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Harris County, Texas public records

In Harris County, deeds are recorded by the Harris County Clerk; property values come from the Harris Central Appraisal District; court files are split between the Harris County District Clerk and the Harris County Clerk.

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. Where to get each record
  2. Deeds and land records
  3. Property values, owners and tax bills
  4. Court records: which clerk keeps which case
  5. Marriage records
  6. Divorce records
  7. Birth certificates
  8. Death certificates
  9. Probate records and wills
  10. Business names (DBA)
  11. Voter records
  12. Historical records
  13. Good to know about Harris County records
  14. Office addresses, phones and hours
  15. Records that are not online: public records requests
  16. Questions people ask
  17. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  18. Sources

Where to get each record

RecordOfficeSearch onlineFee
Deeds and land recordsHarris County Clerk – Real Property Department2Search deeds23Free search, fee for copiesPlain paper copy $1.00 each page (in office); online purchase $.10 per page2345
Property values and ownersHarris Central Appraisal District6Property search7—
Property tax billsHarris County Tax Assessor-Collector6Tax bill search8—
Court casesHarris County District Clerk6
Harris County Clerk's Office6
Harris County Clerk – Probate Courts Department9		District Courts10
County Civil Courts at Law11
Probate Courts9
Justice of the Peace Courts6		District Clerk copies: $1.00 per page paper; electronic $1.00 for 1-10 pages, $.10 per page 11+; certification and seal $5.00 per document12
Marriage recordsHarris County Clerk's Office6Search marriage records6—
Divorce recordsHarris County District Clerk – Family Intake13——
Birth certificatesHarris County Clerk – Personal Records Department14—$23.00 each14
Death certificatesHarris County Clerk – Personal Records Department14—$21.00 first copy, $4.00 each additional copy14
Probate and willsHarris County Clerk – Probate Courts Department9Search probate cases9—
Business names (DBA)Harris County Clerk's Office6Search business names14$24.00 first owner + $.50 each additional owner (notarized); $25.00 + $.50 + $1.00 witnessing fee (non-notarized)14

Deeds and land records

Deeds, mortgages and other land documents for property in Harris County are recorded by the Harris County Clerk – Real Property Department.2

Online search
cclerk.hctx.net/…2Free search, fee for copies
Cost
Free index search; free registered account to view/print watermarked images; unwatermarked/certified copies are paid3
Years online
Images available from 11/1/196011
Copy fee
Plain paper copy $1.00 each page (in office); online purchase $.10 per page2345
Certified copy fee
$5.00 + $1.00 each page (certified paper copy)2
Recording fee
$25.00 first page ($5 first page + $10 archive + $10 management) + $4.00 each additional page; $0.25 each name over five2
How to order
Online via the Document Search Portal account (emailed copies); by Order & Payment Form in person at any annex, by fax (713) 755-4977, email [email protected], or mail to Attn: Public Records, P.O. Box 1525, Houston, TX 7725115
Fraud alerts
Free Property Alert System notifies owners of new filings under their name2

How deeds work in Texas

Property values, owners and tax bills

The Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) sets property values6; the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector (Harris County Tax Office) bills and collects the tax6.

Property search
search.hcad.org7
Tax bill search
hctax.net/Property/Overview (statements, delinquent account search; pay at myharriscountytax.com)8
Appealing a value
Protest to HCAD (online iFile/iSettle); if unresolved, formal Appraisal Review Board hearing16

Full Harris County deeds and property guide: searches, appeals and state rules

How property tax works in Texas

Court records: which clerk keeps which case

CourtCasesRecords kept byCase search
District Courts (civil, family, felony criminal)Felony, civil district, family/divorce, child support; District Clerk also e-files County Criminal Courts at Law (misdemeanor)Harris County District Clerkhcdistrictclerk.com/… Free with registered login10Free search
County Civil Courts at LawCounty-level civil casesHarris County Clerk's Officecclerk.hctx.net/…11
Probate Courts (statutory)Wills, estates, guardianships, mental healthHarris County Clerk – Probate Courts Department (clerk for the Harris County Probate Courts)cclerk.hctx.net/…9
Justice of the Peace CourtsSmall claims, evictions, Class C misdemeanors—jp.hctx.net6
Fees
District Clerk copies: $1.00 per page paper; electronic $1.00 for 1-10 pages, $.10 per page 11+; certification and seal $5.00 per document12

Criminal records and background checks

Full Harris County court guide: each court, its clerk, sealed records and statewide search

How Texas courts keep their files

Marriage records

Kept by the Harris County Clerk's Office.6

Marriage license fee
$81.00; $181.00 without proof of Texas residency for at least one applicant14
Copies
Certified or plain copies in person at any location or via Public Records Department / online portal14

