Hale County Public Records

Hale County public records are maintained at the courthouse in Plainview, Texas. The County Clerk and District Clerk offices hold property documents, court case files, marriage licenses, and vital records for the entire county. Hale County is located in the Texas South Plains region northwest of Lubbock. Court records are searchable online through the statewide re:SearchTX portal. This guide explains which county offices hold what records, how to search online, how to request copies, and what fees apply for official documents from Hale County.

Hale County Clerk

The Hale County Clerk in Plainview records all official property instruments and maintains county court case files. Property records on file include deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, plat maps, and easements. The clerk also issues marriage licenses, records assumed name certificates, and maintains county court cases including probate and misdemeanor criminal matters.

The clerk's office is at the Hale County Courthouse, 500 Broadway, Plainview, TX 79072. You can contact the office by phone, visit in person, or send a written request by mail to search records or get copies. 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 conduct a manual index search.

Birth and death certificates for events in Hale County are on file with the County Clerk. Birth certificates cost $23.00 and death certificates cost $21.00 for the first copy. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section in Austin offers certified copies by mail or online order.

District Clerk and Court Records

The Hale County District Clerk holds all district court records for the county. These include civil suits, felony criminal cases, family law filings such as divorces and custody cases, juvenile records, and contested probate. Hale County is served by the 64th Judicial District. The District Clerk office is at the courthouse in Plainview.

The re:SearchTX portal gives free online access to Hale County court case information. Search by party name or cause number to check case type, filing date, and current status. This is the best way to find case information quickly before contacting the clerk directly or visiting the courthouse.

All attorney court filings in Hale County go through eFileTexas.gov. Mail requests for copies take 5 to 10 business days. In-person requests at the Plainview courthouse are usually handled the same day during regular business hours.

Open Records and PIA Requests

Hale County offices respond to public records requests under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. Any written request must receive a response within 10 business days. No special form is required. Submit your request in writing to the appropriate county office describing the records you want.

If records are to be withheld, the agency must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Open Government division. PIA copies from administrative county offices cost $0.10 per page. Sealed court records and juvenile files are not publicly available.

Federal court cases for Hale County residents fall under the Northern District of Texas. Search those records through PACER.

Fees and Processing

Plain copies of court records cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus $5.00. Name searches run $5.00 per name when staff assistance is required. PIA copies from administrative offices cost $0.10 per page. Online searches through re:SearchTX are free.

In-person requests at the Plainview courthouse are usually processed the same day. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. All PIA requests must receive a response within 10 business days under Texas law. Vital records from the county clerk cost $23.00 for birth certificates and $21.00 for death certificates.

The Texas Office of Court Administration oversees all Texas courts and provides public access resources, including the re:SearchTX portal used to search Hale County court records online at no cost.

Vital Records and Criminal History

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains statewide birth and death records, marriage indexes, and divorce verifications. Order certified copies online, by mail, or in Austin in person. Birth records are $23.00 and death records are $21.00 for the first copy.

Criminal history background checks are available through the Texas DPS Crime Records Division for $3.15 online. The DPS Sex Offender Registry is free to search. Historical state government records are held at the Texas State Library and Archives in Austin.

Cities in Hale County

Plainview is the county seat and the largest city in Hale County. All district court and property records are at the Hale County courthouse in Plainview.

Other communities in the county include Abernathy and Petersburg. No cities in Hale County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All county records go through the Plainview courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hale County on the Texas South Plains.