property tax assessments, payment histories, and delinquency records
Voter Registration: Voter rolls, election results, and campaign finance reports
Business Records: Assumed name certificates, business licenses, and permits
Commissioner's Court Records: Meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest reports, incident reports, and jail records (with certain exceptions)
Geographic Information System (GIS) Data: Maps, parcel information, and spatial data
Financial Records: County budgets, expenditure reports, and audit information

These records are maintained by various county offices including the County Clerk, District Clerk, Tax Assessor-Collector, Elections Administrator, Sheriff's Office, and other departments as prescribed by Texas state law.

Is Denton County an Open Records County?

Denton County operates as an open records county in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552. This statute establishes the fundamental principle that all government information is presumed to be available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions.

The Denton County Commissioners Court has formally adopted policies that affirm the county's commitment to transparency and public access to information. According to the county's official records policy, "Denton County is committed to providing access to public information in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act and maintaining transparency in government operations."

Pursuant to § 552.021 of the Texas Government Code, public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. Denton County has implemented procedures to facilitate public access to records through both in-person requests and electronic means. The county maintains dedicated public information officers in each department who are trained to respond to open records requests in accordance with statutory timelines.

The Texas Public Information Act establishes that governmental bodies must promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law, either expressly or by judicial decision, or information for which an exception to disclosure has not been sought.

How Do I Find Public Records in Denton County in 2025

Members of the public seeking access to Denton County records in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain public information. The county has established multiple channels for records access:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital portals:
- The Denton County Public Records Portal provides searchable access to documents filed with the County Clerk
- Property records can be searched through the Denton County Appraisal District
- Geographic and spatial data is available via the Denton County Open Data Portal
- Voter and election information is accessible through the Denton County Elections Office
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- County Clerk's Office for real property records, marriage licenses, and other public filings
- District Clerk's Office for court records
- Tax Office for property tax records
- Elections Office for voter registration information
Written Requests: Public Information Act requests may be submitted in writing to the specific department maintaining the desired records. Requests should:
- Be addressed to the Public Information Officer of the relevant department
- Clearly describe the records sought
- Include contact information for response
- Be delivered by mail, email, fax, or in person
Public Access Terminals: Self-service computer terminals are available at several county facilities for searching public records databases without assistance.

For specialized records such as court documents, requestors may need to provide case numbers or other identifying information to facilitate retrieval.

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

Denton County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the fee schedule established under the Texas Public Information Act and the guidelines set forth by the Office of the Attorney General. Pursuant to § 552.261 of the Texas Government Code, charges are limited to the reasonable costs of reproducing the requested information.

The current fee structure for Denton County public records includes:

Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size documents
Certified Copies: $5.00 per document plus copy charges
Electronic Records: $0.10 per page for PDF documents; no charge for records emailed if under 20MB
Maps and Oversized Documents: $2.00 to $10.00 depending on size
Recorded Documents: $1.00 per page for official public records
Birth/Death Certificates: $23.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for each additional copy requested simultaneously
Marriage Licenses: $82.00 for issuance; $20.00 for certified copies
Research Fee: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring more than one hour of personnel time
Media Charges: $1.00 for CD/DVD; $5.00 for USB drive (when provided by the county)

Additional fees may apply for specialized records or services:

Court Records: Fees vary by case type and document requested
GIS Data: Custom mapping services charged at $50.00 per hour
Expedited Services: Additional fees may apply for rush processing

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit card (subject to a processing fee). All fees must be paid before records are released, unless a waiver has been granted.

Does Denton County Have Free Public Records?

Denton County provides certain public records at no cost to requestors in accordance with provisions of the Texas Public Information Act. The following records and services are available without charge:

Online Access: Several databases are freely accessible through the county's web portals:
- Basic property information through the Denton County Appraisal District
- Election results and voter information via the Denton County Elections Office
- GIS data and maps through the Denton County Open Data Portal
- Tax payment verification through the Denton County Tax Office
Public Inspection: Pursuant to § 552.221 of the Texas Government Code, members of the public may examine records during regular business hours without charge if the inspection does not require redaction of confidential information.
Small Requests: Requests that result in fewer than 50 pages of paper copies may be provided without charge for labor or overhead, though copy costs may still apply.
Fee Waivers: The county may waive or reduce fees if doing so is in the public interest because providing the information primarily benefits the general public, as permitted under § 552.267 of the Texas Government Code.
Indigent Requestors: Individuals who submit an affidavit stating they are unable to pay reproduction costs due to financial hardship may receive certain records at reduced or no cost.