Texas marriage records, statewide

Divorce records

Kept by: Harris County District Clerk14

Texas divorce records: decree or state record

Birth certificates

County Clerk issues short-form birth certificates for anyone born in Texas; holds records for births outside Houston, Baytown, La Porte, South Houston, Jacinto City and JP Precincts 3 & 414

Fee
$23.00 each14
Who may order
Immediate family (self, parents, grandparents, legal spouse, sibling or children) with valid ID14
Online
VitalChek is the clerk's authorized online partner (added convenience fee)14

Ordering a Texas birth certificate

Death certificates

County Clerk, for deaths outside Houston, Baytown, La Porte, South Houston, Jacinto City and JP Precincts 3 & 414

Fee
$21.00 first copy, $4.00 each additional copy14

Ordering a Texas death certificate

Probate records and wills

Kept by the Harris County Clerk – Probate Courts Department (clerk for the Harris County Probate Courts).9

Copies
Order form by fax (713) 222-1177, mail (Attn: Probate Court Department, P.O. Box 1525, Houston, TX 77251) or at any annex15
Will deposit
Wills may be deposited for safekeeping with the County Clerk9

Finding a will or probate case in Texas

Business names (DBA)

Kept by the Harris County Clerk's Office.6

Fee
$24.00 first owner + $.50 each additional owner (notarized); $25.00 + $.50 + $1.00 witnessing fee (non-notarized)14
Term
Up to ten years14

Voter records

Voter registration: Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector & Voter Registrar; elections: County Clerk Elections Department17

Historical records

District court records 1837-1925 viewable in the Historical Documents Room (copies $1.00 per page); some historical documents online free18

Land records from
183619

Good to know about Harris County records

  • County Clerk land records go back to 1836 (Republic of Texas).19
  • District Clerk keeps court records back to 1837; 1837-1925 originals viewable by appointment, with some online free.18
  • Free Property Alert System for deed-fraud monitoring.2
  • Photo ID required to record real property documents in person (counties of 3.3 million+).2
  • County Clerk's online certified copies have no raised seal.15
  • Birth/death records are split: the County Clerk covers areas outside Houston, Baytown, La Porte, South Houston, Jacinto City and JP Precincts 3 & 4, which have their own registrars.14
  • Records Management Preservation and Archive fees rose from $6.00 to $10.00.2

Office addresses, phones and hours

Harris County Clerk's Office

Address
201 Caroline St., 3rd Floor, Houston, TX 77002 (downtown); plus annex locations20
Mail
Teneshia Hudspeth, Harris County Clerk, P.O. Box 1525, Houston, TX 77251-15252
Hours
Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (all locations)20

Harris County Clerk – Real Property Department

Address
201 Caroline, 3rd Floor, Suite 320, Houston, TX 770022
Mail
Teneshia Hudspeth, Harris County Clerk, Attention: Real Property, P.O. Box 1525, Houston, TX 77251-15252
Phone
713-274-8680 (Real Property Department); copies: Public Records Department 713-274-639020
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.2

Harris County District Clerk

Address
1001 Preston, 6th Floor Suite 630c, Houston, Texas 7700213
Mail
P.O. Box 4651, Houston, Texas 77210-465113
Hours
Public lobby Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.13

Harris County District Clerk – Civil Intake (district civil courts)

Address
201 Caroline, 1st Floor, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77002 (District Clerk Civil Intake)13
Mail
P.O. Box 4651, Houston, Texas 77210-465113
Phone
832-927-5600 (Civil Intake)13
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (public lobby)13

Harris County District Clerk – Family Intake

Address
201 Caroline, 2nd Floor, Suite 210, Houston, TX 7700213
Mail
P.O. Box 4651, Houston, Texas 77210-465113
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (public lobby)13

Harris County Clerk – Probate Courts Department (clerk for the Harris County Probate Courts)

Address
Harris County Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline St, 8th Floor, Suite 800, Houston, TX 7700220
Mail
Teneshia Hudspeth, Harris County Clerk, Attn: Probate Court Department, P.O. Box 1525, Houston, TX 7725115
Hours
Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM20

Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD)

Appraisal district, separate from county government

Address
13013 Northwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77040-63057
Hours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM7
Website
hcad.org6

Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector (Harris County Tax Office)

Address
1001 Preston St., Houston, Texas 77002 (downtown)21
Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; closed Wednesdays21
Website
hctax.net6

Harris County Clerk's Office Elections Department (elections)

Address
1001 Preston St., Houston, TX 77002 (County Clerk Elections Department)20
Phone
713-755-6965 (County Clerk Elections Department)20

