Nueces County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Nueces County?

Public records in Nueces County encompass a wide range of official documents, files, and information maintained by county government offices pursuant to Texas state law. These records document government activities, transactions, and decisions that affect county residents and property owners. The Texas Public Information Act, codified in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, establishes the legal framework for public access to these records.

Nueces County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other real property documents recorded with the County Clerk's Office
Court Records - Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files, judgments, and orders
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses (with certain access restrictions)
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, payments, and delinquencies
Voting and Election Records - Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
Commissioner's Court Records - Meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances
Business Records - Assumed name certificates (DBA), notary public registrations, and alcohol license applications
Land Records - Plat maps, surveys, and subdivision information
Public Health Records - Restaurant inspections, environmental health permits, and certain health statistics
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest reports, incident reports, and jail records (with certain exemptions)

The Nueces County GIS & Property Lookup system provides online access to geographic information and property data for parcels throughout the county.

Is Nueces County an Open Records County?

Nueces County operates as an open records county in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), which establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public. As stated in § 552.001(a) of the Texas Government Code: "Under the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government that adheres to the principle that government is the servant and not the master of the people, it is the policy of this state that 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."

Nueces County government offices are legally obligated to:

Promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law
Respond to written requests within 10 business days
Make reasonable efforts to accommodate public information requests
Provide information in the format requested when feasible
Maintain records according to approved retention schedules

The county has designated Public Information Officers in various departments who are responsible for processing open records requests in compliance with the TPIA. The Texas Office of the Attorney General provides oversight and issues rulings when questions arise about whether specific information may be withheld under statutory exceptions.

How Do I Find Public Records in Nueces County in 2025

Members of the public seeking records in Nueces County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county has implemented a multi-channel approach to facilitate public access to government records.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours:

Nueces County Clerk's Office
901 Leopard Street, Suite 201
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361) 888-0580
Nueces County Clerk

Nueces County District Clerk
901 Leopard Street, Suite 313
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361) 888-0450
Nueces County District Clerk

Online access options include:

The county's official website, which provides downloadable forms and select public records
The Nueces County GIS & Property Lookup portal for property information
The county's public records portal for searching various document types

Written requests may be submitted via:

U.S. Mail addressed to the appropriate department
Email to the designated Public Information Officer
Fax to the relevant county office

For court records, requesters may also utilize the Texas Judicial Branch website or visit the Texas Courts Self-Help Center for guidance on accessing court documents.

For health-related records, the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District maintains specific protocols for requesting public health information.

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

Nueces County assesses fees for public records in accordance with guidelines established by the Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70 (Cost of Copies of Public Information). The fee structure is designed to recover the reasonable costs of providing the requested information while ensuring that excessive charges do not impede public access.

Standard fees for common record types include:

Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size
Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy charges
Birth certificates: $23.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for each additional copy
Death certificates: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
Marriage licenses: $21.00 per copy
Property records: $26.00 for the first page, $4.00 for each additional page
Court records: Varies by case type and document (typically $1.00 per page)

Additional charges may apply for:

Oversized documents or non-standard copies
Programming time for electronic data extraction ($28.50 per hour)
Labor charges for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive redaction ($15.00 per hour)
Overhead charges (20% of labor charge)
Postage and shipping costs for mailed records

Pursuant to § 552.267 of the Texas Government Code, a governmental body may waive or reduce charges if doing so is in the public interest. Additionally, § 552.261(e) prohibits charging for inspection of records unless the request requires redaction of confidential information or retrieval from remote storage.

Does Nueces County Have Free Public Records?

Nueces County provides certain public records at no cost to requesters in accordance with Texas state law and county policy. The availability of free records promotes transparency and public engagement with local government.

Records available without charge include:

Online access to the Nueces County GIS & Property Lookup system for basic property information
Commissioner's Court agendas and minutes published on the county website
Election results and voter information (excluding confidential voter data)
Public notices and announcements
County budget documents and financial reports
Records inspected in person that do not require extensive redaction or retrieval from remote storage

Additionally, pursuant to § 552.267 of the Texas Government Code, fee waivers may be granted when:

The request is made by an individual who qualifies for indigent status (income below 125% of federal poverty guidelines)
The information primarily benefits the general public rather than the requester
The cost of processing the payment would exceed the amount of the fee

The Texas Department of State Health Services also provides certain statistical health data for Nueces County at no charge through its online portal.

Who Can Request Public Records In Nueces County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Nueces County government offices. The law defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, and governmental entities.

Eligible requesters include:

Individual citizens and residents of Nueces County
Non-residents of the county or state
Representatives of media organizations
Businesses and corporations
Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups
Attorneys and legal representatives
Government agencies and officials
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)

The TPIA specifically states in § 552.223 that a governmental body may not inquire about the purpose of a request. Requesters are not required to explain why they want the information or how they intend to use it. However, clarification may be sought if the request is unclear or would result in the production of a large amount of information.

Requesters must provide sufficient identification when seeking records that contain confidential information to which they may have a right of access, such as their own medical records or certain law enforcement information. The Texas Secretary of State provides guidance on proper identification requirements for various record types.

What Records Are Confidential In Nueces County?

Nueces County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with federal and state laws that exempt specific information from public disclosure. These exemptions are designed to protect privacy, security, and other important interests while still maintaining the general principle of open government.

Records designated as confidential under Texas law include:

Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA and state health privacy laws
Juvenile court records and law enforcement files involving minors
Social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers
Certain personnel information for law enforcement officers, judges, and prosecutors
Information related to ongoing criminal investigations
Records containing critical infrastructure details that could pose security risks
Attorney-client privileged communications
Certain economic development negotiations
Adoption records and Child Protective Services case files
Certain victim information in criminal cases
Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees who request confidentiality

The Texas Public Information Act contains approximately 60 exceptions to disclosure codified in §§ 552.101 through 552.158. When a request involves potentially confidential information, Nueces County officials must seek a ruling from the Texas Office of the Attorney General within 10 business days if they wish to withhold the information.

Federal records accessible through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) for federal cases in Nueces County may have additional confidentiality restrictions under federal law.

Nueces County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Nueces County Clerk serves as the county recorder and maintains official records related to real property, vital statistics, and other important documents. The office provides essential services to residents, businesses, and other stakeholders requiring access to official county records.

Nueces County Clerk's Office
901 Leopard Street, Suite 201
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361) 888-0580
Nueces County Clerk

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

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
Issuance of marriage licenses
Filing of assumed name certificates (DBA)
Maintenance of birth and death records
Probate court records
Commissioners Court minutes
Notary public registrations
Military discharge records (DD-214)

The Recording Department accepts documents for recording between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Documents submitted after 4:30 PM will be recorded on the next business day. The Vital Statistics Department issues birth and death certificates and marriage licenses between 8:00 AM and 4:45 PM.

Pursuant to Texas Property Code § 11.004, the county clerk must record instruments presented for recording if they are properly executed and accompanied by the required filing fees. The clerk maintains a computerized index system that allows for efficient retrieval of recorded documents by name, property description, or document type.