Find Public Records in College Station

College Station public records are split between the City of College Station and Brazos County. City records cover municipal court cases, police incident reports, and city secretary documents, while Brazos County courts hold civil, criminal, and family law filings for most residents. College Station is home to Texas A&M University, which generates its own separate category of records through the university system. This guide explains where each type of record lives and how to request it.

Brazos County Court Records

Most court records for College Station residents are held by Brazos County rather than the city. The Brazos County District Clerk manages civil, criminal, and family law cases in district courts. The County Clerk handles misdemeanor cases, probate matters, and county court filings. Both offices are in Bryan, the Brazos County seat. For a full guide to county court records, search options, and fees, see the Brazos County public records page.

Brazos County Clerk can be reached at (979) 361-4128. The statewide court search tool, re:SearchTX, gives free access to basic case information across Texas courts including Brazos County. You can search by name or cause number. Full document access requires a paid subscription, but lookups are free and a good starting point.

When you don't know which court handled a case or whether it was filed in Brazos County at all, start with re:SearchTX. It covers both district and county courts and can help you locate a case before you contact the clerk's office.

College Station City Website and Official Records

The City of College Station runs its records separately from Brazos County. The city's official site at cstx.gov provides links to city departments, open records tools, and online services. The City Secretary's Office is the primary contact for open records requests directed to city departments.

The screenshot below shows the College Station official city website, where you can find links to city departments, services, and the open records portal.

The city site is the best first stop when you need to find which department holds a specific record. Each department may have its own contact page or online form for records requests. If you are unsure, the City Secretary's Office can route your request to the right place.

College Station Police Department Records

The College Station Police Department maintains incident reports, accident reports, arrest records, and related law enforcement files. Most reports require a formal open records request submitted through the city. Accident reports may also be available through the Texas Department of Transportation online portal depending on the specific incident.

Below is a screenshot of the College Station Police Department page on the city website, which outlines how to contact the department and access records.

When requesting police records, be specific about the date, location, and type of incident. Active investigation files are exempt from release. Records involving juveniles are confidential under state law. Personal data like Social Security numbers is typically redacted before records are sent out.

College Station Municipal Court Records

College Station Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor cases: traffic citations, city ordinance violations, and minor offenses. These are city-level cases, separate from Brazos County district or county court matters. Municipal court records are city records and must be requested through city channels rather than the county clerk.

The citation search portal lets you look up a case by citation number or name to check fine status and hearing dates. This is the fastest option for basic municipal court info. For older or more detailed case records, contact the municipal court directly or submit an open records request through the City Secretary's Office.

Keep in mind that Texas A&M University has its own police department and internal systems. University Police reports are university records, not city records. If your matter involves Texas A&M, contact the university directly. The city and university operate independently for records purposes.

Open Records Requests and the Texas PIA

The Texas Public Information Act at Texas Government Code Chapter 552 gives the public the right to request most government records without providing a reason. The city has 10 business days to respond by providing records, sending a cost estimate, or seeking an Attorney General ruling on any exemption claim.

Submit requests to the City Secretary's Office by email to citysecretary@cstx.gov, by mail to 1101 Texas Ave, or in person during business hours. Include the type of record, the relevant dates, and any names or identifiers that will help locate it. Vague requests may result in a clarification request that pauses the response window.

The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division at texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government publishes guidance on what must be released and handles complaints if you believe records are wrongly withheld. Filing a complaint with the AG is free. The AG can issue binding opinions on whether a city must release certain records.

Fees and Copy Costs

Standard paper copies from College Station city records cost $0.10 per page. Digital copies may be free in some cases or charged at cost depending on format and volume. Audio and video files are charged at the actual duplication cost. If the total cost of fulfilling a request will exceed $40, the city must send a written estimate first, and you have 10 days to confirm you want to proceed.

Many records are available at no cost through online portals. Court case lookups on re:SearchTX are free. The municipal court citation portal is free. Use those tools first. Reserve the formal open records process for records that aren't available through free online sources. That saves time for both you and the city.

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