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How to Find Public Records in Medina County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through MedinaRecords.org as well as through official county offices and online portals maintained by Medina County, Texas. The county maintains a broad range of documents that may be inspected or obtained upon request, subject to applicable state law. Records that may be available include, but are not limited to:
- Property deeds, liens, and mortgage instruments
- Court records from civil, criminal, probate, and family proceedings
- Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates
- Business filings and assumed name certificates
- Tax assessment and appraisal records
- Election and voter registration 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 located at the courthouse, and online tools provided by the county.
Online Access:
The Medina County official records search portal provides digital access to property records, land instruments, and related documents. No registration is required to conduct a basic search. The portal is certified through the current date and is maintained by the County Clerk's office. Members of the public may search by name, document type, or recording date.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the County Clerk's Office at 1100 16th Street, Room 109, Hondo, Texas 78861. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Upon arrival, requestors should identify the record type sought and provide relevant identifying information such as names, dates, or parcel numbers. Staff will assist in locating responsive documents.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted to the Medina County Clerk's Office at 1100 16th Street, Room 109, Hondo, TX 78861. 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 § 552.228, governmental bodies are required to respond to written requests promptly, and no later than ten business days after receipt.
Phone/Email:
The County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (830) 741-6040. The District Clerk's office for court-related records may be reached at (830) 741-6070.
What Are Public Records in Medina County?
Public records in Medina County are defined under the Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code § 552.002, as any information that is collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Property deeds, liens, mortgages | County Clerk |
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | District Clerk / County Clerk |
| Birth and death certificates | County Clerk |
| Marriage licenses and divorce records | County Clerk / District Clerk |
| Assumed name (DBA) certificates | County Clerk |
| Property tax and appraisal records | Medina County Appraisal District |
| Voter registration records | County Clerk / Elections Office |
| County commission minutes and budgets | County Judge's Office |
| Law enforcement incident reports | Medina County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Commissioner's Court |
The Medina County Clerk's office serves as the primary custodian of official public records, including land records and vital statistics. Court records from the 38th District Court and Medina County Court of Law are maintained by the District Clerk.
Is Medina County an Open Records County?
Medina County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), which governs public access to government records statewide. Under Texas Government Code § 552.001, the legislature declares that "government is the servant of the people, and not the master of them," establishing a strong presumption in favor of public access to government information.
The Texas Attorney General's Office provides oversight and guidance on open records compliance. As stated in the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Guide, "the basic right of the public to know what their government is doing is fundamental to a democratic society." Governmental bodies in Texas, including Medina County, are required to make public information available for inspection and copying upon request, unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Medina County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the county operates under the uniform standards established by state law. Pursuant to § 51.901 of the Texas Government Code, the County Clerk is also required to provide notice of fraudulent filing activity, reflecting the county's commitment to the integrity of its official public records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Medina County?
The current fee schedule for records obtained through the Medina County Clerk's Office is established pursuant to Texas Local Government Code § 118.011 and related provisions. The official Medina County Clerk fee schedule sets out the following standard charges:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of recorded document (first page) | $5.00 |
| Each additional page of certified copy | $1.00 |
| Plain (uncertified) copy per page | $1.00 |
| Filing/recording fee (first page) | $25.00 |
| Each additional page filed | $4.00 |
| Assumed name certificate filing | $28.00 |
| Per-page copy fee (Local Government Code 118.011(a)(2)) | $0.25 |
- Inspection fees: No fee is charged for inspecting public records at the public access terminal during regular business hours.
- Certification fees: Certified copies carry an additional fee as noted above.
- Electronic format fees: Fees for electronic copies are assessed in accordance with state cost rules.
- Search fees: Search fees may apply for requests requiring extensive staff time, consistent with Texas Government Code § 552.261.
Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in circumstances where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, as provided under state law.
Does Medina County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at the County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. No fee is assessed for viewing records in person at the public access terminal located at the courthouse. The official records search portal for Medina County also provides free online access to property and land records without requiring registration or payment.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while members of the public may inspect most public records at no cost, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain records, such as voter registration information provided for authorized purposes, may be available at no charge under specific statutory provisions.
The Medina County homepage provides links to multiple county departments and online resources that members of the public may access without charge.
Who Can Request Public Records in Medina County?
Under the Texas Public Information Act, any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — is entitled to request access to public information maintained by a governmental body. Requestors are not required to be Texas residents, and they are not required to provide a reason for their request. The Act defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, and other legal entities.
Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect public records, though identification may be requested in limited circumstances. For records that contain both public and confidential information, the governmental body is required to redact exempt portions and release the remainder.
Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal vital records — may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship to the subject of the record. Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same open records standards, except where specific exemptions apply to protect personal privacy.
Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under state law. There is no requirement that a requestor be affiliated with any organization or demonstrate a particular need for the information sought.
What Records Are Confidential in Medina County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Texas law establishes a comprehensive set of exemptions that protect certain categories of information from release. The following record types are currently exempt from public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act and related statutes:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Texas Family Code provisions.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Information compiled during an active law enforcement investigation is exempt to the extent that release would interfere with the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are protected from disclosure.
- Medical records: Health information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed and confidential.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are exempt from public disclosure.
- Personnel records: Certain employee information, including home addresses and personal financial data of public employees, is protected.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a governmental body may be withheld.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Information that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure is exempt.
Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.352 enumerates specific categories of information that are excepted from required disclosure. Where a governmental body seeks to withhold information, it may be required to request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office, which applies a balancing test to determine whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in confidentiality.
Medina County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Medina County Clerk's Office 1100 16th Street, Room 109 Hondo, TX 78861 (830) 741-6040 Medina County Clerk
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Medina County District Clerk's Office 1100 16th Street Hondo, TX 78861 (830) 741-6070 Medina County District Clerk
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The District Clerk maintains records for the 38th District Court and the Medina County Court of Law, including civil, criminal, family, and probate case files. Public access to court records is available during regular business hours at the courthouse.
Medina County Courthouse (Main) 1100 16th Street Hondo, TX 78861 Medina County Texas