Wichita County Public Records Search
Wichita County public records are maintained by the County Clerk and District Clerk in Wichita Falls, the county seat and largest city in this North Texas county along the Oklahoma border. With a population over 130,000, Wichita County has a higher volume of recorded documents and court filings than most North Texas counties. Property deeds, court cases, marriage records, and vital documents are all held at the Wichita Falls courthouse. In-person and mail requests are both accepted, and many records are also searchable online. This page covers how to access public records in Wichita County and which offices to contact.
Wichita County Overview
Wichita County Clerk
The Wichita County Clerk records all real property documents for the county. This includes warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, liens, easements, mineral leases, and releases. When property changes hands in Wichita County or a lender records a mortgage, the documents are filed in this office. The clerk's records form the legal foundation for all real estate titles in the county and are indexed by grantor and grantee name.
Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. The County Clerk office is at the Wichita County Courthouse in Wichita Falls and is open weekdays during regular business hours. Many residents of Wichita Falls can visit in person with ease. Mail requests are also accepted. The county may offer online access through a third-party vendor portal.
The County Clerk also issues marriage licenses, files assumed name certificates, and keeps commissioners court minutes. Vital records for births and deaths in Wichita County may be obtained here. For statewide vital records access, use Texas DSHS Vital Statistics.
District Court Records
The Wichita County District Clerk maintains records for the district courts in the county. As a larger Texas county, Wichita County has multiple district courts. These handle felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits above the county court threshold, family law matters (divorce, custody, child support), probate proceedings, and juvenile cases. The District Clerk provides copies of case files, docket sheets, orders, and judgments to the public.
You can search Wichita County court records free through re:SearchTX, the statewide portal run by the Texas Office of Court Administration. Party name and case number searches are available at no charge. Attorneys and pro se filers submit court documents electronically through eFileTexas.gov.
Wichita County has multiple district courts, including the 30th, 78th, and 89th Judicial Districts. County courts at law handle misdemeanor cases and lower civil disputes. Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims, minor civil matters, and traffic violations. All these court levels may appear in re:SearchTX depending on data coverage.
Property Records
Property records in Wichita County are recorded with the County Clerk. For ownership and valuation data, start with the Wichita Appraisal District. This is a good first stop for quick lookups. For full title documents and the actual deed and lien records, the County Clerk's office in Wichita Falls holds those. The combination of appraisal district data and County Clerk deeds gives you a complete picture of any parcel.
Wichita County has a mix of urban residential properties in Wichita Falls and surrounding areas, plus agricultural and oil and gas properties in the more rural parts of the county. Mineral lease filings and royalty assignments are also recorded with the clerk, making this a varied and active record set.
The Texas State Library preserves government records and archives from across Texas, including some historical county records that may no longer be held locally.
Researchers looking for older Wichita County records may find some materials held at the State Library in Austin if they have been transferred for archival storage.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for events in Wichita County can be obtained from the local County Clerk or through Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. DSHS processes orders online via VitalChek, by mail, and in person in Austin. Birth certificates cost $23.00 and death certificates cost $21.00. Standard online orders take 5 to 10 business days.
Marriage records are filed with the Wichita County Clerk. Divorce records are held by the District Clerk. Both offices are at the Wichita Falls courthouse. Given the county's larger size, more records may be available online than in smaller counties.
Public Information Act Requests
The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) applies to Wichita County and all its agencies. Submit a written request to the office holding the records. The agency must respond within 10 business days by providing records, estimating costs, or seeking an Attorney General ruling. Standard copies under the Act cost $0.10 per page. Inspection in person is always free.
For help with denied requests or guidance on your rights, contact the Texas Attorney General's open government division.
Criminal Records
Wichita County criminal case records are searchable through re:SearchTX. For statewide criminal history or certified reports, use the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. Federal cases from Wichita County fall under the Northern District of Texas. Search those at PACER.gov.
Cities in Wichita County
Wichita Falls is the county seat and the qualifying city in Wichita County with a population over 100,000.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Wichita County.