Jones County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Jones County in 2026

JonesRecords.org aggregates publicly available information that may assist members of the public in locating government records maintained by Jones County, Texas, and related state agencies. Public records in Jones County encompass a broad range of documents created or received by government bodies in the course of official business. Members of the public may find information related to the following categories:

Court filings and case records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, liens, and mortgage instruments
Vital records, including marriage licenses and assumed name certificates
Tax assessment and property tax records
Motor vehicle registration and title records
Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)

Records may be accessed through official court resources, the Jones County, Texas government portal, clerk offices, public access terminals located at county facilities, and select online databases maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Access:

The Jones County official website provides access to county office directories and select public documents through its online portal.
The Jones County District Clerk maintains district court case information; some records may be searchable through the Texas Office of Court Administration's online systems.
Motor vehicle and title records are accessible through the Jones County Tax Office via the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles portal.
No registration is required to submit a public information request, though certain online portals may require account creation for document downloads.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Jones County Clerk's Office or the District Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Staff at the public counter can assist with record identification and retrieval. Requestors should bring sufficient identifying information about the record sought, such as names, dates, and case or document numbers.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office by mail. Requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Texas Government Code § 552.228, governmental bodies are required to respond to written requests promptly, and no later than ten business days after receipt.

Phone/Email:

Jones County Clerk: (325) 823-3762
Jones County District Clerk: (325) 823-3731

What Are Public Records in Jones County?

Public records in Jones County are defined under Texas law as any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. Under Texas Government Code § 552.002, "public information" includes written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained information in connection with the transaction of official business by a governmental body.

The following record types are maintained by Jones County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	District Clerk
Probate and county court records	County Clerk
Property deeds, liens, mortgages	County Clerk
Marriage licenses, assumed name certificates	County Clerk
Tax assessment and property tax records	County Assessor/Collector
Motor vehicle titles and registrations	County Tax Assessor-Collector
Commissioners Court minutes and agendas	County Clerk
Law enforcement incident reports	Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Judge / Commissioners Court

The Jones County Clerk's office serves as the primary custodian for property records, vital records, and county court documents. District court records, including criminal cases, family and child custody matters, divorce proceedings, and legal name changes, are maintained by the District Clerk. As noted by the Texas State Law Library, "some counties make their district court records searchable" through online portals, though availability varies by jurisdiction.

Is Jones County an Open Records County?

Jones County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act, which establishes the right of the public to access government records. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, all governmental bodies in Texas, including county offices, are required to make public information available upon request. The Act affirms that "government is the servant and not the master of the people" and that the public has a fundamental right to access information about the affairs of government.

The Texas Attorney General's Office oversees compliance with the Public Information Act and issues open records letter rulings when governmental bodies seek to withhold requested information. Jones County governmental bodies are bound by these rulings and must either release responsive records or seek a ruling from the Attorney General within ten business days of receiving a request. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance, as state law governs all public information requests submitted to county offices.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Jones County?

The fee structure for public records in Jones County is governed by the Texas Public Information Act and the rules promulgated by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. Current standard fees applicable to most requests include:

Fee Type	Standard Rate
Paper copies (standard size)	$0.10 per page
Certified copies (vital/property records)	Varies by document type
Electronic records (existing format)	No charge in many cases
Overhead charge (requests over 50 pages)	Applicable per OAG rules
Labor charge (requests requiring over 1 hour)	Applicable per OAG rules

Inspection of records at a public counter is provided at no charge.
Certified copies of property records and court documents carry fees set by the Texas Local Government Code and may differ from standard copy fees.
The Jones County District Clerk charges filing and copy fees pursuant to the Texas Government Code.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to primarily benefit the general public, as provided under Texas Government Code § 552.267.

Does Jones County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at Jones County government offices during regular business hours. Under the Texas Public Information Act, governmental bodies must allow inspection of public information without charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the standard fee schedule described above.

The following resources provide free access to Jones County public records:

The Jones County official government portal provides free access to county office information, meeting agendas, and select public documents.
The Texas State Law Library's guide to court records in Texas provides free guidance on locating district and county court records statewide.
The Northern District of Texas federal court provides case information for federal matters involving Jones County residents through the PACER system, which offers limited free access.
Public access terminals located at the Jones County Courthouse allow on-site inspection of indexed records at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in Jones County?

Any person may request public records from Jones County governmental bodies, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Texas Public Information Act does not require requestors to be Texas residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. This broad access right applies to individuals, organizations, businesses, and members of the media alike.

Specific provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:

Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification for standard public information requests, though identification may be required when requesting records that contain personal information about the requestor.
Purpose: Governmental bodies may not inquire into the purpose of a public information request as a condition of fulfilling it.
Non-residents: Non-residents of Jones County and of Texas retain full rights to request public information under state law.
Restricted record types: Certain records, such as those containing personal identifying information or sealed court documents, may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal interest or obtain a court order.
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure.

What Records Are Confidential in Jones County?

Not all records maintained by Jones County governmental bodies are subject to public disclosure. The Texas Public Information Act enumerates specific categories of information that are exempt from required disclosure. Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.158 identifies the following categories of confidential or excepted records:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile records and proceedings
Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifying data
Medical and mental health records protected under state and federal law (including HIPAA)
Adoption records and related proceedings
Child protective services and welfare records
Personnel files of government employees (with limited exceptions for certain public officials)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, vulnerability assessments, and critical infrastructure details

As noted by the Jones County Clerk's office, "it is in the best interest of the county, as well as the clerk individually, to refrain from performing any action (including records searches) which" could result in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. When a governmental body believes requested information falls within an exemption, it must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office before withholding the records.

Jones County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Office Name: Jones County Clerk

Physical Address:
Jones County Courthouse
Anson, TX 79501

Phone: (325) 823-3762
Website: Jones County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Additional Offices:

Jones County District Clerk
Jones County Courthouse
Anson, TX 79501
(325) 823-3731
District Clerk – Jones County

Jones County Tax Assessor-Collector
Jones County Courthouse
Anson, TX 79501
Jones County Tax Office

Jones County, Texas – General County Information
Jones County Courthouse
Anson, TX 79501
Jones County, Texas

The District Clerk's office handles district court filings and maintains records for the 259th Judicial District. Federal matters involving Jones County residents fall under the jurisdiction of the Northern District of Texas, which provides court information, filing resources, and records access through its official portal.