Kerrville Tx Public Records serve as the official memory of the city and Kerr County. These files stay open for people to look at under state law. You can see details about births, deaths, marriages, and land ownership. The county keeps papers going back to 1881. You can search for court cases from 1987 until now. Law enforcement files for the jail and police start from 1991. This data helps people check facts about neighbors, property, or legal history. Most of these files sit in digital form on the web. You can view them from home or go to the office in person. The city and county must share these papers if you ask for them.
Topical Authority Improvement Plan
- Add details about the Kerr Central Appraisal District for land tax values.
- Explain how to get a Doing Business As (DBA) name through the clerk.
- List the steps for looking up voter registration and local election data.
- Discuss the role of the Justice of the Peace in small claims cases.
- Describe how to see the Sheriff sale list for foreclosed homes.
- Include data on how to request body camera footage from local police.
- Show how to search for historical probate files and wills.
User Intent Map
| User Need | Intent Type | How This Content Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Lookup a birth certificate | Transactional | Provides the exact office address, fees, and years available. |
| Check property taxes | Informational | Links to the Tax Assessor search tool and GIS maps. |
| Read police reports | Navigational | Details the City of Kerrville Police records division process. |
| Search court dockets | Informational | Explains the online court portal and case numbering system. |
| Verify a marriage | Informational | Lists the archive dates for marriage licenses starting in 1900. |
Kerr County Clerk Vital Statistics
The County Clerk keeps the most personal files for local residents. These files are called vital records. They track big life events. You can look for birth and death certificates. These files start from the year 1900. The clerk also keeps marriage licenses and divorce papers. To get a copy, you must prove who you are. You need a valid ID from the government. The office charges a fee for these papers. A birth certificate usually costs $12. The clerk makes sure these files stay safe for a long time. You can search for the names of parents or the date of the event in the online index.
Marriage records in Kerr County are very old. Some go back to 1881. The clerk has scanned these old books into the computer. You can see who got married and who signed the paper. This is great for people looking at family trees. If you need a certified copy for a legal reason, you must pay. The clerk can print it and put a gold seal on it. This seal shows the paper is real. You can visit the office at 700 Main Street to look at the books yourself. They have computers set up for the public to use every day during work hours.
Kerrville Police Department Records Division
The Kerrville Police Department keeps files on crimes and accidents. These files include incident reports and arrest logs. If a car crash happens, the police write a report. You can ask for a copy of this report. The Records Section handles these asks. They follow the Texas Public Information Act. This law says the police must share most files. Some files stay private if the case is still open. The Records Supervisor is Jaime Martinez. He and his team help people get the papers they need. They process about 150 asks every month.
You can get police papers in three ways. First, you can go to the kiosk at 220 N Broadway. Second, you can use the online form on the city website. Third, you can send an email. Most papers take about two days to get. Traffic crash reports might cost a small fee. The department also has a crime map. This map shows where crimes happened lately. It uses dots on a map of the city. This helps you see if your street is safe. The map gets new data every week from the city’s GIS system.
Kerr County District Court Files
The District Clerk looks after court files. These are different from the files at the County Clerk. The District Clerk handles big cases. These include felony crimes and large lawsuits. They also handle child custody and land disputes. Most of these files start from 1987 in the computer system. Before 1987, the files are on paper or film. You can look at the court docket online. A docket is a list of everything that happened in a case. It shows the judge’s name and the final choice made in court.
The court portal allows you to search by name or case number. If you are a lawyer, you can log in to see more files. Regular people can see the summaries. You can pay court fees through the portal too. They take credit cards and electronic checks. When you pay, you get a number to prove it. If the website breaks, you can email the IT team at it@co.kerr.tx.us. They will give you a ticket and help you. The office is in the main courthouse in downtown Kerrville. It is a busy place where people file new lawsuits every day.
Land and Property Records in Kerr County
If you want to buy a house in Kerrville, you must check the land records. These files show who owns a piece of dirt. The records include deeds, liens, and mortgages. A deed is a paper that moves ownership from one person to another. A lien is a debt put on the property. These files go back to 1881. You can search for them by the owner’s name. The county uses a system called GIS to map every lot. This map shows where the pipes and flood zones are. It helps you know if a house might get wet in a big rain.
The Tax Assessor also keeps property files. They decide how much a house is worth. This value tells you how much tax the owner must pay. You can search for any address in Kerr County. The search shows the history of tax payments. It also shows if the owner owes money from past years. You can see a picture of the house and a sketch of the land. These files help people who want to buy land. You can print a tax bill right from your computer. The office updates these values every year in the spring.
Public Information Act Requests
The State of Texas has a law called the Public Information Act. This law lets you ask for any record kept by the city. The City of Kerrville has ten days to answer you. Angela Peters is the person who tracks these asks. She makes sure the city follows the law. Sometimes the city charges money for copies. Each page costs 15 cents. If the job is big, they might charge for the time it takes to look for the files. They will give you a price before they start the work. You can send your ask by mail or fax.
