Harrison County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Harrison County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to Harrison County, Texas through official county offices, online portals, and state-authorized databases. HarrisonCountyRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating relevant government documents. Records maintained by Harrison County offices may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax assessment and property tax records
Business filings and assumed name certificates
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Land use and zoning documents

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The Harrison County Clerk's online records portal provides digital access to a range of official documents. As noted on the portal, "attorneys, title search personnel, surveyors and realtors have grown to depend upon the CCLIX system to provide the fastest possible access to public records." Users may search property records, deed indexes, and related instruments through this system. No registration is required for basic index searches, though document image retrieval may require account creation. The Harrison County official website also provides links to online services across multiple county departments.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Harrison County Clerk's Office located at the Harrison County Courthouse in Marshall, Texas. Staff at the public counter can assist with document searches and certified copy requests. Requestors should bring identifying information relevant to the record sought, such as a party name, document number, or approximate date range.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Harrison County Clerk's Office. Each request should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the record sought, and the applicable fee. Under Texas Government Code § 552, a governmental body must promptly produce public information upon request, with a standard response timeframe of ten business days.

Phone/Email:

The Harrison County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (903) 935-8403. Contact information for additional departments is available through the Harrison County government portal.

What Are Public Records in Harrison County?

Public records in Harrison County are government-held documents and information that are subject to public disclosure under Texas law. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, public information is defined as any information that is written, produced, 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 Harrison County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Deeds, mortgages, liens	County Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	County Clerk
Civil and criminal court records	District Clerk
Probate and family court records	District Clerk / County Clerk
Property tax records	Tax Assessor-Collector
Business/assumed name filings	County Clerk
Election and voting records	County Clerk
Criminal history records	Texas DPS / District Clerk
Meeting minutes and budgets	County Clerk / Commissioners Court

The County Clerk serves as the primary records custodian for most official county documents. As stated on the county's official page, the County Clerk is "responsible for processing, filing, and recording most of the official county documents."

Is Harrison County an Open Records County?

Harrison County operates in full compliance with Texas open records law. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information must be available to any member of the public, and a governmental body may not require a requestor to provide a reason for the request. The statute establishes that "a person has a right of access to and may obtain copies of the public information of a governmental body."

Texas Government Code Chapter 552, commonly referred to as the Texas Public Information Act, governs the disclosure of government records statewide. Harrison County, as a political subdivision of the State of Texas, is bound by these provisions. The Texas Attorney General's Office provides oversight and issues open records rulings when agencies seek to withhold information. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may submit a complaint to the Office of the Attorney General. The official Texas state government portal provides additional guidance on state agency compliance with open records obligations.

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

Standard fees apply to public records requests in Harrison County, consistent with the fee schedule authorized under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act permits governmental bodies to charge reasonable fees for producing copies of public records.

Current standard fees include:

Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page (black and white, letter or legal size)
Certified copies: Fees vary by document type; deed certifications and vital record copies carry separate statutory fees set by the Texas Local Government Code
Electronic records: Charges may apply for programming time or data compilation if the request requires creation of a new record
Search fees: Not charged for standard requests; may apply for requests requiring extensive research
Postage and handling: Actual cost charged for mailed copies

Accepted payment methods at the Harrison County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. The Tax Assessor-Collector's office may accept additional payment forms for property tax record requests. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records requested for personal use in specific circumstances, subject to the discretion of the custodial office.

Does Harrison County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at Harrison County offices. Under Texas Government Code § 552.271, a governmental body must allow a requestor to inspect public information without charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: viewing records in person at a public counter carries no fee, while obtaining paper or certified copies is subject to the standard fee schedule.

The following resources provide free access to Harrison County public records:

The Harrison County Clerk's online records portal allows free index searches for property and deed records
The District Clerk's office provides in-person access to court case indexes at no charge
The Texas State Law Library's court records research guide describes Re:SearchTX, a free subscription platform that allows searches across multiple Texas counties, including civil cases from district, county, and justice courts
The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division provides access to certain criminal history information through its online portal, with some searches available at no cost

Who Can Request Public Records in Harrison County?

Any person may request public records in Harrison County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Texas Government Code § 552.021 establishes that the right of access to public information extends to any member of the public. Requestors are not required to be Texas residents, and governmental bodies may not require a requestor to identify themselves or explain the reason for the request as a condition of access.

Specific provisions apply in the following circumstances:

Identification: Not required for general public records requests; however, certain vital records (such as birth certificates) require proof of eligibility or relationship to the subject
Purpose: Not required to be stated for most records; exceptions exist for records involving sensitive personal information
Non-residents: Possess the same rights as residents under state law
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to third parties, subject to verification of identity
Restricted record types: Juvenile records, sealed court files, and certain law enforcement records carry additional eligibility requirements regardless of the requestor's identity

What Records Are Confidential in Harrison County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Texas law. Texas Government Code Chapter 552, Subchapter C, enumerates specific exceptions to the general rule of openness. The following record types are currently withheld from public access in whole or in part:

Sealed court records: Orders of sealing or expunction remove records from public access by judicial directive
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in the juvenile justice system are confidential under the Texas Family Code
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled during an active investigation are exempt to protect the integrity of the investigation
Social Security numbers and financial account data: Personal identifying information is redacted from disclosed records
Medical and mental health records: Protected under both state law and federal HIPAA provisions
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child protective services records: Maintained as confidential under the Texas Family Code
Personnel records: Employee records held by governmental bodies are subject to limited disclosure, with exceptions for salary and certain disciplinary actions
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a governmental body in a confidential capacity
Security and infrastructure plans: Withheld to protect public safety

The Harrison County Human Resources department maintains personnel records subject to these confidentiality provisions. Requestors who receive a denial of access may seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office, which reviews whether the claimed exemption is properly applied.

Harrison County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Harrison County Clerk's Office 200 W. Houston St., Suite 134 Marshall, TX 75670 (903) 935-8403 Harrison County Clerk

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays

Harrison County District Clerk's Office 200 W. Houston St. Marshall, TX 75670 (903) 935-8408 Harrison County District Clerk

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Harrison County Tax Assessor-Collector 200 W. Houston St., Suite 108 Marshall, TX 75670 (903) 935-8411 Harrison County Tax Assessor-Collector