Guadalupe County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Guadalupe County?
Public records in Guadalupe County are defined as information created, collected, or maintained by government agencies 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."
Guadalupe County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Guadalupe County Courts system, including District Courts, County Courts at Law, and Justice of the Peace Courts
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other real property documents recorded with the County Clerk
- Vital Records: Birth certificates (if born in Guadalupe County), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Assumed name certificates (DBA), alcohol permits, and other business licenses
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax rolls maintained by the Guadalupe County Tax Office
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Commissioners Court meetings and other county boards and commissions
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest records, incident reports, and jail records (with statutory limitations)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Development permits, variance applications, and zoning decisions
The Guadalupe County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, particularly property records, vital records, and court records. Other specialized departments maintain records specific to their functions, such as the Tax Assessor-Collector for tax records and the Elections Administrator for voting records.
Is Guadalupe County an Open Records County?
Guadalupe 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 public information 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." The law further states in § 552.001(a) that "it is the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."
Guadalupe County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains a dedicated public information request process through various departments, with the County Clerk's Office handling many common record requests.
The county also adheres to the Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 551), which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, with proper notice given, except in specific circumstances where closed sessions are permitted by law.
Guadalupe County's commitment to transparency is reflected in its online resources, which provide direct access to many public records through the county's official website.
How to Find Public Records in Guadalupe County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Guadalupe County may utilize several methods to access information. The county currently provides multiple pathways for obtaining public records:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's electronic systems:
- The Guadalupe County Clerk's website offers access to property records, marriage licenses, and other official public records
- Court records can be searched through the county's judicial information system
- Property tax information is accessible through the Guadalupe County Tax Office portal
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For property records, vital records, and general county records, visit the County Clerk's Office
- For court records, contact the specific court where the case was filed
- For tax records, visit the Tax Assessor-Collector's Office
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Written Requests: Submit a Public Information Request in writing to the appropriate department:
- Clearly identify the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Include contact information for response
- Submit via mail, email, fax, or in person to the relevant department
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Public Information Act Requests: For records not routinely available, submit a formal request under the Texas Public Information Act:
- Address the request to the appropriate records custodian
- The county must respond within 10 business days as required by § 552.221(a)
- Requests may be submitted using the county's standard Public Information Request form
For specialized records, contact the specific department responsible:
- Vital Records: County Clerk's Office
- Court Records: District Clerk or County Clerk, depending on court level
- Property Tax Records: Tax Assessor-Collector's Office
- Voter Registration: Elections Administrator
- Law Enforcement Records: Sheriff's Office
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Guadalupe County?
Guadalupe County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.261, which permits charging reasonable costs for providing copies of public information. Current standard fees include:
- Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size documents
- Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
- Electronic Records: $0.10 per page for PDFs or other electronic formats
- Research Fees: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring extensive research (over 50 pages or one hour of staff time)
- Specialized Documents:
- Birth Certificates: $23.00 per 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 document type and court
The county accepts payment via cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards for most transactions. A convenience fee may apply for credit card payments.
Under § 552.267 of the Texas Public Information Act, fees may be waived or reduced if disclosure of the information primarily benefits the general public. Additionally, § 552.275 allows for inspection of records without charge, unless the request is for more than 50 pages or requires extensive use of personnel or resources.
For large or complex requests, the county may provide a written itemized statement of estimated charges before processing, as permitted by § 552.2615.
Does Guadalupe County Have Free Public Records?
Guadalupe County provides free access to certain public records as required by Texas law. The following records are available at no cost:
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In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to § 552.271 of the Texas Public Information Act, members of the public may inspect public records during normal business hours without charge, unless the request is for more than 50 pages or requires extensive use of personnel or resources.