Harris County Sheriff's Office

Harris County Clerk – Personal Records Department (Vital Statistics desk)

Address
201 Caroline St., 3rd Floor, Houston, TX 77002 and annexes20
Mail
P.O. Box 1525, Houston, TX 77251-15252
Hours
Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM20

Harris County District Clerk – Charles Bacarisse Historical Documents Room

Address
Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline, Suite 200, Houston, TX 7700218
Hours
Monday - Friday, by appointment only18

Records that are not online: public records requests

Where to send it
County Clerk PIA Request, P.O. Box 1525, Houston, TX 77251-152522

How to write a public records request

Questions people ask

How do I get a copy of a deed in Harris County?

The Harris County Clerk – Real Property Department keeps deed records. To order copies: Online via the Document Search Portal account (emailed copies); by Order & Payment Form in person at any annex, by fax (713) 755-4977, email [email protected], or mail to Attn: Public Records, P.O. Box 1525, Houston, TX 77251. Plain copies: Plain paper copy $1.00 each page (in office); online purchase $.10 per page. Certified copies: $5.00 + $1.00 each page (certified paper copy).215

Can I search Harris County land records online for free?

Yes, searching is free; copies cost extra. Free index search; free registered account to view/print watermarked images; unwatermarked/certified copies are paid. The official search: cclerk.hctx.net/…32

How much is a birth certificate in Harris County?

$23.00 each.14

Where do I get a divorce decree in Harris County?

Divorce decrees are court records; ask the Harris County District Clerk.14

How much does a marriage license cost in Harris County?

$81.00; $181.00 without proof of Texas residency for at least one applicant.14

How do I look up who owns a property in Harris County?

Use the property search of the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD): search.hcad.org7

Official copies vs look-alike sites

A certified copy comes only from the office that holds the record; reports and "research copies" sold by commercial sites are not issued by any Harris County office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Other counties in Texas with a full guide: Anderson County, Angelina County, Atascosa County, Bastrop County, Bell County, Bexar County, Bowie County, Brazoria County, Brazos County, Burnet County, Caldwell County, Cameron County, Chambers County, Cherokee County, Collin County, Comal County, Coryell County, Dallas County, Denton County, Ector County, El Paso County, Ellis County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, Grayson County, Gregg County, Guadalupe County, Hardin County, Harrison County, Hays County, Hidalgo County, Hood County, Hunt County, Jefferson County, Johnson County, Kaufman County, Kendall County, Kerr County, Lamar County, Liberty County, Lubbock County, Maverick County, McLennan County, Medina County, Midland County, Montgomery County, Nacogdoches County, Navarro County, Nueces County, Orange County, Parker County, Polk County, Potter County, Randall County, Rockwall County, Rusk County, San Patricio County, Smith County, Starr County, Tarrant County, Taylor County, Tom Green County, Travis County, Val Verde County, Van Zandt County, Victoria County, Walker County, Waller County, Webb County, Williamson County, Wilson County, Wise County, Wood County. Every county in the state: Texas county list.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from. Fees and rules change, so check the office's own page before you pay or travel.

  1. Government Units List 2026US Census Bureauchecked November 4, 2026
  2. Real PropertyHarris County Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  3. Document Search Portal FAQHarris County Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  4. Harris County Clerk's OfficeHarris County, TXchecked November 8, 2026
  5. Web InquiryHarris County, TXchecked November 8, 2026
  6. Harris County, Texas (home page)Harris Countychecked November 4, 2026
  7. Harris Central Appraisal DistrictHarris Central Appraisal District (linked from harriscountytx.gov)checked November 4, 2026
  8. Property Tax OverviewHarris County Tax Assessor-Collectorchecked November 4, 2026
  9. Probate CourtsHarris County Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  10. Search Our Records and DocumentsHarris County District Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  11. Document Search Portal Real PropertyHarris County Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  12. Purchase CopiesHarris County District Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  13. Hours and LocationsHarris County District Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  14. Personal RecordsHarris County Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  15. Document Search Portal homeHarris County Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  16. iFile and iSettleHarris Central Appraisal Districtchecked November 4, 2026
  17. Harris VotesHarris County Clerk's Office Elections Departmentchecked November 4, 2026
  18. Historical DocumentsHarris County District Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  19. Public RecordsHarris County Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  20. Contact Us / LocationsHarris County Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  21. Harris County Tax OfficeHarris County Tax Assessor-Collectorchecked November 4, 2026
  22. Public Information Act (PIA) RequestsHarris County Clerkchecked November 4, 2026
  23. County population totals: Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025)US Census Bureauchecked November 4, 2026