Upshur County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Upshur County?

Public records in Upshur County are defined under the Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code § 552.002, as any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. Upshur County is located in the eastern part of Texas, with Gilmer serving as the county seat, and its governmental offices maintain a broad range of records accessible to members of the public.

The following categories of records are currently available through various Upshur County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Upshur County District Clerk and County Clerk's offices.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are filed with the County Clerk and the Upshur County Appraisal District.
Vital records — Birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees are maintained by the Upshur County Clerk's Office, which handles applications for these documents directly.
Business records — Assumed name certificates (fictitious business names), permits, and related filings are recorded with the County Clerk.
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Upshur County Appraisal District and the County Tax Assessor-Collector.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are administered by the County Clerk in the capacity of elections administrator.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of Upshur County Commissioners Court meetings, including agendas and approved minutes, are maintained by the County Judge's office and the County Clerk.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records are public documents maintained by the County Auditor.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Upshur County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Plats, subdivision records, and related land use documents are filed with the County Clerk.

Is Upshur County an Open Records County?

Upshur County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), which governs public access to government records throughout the state. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to any person, and a governmental body must promptly produce requested records upon receipt of a written request. The TPIA establishes that government information is presumed to be available to the public, and any withholding of records must be justified by a specific statutory exception.

Key provisions of the TPIA applicable to Upshur County include:

Governmental bodies must respond to public information requests within ten business days of receipt.
If a governmental body seeks to withhold information, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days.
Requestors are not required to state a reason or purpose for their request.

Upshur County operates in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public and that advance notice be posted. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the limitations established by state law.

How to Find Public Records in Upshur County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Upshur County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a public information request:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office maintains the record being sought. The County Clerk holds vital records, property filings, and court records; the Sheriff's Office holds law enforcement records; and the Tax Assessor-Collector holds tax records.
Submit a written request. Under the TPIA, requests must be submitted in writing. Requests may be delivered in person, by mail, by fax, or by email to the appropriate office.
Reference the record specifically. Provide sufficient detail to allow the office to identify and locate the requested record, including names, dates, case numbers, or property descriptions as applicable.
Await confirmation. The receiving office is required to acknowledge the request and either produce the records or notify the requestor of any exceptions within ten business days.
Request online records where available. Certain records, including marriage and divorce verifications, may be accessed through the Texas Department of State Health Services online portal.
Request crash reports online. Traffic collision records may be obtained through the Texas Department of Transportation crash reports and records system, which collects reports from law enforcement agencies statewide.

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

Standard fees apply to the reproduction and certification of public records in Upshur County, consistent with the cost provisions established under Texas Government Code § 552.261, which authorizes governmental bodies to charge for the actual cost of producing copies.

Current fees applicable to common record types include:

Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page for black-and-white letter or legal size copies, as established by the Texas Office of the Attorney General's cost rules.
Certified copies of vital records: Fees for certified birth and death certificates are set by the Texas Department of State Health Services; the County Clerk may charge a separate local fee for records maintained at the county level.
Property record copies: Fees vary depending on the number of pages and whether certification is requested.
Oversize documents and electronic media: Additional charges may apply for records produced in non-standard formats.

Accepted payment methods at Upshur County offices generally include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the applicable county office. 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 and applicable state guidelines.

Does Upshur County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at Upshur County offices during regular business hours. Under the Texas Public Information Act, governmental bodies are not permitted to charge for the inspection of records that do not require reproduction. Members of the public may inspect records in person without incurring a fee.

The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection at the Upshur County Clerk's Office, where members of the public may review property records, court filings, and other documents without charge.
Online access to certain county records through the official Upshur County government portal, which provides access to publicly available information maintained by county departments.
State-level online verification for marriage and divorce records through the Texas DSHS, which offers a no-cost verification option for certain vital record inquiries.

Who Can Request Public Records in Upshur County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is entitled to request public information from Upshur County governmental bodies. The Texas Public Information Act does not restrict access to Texas residents, and non-residents retain the same rights of access as county residents under current law.

Specific eligibility provisions include:

No residency requirement: Requestors are not required to be residents of Upshur County or the State of Texas.
No identification requirement for most records: Governmental bodies generally may not require requestors to provide identification as a condition of receiving public information, except where the nature of the record requires verification of identity (e.g., records containing the requestor's own personal information).
No stated purpose required: Requestors are not obligated to explain why they are seeking a record.
Restrictions for certain record types: Access to juvenile records, sealed court files, and certain law enforcement records may be limited to authorized individuals, such as the subject of the record, legal guardians, or licensed attorneys.
Requesting one's own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves may be required to provide proof of identity to prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Upshur County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Upshur County governmental bodies are exempt from public disclosure under Texas law. Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.158 enumerates specific categories of information that are confidential and not subject to public release.

Exempt and confidential record categories include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals under the age of 18 who are involved in juvenile proceedings are confidential under the Texas Family Code.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Information related to active law enforcement investigations is exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with the investigation or prosecution.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are protected from disclosure.
Medical records: Health information protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is not subject to public release.
Adoption records: Records pertaining to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only to authorized parties.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records: Certain employee records, including performance evaluations and disciplinary files, are exempt, though basic employment information such as job title and salary may be public.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to governmental bodies in confidence is protected from disclosure.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Information relating to the security of public facilities and infrastructure is exempt from disclosure.

Where a governmental body seeks to withhold information, it must submit the disputed records to the Texas Attorney General's Office for a ruling, and the requestor must be notified of this process.

Upshur County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Upshur County Clerk serves as the primary custodian of official county records, including property documents, vital records, court filings, and election records. Members of the public may visit the office in person during posted business hours or submit requests by mail or electronic communication.

Upshur County Clerk's Office 405 N. Titus St., Gilmer, TX 75644 (903) 843-4015 Upshur County Clerk's Office

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official county holidays.

Upshur County Sheriff's Office 405 N. Titus St., Gilmer, TX 75644 (903) 843-2541 Upshur County

Upshur County Tax Assessor-Collector 405 N. Titus St., Gilmer, TX 75644 (903) 843-3085 Upshur County