Howard County Public Records
Howard County public records are filed and maintained by the County Clerk and District Clerk in Big Spring, the county seat in West Texas. These offices hold property deeds, court case filings, marriage licenses, and other official county documents. The County Clerk handles property recordings and vital records, and the District Clerk manages civil and criminal court files. Records can be searched online through statewide databases, in person at the Big Spring courthouse, or by mail. This guide covers how to find and request Howard County public records.
Howard County Overview
Howard County Clerk
The Howard County Clerk in Big Spring records and keeps official county-level public documents. Property instruments are central to this office's work. Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, lien releases, easements, and mechanic's lien filings are recorded here when property changes hands or is encumbered. Every instrument filed is indexed by grantor and grantee name and by instrument number. You can search those indexes in person at the Big Spring courthouse or through any available online access.
The County Clerk also processes marriage licenses, DBA (assumed name) certificates, and commissioners court minutes. Howard County is in the Permian Basin region of West Texas. Oil and gas activity here means the County Clerk also holds a significant volume of lease filings, mineral documents, and related instruments. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 certification fee. Office hours are Monday through Friday at the Howard County Courthouse in Big Spring.
District Court Records
The Howard County District Clerk maintains all district court records filed in Big Spring. Civil suits, felony criminal cases, family law matters, divorce filings, and probate records are stored here. Howard County is part of the 118th Judicial District. Court records can be searched online through re:SearchTX, the free statewide portal from the Texas Office of Court Administration. You can search by party name or case number.
Electronic filing for Howard County courts is done through eFileTexas.gov. This system is used by attorneys and self-represented parties for submitting court filings without traveling to Big Spring. County court records covering misdemeanor cases and lower civil disputes are also searchable through re:SearchTX. Justice of the Peace courts in Big Spring handle small claims and traffic matters at the local precinct level.
Note: Some family law and juvenile case records are restricted from public access under Texas law and will not appear in public search portals.
Oil and Gas Records and Property Filings
Howard County sits at the edge of the Permian Basin, one of the most active oil-producing regions in the country. This means the County Clerk holds a substantial volume of oil and gas lease filings, production agreements, and related mineral rights instruments alongside standard real estate deeds. Anyone researching mineral rights or oil and gas leases in Howard County needs to search the clerk's recorded instrument index thoroughly.
For current property ownership, start with the Howard County Appraisal District. Their database covers all taxable real property and is free to search by owner name, address, or parcel ID. For the actual recorded deed and lease instruments, check the County Clerk's index. Combining both sources gives a full picture of a property's ownership and encumbrance history in this active West Texas market.
Vital Records and Marriage Documents
Birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Howard County can be ordered through Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. The statewide archive accepts orders online via VitalChek, by mail to Austin, and in person. A certified birth certificate is $23.00. A death certificate is $21.00. You must be an authorized requestor under Texas law to receive certified copies.
Marriage licenses issued in Howard County are on file with the County Clerk in Big Spring. Certified copies of marriage licenses can be requested from that office. Divorce records are held by the District Clerk. Both offices are at the Howard County Courthouse in Big Spring.
Public Information Act Requests
Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Texas Public Information Act, gives the public the right to request records from Howard County agencies. A written request to the agency is all you need. No special form is required. Agencies have 10 business days to respond. They must provide the records, seek an extension, or ask the Texas Attorney General for a ruling on any exemptions.
Standard PIA copy fees are $0.10 per page. Costs above $40 require a written estimate first. You have the right to inspect records at no charge. Criminal history data for Howard County is maintained by the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. Federal cases in this area fall under the Northern District of Texas. Check PACER.gov for those filings. Historical and archival research can be assisted by the Texas State Library at tsl.texas.gov.
The Texas e-filing system, eFileTexas, is the official portal for submitting court documents electronically in all Texas counties. Their site at efiletexas.gov covers Howard County courts along with all other counties in the state.
Attorneys and parties in Howard County cases can use the e-filing system to submit documents from anywhere without visiting the Big Spring courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Howard County is in West Texas near these neighboring counties.