El Paso County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The El Paso County?

Public records in El Paso County encompass a wide range of official documents, data, and information maintained by county government agencies pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), Texas Government Code Chapter 552. These records document the business of government and are generally available for public inspection and copying. El Paso County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, property tax assessments, and land records dating back to the county's establishment
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Court Records - Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files, dockets, and judgments
Election Records - Voter registration data, election results, campaign finance reports, and polling location information
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, tax rolls, payment histories, and delinquent tax records
Business Records - Assumed name certificates (DBA), business licenses, permits, and registrations
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest reports, incident reports, jail records, and sex offender registry information
County Commissioner Records - Meeting minutes, resolutions, ordinances, and official actions
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditure reports, audits, and financial statements
Public Health Records - Restaurant inspections, environmental health permits, and public health statistics
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Maps, plats, surveys, and geographic datasets

These records are maintained by various county departments including the County Clerk's Office, District Clerk's Office, Tax Assessor-Collector, Sheriff's Office, and other administrative divisions of El Paso County government.

Is El Paso County an Open Records County?

El Paso County is an open records county that operates in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. This statute establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain exceptions as defined by law.

The El Paso County Commissioners Court has formally adopted policies that affirm the county's commitment to transparency and open government. According to El Paso County Administrative Policy Manual Section 3.1, "El Paso County is committed to conducting the public's business in an open and transparent manner, and shall make all reasonable efforts to provide access to public information in accordance with state law."

The Texas Public Information Act specifically states in §552.001(a) that: "Under the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government that adheres to the principle that government is the servant and not the master of the people, 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."

El Paso County has designated Public Information Officers within each department who are responsible for processing open records requests in accordance with the statutory timeframes established by the TPIA. The county maintains an Open Data Portal that provides direct access to many public datasets without requiring a formal records request.

How Do I Find Public Records in El Paso County in 2025

Members of the public seeking access to El Paso County records in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain public information. The county has implemented a multi-channel approach to facilitate public access:

Online Access Systems:

The El Paso County Courts Public Access Portal provides searchable court records including case information, dockets, and some document images
Property records can be searched through the El Paso Central Appraisal District's online database
The El Paso County Elections Department maintains voter information and election results
The City of El Paso Open Data Portal includes county geographic datasets and other public information

In-Person Requests:

Visit the El Paso County Clerk's Office for property records, marriage licenses, and other official documents:

El Paso County Clerk's Office
500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 105
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 546-2071
El Paso County Clerk
For court records, contact the appropriate clerk's office:

El Paso County District Clerk
500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 203
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 546-2021
El Paso County District Clerk

Written Requests:

Submit a Public Information Request form to the specific county department that maintains the records
Requests must be in writing and may be submitted via email, mail, fax, or in person
Include specific details about the records being requested to facilitate prompt processing

Specialized Records:

For vital records such as birth and death certificates, contact:

El Paso Department of Public Health
5115 El Paso Drive
El Paso, TX 79905
(915) 212-0200
El Paso Department of Public Health
For criminal history information, contact:

El Paso County Sheriff's Office
3850 Justice Drive
El Paso, TX 79938
(915) 546-2280
El Paso County Sheriff

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, county officials must respond to requests promptly, typically within 10 business days, either by providing the requested information or explaining why the information cannot be released.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In El Paso County?

El Paso County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the guidelines established by the Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70 (Cost of Copies of Public Information). The fee structure is designed to recover the reasonable costs of providing the requested information while ensuring that excessive charges do not impede public access.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size
Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy charges
Oversize copies (e.g., maps, plats): $0.50 per page
Digital copies provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
Digital copies provided via email or download: No charge for the digital transmission (though charges may apply for staff time)

Additional Charges:

Personnel time: $15.00 per hour for standard requests requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time
Programming time: $28.50 per hour when retrieval requires programming
Overhead charge: 20% of personnel cost may be added for requests exceeding 50 pages

Specialized Record Fees (set by statute):

Birth certificates: $23.00 for the first copy, $3.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously
Death certificates: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously
Marriage licenses: $82.00 for issuance, $20.00 for certified copies
Deed recordings: $26.00 for the first page, $4.00 for each additional page
Criminal background checks: $10.00 per name search

The El Paso County Commissioners Court reviews and approves the fee schedule annually, with the current rates effective as of January 1, 2025. Pursuant to Texas Government Code §552.267, a governmental body shall provide a copy of public information without charge or at a reduced charge if the governmental body determines that waiver or reduction of the charge is in the public interest.

Does El Paso County Have Free Public Records?

