Ector County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Ector County?

Public records in Ector County are defined as information created, collected, or maintained by government entities in the course of official business, as established under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Pursuant to § 552.002, public information encompasses "information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business."

Ector County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate case files maintained by the Ector County District Clerk, including judgments, pleadings, and court orders
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and property assessments maintained by the County Clerk's office
Vital Records: Birth certificates (if born in Ector County), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Assumed name certificates (DBA), alcohol permits, and other business licenses
Tax Records: Property tax statements, payment records, and assessment information maintained by the Ector County Tax Office
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Records: Minutes, agendas, and recordings from the Ector County Commissioners Court and other county boards
Budget and Financial Documents: Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and financial audits
Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest records, incident reports, and jail records accessible through the Ector County Jail Records Inquiry system
Land Use Records: Zoning information, building permits, and property development plans

The primary custodians of these records include:

Ector County Clerk's Office
300 N. Grant Street, Room 111
Odessa, TX 79760
(432) 498-4130
Ector County Clerk

Ector County District Clerk
300 N. Grant Avenue, Room 201
Odessa, TX 79761
(432) 498-4290
Ector County District Clerk

Ector County Tax Assessor-Collector
1010 E. 8th Street
Odessa, TX 79761
(432) 498-4160
Ector County Tax Office

Is Ector County an Open Records County?

Ector County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), which establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public. Under § 552.021 of the Government Code, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body."

The Texas Public Information Act embodies the principle that citizens are entitled to complete information about governmental affairs. As stated in § 552.001(a): "the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government... adheres to the principle that government is the servant and not the master of the people."

Ector County has implemented procedures to ensure compliance with state transparency laws, including the Texas Open Meetings Act (Chapter 551 of the Government Code). The Ector County Commissioners Court regularly posts meeting notices, agendas, and minutes in accordance with these statutes.

County departments have designated public information officers responsible for processing open records requests in accordance with statutory timelines. The county adheres to the state-mandated response period of 10 business days, as specified in § 552.221(d) of the Government Code.

How to Find Public Records in Ector County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Ector County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the Ector County website, which provides a public portal for accessing court records, property information, and meeting documents. The public portal for court records allows users to search cases by name, case number, or filing date.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect or request copies of records:
- For property records, marriage licenses, and assumed name certificates: Visit the County Clerk's office
- For court records: Visit the District Clerk's office
- For tax records: Visit the Tax Assessor-Collector's office
Written Requests: Submit a written public information request to the relevant department. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Clear description of the records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)
Public Information Request Form: The county provides standardized request forms that may be submitted via mail, email, fax, or in person to the appropriate department. These forms are available at county offices and on the county website.
Law Enforcement Records: For jail records and arrest information, the public may access the Ector County Jail Records Inquiry system online or contact the Sheriff's Office directly.
Commissioners Court Records: Agendas, minutes, and recordings of Commissioners Court meetings can be accessed through the Commissioners Court Clerk's webpage.

Pursuant to § 552.221 of the Texas Government Code, county officials must promptly produce public information for inspection or duplication, or provide a written response within 10 business days if the information cannot be produced immediately.

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

Ector County assesses fees for public records in accordance with guidelines established by the Texas Public Information Act and the Office of the Attorney General. Current standard fees include:

Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size
Certified copies: $1.00 per page plus certification fee
Electronic records: Actual cost of production, typically $1.00 per CD/DVD or USB drive provided by the county
Labor charges: $15.00 per hour for requests exceeding 50 pages or requiring programming/manipulation of data
Overhead charges: 20% of labor charge when applicable

Specific record types have statutorily established fees:

Birth certificates: $23.00 per certified copy
Death certificates: $21.00 for first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously
Marriage licenses: $82.00 to issue; $8.00 per certified copy
Property records: Recording fees vary by document type and page count, typically $26.00 for first page and $4.00 for each additional page

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (with processing fee) at most county offices. Some online services may require credit card payment.

Under § 552.267 of the Government Code, a governmental body may waive or reduce fees if doing so is in the public interest. Additionally, § 552.261(d) prohibits charging for inspection of records unless the request requires programming or manipulation of data.

Does Ector County Have Free Public Records?

Ector County provides free inspection of most public records during regular business hours, as required by § 552.221 of the Texas Public Information Act. No fees may be charged for viewing records unless the request requires extensive programming or data manipulation.

Several free online resources are available to access Ector County public records:

The Ector County website provides free access to Commissioners Court agendas, minutes, and county announcements
The Public Portal to Court Records offers free basic case information searches
The Ector County Jail Records Inquiry system provides free access to current inmate information
Property tax information can be searched at no cost through the Ector County Appraisal District website
Voter registration status can be verified at no cost through the Elections Administrator's office

Additionally, the Texas Department of Public Safety maintains certain free public safety records that may include information relevant to Ector County residents.

Government agencies providing free public records access include:

Ector County Elections Administration
221 N. Texas Avenue
Odessa, TX 79761
(432) 498-4030
Ector County Elections

Ector County Appraisal District
1301 E. 8th Street
Odessa, TX 79761
(432) 332-6834
Ector County Appraisal District

Who Can Request Public Records in Ector County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Ector County. Section 552.223 specifically states that "a governmental body may not inquire into the purpose for which information will be used."

Key provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:

Requestors are not required to provide identification for most record types, though certain records (such as birth certificates) may require proof of identity or relationship
Requestors need not state a reason or purpose for their request
Requestors may remain anonymous for many record types, though contact information is necessary if copies are to be mailed or if fees apply
Non-residents of Texas have the same rights to access public information as residents
Incarcerated individuals maintain rights to public information, though with certain limitations under § 552.028

For requests involving sensitive or restricted records, additional requirements may apply:

Birth certificates are available only to the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest
Access to certain criminal history information through the Department of Public Safety may require fingerprinting or other verification
Medical records require authorization from the patient or legal representative
Juvenile records have specific access restrictions under Family Code provisions

Commercial entities may request public information subject to the same rules and fees as individual requestors, though bulk data requests may incur additional charges for programming or data manipulation.

What Records Are Confidential in Ector County?

Certain records maintained by Ector County are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act. Pursuant to § 552.101, information is excepted from disclosure if it is "confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision."

Records that are generally confidential include:

Juvenile court records and law enforcement records concerning juveniles, as protected under Family Code § 58.007
Medical and mental health records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifying information as specified in § 552.147
Certain personnel information including home addresses, phone numbers, emergency contact information, and family information of public employees under § 552.117
Information related to ongoing criminal investigations as provided in § 552.108
Certain economic development negotiation records under § 552.131
Sealed court records, including certain family law matters and expunged criminal records
Adoption records and birth records where parental rights have been terminated
Child abuse and neglect investigation records maintained by protective services
Certain victim information in criminal cases, particularly involving sexual assault or family violence
Critical infrastructure information and security plans under § 552.139

The Texas Attorney General's Office provides guidance on public information exceptions and may issue rulings when the confidentiality of specific information is in question. County officials must request an Attorney General's opinion when withholding information under claimed exceptions, as required by § 552.301.

Ector County applies the "balancing test" established in § 552.102, which requires weighing the public's right to information against individual privacy interests in certain circumstances.

Ector County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Ector County Clerk's Office
300 N. Grant Street, Room 111
Odessa, TX 79760
P.O. Box 707
Odessa, TX 79760
Phone: (432) 498-4130
Fax: (432) 498-4177
Ector County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Ector County Clerk serves as the county recorder and maintains vital records, property records, and other official documents. Services provided include: