Access Frio County Public Records

Frio County public records are on file at the county courthouse in Pearsall, Texas. The County Clerk and District Clerk offices maintain property records, court case files, marriage licenses, and vital records for the county. Frio County is located in South Texas between San Antonio and Laredo. Court records can be searched online through the statewide re:SearchTX portal. This guide explains which office holds which records, how to search online, and the fees and timelines involved in getting copies of official documents.

Frio County Clerk Office

The Frio County Clerk keeps property records and county court files for Pearsall and surrounding areas. The office records all instruments affecting real property in Frio County, including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, and plat maps. Marriage licenses, assumed name certificates, and probate case files are also handled by this office.

The County Clerk office is at the Frio County Courthouse in Pearsall. To request copies, you can visit in person, send a written request by mail, or call the clerk's office to confirm procedures. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus $5.00. Name search fees of $5.00 per name apply when staff must conduct a manual search.

Vital records including birth and death certificates for events in Frio County are on file with the County Clerk. Birth certificates cost $23.00 and death certificates cost $21.00 for the first copy. State-level certified copies are also available through DSHS Vital Statistics in Austin.

District Court and Case Records

The Frio County District Clerk handles district court records including felony criminal cases, civil suits, family law matters, juvenile records, and contested probate. Frio County is served by the 81st Judicial District. The District Clerk office is at the courthouse in Pearsall.

You can search case records online for free through the re:SearchTX portal. Search by party name or cause number to see case details, filing dates, and current status. This is the quickest way to find out if a case exists and what court it is in before making a trip to the courthouse.

All attorney filings in Frio County courts go through eFileTexas.gov, the state's mandatory e-filing system. Mail requests for paper copies typically take 5 to 10 business days to process. In-person requests at the Pearsall courthouse are usually handled the same day.

Open Records Requests

Frio County offices follow the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. Any written request must receive a response within 10 business days. Put your request in writing and send it to the appropriate office. No special form is required. Describe what records you want as clearly as possible.

If an agency wants to withhold records, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Open Government division. PIA copies from administrative county offices cost $0.10 per page. Records that are sealed, expunged, or involve juvenile court matters are not publicly available.

Federal court matters involving Frio County are handled by the Western District of Texas. Use PACER to search those records.

Copy Fees and Timelines

Court record copies cost $1.00 per page for plain copies and $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certified copies. Name search fees are $5.00 per name. Administrative PIA copies cost $0.10 per page. Online searches through re:SearchTX cost nothing.

In-person requests are usually processed the same day. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. PIA requests get a 10 business day response window. The Texas DSHS charges $23.00 for birth certificates and $21.00 for death certificates through their statewide vital records program.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains statewide birth and death records and provides certified copies that can be used for legal identification and other official purposes.

Criminal History and State Resources

Criminal history records are available through the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. Name-based searches cost $3.15 online. The DPS Sex Offender Registry is free to search by name or location. These services cover Frio County residents and anyone with a Texas criminal history.

The Texas State Library and Archives holds historical government records for the state, including older documents that may predate digital filing systems. The Texas Secretary of State maintains business entity records and other state-level filings at sos.texas.gov.

Cities in Frio County

Pearsall is the county seat and largest city in Frio County. All district and county court records go through the Frio County courthouse in Pearsall.

Other communities include Dilley and Bigfoot. No cities in Frio County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All county records route through the Pearsall courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Frio County in South Texas.