Randall County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Randall County?
Public records in Randall County are defined as information created, collected, or maintained by government entities in the course of official business. According to the Texas Public Information Act § 552.002, public records include "information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business."
The Randall County Clerk's Office maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that are accessible to citizens. These records include:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Randall County courts
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates (if born in Randall County), death certificates (if death occurred in county), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Assumed name certificates (DBA), business licenses, and permits
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes: County commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
- Budget Documents: County financial records, expenditures, and annual budgets
- Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs and incident reports (with restrictions)
- Land Use Records: Zoning information, plats, surveys, and development plans
The Randall 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. Additional records may be maintained by specific departments such as the Tax Assessor-Collector's Office, Sheriff's Office, and various county courts.
Citizens seeking access to official public records may do so through the appropriate county department, with many records now available through online portals maintained by the county.
Is Randall County an Open Records County?
Randall County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act § 552, which establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public. This state law, sometimes referred to as the Texas Open Records Act, governs access to governmental records throughout Texas.
Under § 552.021 of the Act, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision ensures that Randall County residents have the legal right to inspect or copy public records maintained by county offices.
The county has implemented specific procedures for handling public information requests in accordance with state law. As stated in Government Code § 552.234, governmental bodies may designate specific physical and electronic addresses for receiving public information requests. Randall County departments have established such designated addresses to streamline the request process.
Randall County also adheres to the Texas Open Meetings Act, which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, with proper notice given. County Commission meetings and other public body sessions are conducted in compliance with these transparency requirements.
The county maintains an official public records policy that aligns with state statutes, ensuring consistent application of open records principles across all departments. This commitment to transparency allows citizens to actively participate in and monitor their local government.
How to Find Public Records in Randall County in 2026
Members of the public may access Randall County records through several methods currently available. The county offers both in-person and online options for obtaining public information.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- Identify the department that maintains the desired records
- Visit the office during normal business hours
- Complete a public information request form if required
- Present identification if necessary for certain record types
- Pay any applicable fees for copies or certified documents
For online access, Randall County provides several digital resources:
- Visit the Randall County Clerk's website for property records, marriage licenses, and other documents
- Access the Official Public Records portal for searchable databases of recorded documents
- Submit electronic requests through department-specific online forms
- Utilize the e-filing system for court-related documents
For records not available online, written requests may be submitted:
- Prepare a written request clearly identifying the information sought
- Submit the request to the appropriate department's designated address
- Include contact information for follow-up questions
- Allow up to 10 business days for a response as required by state law
The Randall County Sheriff's Office maintains a separate open records request process for law enforcement records, with specific procedures outlined on their website.
For vital records such as birth and death certificates, the Randall County Clerk serves as the local registrar and can provide these documents with proper identification and payment of fees.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Randall County?
Randall County assesses fees for public records in accordance with guidelines established by the Texas Attorney General under Government Code § 552.262. The current fee structure includes:
- Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page for letter or legal size
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy costs
- Oversize copies (larger than legal size): $0.50 per page
- Electronic copies: $1.00 per CD/DVD or actual cost of other media
- Labor charges: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive programming
- Postage: Actual cost if mailing is requested
Specific record types carry standardized fees:
- Birth certificates: $23.00 per certified copy
- Death certificates: $21.00 for first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
- Marriage licenses: $82.00 to issue, $21.00 for certified copies
- Property records: $26.00 for first page, $4.00 for each additional page
- Court records: Varies by case type and document requested
Accepted payment methods include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks (with valid ID)
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
- Electronic payments for online services
Fee waivers or reductions may be available in certain circumstances. Under § 552.267 of the Texas Government Code, a governmental body may waive or reduce fees if doing so is in the public interest. Additionally, if a requestor is indigent and providing an affidavit certifying their status, certain fees may be waived.
Does Randall County Have Free Public Records?
Randall County provides free inspection of public records in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act. Citizens may examine non-confidential public records during regular business hours without charge, though fees apply for copies or certified documents.
The following free public record resources are currently available:
- In-person inspection of public records at the appropriate county office
- Online access to property records search through the County Clerk's website
- Court docket information available through public access terminals at the courthouse
- County Commission meeting agendas and minutes on the county website
- Voter registration verification through the Elections Department
- Public notices and announcements posted on official county bulletin boards
The Randall County Clerk's Office provides public access terminals at their location where citizens may search and view electronic records at no cost. While printing from these terminals incurs standard copy fees, viewing the information remains free of charge.
Additionally, certain public information is proactively published on the Randall County website, including budget documents, meeting schedules, and county ordinances, all accessible without submitting a formal request.
For extensive research projects, the county recommends scheduling appointments with the appropriate department to ensure staff availability for assistance with locating records.
Who Can Request Public Records in Randall County?
Under the Texas Public Information Act, any person may request public records from Randall County governmental bodies. According to Government Code § 552.223, "A governmental body may not inquire into the purpose for which information will be used."
Key eligibility points include:
- Requestors need not be Texas residents to obtain most public records
- Identification is generally not required except for specific record types
- Statement of purpose is not necessary for standard public information requests
- Commercial use of public records is permitted under state law
- Minors may request public information, though certain records may have age restrictions
For certain record types, additional requirements apply:
- Vital records (birth/death certificates): Requestors must demonstrate proper relationship or legal interest and provide identification
- Criminal history information: Access may be restricted based on requestor's relationship to the subject
- Medical records: Release requires authorization from the individual or their legal representative
- Juvenile records: Access is limited to authorized individuals under Family Code § 58.007
When requesting records about oneself, proper identification is required to protect privacy. For requests concerning other individuals, access may be limited based on the type of information and applicable confidentiality laws.
Government agencies, law enforcement entities, and authorized researchers may have expanded access to certain records that are otherwise restricted from public disclosure.
What Records Are Confidential in Randall County?
Randall County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with exemptions specified in the Texas Public Information Act and other state and federal laws. Under Government Code § 552.101, information is excepted from disclosure if it is "confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision."
Records that are generally confidential include:
- Juvenile court records and law enforcement files involving minors
- Records sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records
- Child welfare and protective services case information
- Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
- Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers
- Certain personnel information of county employees
- Ongoing law enforcement investigations and prosecutor case files
- Critical infrastructure and security information
- Certain economic development negotiations
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Adoption records and birth records with adoption information
- Certain victim information in criminal cases
- Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
Additionally, Government Code § 552.1175 protects personal information of certain officials and employees, including peace officers, prosecutors, judges, and their family members.
When a request involves potentially confidential information, county officials must apply the appropriate legal standards to determine if an exception applies. In some cases, the county may seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office regarding whether information falls under a statutory exception.
The county employs a balancing test for certain discretionary exceptions, weighing the public's right to information against potential harm from disclosure, particularly in cases involving privacy interests or law enforcement activities.
Randall County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Randall County Clerk's Office - Canyon Location
501 16th Street, Suite 200
Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 468-5510
Randall County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Randall County Clerk's Office - Amarillo Annex
4320 S. Western Street, Suite 140
Amarillo, TX 79109
(806) 468-5660
Randall County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Randall County Sheriff's Office
9100 S. Georgia Street
Amarillo, TX 79118
(806) 468-5800
Randall County Sheriff's Office
Hours for Public Records Requests:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Randall County Tax Assessor-Collector
501 16th Street, Suite 200
Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 468-5540
Randall County Tax Office
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in Randall County
County Clerk's Official Records
Official Public Records Access Portal