McLennan County Public Records

McLennan County public records are maintained at the County Clerk and District Clerk offices in Waco, Texas, the county seat. The county sits in Central Texas and serves roughly 265,000 residents across Waco and the surrounding communities. The County Clerk maintains property documents, marriage licenses, vital records, and assumed name filings. The District Clerk holds court records for civil, criminal, and family law cases in the district courts. Many records are available online through county and statewide portals. This guide covers each office, online tools, fees, and how to request documents.

McLennan County Clerk Office

The McLennan County Clerk is the official keeper of property records, vital records, marriage licenses, assumed name filings, and county court case files. The office is at 214 W Waco Drive, Waco, TX 76701, phone (254) 754-4622, fax (254) 754-4623. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Property documents filed here include deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, and plat maps for all real property in McLennan County.

The County Clerk's office at 214 W Waco Drive serves as the official custodian for property records and vital records in McLennan County, providing online search access to documents recorded throughout the county.

Recording fees are $26.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for the certification. Vital records: birth certificates cost $23.00 and death certificates cost $21.00 for the first copy. Additional copies of vital records are available at a reduced rate. The office handles assumed name certificates for businesses operating under a trade name in the county.

McLennan County District Clerk and Courts

The McLennan County District Clerk maintains all district court records for the county. The office is at 501 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX 76701, phone (254) 754-4624. The District Clerk holds records for civil cases, felony criminal matters, family law filings, juvenile records, and probate cases for Waco and the surrounding area.

The District Clerk's office at 501 Washington Avenue maintains all district court records for McLennan County, including civil lawsuits, felony cases, and family law matters filed in Waco.

Court records are searchable online through the District Clerk's portal. The statewide re:SearchTX portal also covers McLennan County courts and lets you search by party name or cause number at no charge. Attorneys must file electronically through eFileTexas.gov. Results show case type, filing date, court, and current status. Some family law and juvenile records may be restricted from public view.

Tax Records and Property Assessment

The McLennan County Tax Assessor-Collector is at 215 N 5th Street, Waco, TX 76701, phone (254) 754-4625. The Tax Assessor handles property tax collection and vehicle registration. Property tax records show current and past tax bills, payment history, and any delinquent amounts owed on parcels in the county.

The Tax Assessor-Collector maintains property tax records for McLennan County, covering Waco and all other communities in the county. Tax records and deed records are separate systems maintained by different offices.

The McLennan Central Appraisal District maintains property appraisal values used for tax calculations. Appraisal records are searchable through the appraisal district's portal and are separate from both deed records and tax records. Property owners can search appraisal data by owner name, address, or property ID to find estimated market values and exemption information.

McLennan County Public Information Requests

McLennan County offices follow the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. Any written records request must get a response within 10 business days. If records are denied, the agency must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Open Government division. Submit PIA requests in writing to the specific office that holds the records you need. Non-court copy fees run $0.10 per page.

Federal court records for McLennan County fall under the Western District of Texas. The Waco division of the Western District specifically covers McLennan County. Use PACER to search and access federal case files. Criminal history records are available through the Texas DPS Crime Records Division for $3.15 per name search online.

Fees and Processing Times

Recording fees are $26.00 for the first page and $4.00 per additional page. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus $5.00. PIA copies from non-court offices cost $0.10 per page. Vital records: birth certificates $23.00 and death certificates $21.00 for the first copy.

Online searches are immediate. In-person requests are handled the same day. Mail requests take 5 to 7 business days. All public information requests must receive a response within 10 business days under state law. The Texas State Library and Archives in Austin holds older historical documents for research needs going back well before modern county records systems were established.

Cities in McLennan County

Waco is the county seat and the largest city in McLennan County.

Other communities in McLennan County include Hewitt, Woodway, Bellmead, and Hillsboro. All county court and property records go through the clerk offices in Waco.

Nearby Counties

These counties border McLennan County in Central Texas.