Jimwells County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Jimwells County?

Public records in Jimwells County are official documents, files, and data created or maintained by government agencies in the course of their official duties and made available for public inspection under Texas law. Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code § 552.001 et seq., any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body is presumed to be public unless a specific exemption applies.

Members of the public may access a broad range of record types maintained by various Jimwells County offices:

Court Records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Jimwells County District Clerk and County Clerk.
Property Records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements are recorded and maintained by the Jimwells County Clerk's Office.
Vital Records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are filed with the Jimwells County Clerk and, at the state level, with the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Business Records — Assumed name (DBA) filings, business licenses, and permits are processed through the County Clerk's Office and applicable municipal authorities.
Tax Records — Property tax assessments, payment histories, and appraisal data are maintained by the Jimwells County Appraisal District and the County Tax Assessor-Collector.
Voting and Election Records — Voter registration rolls, election results, and precinct maps are administered by the Jimwells County Elections Administrator.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas — Records of county commission meetings, board sessions, and public hearings are kept by the County Clerk and posted pursuant to the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Budget and Financial Documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records are maintained by the Jimwells County Auditor's Office.
Law Enforcement Records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Jimwells County Sheriff's Office.
Land Use and Zoning Records — Zoning maps, variance applications, and land use permits are maintained by the applicable county planning authority.

Is Jimwells County an Open Records County?

Jimwells County operates in full compliance with Texas open records law, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government information. Under Texas Government Code § 552.001, the Texas Legislature declared that "government is the servant and not the master of the people" and that it is the policy of the state that each person is entitled to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees.

Key provisions of the Texas Public Information Act that apply to Jimwells County include:

A governmental body must promptly produce requested public information, generally within ten business days of receiving a written request.
If a governmental body believes information is exempt from disclosure, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days.
The Act applies to all county offices, departments, boards, and commissions operating within Jimwells County.

Jimwells County is also subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act, codified at Texas Government Code § 551.001 et seq., which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public and that advance notice be posted. County-specific policies governing records management and retention are administered in accordance with schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

How to Find Public Records in Jimwells County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Jimwells County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a public information request:

Identify the Custodial Office — Determine which county office maintains the records being sought. Court records are held by the District or County Clerk; property and vital records by the County Clerk; tax records by the Appraisal District or Tax Assessor-Collector; and law enforcement records by the Sheriff's Office.
Submit a Written Request — Under the Texas Public Information Act, requests must be submitted in writing. Requestors may deliver requests in person, by mail, by fax, or by email to the appropriate office's designated public information officer.
Describe the Records Clearly — Requests should include sufficient detail to allow the office to identify and locate the responsive records, including names, dates, case numbers, or property addresses where applicable.
Await a Response — The governmental body must acknowledge the request and either produce the records or seek an Attorney General ruling within ten business days.
Use Online Portals Where Available — Certain records, including property appraisal data and court case information, may be accessible through the Texas Attorney General's Public Information resources or county-maintained online databases.
Visit the Office in Person — Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant county office during posted public counter hours without submitting a formal written request in all cases.

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

Current fees for public records in Jimwells County are governed by the cost rules established by the Texas Office of the Attorney General, which set the maximum amounts governmental bodies may charge for producing public information. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies — $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies on letter or legal-size paper.
Oversized copies — Actual cost of reproduction for maps, plats, or documents larger than legal size.
Electronic records — Charges for labor, overhead, and materials may apply when records require programming or manipulation to produce.
Certified copies — Vital records and official documents requiring certification carry separate statutory fees; certified copies of birth or death certificates are currently $22.00 per copy as set by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Labor charges — When a request requires more than one hour of labor to locate, compile, or reproduce records, the governmental body may charge for personnel time at rates established by the Attorney General's cost rules.

Accepted payment methods typically include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card, though accepted methods may vary by office. Fee waivers or reductions may be available when disclosure is determined to be primarily in the public interest and not for commercial purposes, pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.267.

Does Jimwells County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Jimwells County, as Texas law guarantees the right to inspect public information without charge. Members of the public may review records in person at the relevant county office at no cost; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.

The following free resources are currently available through official government channels:

Texas Department of State Health Services — Provides access to statewide vital statistics data and verification tools at no cost for basic inquiries through the DSHS Vital Statistics Unit.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts — Offers free access to property tax transparency data, including county appraisal and levy information, through the Texas Transparency portal.
Texas Secretary of State — Provides free online access to business entity filings, assumed name records, and UCC filings through the Secretary of State's business search.
County Appraisal District — Property appraisal records and ownership information are typically available at no cost through the Jimwells County Appraisal District's public search portal.

Who Can Request Public Records in Jimwells County?

Any person is entitled to request public records from Jimwells County governmental bodies under current Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Specifically:

Residency is not required — Non-residents of Jimwells County and non-Texas residents retain the same right of access as county residents.
Identification is generally not required — Requestors are not obligated to provide identification or state the reason for their request for most public records.
Purpose need not be disclosed — Governmental bodies may not condition the release of public information on the requestor's explanation of intended use, except in limited circumstances involving certain sensitive record categories.
Restrictions for specific record types — Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records, are restricted by statute and may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal right of access, such as being the subject of the record or holding a court order.
Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide identification to verify identity and protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Jimwells County?

Not all government records in Jimwells County are subject to public disclosure. Texas law establishes numerous categories of information that are exempt from release. Under Texas Government Code § 552.101 et seq., the following categories of records are currently exempt from mandatory public disclosure:

Sealed court records — Documents sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in the juvenile justice system are confidential under Texas Family Code provisions.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with the investigation or prosecution.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are protected from disclosure.
Medical records — Health information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services are confidential under Texas Family Code § 261.201.
Personnel records — Certain employee records, including performance evaluations and disciplinary files, are exempt, though basic employment information such as name, position, and salary is generally public.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a governmental body may be withheld.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Information that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure is exempt from disclosure.

When a governmental body asserts an exemption, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office, which applies a balancing test to determine whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in confidentiality.

Jimwells County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Jimwells County Clerk serves as the primary recorder of official documents in Jimwells County, Texas, maintaining property records, vital records, court filings, and official instruments. Members of the public may visit the office in person or submit requests by mail or electronic means.

Jimwells County Clerk's Office 115 W. Main Street, Suite 101, Jimwells, TX 75647 (903) 555-0100 Jimwells County Clerk

Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Central Time) Closed on state and federal holidays.

Jimwells County Tax Assessor-Collector 115 W. Main Street, Suite 201, Jimwells, TX 75647 (903) 555-0120 Jimwells County Tax Assessor-Collector

Jimwells County Sheriff's Office 200 N. Courthouse Square, Jimwells, TX 75647 (903) 555-0150 Jimwells County Sheriff's Office

Jimwells County Appraisal District 301 Commerce Street, Jimwells, TX 75647 (903) 555-0175 Jimwells County Appraisal District

All offices encourage members of the public to call ahead to confirm current hours and to verify which documents or forms of identification may be required prior to an in-person visit.