Cameron County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Cameron County?
Public records in Cameron County are defined as information created, collected, or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business, as established under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552. These records document the activities and decisions of government entities and are generally accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
Cameron County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Cameron County District Clerk
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and assumed name certificates (DBA)
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Commissioners Court and other county boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, contracts, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, and zoning decisions
The Cameron County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, including property records, vital statistics, and Commissioners Court minutes. The county maintains several web portals that provide online access to various public records collections.
Other record types are maintained by specific departments, such as court records (District Clerk), tax records (Tax Assessor-Collector), and law enforcement records (Sheriff's Office). Each department follows state regulations regarding record retention and public access pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.
Is Cameron County an Open Records County?
Cameron County fully adheres to the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified under Texas Government Code § 552, which establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public. The Act specifically states 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."
Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." Cameron County implements this mandate through established procedures for requesting and accessing public records across all county departments.
The county operates in compliance with state sunshine laws, including the Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code § 551), which requires governmental bodies to conduct open meetings and provide public notice of meeting times, locations, and agendas.
Cameron County has adopted specific policies for handling public information requests in accordance with state law. These policies outline procedures for submitting requests, timelines for responses, and fee structures. The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its online records portal, which provides digital access to many frequently requested documents.
How to Find Public Records in Cameron County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Cameron County may utilize several methods to access information. The county provides multiple avenues for obtaining public records:
Online Access:
- Visit the Cameron County website to access digital records
- Navigate to the appropriate department portal based on record type
- Use the Official Public Records Search for property records, marriage licenses, and other documents
- Access court records through the District Clerk's online portal
- View current inmate information through the Sheriff's Office portal
In-Person Requests:
- Identify the appropriate office that maintains the desired records
- Visit during normal business hours (typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Complete a public information request form at the counter
- Present identification if required for specific record types
- Pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents
Written Requests:
- Submit a written request specifying the information sought
- Address the request to the appropriate department's Public Information Officer
- Include contact information for response
- Allow up to 10 business days for a response as required by Texas Government Code § 552.221
For vital records such as birth and death certificates, individuals may contact the Cameron County Clerk's Office or the Texas Department of State Health Services.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cameron County?
Cameron County assesses fees for public records in accordance with guidelines established by the Texas Attorney General under Texas Government Code § 552.262. Current standard fees include:
- Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter-size documents
- Certified Copies: $5.00 per document plus copy charges
- Birth Certificates: $23.00 per certificate
- Death Certificates: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
- Marriage Licenses: $82.00 for issuance; $8.00 for certified copies
- Court Records: Vary by document type and length; typically $1.00 per page for certified copies
- Property Records: $26.00 for first page, $4.00 for each additional page
- Maps and Plats: $3.00 per page for standard sizes; larger formats at actual cost
- Electronic Records: $0.10 per page for PDFs; other formats may have different rates
Additional charges may apply for:
- Labor costs for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive programming
- Overhead charges (20% of labor costs)
- Computer resource charges for extensive electronic data retrieval
- Postage and shipping fees for mailed documents
The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (in most offices). Some departments may have specific payment requirements.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.267, fee waivers or reductions may be available if the request is determined to be in the public interest or if the requestor demonstrates financial hardship.
Does Cameron County Have Free Public Records?
Cameron County provides free inspection of public records during normal business hours in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.021, which states that "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." Individuals may examine records without charge when visiting county offices in person, provided the records are readily available and not in active use.
The following free public record resources are available:
- In-Person Inspection: All public records may be viewed without charge at the appropriate county office
- Online Resources: Many records are accessible at no cost through the Cameron County website
- Commissioners Court Minutes: Available for free viewing online and at the County Clerk's Office
- Election Results and Voter Information: Accessible at no charge through the Elections Department
- Property Ownership Information: Basic property details available through the online appraisal district portal
- Current Inmate Information: Free public access to current jail roster
- Public Notices: Available at no cost on the county website and in designated public areas
While inspection is free, fees apply for copies, certified documents, and records requiring extensive search or preparation time. Additionally, certain specialized databases may require subscription fees for full access.
Who Can Request Public Records in Cameron County?
Under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552.023, "all government information is presumed to be available to the public." Cameron County adheres to this principle by allowing broad access to public records with minimal restrictions on who may request information.
Eligibility requirements for requesting public records in Cameron County include:
- Any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records
- Requestors are not required to state a purpose or reason for their request for most records
- Identification is generally not required except for specific record types with access restrictions
- Minors may request public records, though certain sensitive records may require parental consent
- Business entities, organizations, and government agencies may submit requests
- Attorneys and legal representatives may request records on behalf of clients
For certain record types, additional requirements apply:
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records require proper identification and may have relationship requirements for access
- Medical Records: Access is restricted to the individual or their authorized representative pursuant to HIPAA regulations
- Criminal History Information: Complete records may be restricted to the subject of the record or authorized agencies
- Juvenile Records: Access is limited by Texas Family Code § 58.007
- Confidential Information: Records containing protected information may require proof of right to access
Non-residents of Texas maintain the same rights to access public records as residents, with no additional restrictions imposed based on residency status.
What Records Are Confidential in Cameron County?
While Cameron County strives for transparency, certain records are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act. Texas Government Code § 552.101 exempts information considered confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision.
Confidential records in Cameron County include:
- Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
- Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Juvenile Records: Most records related to juvenile offenders as specified in Texas Family Code § 58.007
- Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records
- Ongoing Criminal Investigations: Information that would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and work product of county attorneys
- Personnel Information: Home addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, and family information of public employees
- Certain Law Enforcement Records: Information that would reveal confidential informants or specialized tactics
- Victim Information: Details about victims of sexual assault, family violence, or human trafficking
- Critical Infrastructure Information: Security details about public utilities, communications systems, and emergency response plans
- Economic Development Negotiations: Information that would give advantage to competitors or bidders
- Adoption Records: Information related to adoptions and child welfare cases
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
The county applies the balancing test required by Texas Government Code § 552.108, weighing the public interest in disclosure against potential harm to governmental functions or individual privacy. When records contain both public and confidential information, the county will redact protected information and release the remainder when possible.
Cameron County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Cameron County Clerk's Office
835 East Levee Street, 3rd Floor
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 544-0871
Cameron County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays
Additional Locations:
Cameron County Clerk - San Benito Branch Office
1390 West Expressway 83
San Benito, TX 78586
(956) 361-8269
Cameron County Clerk - Harlingen Branch Office
3302 Wilson Road
Harlingen, TX 78552
(956) 427-8050
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and property records
- Marriage licenses
- Birth and death certificates
- Assumed name certificates (DBA)
- Commissioners Court records
- Military discharge records (DD-214)
- Notary public registrations
- Livestock brands and marks registration
For specialized records, contact:
Cameron County District Clerk
974 E. Harrison Street
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 544-0838
Cameron County District Clerk
Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector
964 E. Harrison Street
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 544-0800
Cameron County Tax Office