Texas Public Records Laws and Regulations

Learn more about which agencies allow a Texas public records search

Texas public records laws and regulations control the access that the public has to records on individuals such as criminal background, immigration status and vital records. These laws also apply to government records such as meeting minutes and voting records.

Texas public data laws may be grouped according to the aspect of public records that they address. These include the following three general areas:

1. TX public records that regulate the manner in which public information may be accessed. These laws may specify issues such as the length of time the state has to respond to information requests, any fees an agency is allowed to charge and whether the requestor must provide a reason for wanting the information.
2. Laws that define what information on an individual may be considered public. These laws control the personal information that may be accessed by an individual or party designated by the individual.
3. Laws that specify what government records may be accessible to the public. These laws are usually intended to permit journalists to perform a Texas court case search or to allow private citizens to provide input on government decisions.
   

 

Review the procedures for accessing Texas public records

Access to Texas court records are covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in Texas and is typically handled by the Attorney General. County and municipal courts may also provide access to Texas criminal records.
Try: The Attorney General of Texas provides an overview of the laws on open government in Texas. Texas Watchdog publishes regular articles on public records laws in Texas.

Learn about the laws regulating access of Texas public records for individuals

Public records for individuals typically include vital records such as Texas birth records, Texas public marriage records and Texas public death records. Individuals may only be able to access their own personal records.
Try: The Texas Department of State Health Services provides the regulations that control the release of vital records in Texas. Kerr County allows the release of a variety of records on individuals under Texas law.

Look for Texas public records laws on government records

Government records may include meeting minutes, budget reports and real estate sales. Some government departments provide many different types of government records, while others may be dedicated to a specific type of record.
Try: The Texas Secretary of State summarizes the laws that control the release of records on government meetings in Texas. The Office of the City Clerk for the City of Austin provides government records such as meeting minutes as required by Texas law.

 

• Texas public records law is generally guided by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This federal legislation was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. The FOIA was amended by the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments in 1996 which controls the electronic access the public has to these records.

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