Are Fort Bend County Records Public?

Yes. Fort Bend County records are generally available to the public per the Public Information Act (TPIA) enshrined in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code. The TPIA fosters government openness by presuming that all records are public unless expressly restricted by law. However, persons who wish to obtain public records in Fort Bend must prepare a written record request to be submitted to the record custodian. Record requests can be made in person, by fax, email, or by letter.

The custodian for a public record in Fort Bend County will depend on its nature. For instance, arrest records are usually obtained through the Sheriff’s Department, and Fort Bend County court records are obtained through the Clerk of Courts’ Office. Regardless of the custodian, the TPIA directs record custodians at government agencies to respond promptly to record requests, typically within ten business days. However, an agency may refuse to process requests for exempt records.

What is Exempted Under the Texas Public Records Act?

Under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) Section 552.101, while most government records are accessible to the public, some exemptions allow governmental bodies to withhold certain information from public disclosure. This restriction is designed to strike a balance between transparency and safeguarding privacy, security, and the integrity of governmental operations.

The following are examples of typical categories of legally protected sensitive information:

• Birth dates of living individuals
• License numbers of drivers
• Credit card details
• Policy numbers for insurance plans
• Records of juvenile offenders
• Investigative reports of child abuse
• Materials subject to attorney-client privilege
• Policy drafts
• Details on ongoing criminal justice investigations
• Working documents for an audit
• Details of competitive bidding prior to contract award.

Also, non-confidential information may be withheld by a governmental entity under specific conditions. This typically happens when a governmental entity chooses to withhold information that is requested, but it is not obligated under the law to do so. Furthermore, requests sent to the wrong custodian are typically denied. In any case, requesters may contest record request denials in the following ways:

• Ask the government agency to reevaluate its ruling
• Petition the Texas Attorney General's Office to examine the exemption claim if the refusal continues. In this case, the Attorney General will determine if the material was properly withheld under the TPIA.
• Challenge the ruling in state court if the exemption or denial was upheld by the Attorney General.

Fort Bend County Public Record Search

Persons who wish to obtain Fort Bend County public records must first identify the designated record custodian. The record custodian is usually an elected or appointed official in a county agency. Some record requests also go to the statewide custodian. Below are commonly-sought public records in Fort Bend County, their record custodians, and the means of obtaining records from those custodians.

Court Records: The custodian of Fort Bend county court records will depend on where the case was filed. Generally, criminal and civil cases filed in the county courts will be available through the County Clerk's Office. This office typically maintains records such as assumed name certificates (DBA), deeds, mortgage documents, easements, powers of attorney, bills of sale, and liens. The County Clerk’s Office provides access to records through the online record search portal. For additional information, contact:

Fort Bend County Clerk’s Office
301 Jackson Street, Suite 101
Richmond, TX 77469
Phone: (281) 341-8685
Email: cclerkrecords@fortbendcountytx.gov (Records).

On the other hand, requests for cases filed in the district courts go to the District Court Clerk’s Office. This court typically maintains records on criminal, family, probate, and civil cases. The District Clerk's Office provides online access to case records through the Odyssey public access system. For additional information, contact:

Fort Bend County District Court — Richmond
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Suite 31004
Richmond, TX 77469
Phone: (281) 341-4517 | (281) 633-7641 | (281) 633-7615
Email: distclerk@fortbendcountytx.gov

Fort Bend County District Court — Sienna Annex Branch
5855 Sienna Springs Way, Suite 146
Missouri City, TX 77459
Phone: (281) 238-3279 | (281) 344-3916
Email: distclerk@fortbendcountytx.gov

Property Records: The County Clerk is the custodian of property records in Fort Bend County, including appraisal and tax information. Interested persons may look up property records online via the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District's Property Search portal. For additional information, contact the Clerk’s Office.

Fort Bend County Clerk
301 Jackson Street, Suite 101
Richmond, TX 77469
Phone: (281) 341-8685
Email: cclerkrecords@fortbendcountytx.gov

Arrest Records: The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of arrest records and inmate information. Requests for these records go to the Records Division. The agency also maintains an online inmate roster for persons in police custody. For additional information, contact:

1840 Richmond Parkway
Richmond, TX 77469
Phone: (281) 341-4625
Fax: (832) 471-2472
Email: fbcsorecords@fortbendcountytx.gov

Other records: Public records may also be obtained via databases and digital resources maintained by Fort Bend County Libraries.

Find Public Records For Free in Fort Bend County

Interested persons may find public records in Fort Bend County by visiting the record custodian’s office during business hours or searching the online repositories maintained by the relevant agency. However, this means visiting each agency or record custodian for different types of public records—as the custodians are different.

It is possible to find several records in a centralized location through aggregate databases maintained by third-party record search services providers. These providers compile public records from various sources, and because of their large databases, may assist with searches across the county. In addition, these databases support name-based searches and it is possible to find public records for free. However, despite being free, the information obtained from third-party sources may be inaccurate or outdated and hence, may not be used for official purposes like employee or tenant screening.

How to Remove Information From Public Records Free

Generally, persons who wish to remove their information from public records will need to contact the record custodian for a redaction or removal. Alternatively, petition the District Court to seal or expunge the record. For instance, for property records, names and addresses can be removed from online listings by submitting a "Website Opt-Out Request" to the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District.

Similarly, the redaction of personal information may be possible for formal public records, such as liens and deeds. In this case, the requester will need to contact the County Clerk's Office. Eligible people can also request a non-disclosure order, which protects the record from public view, or an expungement, which expunges the record entirely. In any case, consider consulting an attorney for legal advice.

Who Can Access Fort Bend County Public Records in Texas?

According to the Texas Public Information Act's Section 552.001, anybody can view Fort Bend County's public documents, including non-residents. While access is guaranteed by the Texas Public Information Act, certain records are prohibited for security and privacy reasons. These typically include sealed or expunged records, juvenile records or records involving minors, medical records, and Social Security records.

Persons who wish to access unrestricted records may visit the record custodian’s office for access without needing to complete an eligibility verification. Conversely, restricted records are only available to the record subjects, their authorized representatives, and persons with a court order.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

Although there is a presumption of openness under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), some exceptions allow government agencies to withhold information. Typical justifications for refusal include:

• Confidential Information: Information that is legally protected from disclosure, such as Social Security numbers or medical records, is known as confidential information.
• Law Enforcement Records: Information that would jeopardize personal safety or obstruct the investigation and prosecution of crimes may be suppressed.
• Attorney-Client Privilege: This protects correspondence between government agencies and their legal representatives.

To contest a public records request refusal, concerned persons may use:

• Attorney General's Review: Any government agency that wants to keep material secret must ask the Texas Attorney General for permission to do so. Requesters may challenge the Attorney General's decision to withhold by suing the government agency in a district court.
• Court Appeal: Within 30 days of receiving a notice of denial, appeals pertaining to court records must be submitted to the Office of Court Administration's Administrative Director.