Ector County Public Records

Ector County public records are maintained by the County Clerk and District Clerk in Odessa, the county seat in the Permian Basin of West Texas. These offices hold property deeds, court case filings, marriage licenses, oil and gas lease documents, and other official county records. The County Clerk manages property recordings and vital documents, while the District Clerk handles civil and criminal court files. Records are available in person at the Odessa courthouse, by mail, or through public online databases. This guide covers how to search and request Ector County public records.

Ector County Clerk Records

The Ector County Clerk in Odessa is the official custodian of the county's public records. This office maintains deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, easements, oil and gas leases, and plat maps. They also handle marriage licenses, assumed name certificates, and commissioners court minutes. Odessa is the county seat and the main city in Ector County, which sits in the Permian Basin, one of the most active oil and gas producing regions in the country. The volume of mineral and lease filings here is substantial.

Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 certification fee. You can request records in person at the Odessa courthouse, by mail, or in some cases online through the County Clerk's website. Mail requests should include the type of document, party names, and date range. Enclose payment by check or money order. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular courthouse hours.

Vital records including birth and death certificates recorded in Ector County can be obtained from the County Clerk. For statewide access, use Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. State birth certificates cost $23 and death certificates cost $21.

District Court Records in Ector County

Ector County is served by the 70th, 161st, and 358th Judicial Districts. This reflects the county's larger population and higher caseload compared to more rural Texas counties. The District Clerk in Odessa keeps all district court filings, including civil cases, felony criminal matters, family law cases, divorces, and probate proceedings. With multiple district courts serving the county, there is a wide range of case types handled locally.

Court records are searchable online through re:SearchTX, the free public portal managed by the Texas Office of Court Administration. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Attorneys and parties file documents electronically through eFileTexas.gov, which is required for all courts in Texas.

Note: Ector County has a busy court system due to the Permian Basin's population and economic activity. For complex cases or document-heavy requests, allow extra time for in-person visits to the Odessa courthouse.

Property and Mineral Records

Property and mineral records in Ector County are among the most heavily used public documents in the county. The County Clerk files all real property instruments, but Permian Basin activity means thousands of oil and gas leases, royalty assignments, surface use agreements, and mineral deed filings are added each year. These records are searchable by grantor and grantee name at the clerk's office.

The Ector County Appraisal District maintains current valuations and ownership records for tax purposes. This is a useful companion resource when researching property ownership and assessed values in Odessa and the surrounding area. The appraisal district's data is typically available online through the county's official web resources.

The Texas DPS Crime Records Service is the primary source for statewide criminal history searches, covering all Texas law enforcement agencies including those in Ector County.

Public Information Act and Open Records

The Texas Public Information Act gives you the right to request records from any Ector County government office, including the County Clerk, District Clerk, Sheriff, and other county agencies. Written requests must be submitted to the relevant office. Agencies have 10 business days to respond. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division handles disputes and provides free guidance to the public.

PIA copy fees are $0.10 per page for standard documents. Certain exemptions apply, including active criminal investigations and personnel files. Denials must be explained in writing with the applicable legal citation. You can ask for an Attorney General opinion to challenge any denial.

Federal court cases involving Ector County fall under the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Search those records through PACER. A small per-page fee applies.

Cities in Ector County

Odessa is the county seat and the main city in Ector County, with a population over 100,000 making it one of the larger cities in West Texas.

Nearby Counties

Ector County is in the heart of the Permian Basin in West Texas, surrounded by several neighboring counties.