Not every file is public. Some files are secret. For example, your social security number is private. Peace officer home addresses are also hidden. If the city wants to keep a file secret, they must ask the Texas Attorney General. The Attorney General makes the final choice. If the file is public, the city gives you a link to download it. This link usually lasts for two days. After two days, the link stops working. You should save the files to your own computer right away. This keeps the data safe for your use later.
Criminal History and Jail Records
The Kerr County Sheriff keeps the jail records. These files show who is in jail right now. They also show who was in jail in the past. The records go back to March 1991. You can see the person’s name, the day they went in, and the day they left. These files include “mugshots.” A mugshot is a photo taken when a person gets arrested. You can also see what crime they are accused of doing. This data is part of the public record. Many people check these files to see if a friend or family member is in trouble.
The sheriff also tracks warrants. A warrant is a paper from a judge that says the police can arrest someone. You can search the warrant list to see who the police are looking for. The list shows the name and the crime. If you see your name, you should talk to a lawyer. The county also shares data on felony convictions. This shows if a person was found guilty in court. These files help bosses check the background of people who want a job. The sheriff’s office works with the state to keep these files correct and fresh.
Business and Election Records
Kerr County handles business filings too. If you start a small business, you might need an “Assumed Name.” People also call this a DBA. You file this paper with the County Clerk. It tells the public who owns the shop. There are over 1,000 active businesses on file. You can search the list to see if a name is already taken. This helps you pick a unique name for your new company. The clerk also keeps files for corporations and LLCs. Each file shows the address of the business and the name of the boss.
Election results are also part of the public record. After every vote, the clerk posts the totals. You can see how many people voted in each part of the county. The files show which person won and which person lost. You can see the data from the 2022 elections online right now. This includes the count for local, state, and national races. You can also look at voter registration files. These files show who is signed up to vote. They do not show how a person voted, only that they are on the list. This data helps people see how many people are active in local politics.
How to Search Kerrville Records Online
Searching for files online is the fastest way to get data. Most county offices have their own search tools. The County Clerk has a site for land and vital records. The District Clerk has a site for court cases. The Tax Assessor has a site for property values. You should start by picking the right office for your needs. If you want to know about a birth, go to the County Clerk. If you want to know about a lawsuit, go to the District Clerk. Each site has a search box where you type a name or a date.
Some sites require you to create an account. This is usually free. Once you log in, you can see the files. You can save them as PDF files on your phone or computer. If the site is hard to use, look for the “Help” or “FAQ” button. These pages tell you how to filter the results. For example, you can search for only “Criminal” cases or only “Civil” cases. This makes the list smaller and easier to read. The county IT team works hard to keep these sites running fast. They did an update in February 2024 to make the pages load quicker for everyone.
Fees and Costs for Public Records
Most records are free to look at on a computer screen. If you want a paper copy, you must pay. The state sets the rules for how much the county can charge. This keeps the prices fair. If you need a certified copy, it costs more than a plain copy. A certified copy has a seal that makes it a legal paper. You need these for things like getting a passport or starting a new job. The table below shows some common costs for files in Kerr County.
| Record Type | Cost (Standard) | Cost (Certified) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | N/A | $12.00 |
| Marriage License Copy | $1.00 per page | $10.00 |
| Court Document | $0.15 per page | $5.00 + page fee |
| Police Accident Report | $6.00 | $8.00 |
| Land Deed Copy | $1.00 per page | $5.00 + page fee |
Historical Archives and Genealogy
Kerrville has a rich history that stays in the record books. People who study family history love the clerk’s office. You can find files from the late 1800s. These old papers show who the first settlers were. You can see where they bought land and when they died. The county has a “Historical Marriage Index” for the years 1881 to 1950. This is a big list of names in a PDF file. You can search it for your great-grandparents. These records tell the story of how Kerrville grew from a small camp to a busy city.
Some old files are very fragile. The clerk has put them on microfilm or digital scans to protect them. This way, you can look at the images without touching the old paper. The city also keeps records of old meetings and laws. You can see what the city leaders talked about 50 years ago. These files are kept in climate-controlled rooms. This keeps the paper from turning yellow or falling apart. If you want to see the really old stuff, you might need to make an appointment. The staff will help you find the right box or book in the basement archive.
Contact Details for Local Record Offices
If you need to talk to someone about records, use the list below. These offices are open Monday through Friday. They usually close for lunch and holidays. It is a good idea to call before you drive there. This ensures the person you need is at their desk. The main offices are in downtown Kerrville. There is parking around the courthouse for the public to use.
- Kerr County Clerk: 700 Main St, Suite 122, Kerrville, TX 78028. Phone: (830) 792-2255.
- Kerr County District Clerk: 700 Main St, Suite 236, Kerrville, TX 78028. Phone: (830) 792-2281.