El Paso County provides certain public records at no cost to requestors in accordance with both county policy and state law provisions. The following records and access methods are available without charge:

Free Online Resources:

The City of El Paso Open Data Portal provides free access to numerous county datasets, maps, and public information
Basic case information through the El Paso County Courts Public Access Portal is available without charge
Voter registration verification and polling location information through the El Paso County Elections Department
County budget documents, meeting agendas, and minutes on the El Paso County website

No-Cost In-Person Access:

Public terminals are available at the County Clerk's Office and District Clerk's Office for on-site research and viewing of public records
County law libraries provide free access to legal resources and certain court records
Public inspection of records is available without charge when no copies are requested

Fee Waivers Available For:

Requests from indigent individuals who complete a fee waiver affidavit
Records requested by other governmental entities for official purposes
Information that primarily benefits the general public, as determined by the custodian of records
Requests where the cost of processing payment would exceed the amount of the fee

Reduced-Cost Options:

Veterans and their immediate family members may receive one free copy of certain vital records related to service benefits
Nonprofit organizations conducting educational or scientific research may qualify for reduced fees
Requests for less than 50 pages of standard paper copies do not incur personnel charges

Pursuant to Texas Government Code §552.261(a), "The charge for providing a copy of public information shall be an amount that reasonably includes all costs related to reproducing the public information, including costs of materials, labor, and overhead." However, §552.267 allows governmental bodies to waive or reduce charges when doing so is in the public interest.

Who Can Request Public Records In El Paso County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), Texas Government Code Chapter 552, public records in El Paso County are available to all persons regardless of citizenship, residency status, or purpose of the request. The statute establishes a broad right of access with minimal restrictions on who may submit requests.

Eligible Requestors Include:

Any individual person, regardless of age, citizenship, or residency status
Business entities, including corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships
Nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and charitable institutions
Media organizations and journalists
Educational institutions and researchers
Government agencies and officials from other jurisdictions
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)
Anonymous requestors (though contact information is required for response)

The Texas Public Information Act specifically states in §552.223 that "A governmental body may not inquire into the purpose for which information will be used." This provision prohibits county officials from requiring requestors to explain why they want the information or how they intend to use it as a condition of fulfilling the request.

While the right to request public records is broadly available, certain practical requirements apply:

Requests must be in writing (email, mail, fax, or hand-delivered)
Requestors must provide sufficient contact information for the county to respond
Requests must be specific enough to identify the desired records
Requestors seeking confidential information about themselves may need to provide identification

El Paso County officials are required to treat all requestors uniformly and may not discriminate based on the identity of the requestor or the purpose of the request, except as specifically authorized by law.

What Records Are Confidential In El Paso County?

El Paso County maintains certain records that are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure pursuant to exceptions established in the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) and other state and federal statutes. These protected records include:

Personal Privacy Protections:

Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA and state law
Personnel files containing home addresses, phone numbers, and family information of public employees
Certain information in motor vehicle records as restricted by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act
Victim information in sexual assault, family violence, and human trafficking cases
Credit card, debit card, and financial account numbers

Law Enforcement and Security Exceptions:

Active criminal investigation records that would interfere with detection or prosecution
Information related to homeland security or critical infrastructure
Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
Information that would reveal the identity of confidential informants
Tactical law enforcement procedures, security systems, and emergency response plans
Certain body-worn camera recordings as defined by Texas Occupations Code §1701.661

Legal and Governmental Process Protections:

Attorney-client privileged communications
Audit working papers and draft documents
Certain economic development negotiations and trade secrets
Judicial mental health proceedings under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 574
Child welfare records maintained by Child Protective Services
Certain election records including marked ballots during retention period
Grand jury proceedings and materials

These confidentiality provisions are established by various statutes including Texas Government Code §552.101-152, Texas Family Code §261.201, and federal laws such as FERPA (20 U.S.C. §1232g) and HIPAA (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164).

The Texas Attorney General's Office provides guidance on confidentiality determinations, and county officials must seek an Attorney General's opinion before withholding information under most TPIA exceptions.

El Paso County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The El Paso County Clerk's Office serves as the official recorder for the county, maintaining and providing access to vital records, property documents, and other official filings. The office operates multiple locations to serve the public:

El Paso County Clerk - Main Office
500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 105
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 546-2071
El Paso County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

El Paso County Clerk - Northeast Annex
4641 Cohen Ave.
El Paso, TX 79924
(915) 212-0400

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

El Paso County Clerk - Eastside Annex
2350 George Dieter Dr.
El Paso, TX 79936
(915) 212-0500

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
Issuance of marriage licenses
Maintenance of birth and death certificates
Processing of assumed name certificates (DBA)
Military discharge recordings
Notary public registrations
County Commissioner Court records
Alcoholic beverage permits
Livestock brands and marks registration

For specialized court records, the public should contact:

El Paso County District Clerk
500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 203
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 546-2021
El Paso County District Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

The County Clerk's recording division accepts documents for recording between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM to allow for same-day processing. Documents received after 4:30 PM will be recorded on the next business day. The office accepts cash, credit cards, money orders, and checks for payment of fees.