Fayette County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Fayette County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Fayette County, Texas, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state repositories, and online portals. FayetteTXRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may relate to records maintained by Fayette County government agencies. The types of information that may be found through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, liens, and mortgage documents
Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates
Tax assessment and property tax records
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access: The Fayette County Clerk maintains property and official public records that may be searchable through the county's online portal. The Texas Judicial Branch provides access to court case information statewide, including records from Fayette County district and county courts. Certain records, including court filings and property instruments, are available digitally without registration. Vital records searches may require identity verification before access is granted.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Fayette County Clerk's Office to inspect records at the public counter. The office is located at 151 N. Washington St., La Grange, TX 78945. Counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and names of parties involved when submitting an in-person request.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Fayette County Clerk at P.O. Box 59, La Grange, TX 78945. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Texas Government Code § 552, a governmental body must promptly produce public information or request an Attorney General ruling within ten business days of receiving a written request.

Phone/Email:

Phone: (979) 968-3251
Email: countyClerk@co.fayette.tx.us

What Are Public Records in Fayette County?

Public records in Fayette County are defined under Texas law as any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, these records are presumed open to the public unless a specific statutory exception applies.

The following record types are maintained by Fayette County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	District Clerk, County Clerk
Probate and family court records	County Clerk
Property deeds, liens, mortgages	County Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	County Clerk, Texas DSHS
Tax assessment and property tax records	County Tax Assessor-Collector
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk, City offices
Voting and election records	County Elections Administrator
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Judge's Office
Law enforcement incident reports	Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Commissioner's Court

Historical and archival government records for Texas, including those pertaining to Fayette County, may also be accessed through the Texas State Library Archives and Manuscripts division, which preserves official records of Texas government and other significant historical resources.

Is Fayette County an Open Records County?

Fayette County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act, which mandates public access to government records. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to any member of the public, and a governmental body may not require a requestor to provide a reason for the request. As the Texas Secretary of State's open records policy states, "Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why you want the information."

The Texas Public Information Act, commonly referred to as the Texas Open Records Act, applies to all county governmental bodies, including the Fayette County Commissioners Court, the County Clerk, the District Clerk, the Sheriff's Office, and all other county departments. The City of Fayetteville and other municipalities within Fayette County are similarly bound by the Act's provisions. County-specific policies may supplement state law but may not restrict access below the minimum standards established by the statute.

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

The standard fee structure for public records in Fayette County follows the schedule established by the Texas Office of the Attorney General pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Current fees applicable to most requests are as follows:

Fee Type	Standard Rate
Standard paper copies (8.5" x 11")	$0.10 per page
Oversized copies	Actual cost
Certified copies (vital records, deeds)	$5.00–$30.00 per document (varies by record type)
Electronic format (CD/DVD)	$1.00 per disc
Labor charge (requests over 50 pages)	$15.00–$28.00 per hour (depending on personnel)
Overhead charge	20% of labor cost

Inspection of records at a public counter does not incur a fee. Requestors are not charged for the time spent locating records unless the request is for a large volume of documents. Fee waivers may be available for indigent individuals or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, as provided under Texas Government Code § 552.267. Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit cards.

Does Fayette County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the Fayette County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. No fee is charged to view records at the public counter, and requestors are not required to pay for inspection time. The following resources provide free access to certain Fayette County records:

Fayette County Clerk's Office: Free in-person inspection of property records, court filings, and official instruments at 151 N. Washington St., La Grange, TX 78945
Texas Judicial Branch online portal: The Texas court records search system provides free access to case information for district and county courts statewide
Texas State Library: The Archives and Manuscripts division provides free access to historical government records at its Austin facility
Fayette County Tax Office: Property tax account information is available for free inquiry through the county tax office

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records at a government office carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Fayette County?

Any person may request public records in Fayette County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, a governmental body may not require a requestor to identify themselves, provide identification, or explain the reason for the request as a condition of access to public information. Non-residents of Texas retain the same rights of access as Texas residents under the statute.

Certain record types carry additional access requirements:

Vital records (birth and death certificates): Certified copies are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives; informational copies may be available to the general public with restrictions
Juvenile records: Access is restricted by statute to authorized parties only
Law enforcement records: Some categories of active investigation records require a showing of entitlement

Requestors seeking their own records, such as personal court filings or property instruments, follow the same process as any other public records request. No special procedure is required to obtain records about oneself through the standard public information request process.

What Records Are Confidential in Fayette County?

Not all government records in Fayette County are subject to public disclosure. Texas Government Code Chapter 552, Subchapter C, enumerates specific categories of information that are excepted from required public disclosure. The following record types are currently treated as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors in the juvenile justice system are confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.007
Active criminal investigation records: Information held by a law enforcement agency that deals with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime is excepted while the investigation is ongoing
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records
Medical and mental health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Texas Family Code provisions
Personnel records: Employee personal information, including home addresses and performance evaluations, is excepted with limited exceptions for public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a governmental body under a claim of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety

When a governmental body believes a requested record falls under an exception, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days, as required by Texas Government Code § 552.301.

Fayette County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Fayette County Clerk's Office
151 N. Washington St.
La Grange, TX 78945
(979) 968-3251
Fayette County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Fayette County District Clerk's Office
151 N. Washington St., Suite 107
La Grange, TX 78945
(979) 968-6548
Texas Judicial Branch – Court Records

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Fayette County Tax Assessor-Collector
151 N. Washington St.
La Grange, TX 78945
(979) 968-3164
Fayette County Tax Office