Public access terminals located in county facilities also allow for free viewing of many public records, though printing from these terminals incurs standard copy fees.

Who Can Request Public Records In Denton County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, public records in Denton County are available to all persons regardless of citizenship status, purpose of request, or relationship to the county. Pursuant to § 552.223 of the Texas Government Code, a governmental body may not inquire into the purpose for which information will be used.

The following entities and individuals may request public records:

Individual Citizens: Any person, regardless of residency, may submit a request for public information.
Media Representatives: Journalists and news organizations have the same rights of access as other requestors.
Business Entities: Corporations, partnerships, and other business organizations may request records through authorized representatives.
Nonprofit Organizations: Charitable organizations, advocacy groups, and other nonprofits have equal access to public information.
Government Agencies: Other governmental bodies may request information for official purposes.
Legal Representatives: Attorneys may request records on behalf of clients, though attorney status confers no special privileges for access.
Incarcerated Individuals: Persons confined in correctional facilities may request certain public records, subject to limitations established in § 552.028 of the Texas Government Code.

Requestors are not required to identify themselves when making requests in person, though contact information is necessary for the county to respond to written requests or to provide copies. Anonymous requests for inspection of records during normal business hours must be accommodated if the records are readily available.

What Records Are Confidential In Denton County?

Denton County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with state and federal laws. Pursuant to various provisions of the Texas Government Code, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, and other statutes, the following categories of records are generally not subject to public disclosure:

Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information are protected under § 552.147 of the Texas Government Code.
Medical Records: Health information is confidential under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and § 552.101 of the Texas Government Code.
Juvenile Records: Information related to juvenile offenders is protected under Chapter 58 of the Texas Family Code.
Victim Information: Identifying details of crime victims, particularly in cases involving sexual assault, family violence, or child abuse, are confidential pursuant to § 552.1325 of the Texas Government Code.
Active Investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations may be withheld under § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code.
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product are protected under § 552.107.
Certain Personnel Information: Home addresses, telephone numbers, emergency contact information, and family information of county employees may be confidential under § 552.117.
Critical Infrastructure: Information related to security systems, emergency response plans, and infrastructure vulnerabilities is protected under § 552.139.
Certain Election Records: Information revealing how specific individuals voted is confidential under § 552.161.
Child Welfare Records: Information maintained by Child Protective Services is generally confidential under Chapter 261 of the Texas Family Code.

When a request involves potentially confidential information, Denton County must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within 10 business days if the county believes an exception to disclosure applies.

Denton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Denton County Clerk's Office (Recording Division)
1450 E. McKinney Street, Suite 1100
Denton, TX 76209
(940) 349-2010
Denton County Clerk

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

The Denton County Clerk serves as the county recorder and is responsible for maintaining and providing access to official public records. The Recording Division processes and maintains various documents including:

Real property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
Marriage licenses
Assumed name certificates (DBA)
Military discharge records (DD214)
Livestock brands and marks
Notary public registrations
Commissioners Court minutes

Branch Office Locations:

Southwest Courthouse
6200 Canyon Falls Drive
Flower Mound, TX 75028
(940) 349-3510
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Lewisville Sub-Courthouse
400 N. Valley Parkway, Suite 1020
Lewisville, TX 75067
(972) 434-8810
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

The Recording Division accepts documents for recording in person, by mail, and through electronic submission for qualified filers. Electronic recording services are available through approved third-party providers. Documents submitted for recording must meet specific formatting requirements as outlined in the Texas Property Code.

Public access terminals are available at all locations for searching recorded documents. Staff members are available to assist with basic search questions, though they cannot provide legal advice or conduct research on behalf of the public.