Mason County Public Records Search

Mason County public records are maintained by the County Clerk and District Clerk at the courthouse in Mason, a Texas Hill Country county seat located between San Angelo and Fredericksburg. These offices hold property deeds, court case files, marriage records, and other official county documents. Some records can be accessed online through Texas state portals, and others require a request by mail or in person at the Mason courthouse. This page covers how to access and request public records from Mason County offices and through state systems.

County Clerk Records in Mason County

The Mason County Clerk keeps official county documents. These include property deeds, liens, plats, assumed name filings, marriage licenses, and birth and death records for events in Mason County. The clerk's office is at the Mason County courthouse in Mason, TX. Because this is a small rural county, it is a good idea to call ahead before visiting.

Contact the County Clerk at the Mason County courthouse to request copies. Plain copies are $1 per page. Certified copies are $1 per page plus $5 certification. Birth certificates are $23 and death certificates are $21. Mail requests are accepted with a check or money order payable to the Mason County Clerk. Send a written description of the records you need along with the payment.

Mason County has a German-heritage settlement history, and property records go back to the mid-1800s. Older deeds and historical documents may be in archived form or on microfilm at the courthouse. The Mason County Appraisal District holds separate property tax and ownership data that can help identify current owners before you search the deed index.

District Court and Case Records

Mason County is served by the 198th Judicial District Court. The District Clerk manages filings for district-level civil, family law, and felony criminal cases. County court records for lower-level matters and probate are also at the courthouse in Mason.

re:SearchTX is the free statewide Texas court records portal. Search Mason County cases by name or case number. It shows docket entries, hearing dates, and party information for most district and county court cases. This is the best first step before making an in-person trip to Mason.

New case filings in Mason County district court use eFileTexas, the mandatory statewide e-filing system. The District Clerk at the Mason County courthouse can assist with questions about filing procedures and what documents are accepted in electronic form.

Federal cases involving Mason County residents fall under the Western District of Texas. Federal records are available through PACER at pacer.gov.

Public Information Act Requests

Under the Texas Public Information Act, any person can request records from Mason County government offices. Submit a written request to the office that holds the records. Email and mail both work. You do not need to state a reason.

The county must respond within 10 business days. It may provide records, ask for clarification, give a cost estimate, or assert an exception. If it wants to withhold records, it generally must seek an opinion from the Texas Attorney General's Open Government division first.

PIA copy fees are $0.10 per page for paper. For large requests, expect a cost estimate before the office proceeds. You can ask for a fee waiver in cases where the public interest would be served. The AG's website has full guidance on the PIA and your rights as a requester.

Record Fees and Online Resources

Standard fees for Mason County public records:

• Plain copies: $1.00 per page
• Certified copies: $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification
• PIA copies: $0.10 per page
• Birth certificates: $23.00
• Death certificates: $21.00

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office issues certified birth and death records statewide. If you cannot get to Mason, ordering from the state office by mail or online is a practical alternative.

Statewide criminal history is available through the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. For a full case record search including Mason County, use re:SearchTX or contact the District Clerk.

The Texas Public Information Act is the law that governs access to government records in Mason County and all other Texas counties. The full text is available at the official Texas statutes site.

Cities in Mason County

Mason is the county seat and the only incorporated city in Mason County. With a population around 4,000 for the whole county, there are no cities meeting the 100,000-population threshold. All Mason County residents use the county offices in Mason for public records requests.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Mason County.