Lubbock County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Lubbock County?

Public records in Lubbock County encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by various county departments and offices for public access. These records are created, received, and preserved by government entities in the course of conducting official business. Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), the following categories of public records are available in Lubbock County:

Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, property transfers, and tax assessment information maintained by the County Clerk and Lubbock Central Appraisal District
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees (with certain restrictions)
Court Records - Civil and criminal case files, court dockets, judgments, and probate records from District Courts, County Courts, and Justice of the Peace Courts
Business Records - Assumed name certificates (DBA), Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings, and business licenses
Election Records - Voter registration data, election results, campaign finance reports, and political subdivision boundaries
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, tax payments, delinquent tax records, and tax sale information
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest records, incident reports, jail records, and sex offender registry information (with certain exceptions)
County Administration Records - Commissioner's Court minutes, ordinances, resolutions, budgets, and financial reports
Land Records - Plat maps, surveys, easements, and subdivision information
Public Health Records - Restaurant inspections, environmental health permits, and certain health statistics

These records are maintained by various county offices including the County Clerk, District Clerk, Tax Assessor-Collector, Sheriff's Office, and other county departments.

Is Lubbock County an Open Records County?

Lubbock County is an open records county that operates in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. This statute establishes the fundamental principle that all government information is presumed to be available to the public.

The Lubbock County Commissioners Court has adopted formal policies regarding public information requests that align with state law. According to the county's official public information policy:

"It is the policy of Lubbock County that all persons are 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."

The Texas Public Information Act requires that governmental bodies respond promptly to requests for public information, typically within 10 business days. Lubbock County has designated Public Information Officers within each department to facilitate this process.

The county's commitment to transparency is further evidenced by its implementation of online record access systems and public information request portals. However, as permitted by Texas Government Code § 552.101-552.159, certain categories of information may be exempt from disclosure due to confidentiality provisions in state or federal law, privacy concerns, or security considerations.

How Do I Find Public Records in Lubbock County in 2025

Members of the public seeking access to Lubbock County records in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they require. The county has implemented multiple access points to facilitate public record retrieval:

Online Access:

The Lubbock County Public Records Portal provides 24/7 access to digitized records maintained by the County Clerk
Property information and GIS mapping is available through the Lubbock Central Appraisal District
Court case information can be accessed through the Lubbock County Courts online portal
Voter registration status and election information is accessible via the Lubbock County Elections Office

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours
Complete a Public Information Request form specifying the records sought
Present valid identification when requesting certain records (vital records, etc.)

Written Requests:

Submit a written request via mail, email, or fax to the relevant department
Clearly describe the information requested with sufficient detail
Include contact information for follow-up communications

Public Information Act Requests:

For records not routinely available, submit a formal request under the Texas Public Information Act
Direct requests to the specific department that maintains the records
Be specific about the information sought to avoid delays

Requestors should note that certain records may require specific forms, identification, or statutory authority to access. The county recommends contacting the appropriate department before visiting to confirm document availability and any special requirements for access.

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

Lubbock County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the fee schedules established by the Texas Administrative Code (Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70) and county ordinances. The cost structure for obtaining public records varies by document type, format, and the department providing the records:

Standard Copy Fees:

Paper copies (8.5" x 11"): $0.10 per page
Paper copies (11" x 17"): $0.50 per page
Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
Electronic copies to CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
Electronic copies via email (if file size permits): No charge for the electronic transmission (charges may apply for labor)

Vital Records Fees:

Birth certificates: $23.00 per copy
Death certificates: $21.00 for first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
Marriage licenses: $82.00 to issue; $8.00 per certified copy
Divorce verification: $20.00 per copy

Court Records Fees:

Case file copies: $1.00 per page
Certified court documents: $5.00 certification fee plus copy costs
Criminal background checks: $10.00 per name search

Property Records Fees:

Deed copies: $1.00 per page
Plat maps: $10.00 per sheet
Property tax statements: $2.00 per account

Additional Fees:

Personnel costs: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive programming
Overhead charges: 20% of personnel costs may be added for extensive requests
Postage: Actual cost if mailing is requested

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, a governmental body may waive or reduce fees if providing the information primarily benefits the general public. Additionally, certain requestors may qualify for fee waivers under specific statutory provisions. Payment must be made before records are released, with accepted forms including cash, check, money order, or credit card (where available).

Does Lubbock County Have Free Public Records?

