Search Aransas County Public Records

Aransas County public records are kept at the courthouse in Rockport, the county seat on the Texas Gulf Coast. The County Clerk holds property deeds, marriage licenses, and land instruments, while the District Clerk handles civil, criminal, and family court filings. Other county and state offices maintain vital records, tax documents, and law enforcement data. You can search many records online through Texas state systems or request copies in person or by mail. This guide covers each office and the records it holds.

Aransas County Clerk

The Aransas County Clerk's office at the Aransas County Courthouse in Rockport is responsible for recording and maintaining official land records, marriage licenses, and certain court documents. Property deeds, mortgage instruments, liens, and related filings all go through this office. If you bought or sold property in Aransas County, the deed was recorded here.

The clerk's office also keeps the official record of marriage licenses issued in the county. For certified copies of vital records, including births and deaths that occurred locally, the clerk holds some of those files. For broader vital records access, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics serves as the statewide repository. Certified birth certificates are $23 and certified death certificates are $21 through that office.

Walk-in visits are the fastest way to get copies. Bring a clear description of what you need, including the names involved and the approximate date of the document. Name searches run $5.00 per name. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Plain copies are $1.00 per page.

District Clerk and Court Records

The Aransas County District Clerk manages case files for the 36th Judicial District Court, which handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits over $10,000, and family law matters such as divorce and child custody. The District Clerk's office is in the same courthouse complex in Rockport. If you are looking for a divorce decree, a felony case file, or a civil judgment, this is the right office.

Many Aransas County court records can be searched through the re:SearchTX online portal. This free tool lets you search by name or case number and see basic case information including filing dates, parties, and case status. For full document copies, you will need to request them from the clerk's office either in person or by mail.

Attorneys file new cases electronically through eFileTexas.gov, which is the mandatory e-filing platform for Texas courts. Once filed, cases typically appear in re:SearchTX shortly after.

Note: County Court at Law and Justice of the Peace cases are separate from District Court cases. Ask the clerk which court level has your records when in doubt.

Public Information Act Requests

Texas residents and anyone requesting records from Aransas County government agencies can use the Texas Public Information Act to access non-court government records. This applies to county departments, the city of Rockport, and any other public entity in the county. Requests must be in writing and sent to the specific agency that holds the records.

Government bodies have 10 business days to respond. They may provide the records, ask for a deposit to cover costs, or request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General on whether the records are exempt. The AG's Open Government division handles those ruling requests and also fields complaints about agencies that fail to respond.

Non-court records typically cost $0.10 per page under the PIA. Some electronic records may be provided free, depending on the agency's systems. Agencies cannot charge for their time spent locating records unless a voluminous request is involved.

Fees and Processing

Standard fees at the Aransas County Clerk: plain copies $1.00 per page, certified copies $1.00 per page plus $5.00 per document certification, name searches $5.00 per name. Mail-in requests require prepayment or a self-addressed stamped envelope and may take several business days to process.

Vital records through DSHS cost $23 per certified birth certificate and $21 per certified death certificate. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at a DSHS office. The DSHS Vital Statistics page has current forms and instructions.

Criminal History and Statewide Records

Texas DPS manages statewide criminal history records through the Crime Records Service division. A name-based search covers arrests and dispositions statewide. This is the best option if you need a full criminal background check rather than records tied to a single county. Fees and procedures are listed on the DPS website.

For historical research or archived public documents, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin maintains older government records. Some Aransas County historical records may be available there or through the Texas General Land Office if they involve land grants.

The Texas Office of Court Administration provides an overview of how state courts are structured and what records each level maintains. The eFileTexas portal also shows recent filings for cases in courts that use mandatory electronic filing.

Electronic filing through eFileTexas means most new court documents in Aransas County are available quickly through re:SearchTX after they are submitted.

Cities in Aransas County

Aransas County includes the cities of Rockport and Fulton, along with Holiday Beach and other small communities along the Gulf Coast. All county public records are processed through the Rockport courthouse, regardless of which community in the county the record involves.

No cities in Aransas County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Residents of Rockport, Fulton, and surrounding communities all access records through the county clerk and district clerk offices in Rockport.

Nearby Counties

Aransas County sits on the Texas Gulf Coast. Property and legal matters can sometimes cross into neighboring counties, so searches in adjacent clerk offices may be needed.