Webb County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Webb County?

Public records in Webb County, Texas are defined according to the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), specifically under Texas Government Code § 552.002. This statute defines public records as "information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business" by or for a governmental body.

Webb County maintains an extensive collection of public records that are accessible to citizens pursuant to state law. These records include:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Webb County District Courts and County Courts at Law
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and property assessments
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and assumed name certificates (DBA)
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from Webb County Commissioners Court and various boards and committees
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs and incident reports (subject to exemptions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and development permits

The Webb County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, particularly those related to property transactions, vital statistics, and court proceedings. The Webb County District Clerk maintains records for district court cases, while the Webb County Tax Assessor-Collector manages tax-related documents. The Webb County Elections Administration oversees voter registration and election records.

Is Webb County an Open Records County?

Webb County fully adheres to the Texas Public Information Act, codified under Texas Government Code § 552. This comprehensive state law establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain defined exceptions.

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 underscores the fundamental right of access that Texas residents enjoy regarding government records.

Webb County has implemented specific procedures to comply with state transparency requirements. The county maintains an open records request process through which members of the public may submit requests for information to the appropriate county departments. Each department designates a public information coordinator responsible for processing these requests in accordance with statutory timelines.

The county also complies with the Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 551), which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, with proper notice given. This "sunshine law" ensures transparency in government decision-making processes alongside access to written records.

Webb County's commitment to open government is reflected in its Public Information Request Policy, which provides guidance on submitting requests and outlines the county's obligations under state law.

How to Find Public Records in Webb County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Webb County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county currently provides multiple pathways for records access:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:
- The Webb County Clerk's Records Search provides access to property records, marriage licenses, and other documents
- The Webb County District Clerk offers online case information for district court proceedings
- The Webb County Tax Office maintains searchable property tax records
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect or request copies of records:
- For property records, vital statistics, and county court records, visit the County Clerk
- For district court records, contact the District Clerk
- For tax records, visit the Tax Assessor-Collector's office
Written Requests: Submit a formal public information request in writing to the relevant department. Requests should:
- Be addressed to the appropriate records custodian
- Describe the requested records with reasonable specificity
- Include contact information for response
- Be delivered by mail, email, fax, or in person
Official Public Information Request Form: Webb County provides a standardized Public Information Request Form that may be submitted to any county department.

Under Texas Government Code § 552.221, the county must "promptly" produce public information in response to a request, which generally means within 10 business days. If records cannot be produced within this timeframe, the county must notify the requestor in writing and set a date when the information will be available.

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

Webb County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the guidelines established by the Texas Attorney General under Texas Government Code § 552.262. The current fee structure includes:

Standard Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for standard 8.5" x 11" black and white copies
Oversized Copies: $0.50 per page for documents larger than 8.5" x 11"
Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
Electronic Records: $0.10 per page for PDF documents; actual cost for other electronic formats
Labor Charges: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive programming/manipulation
Overhead Charge: 20% of labor charge when applicable
Postage: Actual cost if mailing is requested

Specific record types may have statutorily set fees that differ from the standard schedule:

Birth Certificates: $23.00 per certified copy
Death Certificates: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
Marriage Licenses: $82.00 to issue; $8.00 per certified copy
Deed Recordings: $26.00 for the first page, $4.00 for each additional page

Webb County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) for most transactions. Some departments may have limited payment options for certain services.

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 Texas Government Code § 552.267. Additionally, certain requestors may qualify for fee waivers, including educational or non-commercial scientific institutions and representatives of the news media.

Does Webb County Have Free Public Records?

Webb County provides free inspection of public records during normal business hours in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.021, which states that public information is available "at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision ensures that any person may examine records without charge, provided they do not request copies.

The following free public record resources are currently available:

In-Person Inspection: Any non-confidential public record may be viewed free of charge at the appropriate county office during regular business hours
Webb County Website: The county maintains several free online databases, including:
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices for free public access to digital records, including:
- Property records at the County Clerk's Office
- Court case information at the District Clerk's Office
- Tax records at the Tax Assessor-Collector's Office

The Webb County Law Library also provides free public access to legal resources, including certain court records and legal reference materials.

Who Can Request Public Records in Webb County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, specifically Texas Government Code § 552.023, "all government information is presumed to be available to the public." Webb County adheres to this principle by allowing broad access to public records with minimal restrictions on who may request information.

Eligibility requirements for public records requests in Webb County include:

Residency: There is no residency requirement. Any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Webb County.
Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when the requestor seeks information about themselves.
Purpose: Requestors generally do not need to state the purpose of their request or intended use of the information, except in limited circumstances involving certain commercial uses or bulk requests.

Special provisions apply to specific record types:

Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records have restricted access. Only the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct interest may obtain these documents.
Criminal History Information: Access may be limited to the subject of the records, authorized criminal justice agencies, or those with court orders.
Medical Records: Access is restricted under HIPAA and state privacy laws to the patient or their authorized representative.

Under Texas Government Code § 552.222, a governmental body may ask a requestor to clarify or narrow a request, but cannot inquire about the purpose for which the information will be used, except to establish whether the information qualifies for a statutory exception to disclosure.

What Records Are Confidential in Webb County?

Webb County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to exceptions established under the Texas Public Information Act. Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.158 enumerate specific categories of information that are confidential by law.

The following record types are generally not available for public inspection:

Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain family law cases, juvenile proceedings, and expunged criminal records
Juvenile Records: Information related to juvenile offenders, except under limited circumstances specified in Texas Family Code § 58.007
Active Investigation Records: Information related to pending law enforcement investigations that would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime
Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account information, and other personal financial data
Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents
Child Welfare Records: Reports and investigations by Child Protective Services
Personnel Information: Certain information in personnel files, including home addresses and family information of public employees
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product
Critical Infrastructure Information: Details about utility systems, security measures, and emergency response plans
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county

Texas Government Code § 552.021 establishes a presumption of openness, but § 552.101 exempts information considered confidential by law, either by constitutional, statutory, or judicial decision. When a request involves potentially exempt information, Webb County must seek a determination from the Texas Attorney General's Office within 10 business days, as required by § 552.301.

The county applies a balancing test for certain discretionary exceptions, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy interests or governmental concerns about disclosure.

Webb County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Webb County Clerk's Office
1110 Victoria St., Suite 201
Laredo, TX 78040
(956) 523-4268
Webb County Clerk

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

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and property documents
Marriage licenses
Birth and death certificates
Assumed name certificates (DBA)
County court records
Commissioners Court minutes
Notary public registrations

Webb County District Clerk's Office
1110 Victoria St., Suite 203
Laredo, TX 78040
(956) 523-4269
Webb County District Clerk