Wood County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Wood County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through WoodCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Wood County, Texas maintains a broad range of official documents that are accessible to the public under state law, including court filings, property records, vital records, tax documents, and law enforcement records. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable legal exemptions.
Record categories that may be available include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: The Wood County official government portal provides access to select county records and department contact information. The Texas Office of Court Administration maintains an online case search tool through which members of the public may search civil and criminal court records. Certain property and appraisal records are accessible through the Wood County Appraisal District's online database. Some online tools require user registration prior to accessing detailed record sets.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Wood County Clerk's Office to inspect or obtain copies of official records. The office is located at 100 S. Main Street, Quitman, TX 75783. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and specify the record type and date range sought.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Wood County Clerk's Office at P.O. Box 1796, Quitman, TX 75783. Requests must include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under the Texas Public Information Act, governmental bodies are required to respond to written requests promptly and no later than ten business days after receipt.
Phone/Email: The Wood County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (903) 763-2711. Email contact information is available through the county's official website.
What Are Public Records in Wood County?
Public records in Wood County are defined under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552.002, as any information that is collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. The following record types are maintained by county offices and are accessible to the public, subject to applicable exemptions:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | District Clerk, County Clerk |
| Probate and family law records | County Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk, Texas DSHS |
| Tax assessment records | Wood County Appraisal District |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk, City offices |
| Voting and election records | County Elections Administrator |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Judge's Office |
| Budget and financial documents | County Auditor |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Wood County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Commissioner's Court |
The Wood County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian of property records, vital records, and court filings at the county level. Criminal history records maintained at the state level are accessible through the Texas Department of Public Safety, which administers the Crime Records Service division.
Is Wood County an Open Records County?
Wood 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 § 552.001, the legislature declares that "government is the servant and not the master of the people" and that each person is entitled to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees. This foundational principle governs all public records requests submitted to Wood County offices.
The Texas Attorney General's Office provides oversight and guidance on open records compliance. As stated in the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Guide, "the Public Information Act gives the public the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why a person wants information." This provision ensures that requestors are not required to justify their interest in obtaining public documents.
Wood County governmental bodies are obligated to make records available for public inspection and duplication in accordance with the Act. Any denial of access must be supported by a specific statutory exemption, and the governmental body may be required to seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General before withholding requested information.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Wood County?
The current fee structure for public records in Wood County is governed by the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Administrative Code. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies (8.5" x 11") | $0.10 per page |
| Oversized copies | Actual cost |
| Certified copies (vital records, deeds) | $5.00–$30.00 per document |
| Electronic format (CD/DVD) | $1.00 per disc |
| Labor charge (requests over 50 pages) | $15.00–$28.00 per hour |
| Overhead charge | 20% of labor cost |
Certification fees for vital records such as birth and death certificates are set by the Texas Department of State Health Services and may differ from standard copy fees. Vehicle title and registration records maintained through the Wood County Tax Office carry separate fee schedules established by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Accepted payment methods at the Wood County Clerk's Office include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. 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 Wood County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the Wood County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Under state law, governmental bodies must allow inspection of public records at no charge; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.
The following resources provide free access to certain Wood County records:
- Wood County official website — Provides free access to county department information, meeting agendas, and select public documents through the Wood County government portal
- Texas courts online search — The Texas Office of Court Administration provides free case lookup tools for district and county court records
- Wood County Appraisal District — Property appraisal and ownership records are available for free inspection through the district's online portal
- Texas Secretary of State — Business entity filings and registered agent information are searchable at no cost through the SOS online database
Members of the public may inspect records in person at no cost. Charges are assessed only when physical or electronic copies are produced. Certain personal records, such as a requestor's own criminal history, may be obtained at reduced or no cost under specific circumstances established by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Who Can Request Public Records in Wood County?
Any person may request public records from Wood County governmental bodies, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Texas Public Information Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or affiliation. Requestors are not required to be Texas residents, and they are not required to explain why they are seeking the records.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect public records, though identification may be required for certified copies of vital records
- Purpose: Governmental bodies may not inquire about the purpose of a public records request as a condition of access
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Texas retain full rights to request and receive public records under state law
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own criminal history or personal records may be subject to identity verification requirements administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety
- Restricted record types: Certain records, such as juvenile case files, adoption records, and sealed court documents, carry access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity
Jury service eligibility and related court records are governed separately; the Texas Courts system provides guidance on court-related public information under Texas Government Code § 62.102.
What Records Are Confidential in Wood County?
Not all government documents maintained by Wood County offices are subject to public disclosure. The Texas Public Information Act identifies numerous categories of information that are exempt from mandatory release. The following record types are currently withheld from public access under applicable state and federal law:
- Sealed court records — Documents sealed by judicial 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
- Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted prior to release
- Medical records — Protected under 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 — Maintained as confidential by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
- Personnel records — Employee performance evaluations and certain human resources documents are exempt, with limited exceptions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Exempt to protect public safety
Texas Government Code § 552.101 provides that information considered confidential by law, whether by constitutional provision, statute, or judicial decision, is exempt from required public disclosure. Governmental bodies asserting exemptions for withheld records must, in most cases, seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office before denying a request.
Wood County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Wood County Clerk's Office
100 S. Main Street
Quitman, TX 75783
(903) 763-2711
Wood County, Texas
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Wood County District Clerk's Office
100 S. Main Street
Quitman, TX 75783
(903) 763-4161
Wood County, Texas
Wood County Tax Assessor-Collector
301 E. Goode Street
Quitman, TX 75783
(903) 763-2261
Wood County Tax Office
Wood County Sheriff's Office
210 Clark Street
Quitman, TX 75783
(903) 763-2261
Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Service
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
(512) 424-2474
Texas Department of Public Safety
Road and transportation-related public records for Wood County fall under the jurisdiction of the TxDOT Atlanta District. Members of the public seeking highway project documents or right-of-way records may contact the appropriate TxDOT district office for assistance.