Cass County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Cass County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Cass County, Texas, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, online portals, and authorized databases. CassCountyRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by Cass County government agencies. Records that may be available include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable exemptions under Texas law.

Online Access:

The Cass County, Texas official website provides access to county department directories, online search tools, and instructions for obtaining copies of public documents. The County Clerk's office maintains a public records search portal with instructions for searching and purchasing certified copies of recorded instruments. Members of the public may search deed records, marriage licenses, and other instruments recorded with the County Clerk through the online portal without prior registration. Court records maintained by the District Clerk are accessible through the Cass County District Clerk's office portal.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may inspect records in person at the County Clerk's Office located at 200 W. Houston St., Linden, TX 75563. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, provide relevant identifying information such as names and approximate dates, and submit a written or verbal request to the clerk on duty.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Cass County Clerk, P.O. Box 449, Linden, TX 75563. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Texas Government Code § 552.228, a governmental body must promptly produce public information and may not delay a response beyond ten business days without providing written notice.

Phone/Email:

The County Clerk's office may be reached by telephone at (903) 756-5071. Open records requests may also be submitted through the county's open records request portal, which lists department-specific contact information for directing inquiries to the appropriate office.

What Are Public Records in Cass County?

Public records in Cass County are government-generated or government-held documents that are subject to disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act. Under Texas Government Code § 552.002, "public information" means information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by a governmental body. The following categories of records are maintained by Cass County offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Cass County District Clerk
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements) — maintained by the County Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the County Clerk and the Texas Department of State Health Services
Business records (assumed name certificates and business filings) — maintained by the County Clerk
Tax records (property tax assessments and payment histories) — maintained by the Cass County Appraisal District
Voting and election records — maintained by the County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas (Commissioners Court and county boards) — maintained by the County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — available through the County Auditor's office
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted) — maintained by the Cass County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the relevant county planning authority

The County Clerk's office serves as the primary custodian of recorded instruments and official county documents.

Is Cass County an Open Records County?

Cass County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act, which governs public access to government records statewide. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, all governmental bodies in Texas are required to make public information available for inspection and copying upon request. As stated on the county's official open records page, "Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why you want them."

The Texas Public Information Act establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that all government records are presumed to be public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Texas Attorney General's Office provides oversight and issues open records letter rulings when a governmental body seeks to withhold requested information. Cass County departments are required to comply with these rulings and to respond to public information requests within the timeframes established by state law. The county's open records request page provides department-specific contact information for submitting requests.

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

The cost to obtain public records in Cass County is governed by the Texas Public Information Act and the fee schedule established by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. Current standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:

Record Type / Service	Standard Fee
Paper copies (standard size)	$0.10 per page
Certified copies (County Clerk instruments)	$5.00 for first page; $1.00 each additional page
Electronic records (where applicable)	Actual cost of production
Personnel costs (for large requests)	Per OAG cost rules
Inspection of records	No charge

Inspection of public records at a county office is provided at no cost to the requestor.
Copies of recorded instruments such as deeds and marriage licenses are subject to the County Clerk's certified copy fee schedule.
Requests requiring extensive personnel time to locate, compile, or redact records may be subject to labor charges as permitted under the Texas Attorney General's cost rules.
Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Cass County Clerk.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to primarily benefit the general public, subject to the discretion of the governmental body.

Does Cass County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at Cass County offices during regular business hours. Under the Texas Public Information Act, a governmental body may not charge a fee for the inspection of public information; charges apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free access to Cass County public records:

The Cass County official website provides free access to county department information, meeting agendas, and general government documents.
The County Clerk's online search portal allows free searching of recorded instruments, including deed records and marriage indexes, without requiring payment or registration.
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program, which provides free public access to registered sex offender information statewide, including individuals registered in Cass County. As noted by the Texas DPS, "public notification of registered sex offenders is authorized under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 62."
Court indexes maintained by the District Clerk may be inspected in person at no charge.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may view records at no cost, but obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the applicable fee schedule.

Who Can Request Public Records in Cass County?

Any person may request public records from Cass County governmental bodies, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Texas Public Information Act does not require a requestor to be a Texas resident, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for the request. As affirmed by the county's open records policy, an officer for public information "may not ask why you want them."

Specific provisions applicable to requestors include:

Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect public records. Identification may be requested only in limited circumstances, such as when accessing records that contain personal information about the requestor.
Purpose: No statement of purpose is required for standard public information requests.
Non-residents: Non-residents of Cass County and non-residents of Texas retain full rights to request public records under state law.
Requesting personal records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be entitled to access certain records that are otherwise restricted, such as sealed or confidential records pertaining to their own case, subject to applicable procedures.
Restrictions by record type: Certain categories of records, such as juvenile records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the identity of the requestor.

What Records Are Confidential in Cass County?

Not all government-held records in Cass County are subject to public disclosure. Texas Government Code Chapter 552 establishes a comprehensive list of exemptions that protect certain categories of information from release. The following records are exempt from public disclosure under Texas law:

Sealed court records — records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in the juvenile justice system are confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.007
Ongoing criminal investigation records — information related to active law enforcement investigations is exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with the investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are protected from disclosure
Medical records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under Texas Family Code provisions
Personnel records — certain employee information is exempt, with exceptions for salary and general employment status
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt when submitted to a governmental body in confidence
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

When a governmental body believes that requested information falls within a statutory exemption, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days of receiving the request, as required under Texas Government Code § 552.301.

Cass County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Cass County Clerk
200 W. Houston St., Suite 201
Linden, TX 75563
(903) 756-5071
Cass County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 449
Linden, TX 75563

Additional Offices:

Cass County District Clerk
200 W. Houston St.
Linden, TX 75563
(903) 756-7514
Cass County District Clerk