Dimmit County Public Records

Dimmit County public records are maintained by the County Clerk and District Clerk in Carrizo Springs, the county seat along the South Texas border region. These offices hold property deeds, court case filings, marriage licenses, and other official county documents. The County Clerk handles property recordings and vital records, while the District Clerk manages civil and criminal court files. Requests can be made in person at the Carrizo Springs courthouse, by mail, or through online databases available to the public. This guide covers how to find and request Dimmit County public records.

Dimmit County Clerk Records

The Dimmit County Clerk in Carrizo Springs is the official custodian of public records for the county. This office files and stores property instruments including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, easements, and plat maps. They also handle marriage licenses, assumed name certificates, and commissioners court minutes. Dimmit County sits in the Eagle Ford Shale region of South Texas, and the County Clerk office has seen active filings related to oil and gas leasing and surface use agreements in recent years.

Standard document copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies require an additional $5.00 per certification. Mail requests should describe the record type, include the names of parties, and state the approximate date range. Include a check or money order for estimated fees. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular courthouse hours in Carrizo Springs.

Local vital records including birth and death certificates recorded in Dimmit County can be obtained from the County Clerk. For statewide records, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit is the main source. State-issued birth certificates cost $23 and death certificates cost $21.

District Court Records

Dimmit County is served by the 293rd Judicial District. The District Clerk in Carrizo Springs keeps all district court filings for the county, including civil cases, felony criminal matters, family law cases, and probate proceedings. If you need to look up a lawsuit, divorce record, or felony case tied to Dimmit County, the District Clerk is your starting point.

Online searches are available through re:SearchTX, the free public court portal managed by the Texas Office of Court Administration. You can search by party name or case number. Attorneys and represented parties file documents electronically through eFileTexas.gov.

The eFileTexas.gov platform is the official electronic filing system for all Texas courts, including the district court serving Dimmit County in Carrizo Springs.

Public Information Act Requests

Under the Texas Public Information Act, you have the right to request documents from any Dimmit County government office. Requests must be submitted in writing. The office has 10 business days to respond. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division provides free assistance and handles appeals if a request is denied.

PIA copies cost $0.10 per page. Exemptions apply to certain records, including active law enforcement investigations and some personal information. Agencies must cite the specific legal exemption if they withhold documents. You can request an Attorney General review of any denial.

Note: Dimmit County's remote location in South Texas means in-person access may require travel. Calling ahead to confirm availability and hours is a good idea.

Criminal History and Property Records

For criminal background searches, the Texas DPS Crime Records Service maintains the statewide criminal history database. A name-based search costs $5.00 and covers arrests and convictions from all Texas law enforcement agencies including those in Dimmit County.

Property records in Dimmit County also include mineral leases and surface use agreements tied to oil and gas activity in the Eagle Ford Shale. These instruments are filed with the County Clerk. For current appraisal and tax information, the Dimmit County Appraisal District maintains property valuations for all parcels in the county.

Federal cases involving Dimmit County fall under the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. These records are accessible through PACER for a small per-page fee.

Cities in Dimmit County

Carrizo Springs is the county seat and the main location for public record access in Dimmit County. It is the largest community in this South Texas county. No cities in Dimmit County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city records page.

Nearby Counties

Dimmit County is in South Texas near the border with Mexico, bordering several South Texas and border counties.