Hale County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Hale County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Texas may access publicly available information through HaleRecords.us, a directory resource that aggregates publicly available data related to Hale County records. The types of records that may be located through official channels include, but are not limited to:
- 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
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by Hale County and the State of Texas.
Online Access: The Hale County District Clerk and County Clerk maintain records accessible through their respective offices. The Texas Department of State Health Services provides an online directory of local vital record offices, including the Hale County Clerk, where birth, death, and marriage records may be ordered. Motor vehicle and title records are accessible through the Hale County Tax Office portal via TxDMV. No registration is required to submit a public information request, though some online portals may require account creation for document downloads.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Hale County Clerk's Office at 500 Broadway, Suite 140, Plainview, TX 79072. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a completed written request or verbally identify the record sought at the public counter. Staff will direct requestors to the appropriate department if the record is maintained by a separate office.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be mailed to the Hale County Clerk, 500 Broadway, Suite 140, Plainview, TX 79072. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the record sought, and the relevant time period. Under Texas Government Code § 552.228, a governmental body must promptly produce public information and may not delay a response beyond ten business days without written notice.
Phone/Email: The Hale County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (806) 291-5261. Email inquiries may be directed through the county's official contact channels as listed on the Hale County government website.
What Are Public Records in Hale County?
Public records in Hale 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 § 552.002, public information includes written, photographic, recorded, or other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristic.
The following record types are currently maintained by Hale County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | District Clerk |
| Probate and family court records | County Clerk |
| Property deeds, liens, mortgages | County Clerk |
| Birth, death, and marriage records | County Clerk / Texas DSHS |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Appraisal District / Tax Assessor-Collector |
| Motor vehicle titles and registrations | Hale County Tax Office |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Sheriff's Office |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / City offices |
| Voting and election records | County Elections Administrator |
| Meeting minutes and budgets | County Clerk / Commissioners Court |
As noted by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, "The Deed Record is among the most important records maintained by the county clerk," reflecting the central role of the County Clerk in preserving real property documentation.
Is Hale County an Open Records County?
Hale County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act, which mandates that governmental bodies make public information available upon request. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to any person, and a governmental body shall promptly make it available for inspection and copying.
The Texas Attorney General's Office oversees compliance with the Public Information Act statewide. As stated by the Office of the Attorney General, "The Public Information Act gives the public the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why a person wants the information." This provision ensures that requestors in Hale County are not required to justify their interest in obtaining public documents.
Hale County governmental bodies, including the County Clerk, District Clerk, and Sheriff's Office, are subject to the Act's requirements. The Hale County Sheriff's Office is listed with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and maintains compliance with open records obligations applicable to law enforcement agencies. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the exemptions established under state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Hale County?
The standard fee structure for public records in Hale County follows the schedule established by the Texas Office of the Attorney General under the Texas Public Information Act. Current fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copy (8.5" x 11") | $0.10 per page |
| Oversized paper copy | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy (vital records) | $20.00 (birth); $20.00 (death) |
| Marriage record certified copy | $6.00 per copy |
| Electronic format (where available) | Actual cost of media |
| Personnel costs (requests over 50 pages) | Applicable labor rate |
| Overhead charge | 20% of labor costs |
Inspection of records at a public counter does not incur a copy fee unless the requestor requests reproductions. Accepted payment methods at the Hale County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order; credit card acceptance may vary by department. Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the governmental body when the requestor demonstrates that release of the information primarily benefits the general public, as provided under Texas Government Code § 552.267.
Does Hale County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person at the offices of the Hale County Clerk and District Clerk during regular business hours. Members of the public may review documents at the public counter without charge; fees apply only when copies or certified reproductions are requested.
Several categories of records are accessible at no cost through official online resources:
- Motor vehicle and title records may be verified through the Hale County Tax Office via the TxDMV portal at no charge for basic inquiries.
- Vital records office locations and ordering information are provided free of charge through the Texas DSHS local vital records directory.
- County records background information, including guidance on deed records and court filings, is available without cost through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may inspect public records at no cost, obtaining physical or electronic reproductions is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Hale County?
Any person may request public records from Hale County governmental bodies under the Texas Public Information Act. Requestors are not required to be Texas residents, and no residency requirement applies to the submission of a public information request.
Under current law, requestors are not required to:
- Provide identification when submitting a request (though identification may be required for certified vital records)
- State the purpose for which the information is sought
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records requested
Certain record types carry additional eligibility requirements. Certified copies of birth certificates are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives. Death and marriage certificates may be obtained by any person upon payment of the applicable fee. Law enforcement records involving ongoing investigations may be withheld regardless of the requestor's identity.
Non-residents retain the same rights as Texas residents with respect to general public information requests. Persons requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or tax account information, may be required to present government-issued identification to verify identity before records are released.
What Records Are Confidential in Hale County?
Certain categories of records maintained by Hale County are exempt from public disclosure under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act and related statutes identify the following as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public inspection
- Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in the juvenile justice system
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Social Security numbers and financial account data — personal identifying information protected under state and federal law
- Medical and mental health records — protected under HIPAA and Texas Health & Safety Code provisions
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
- Child protective services records — maintained as confidential under Texas Family Code
- Personnel records — employee personal information, with limited exceptions for public officials
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety
As stated in the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Guide, "The Act contains numerous exceptions to disclosure that allow — and in some cases require — a governmental body to withhold certain information." Governmental bodies in Hale County are obligated to assert applicable exceptions within ten business days of receiving a request or seek a ruling from the Attorney General's Office.
Hale County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Hale County Clerk's Office
500 Broadway, Suite 140
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 291-5261
Hale County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Hale County District Clerk's Office
500 Broadway, Suite 230
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 291-5226
Hale County District Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hale County Tax Assessor-Collector
500 Broadway, Suite 115
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 291-5281
Hale County Tax Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hale County Sheriff's Office
806 Broadway
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-4800
Hale County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week (administrative records requests handled Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Hale County Appraisal District
302 W. 8th Street
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-4212
Hale County Appraisal District
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lookup Public Records in Hale County
- Hale County birth, death, and marriage records — Texas DSHS local vital record offices
- Hale County vehicle title transfers and registration renewals — TxDMV county tax office
- Hale County Sheriff's Office law enforcement records — Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
- Texas county records guide including deed and court records — Texas State Library and Archives Commission