Smith County Public Records Search

Smith County public records are maintained by the County Clerk and District Clerk in Tyler, the county seat and the largest city in East Texas. With a population of approximately 235,000, Smith County is a regional hub and its courthouse in Tyler handles a substantial volume of property filings, court cases, and vital records. In-person requests are accepted at the Tyler courthouse, and many records are searchable online through the Texas court portal. This page explains how to access public records in Smith County, which offices maintain them, and what search options are available to the public.

County Clerk Records

The Smith County Clerk records all real property instruments, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, easements, and plat maps. The office also handles marriage licenses, assumed name (DBA) filings, and commissioners court minutes. Standard copy fees are $1 per page for plain copies and $5 plus the per-page charge for certified copies. The clerk's office is at the Smith County Courthouse on North Spring Avenue in Tyler.

Smith County property records can often be searched online through the clerk's official website. This makes it easier to find deed records without an in-person visit. For older records that may not be digitized, or if you need certified copies, a visit to the courthouse or a mail request is needed. The clerk's office in Tyler also handles online payments for document orders in many cases.

District and County Court Records

Smith County has multiple district courts due to its population size. The district courts handle felony criminal cases, civil suits, family law cases, and probate proceedings. The courts are part of the 7th, 114th, 241st, and 321st Judicial Districts. The re:SearchTX portal allows free case searches by party name or cause number. Many Smith County case documents are accessible online through this system. For certified copies or complete file review, contact the District Clerk's office in Tyler.

County Courts at Law in Smith County handle misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters under district court threshold, and probate. Electronic filing for civil cases is available through eFileTexas. This is the required method for most civil case submissions in Smith County district courts.

Property Records

Smith County property records are extensive given the county's size and population. The deed index covers residential neighborhoods in Tyler, commercial properties, rural agricultural tracts, and mineral rights records. Oil and gas activity has historically been significant in the East Texas area, so the clerk's deed records include a large volume of mineral leases and related instruments.

The Smith County Appraisal District provides current ownership data, appraisal values, and parcel maps. Their records are publicly accessible and can be searched by owner name, address, or account number. For a complete ownership history, the deed index at the County Clerk's office is the official record. Many title searchers use both the appraisal district's online tools and the clerk's deed index together for a thorough search.

Texas Public Information Act

Under the Texas Public Information Act, you have the right to request any public record held by Smith County offices. Write a request to the specific office that holds the records you need. The office has 10 business days to respond. Most county records are open to the public. Exemptions cover active criminal investigation records, some personnel files, and other data protected by Texas law. If your request is denied, the Texas Attorney General can review the denial and issue a ruling.

Vital Records and Other Sources

Birth and death certificates for events in Smith County are issued by Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. A certified birth certificate is $23 and a death certificate is $21. These are available online, by mail, or in person through DSHS. Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the County Clerk in Tyler. Divorce decrees are part of the District Clerk's case files.

For criminal background checks, the Texas DPS Crime Records Service provides statewide criminal history data. The Smith County Sheriff's office and Tyler Police Department each maintain local arrest and incident records. Federal court records for cases in the Eastern District of Texas are available through the U.S. District Court's PACER system.

Shown below is the Texas Office of Court Administration's website, which provides guidance on court structures and record access across all Texas counties, including Smith County.

The Office of Court Administration supports the infrastructure for accessing court records throughout Texas, including Smith County's multiple district and county courts.

Cities in Smith County

Smith County includes one city that qualifies for a dedicated page:

• Tyler - County seat and largest city in East Texas

Nearby Counties

These counties border Smith County.