Lubbock County provides certain public records at no cost to requestors through various channels. While many records carry statutory fees, the following resources are available without charge:

Free Online Resources:

The Lubbock County Clerk's online records search offers free basic searches of public land records, although downloading documents may incur fees
Lubbock County Commissioners Court agendas and minutes are freely accessible on the county website
The Lubbock County Sheriff's Office provides free access to the current jail roster and sex offender registry information
Election results and voter precinct information are available at no cost through the Elections Office website
Court dockets for upcoming proceedings can be viewed online without charge

Free In-Person Access:

Public terminals at the County Clerk's Office allow free viewing of digitized records
The Lubbock County Law Library provides free access to legal resources and certain public records
Public notices and announcements are posted at no cost in designated areas of the Lubbock County Courthouse

Free Under Special Circumstances:

Veterans and their immediate family members may receive one free copy of certain records needed for benefit claims
Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may receive free copies of certain records related to protective orders
Indigent individuals may qualify for fee waivers for certain records upon demonstration of financial hardship

The Lubbock County Law Library, located at 916 Main Street, Suite 500, Lubbock, TX 79401, serves as a valuable resource for free public access to legal materials and certain county records during regular business hours.

Who Can Request Public Records In Lubbock County?

The Texas Public Information Act establishes broad access rights for individuals seeking public records in Lubbock County. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to any person, regardless of:

Citizenship status
Residency in Lubbock County or Texas
Age (though minors may face certain restrictions)
Purpose or intended use of the information
Relationship to the subject of the records

The following entities may request public records from Lubbock County:

Individual citizens and residents
News media organizations
Businesses and corporations
Non-profit organizations
Legal representatives and attorneys
Government agencies and officials
Academic researchers
Out-of-state and international requestors

Requestors are not legally required to identify themselves when making standard public information requests, though certain records may require identification verification due to confidentiality provisions. The county may ask for contact information solely for the purpose of communicating about the request.

It should be noted that while the right to request information is broadly granted, specific types of records may have statutory restrictions limiting access to qualified individuals. For example:

Birth certificates less than 75 years old are available only to the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct interest established by law
Certain criminal history information may be restricted to authorized criminal justice agencies
Medical records may require patient authorization or a court order

The Texas Attorney General has established that governmental bodies may not inquire about the purpose of a request as a condition of fulfilling it, except in very limited circumstances where the purpose is directly relevant to determining if an exception to disclosure applies.

What Records Are Confidential In Lubbock County?

Lubbock County maintains certain records that are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure. These confidentiality provisions are established by various state and federal statutes, including exceptions enumerated in the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code § 552.101-552.159). The following categories of records are generally considered confidential:

Personal Privacy Information:

Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
Educational records protected under FERPA
Financial account information and credit card numbers
Email addresses of members of the public provided for official communication

Law Enforcement and Security Records:

Active criminal investigation materials
Information that would interfere with prosecution or detection of crime
Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
Victim information in certain cases, particularly sexual assault victims
Critical infrastructure and security procedures information

Personnel and Administrative Records:

Employee home addresses, phone numbers, and family information
Peace officer personnel files (except basic information)
Attorney-client privileged communications
Audit working papers and draft documents
Economic development negotiations

Court-Related Confidential Records:

Records sealed by court order
Certain family law matters involving minors
Mental health commitment proceedings
Adoption records
Grand jury information

Vital Records Restrictions:

Birth records less than 75 years old (limited access)
Death records less than 25 years old (limited access)
Marriage records less than 75 years old (limited access)

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.352, the improper release of confidential information is a criminal offense. County officials are required to consult with the Texas Attorney General's Office when uncertain about the confidential status of requested information. Requestors seeking access to potentially confidential information may be required to demonstrate their legal authority to access such records or may need to obtain a court order.

Lubbock County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Lubbock County Clerk's Office serves as the official recorder of public documents for Lubbock County. This office maintains and provides access to vital records, property records, and other official documents as required by law.

Lubbock County Clerk's Office
916 Main Street, Suite 401
Lubbock, TX 79401
(806) 775-1061
Lubbock County Clerk

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Recording Division Services:

Real property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
Marriage licenses
Assumed name certificates (DBA)
Military discharge records (DD-214)
Commissioners Court minutes
Notary public registrations
Livestock brands and marks

Vital Records Division:
916 Main Street, Suite 401
Lubbock, TX 79401
(806) 775-1034

Vital Records Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Lubbock County Clerk's Office provides both in-person and online access to many public records. The electronic records portal allows remote access to digitized documents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Certified copies of records must be obtained in person or by mail with proper identification and payment of applicable fees.

For specialized research assistance or complex record requests, appointments with the Records Management staff are recommended by calling (806) 775-1061 during regular business hours.