Kerr County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Kerr County?

Public records in Kerr County are documents, files, and data created or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business and made available for inspection by any member of the public under Texas law. Under Texas Government Code § 552.002, a "public record" is defined as any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body, regardless of physical form or medium. Kerr County maintains records for access by any member of the public through its various departments, and the county's public records portal serves as a central starting point for locating available documents.

The following categories of records are currently available through Kerr County offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Kerr County District Clerk and County Clerk
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments) — filed with the Kerr County Clerk and Appraisal District
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — held by the Kerr County Clerk
Business records (assumed name certificates, permits, and licenses) — recorded with the Kerr County Clerk
Tax records (property tax assessments and payment histories) — maintained by the Kerr County Tax Assessor-Collector
Voting and election records — administered by the Kerr County Elections Administrator
Meeting minutes and agendas (Commissioners Court, boards, and commissions) — available through the County Judge's office and county website
Budget and financial documents — published by Kerr County Auditor
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Kerr County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — held by the Kerr County Road and Bridge Department and relevant planning authorities

Is Kerr County an Open Records County?

Kerr County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act, which guarantees the public's right of access to government records. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to any person upon request, and a governmental body may not require a requestor to provide a reason for seeking the records. The Act further provides, under § 552.228, that a governmental body must promptly produce public information and may not delay access beyond what is reasonably necessary to retrieve the records.

Kerr County operates in accordance with Texas "sunshine" laws, which require that government meetings be open to the public and that records be accessible without undue restriction. The county's official public records access policy directs members of the public to contact the relevant department directly when seeking specific categories of documents. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the exemptions already established under state law.

How to Find Public Records in Kerr County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Kerr County records through several channels, depending on the record type and the office that maintains it.

Step 1 — Identify the correct office. Determine which county department holds the record being sought. Court records are maintained by the District Clerk or County Clerk; property and vital records are held by the County Clerk; tax records are available through the Tax Assessor-Collector.

Step 2 — Submit a written request. Requests for public information must be submitted in writing to the relevant governmental body. Requests may be delivered in person, by mail, by fax, or by email, as accepted by the specific office.

Step 3 — Use online search tools. Property tax and appraisal data may be searched directly through the Kerr County property tax records search, which allows members of the public to look up ownership, assessed values, and legal descriptions without submitting a formal request.

Step 4 — Visit the office in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours at the relevant county office. No appointment is required for general inspection at most offices.

Step 5 — Request copies. If copies are needed, the requestor may ask the office to reproduce the records for the applicable per-page fee. Certified copies of vital records and court documents require an additional certification fee.

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

Current fees for public records in Kerr County are governed by Texas Government Code § 552.261, which authorizes the Texas Office of the Attorney General to set a standard cost schedule for copies of public information. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page (letter or legal size, black and white)
Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage): $20.00 for the first copy; $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time, as set by the Texas Department of State Health Services
Certified copies of court documents: Fees vary by document type and are set by the District Clerk or County Clerk; a standard certification fee of approximately $5.00 per document applies
Labor charges: When a request requires more than one hour of staff time to locate, compile, or reproduce records, a labor charge may apply at the rate established by the Attorney General's cost rules
Postage and handling: Actual cost of postage is charged when records are mailed

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when the release of information is determined to primarily benefit the general public, as provided under Texas Government Code § 552.267.

Does Kerr County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public under Texas law, which requires governmental bodies to allow on-site review of records without charge. Members of the public who wish to inspect — but not copy — records may do so at no cost during regular office hours.

Several categories of records are also available at no cost through official online platforms:

Property tax and appraisal records may be searched at no charge through the Kerr County Tax Office property search, which provides ownership information, assessed values, and tax payment status
Court case information for district court matters is accessible through the Kerr County District Clerk's office, which indexes and maintains all court records
Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are published on the Kerr County official website at no cost
Voter registration and election results are available through the Kerr County Elections Administrator without charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Kerr County?

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — is entitled to request public information from Kerr County governmental bodies. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, a governmental body may not require a requestor to identify themselves, provide a reason for the request, or demonstrate any particular interest in the records sought, except in limited circumstances involving certain sensitive record categories.

Specific eligibility considerations include:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be residents of Kerr County or the State of Texas
Identification: Identification is generally not required for standard public records requests; however, certain records — such as certified copies of vital records — may require proof of identity or legal relationship to the subject of the record
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most public records
Non-residents: Non-residents hold the same rights as residents under the Texas Public Information Act
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be withheld from third parties, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records, upon providing appropriate identification
Restrictions for specific record types: Access to juvenile records, sealed court files, and certain law enforcement investigative materials is restricted regardless of who is requesting them

What Records Are Confidential in Kerr County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Texas law and are not available for general inspection or copying. Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.158 enumerates specific exemptions, providing that the following types of information are confidential and must be withheld:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public disclosure
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in the juvenile justice system are confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.007
Ongoing criminal investigation records — information held by law enforcement that, if released, would interfere with an active investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are protected from disclosure
Medical and 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 — maintained as confidential by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Personnel records — certain employee information, including home addresses and personal financial data of public employees, is exempt
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under an expectation of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety

When a governmental body believes that requested information may be confidential, it is required to seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office before withholding the records, pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.301.

Kerr County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Kerr County Clerk serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including property records, vital records, and court filings at the county level. The District Clerk maintains all district court records separately.

Kerr County Clerk 700 Main Street, Suite 122, Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 792-2255 Kerr County Clerk Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Kerr County District Clerk 700 Main Street, Suite 122, Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 792-2281 Clerk of the District Courts of Kerr County Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Kerr County Tax Assessor-Collector 700 Main Street, Suite 124, Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 792-2243 Kerr County Tax Office Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Kerr County Sheriff's Office 400 Clearwater Paseo, Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 896-1216 Kerr County Sheriff's Office Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Kerr Central Appraisal District 212 Oak Hollow Drive, Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 895-5223 Kerr Central Appraisal District Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.