- Kerrville Police Records: 220 N Broadway, Kerrville, TX 78028. Phone: (830) 257-8181.
- Kerr County Tax Assessor: 700 Main St, Suite 124, Kerrville, TX 78028. Phone: (830) 792-2242.
- City of Kerrville Records Custodian: 215 S Main St, Kerrville, TX 78028. Phone: (830) 257-8000.
Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday – Friday)
Related Search Links
Check these other sites for more data about people and events in the area.
Who Got Busted Shooting Backgrounds Norwalk Public Records Office Abilene Tx Taylor County Jail Mugshots
Frequently Asked Questions about Kerrville Records
People often have questions about how to get files in Kerrville and what those files contain. The process can seem tricky if you have never done it before. These answers help explain the rules and the best way to get the facts you need. Most tasks involve simple steps like filling out a form or visiting a website. Knowing the difference between the various clerks and offices saves you time and stress.
How do I get a copy of my birth certificate in Kerrville?
To get a birth certificate, you must go to the Kerr County Clerk’s office. You can also send a request by mail. You must be the person on the record or a close family member like a parent or child. You need to show a photo ID like a driver’s license. The cost is $12 for a certified copy. They accept cash, checks, and credit cards. If you were born in another part of Texas, the clerk can still help you. They use a state system to print birth certificates for anyone born in Texas. This makes it easy if you live in Kerrville but were born somewhere else like San Antonio or Austin. The process takes about 15 minutes if you go in person. If you mail the request, it might take a week to get it back.
Are criminal records in Kerrville open to the public?
Yes, most criminal records are open for anyone to see. This includes data about arrests, court dates, and final sentences. You can search the District Clerk’s website for felony cases. For smaller crimes like misdemeanors, you check the County Clerk’s files. The Sheriff’s office also has a list of people currently in jail. You can see the name of the person, their age, and why they were arrested. Some records are hidden, such as cases involving children or cases that were wiped clean by a judge. If a person was found not guilty, the record still exists but it will show that they were cleared of the charges. Bosses and landlords use these files to check the history of people they might hire or rent to. You do not need a special reason to look at these files.
How can I find out who owns a house in Kerrville?
You can find the owner of any house by looking at the property records. The best place to start is the Kerr County Tax Assessor’s website. You type in the address and the site shows the owner’s name. It also shows how much the land and house are worth. If you want to see the legal papers for the sale, go to the County Clerk’s land records site. These papers are called deeds. They show when the house was sold and how much the buyer paid. You can also see if there are any liens on the house. A lien means the owner owes money to someone else. These files are very useful if you are thinking about buying a property. You can see the history of everyone who has owned the land for the last 100 years.
How long does it take to get a police report in Kerrville?
A police report usually takes about two to five business days to be ready. After an officer writes a report, it must be checked and approved by a supervisor. Once that is done, the Records Division can give you a copy. You can ask for the report online or at the police station. If the case is still being investigated, the police might not give you the full report yet. They might give you a “public piece” that shows the basic facts but leaves out the secret details. For simple things like a car crash, the report is almost always ready quickly. You will need the case number to find it faster. If you don’t have the number, you can search by the date and the names of the people involved. There is a small fee of $6 for most crash reports.
Can I search for Kerrville marriage records online?
Yes, you can search for marriage records online through the Kerr County Clerk’s portal. The online index allows you to search by the name of the groom or the bride. It will show the date they got married and the volume and page number of the record book. You can see the names for free. If you want to see the actual image of the marriage license, you might need to pay a small fee or visit the office. The online search goes back many decades. For very old records from the 1800s, you might need to look at the scanned PDF index files on the county website. Marriage records are public, so anyone can look them up. This is helpful for legal matters, changing your name, or doing research on your ancestors.
What do I do if my request for a record is denied?
If the city or county says “no” to your request, they must tell you why in writing. They must point to a specific part of the Texas law that allows them to keep the record secret. Common reasons for denial include privacy laws, ongoing police work, or attorney-client secrets. If you think the denial is wrong, you can contact the Texas Attorney General’s Office. They have a team that handles disputes about public information. You can file a complaint, and the state will review the case. If the state decides the record should be public, they will order the city to give it to you. Most of the time, the city will work with you to give you a redacted version. A redacted version is a copy with the secret parts blacked out so you can still see the rest of the data.
Where can I see the latest election results for Kerr County?
The latest election results are posted on the Kerr County Clerk’s website under the “Elections” tab. After the polls close on election night, the clerk updates the page as the votes are counted. You can see the results for each precinct, which are small areas within the county. The results show the total votes for each candidate and the number of people who voted early or by mail. After the election is officially finished, the clerk posts a final report that is signed and verified. You can also find historical results from past years on the same site. This data is free for everyone to see and is a key part of how the local government stays open and honest with the voters.