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Online Resources: The county offers free access to several online record systems:
- Commissioners Court agendas and minutes are available on the county website
- Basic property ownership information through the Guadalupe County Appraisal District
- Public meeting notices and county announcements
- Election results and voter information (excluding confidential voter data)
- County budget documents and financial reports
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Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices for free public access to electronic records:
- The County Clerk's Office provides terminals for searching property records
- The District Clerk's Office offers terminals for searching court records
- The Law Library contains terminals for legal research and case information
While inspection is often free, fees typically apply when requesting copies of documents or certified records. Additionally, records requiring extensive research or redaction may incur charges even for inspection, as permitted by state law.
The county maintains public access computers at the Guadalupe County Clerk's Office and other departments to facilitate free access to electronic records during regular business hours.
Who Can Request Public Records in Guadalupe County?
Under the Texas Public Information Act § 552.023, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records in Guadalupe County. The Act specifically states that "each person" is entitled to complete information about governmental affairs.
Key eligibility considerations include:
- Residency: Texas residency is not required to request public records
- Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request
- Purpose: The intended use of the information generally cannot be a basis for denying access to public records
- Format: Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, email, fax, or through online portals where available
Special provisions apply to certain record types:
- Personal Information: Under § 552.023, individuals have a special right of access to records containing their own personal information, even if such information would be withheld from other requestors
- Vital Records: Access to birth and death certificates is restricted to qualified applicants as defined by the Texas Health and Safety Code § 191.051, typically including the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct interest
- Criminal History Information: Complete criminal history records are generally available only to the subject of the record or authorized agencies
- Juvenile Records: Access is significantly restricted by Texas Family Code § 58.007
Commercial entities may request public records but may face additional restrictions when seeking certain types of information, particularly bulk data containing personal information.
Government agencies are prohibited from asking why a requestor wants public information, except in very limited circumstances where the purpose might determine if an exception to disclosure applies.
What Records Are Confidential in Guadalupe County?
Certain records maintained by Guadalupe County are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure. These exemptions are primarily established by the Texas Public Information Act § 552.101-552.158, which contains numerous specific exceptions to disclosure. Records that are generally confidential include:
- Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information as protected by § 552.147 and § 552.136
- Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and § 552.115
- Juvenile Records: Most juvenile justice and child welfare records as specified in § 552.101 and Texas Family Code § 58.007
- Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records and sealed divorce cases
- Ongoing Investigations: Law enforcement records related to pending investigations as protected by § 552.108
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product under § 552.107
- Personnel Information: Certain employee records including home addresses, phone numbers, family information, and emergency contact information of public employees under § 552.117 and § 552.1175
- Critical Infrastructure: Information related to security systems, emergency plans, and infrastructure vulnerabilities under § 552.139
- Economic Development Negotiations: Information related to economic development negotiations until agreements are executed under § 552.131
- Test Items: Standardized test questions and assessment instruments under § 552.122
- Library Records: Information that identifies which materials have been requested or used by individual library patrons under § 552.124
- Certain Motor Vehicle Records: As restricted by the Texas Motor Vehicle Records Disclosure Act and § 552.130
When a request involves potentially confidential information, county officials must determine whether an exception applies. If no exception applies, the information must be released. If an exception might apply, the county may seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within 10 business days of receiving the request, as required by § 552.301.
The county applies a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public's right to information against potential harm from disclosure, particularly for law enforcement records and certain privacy concerns.
Guadalupe County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Guadalupe County Clerk's Office
211 W. Court Street, Suite 200
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 303-8188
Guadalupe County Clerk
Regular Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
- Issuance of marriage licenses
- Birth and death certificates (if event occurred in Guadalupe County)
- Assumed name certificates (DBA filings)
- County court records
- Commissioners Court minutes
- Military discharge records (DD-214)
- Notary public registrations
- Alcohol permit applications
Additional Recording Offices:
Guadalupe County District Clerk's Office
211 W. Court Street, Suite 300
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 303-8121
Guadalupe County District Clerk
Guadalupe County Tax Assessor-Collector
307 W. Court Street, Suite 205
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 303-8857
Guadalupe County Tax Office
Guadalupe County Elections Administrator
215 S. Milam Street
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 303-6363
Guadalupe County Elections