Search Nacogdoches County Public Records

Nacogdoches County public records are held by the County Clerk and District Clerk in Nacogdoches, the county seat in the East Texas Piney Woods. These offices maintain court case files, property deeds, marriage licenses, deed of trust instruments, and other official county documents. Records can be accessed in person at the courthouse, and some court filings are searchable online through state portals. This guide covers how to find and request public records from Nacogdoches County offices.

Nacogdoches County Clerk

The County Clerk is the main keeper of public records in Nacogdoches County. This office handles deed records, marriage licenses, assumed name filings, commissioners court minutes, and a range of other official documents. Most property and vital records go through this office first.

You can visit the clerk in person at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse in Nacogdoches, TX. Staff can help you locate and copy records during normal business hours. Written requests by mail are also accepted. Include the record type, the names involved, and a date range when you write in.

• Address: Nacogdoches County Courthouse, Nacogdoches, TX 75961
• Copy fee: $1 per page for plain copies
• Certified copies: $1 per page plus $5 certification fee
• Birth certificates: $23 per copy
• Death certificates: $21 per copy

Some older deed and property records have been digitized. Check the county's online portal to see what is available before making a trip. For records not yet online, an in-person visit or mail request is needed.

Nacogdoches County District Clerk

The District Clerk handles felony criminal cases, civil suits above the county court limit, and family law matters such as divorce and child custody. If you need records from a district court proceeding, this is the office to contact.

District court files include petitions, motions, judgments, orders, and other court documents. These are public unless sealed by a judge. You can search case indexes at the courthouse or use the statewide re:SearchTX portal to look up cases online without a trip to Nacogdoches.

• Address: Nacogdoches County Courthouse, Nacogdoches, TX 75961
• Jurisdiction: 145th and 420th District Courts
• Records: civil, criminal, family law

Attorneys and parties who file in Nacogdoches County district courts can use eFileTexas to submit documents electronically. This system is now mandatory for most filers in Texas district courts.

Public Information Act Requests

Texas gives the public strong rights to government records through the Texas Public Information Act. Any person can request records from a county office. You do not have to explain why you want them or prove any connection to the case.

Agencies have 10 business days to respond. They must either provide the records, ask for a time extension, or notify you that they are seeking a ruling from the Texas Attorney General on whether they can withhold something. Most routine public records are released without any issue.

Some records are exempt. Juvenile records, certain law enforcement files, and active investigation materials may be withheld. But the vast majority of county records -- court filings, deeds, marriage licenses, tax records -- are open and available to anyone who asks.

Fees and Processing Times

Nacogdoches County charges standard Texas fees for copies. Plain paper copies run $1 per page. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification charge per document. If you request records under the Public Information Act, the cost drops to $0.10 per page for standard copies.

Most routine requests are filled the same day or within a day or two. If you need certified court documents, allow a bit more time. Vital records (birth and death certificates) require a completed application and may take several days if ordered by mail.

• Standard copies: $1/page
• Certified copies: $1/page + $5 per document
• PIA paper copies: $0.10/page
• Birth certificates: $23
• Death certificates: $21
• PIA response deadline: 10 business days

Online Record Search Tools

The Texas Office of Court Administration runs the statewide court search portal. Visit the Texas Courts website to learn about the court system and find links to case search tools for each court level.

The courts portal provides background on how district, county, and justice courts handle cases. It also links to the re:SearchTX system, which covers district and county court records statewide. Nacogdoches County cases filed in recent years are searchable there by name, case number, or attorney.

For property records, the Nacogdoches Central Appraisal District maintains an online database of property ownership, values, and tax information. This can help you identify the owner of a parcel or check a property's assessed value. The appraisal district website is separate from the county clerk but complements it well for real estate research.

Nacogdoches County falls under the Eastern District of Texas for federal court purposes. Federal civil and criminal cases involving Nacogdoches County residents can be searched through the federal PACER system at pacer.gov.

Property and Land Records

Real estate records in Nacogdoches County are filed with the County Clerk. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, and plats. Texas has kept land records going back to the Republic era, and many older Nacogdoches County records reflect its early settlement history.

To look up a deed, you need either the property address or the grantor and grantee names. The clerk's office can search by name or by document number. Plat maps showing subdivision layouts are also on file. If you are doing a title search or buying property, a full chain-of-title search is recommended.

Criminal and Civil Court Records

Nacogdoches County has several court levels. Misdemeanor cases go to the County Court at Law. Felony cases and major civil suits go to the District Courts. Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims and minor matters.

Court records are public by default. Arrest records, indictments, judgments, and sentencing documents can all be accessed. If a case was expunged or sealed, those records are not available. For criminal background checks tied to employment or licensing, the DPS Crime Records Service handles official Texas criminal history reports.

Cities in Nacogdoches County

Nacogdoches is the county seat and largest city in Nacogdoches County. Its population does not meet the 100,000 threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. For records specific to Nacogdoches city matters, contact the county offices listed above.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Nacogdoches County.