Kleberg County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Kleberg County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through KlebergRecords.us, a directory resource that aggregates data related to public records maintained by Kleberg County and its affiliated agencies. The types of records that may be located through official channels include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, business registrations, and meeting minutes. Access to specific records depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law exemptions.

Records in Kleberg County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The Kleberg County official website provides access to select county records and department contacts.
The Texas Department of State Health Services allows residents to order Texas vital records online for births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that occurred in Texas.
Property records and appraisal data are searchable through the Kleberg County Appraisal District's online portal.
Court case information may be accessed through the Texas Judicial Branch's online case search tools.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Kleberg County Clerk's Office to inspect or request copies of records. The office is located at 700 E. King Avenue, Kingsville, Texas 78363. 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 relevant identifying details.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Kleberg County Clerk's Office at 700 E. King Avenue, Kingsville, TX 78363. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, 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 requests promptly and no later than ten business days after receipt.

Phone/Email:

Kleberg County Clerk's Office: (361) 595-8548
Email inquiries may be directed through the county's official website contact portal.

What Are Public Records in Kleberg County?

Public records in Kleberg County are defined under 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. The following record types are maintained by county offices and are accessible to the public, subject to applicable exemptions:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records	Kleberg County District Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens	Kleberg County Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)	Kleberg County Clerk / Texas DSHS
Business licenses and permits	Kleberg County Clerk
Property tax and assessment records	Kleberg County Appraisal District
Voting and election records	Kleberg County Elections Administrator
Meeting minutes and agendas	Kleberg County Judge's Office
Budget and financial documents	Kleberg County Auditor
Arrest logs and incident reports	Kleberg County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Kleberg County Planning Department

The local vital record offices directory maintained by Texas DSHS identifies the Kleberg County Clerk as the designated local custodian for birth, death, and marriage records.

Is Kleberg County an Open Records County?

Kleberg County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified at Texas Government Code § 552.001 et seq., which governs public access to government records throughout the state. The Act establishes that government is the servant 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.

As stated in the Act: "The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know." This foundational principle applies to all county offices and departments within Kleberg County.

The Texas Attorney General's Office provides oversight and guidance on open records compliance. Governmental bodies that seek to withhold records must request a ruling from the Attorney General's Office within ten business days of receiving a public information request. Kleberg County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance, as the TPIA governs all public entities within the state.

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

The standard fee structure for public records in Kleberg County follows the cost guidelines established by the Texas Office of the Attorney General under the TPIA. Current fees applicable to most record requests are as follows:

Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page (letter or legal size, black and white)
Oversized copies: Actual cost of reproduction
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; the Kleberg County Clerk charges statutory certification fees set by the Texas Local Government Code
Electronic records: Charges may apply for programming time or media costs if the request requires data manipulation
Postage and shipping: Actual cost if records are mailed
Personnel time: Labor charges may apply for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive retrieval

Accepted payment methods at the Kleberg 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 the TPIA cost rules. Vital record copy fees are set separately by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Does Kleberg County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under the Texas Public Information Act, which does not permit governmental bodies to charge for the mere inspection of records at a public counter or terminal. The distinction between free inspection and paid copies is significant: viewing records in person at a county office carries no charge, while obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following resources provide free access to Kleberg County records:

Kleberg County Clerk's Office public access terminals: Members of the public may inspect property records, deed indexes, and related instruments at no cost during regular business hours.
Texas DSHS vital records index: Certain index information is accessible without charge through the state's online systems.
Kleberg County Appraisal District online portal: Property appraisal data and ownership information are available at no cost through the district's public search tool.
Texas Judicial Branch case search: Basic court case information is searchable at no charge through the state's online court records system.

Who Can Request Public Records in Kleberg County?

Any person may request public records from Kleberg County governmental bodies under the Texas Public Information Act. Requestors are not required to be Texas residents, to provide identification, or to state the purpose of their request as a condition of access to non-restricted records. The Act applies equally to individuals, organizations, businesses, and members of the media.

Specific considerations apply in the following circumstances:

Identification: Requestors are not required to identify themselves for standard public records requests, though identification may be required for certified copies of vital records to verify eligibility.
Vital records access: Birth and death certificates are subject to access restrictions under Texas Health and Safety Code § 191.0045, which limits certified copies to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a documented legal interest.
Criminal history records: Requests for individual criminal history information are subject to additional requirements under Texas Government Code Chapter 411.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records may be entitled to access information that would otherwise be withheld from third parties, particularly in the context of personnel or medical records.

Non-residents of Texas retain the same rights as residents to access public records under the TPIA, with no geographic restriction on eligibility.

What Records Are Confidential in Kleberg County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act enumerates specific exemptions, and additional confidentiality provisions appear throughout the Texas statutes. The following records are not subject to public release:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under Texas Family Code Chapter 58.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Information related to active law enforcement investigations is exempt under the TPIA.
Social Security numbers and financial account data: Personal identifying information is protected from disclosure.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and 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: Confidential under Texas Family Code provisions.
Personnel records: Employee personal information, including home addresses and performance evaluations, is exempt with limited exceptions.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a governmental body under a claim of confidentiality.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.

Governmental bodies that seek to withhold records on the basis of an exemption must submit a request for a ruling to the Texas Attorney General's Office, which determines whether the claimed exemption applies.

Kleberg County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Kleberg County Clerk's Office
700 E. King Avenue
Kingsville, TX 78363
(361) 595-8548
Kleberg County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

The Kleberg County Clerk serves as the official custodian of property records, deed filings, marriage licenses, assumed name certificates, commissioners court minutes, and local vital records. Certified copies of birth and death records may also be obtained through the Texas DSHS local vital records office designation for Kleberg County.

Kleberg County District Clerk's Office
700 E. King Avenue, Room 303
Kingsville, TX 78363
(361) 595-8585
Kleberg County District Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The District Clerk maintains civil, criminal, family, and probate court records for the 105th Judicial District. Appeals from district court proceedings in Kleberg County are heard by the Thirteenth Court of Appeals, which serves the Corpus Christi and Edinburg areas across twenty counties.

Kleberg County Appraisal District
500 E. Caesar Avenue
Kingsville, TX 78363
(361) 592-9747
Kleberg County Appraisal District