Williamson County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Williamson County?

Public records in Williamson County are defined according to the Texas Public Information Act, specifically under Texas Government Code § 552.002, which states that public information means "information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business." These records document the business of government and are maintained by various county offices.

Williamson County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that includes:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Williamson County District Clerk and County Clerk offices
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments
• Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1903), death certificates (from 1903), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Assumed name certificates (DBA), business licenses, permits, and professional registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commissioners Court and other boards and committees
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and audits
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with statutory restrictions)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and variance applications

The Williamson County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, including property records, vital statistics, and business filings. Court records are maintained by either the District Clerk or County Clerk, depending on the court of jurisdiction. Tax records are maintained by the Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office.

Is Williamson County an Open Records County?

Williamson County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified under Texas Government Code § 552. This comprehensive state law establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain exceptions defined by statute.

Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision ensures that Williamson County residents and others have legal access to government records.

Williamson County has established specific procedures for handling open records requests in accordance with state law. The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its online records portal and established request procedures.

In addition to the TPIA, Williamson County also adheres to the Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 551), which requires governmental bodies to conduct open meetings except in specific circumstances and to provide public notice of meeting times, locations, and subject matter.

The County Attorney's Office serves as the legal advisor for public information requests received by county departments and elected officials, ensuring compliance with state law while protecting information that is confidential by law.

How to Find Public Records in Williamson County in 2026

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

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official public records search portal. This includes property records, court cases, and other frequently requested documents.

2. Submit a Public Information Request: For records not available online, individuals may submit a formal request under the Texas Public Information Act. Requests may be submitted:

   • In person at the appropriate county office
   • By mail to the records custodian
   • By email to the designated public information coordinator
   • Through the county's online request form

3. Visit the Appropriate Office: Records may be inspected in person during regular business hours at the office that maintains them:

   • Property records: County Clerk's Office
   • Criminal and civil court records: District Clerk or County Clerk
   • Tax records: Tax Assessor-Collector's Office
   • Vital records: County Clerk's Office

4. Judicial Records: Court records can be accessed through the judicial records information system or by visiting the appropriate clerk's office.

5. Specialized Records: Some records require specific procedures:

   • Vital records (birth, death certificates): Require proper identification and may have eligibility restrictions
   • Military discharge records (DD-214): Available to the veteran or next of kin with proper identification

When submitting a request, individuals should be as specific as possible about the records sought. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.222, a governmental body may ask for clarification if the request is unclear, but cannot inquire about the purpose of the request.

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

Williamson County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the guidelines established by the Texas Attorney General under Texas Government Code § 552.262. Current standard fees include:

• Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size
• Certified Copies: $5.00 per document plus copy charges
• Oversize Copies: $0.50 per page for documents larger than legal size
• Digital Copies: $1.00 per CD/DVD when electronic delivery is requested
• Labor Charges: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive programming/manipulation
• Vital Records:
  • Birth Certificates: $23.00 per certified copy
  • Death Certificates: $21.00 for first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
  • Marriage Licenses: $82.00 to issue, $21.00 for certified copies

The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (with a processing fee) for in-person requests. Online record access may require credit card payment or subscription fees for certain databases.

Fee waivers or reductions may be available in cases where the request is determined to be in the public interest, primarily benefiting the general public rather than the requestor. Educational or non-commercial scientific institutions and representatives of the news media may qualify for reduced fees under certain circumstances.

For large requests that would result in charges exceeding $40.00, the county will provide a written itemized statement of estimated charges before fulfilling the request, as required by Texas Government Code § 552.2615.

Does Williamson County Have Free Public Records?

Williamson County provides free public access to certain records as required by Texas law. The following records are available at no cost:

• In-Person Inspection: Under Texas Government Code § 552.221, members of the public may inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. If a record exists in an electronic format and can be redacted electronically, the governmental body must provide it in that format.

• Online Records: Several categories of records are freely accessible through the county's website:

  • Commissioners Court agendas and minutes
  • Election results and voter information
  • County budget documents
  • Basic property information through the Williamson Central Appraisal District
  • Criminal and civil case information (basic docket information)

• Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the County Clerk's Office and District Clerk's Office for free public access to electronic records that might otherwise require fees for copies or printouts.

While inspection is free, requestors seeking copies of records will typically incur the standard fees outlined in the previous section. Additionally, requests requiring extensive labor, programming, or manipulation of data may incur charges even if the requestor only wishes to inspect the records.

Who Can Request Public Records in Williamson County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, specifically Texas Government Code § 552.023, any person may request access to public information regardless of citizenship or residency status. Williamson County cannot ask requestors to provide identification or state their purpose for requesting information except in limited circumstances.

Key eligibility considerations include:

• General Public Records: Available to any person without restriction on purpose or use
• Own Personal Information: Individuals have a special right of access to information that contains their own personal information, even if that information would otherwise be protected from disclosure
• Confidential Records: Certain records may only be accessible to specific individuals:
  • Juvenile records: Generally only available to the juvenile, parents, or legal guardians
  • Medical records: Available to the patient or authorized representative
  • Certain vital records: May have eligibility restrictions (e.g., birth certificates limited to the person named, immediate family members, or legal representatives)

Governmental bodies may establish reasonable procedures for accessing public information, but these procedures may not unreasonably impede a person's right of access. Requestors are not required to:

• Provide identification (except for certain confidential records)
• Submit requests on specific forms
• State the purpose of their request
• Make the request in person

Commercial entities and individuals may request public information for any purpose, including commercial use, with the same rights of access as any other requestor.

What Records Are Confidential in Williamson County?

Certain records maintained by Williamson County are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act. Texas Government Code § 552.101 exempts information considered confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision.

Records that are generally confidential 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 Records: Protected health information under HIPAA and Texas Medical Practice Act
• Juvenile Records: Most juvenile justice and juvenile court records as specified in Texas Family Code § 58.007
• Certain Law Enforcement Records: Information related to ongoing investigations, confidential informants, and certain victim information
• Personnel Information: Home addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, and family information of public employees who have opted for confidentiality
• Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product
• Certain Economic Development Information: Trade secrets and commercial or financial information that would cause substantial competitive harm if released
• Critical Infrastructure Information: Details about security systems, emergency response plans, and infrastructure vulnerabilities
• Certain Victim Information: Information identifying victims of sexual assault, family violence, or human trafficking
• Adoption Records: Sealed adoption records and related court documents
• Child Welfare Records: Child protective services investigations and case records

The county must apply the "balancing test" established in Texas Government Code § 552.108 for certain law enforcement records, weighing the public interest in disclosure against potential harm to investigations or prosecutions.

Requestors seeking records that may contain confidential information should be aware that the county is required by law to redact such information before release, which may result in additional processing time and fees.

Williamson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Williamson County Clerk's Office
710 S. Main Street, Suite 100
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-1515
Williamson County Clerk

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
• Marriage licenses
• Assumed name certificates (DBA)
• Birth and death certificates (from 1903)
• Military discharge records (DD-214)
• Cattle brands and marks
• Notary public registrations
• County court records

District Clerk's Office
405 Martin Luther King Street, Box 24
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-1212
Williamson County District Clerk

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Services Provided:

• District court records
• Jury service information
• Passport application processing

For specialized records, contact the appropriate department:

Tax Assessor-Collector's Office
904 S. Main Street
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-1601
Williamson County Tax Office

Elections Department
600 W. Martin Luther King Street
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-1630
Williamson County Elections

Lookup Public Records in Williamson County

Search Official Public Records

Access County Clerk Records

View Williamson County Records

Find Criminal and Civil Case Information

Submit Open Records Requests