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How to Find Public Records in Montague County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Montague County, Texas, may access publicly available information through MontagueTXRecords.us, which aggregates data related to a broad range of official records maintained by county and state agencies. Montague County government offices maintain records that may include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable exemptions under Texas law. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the date of the record, and whether the document falls within a statutory exemption.

Record categories that members of the public may find include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, liens, and mortgage documents
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax assessment and appraisal records
Business licenses and assumed name filings
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs

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

Online Access: The Montague County District Clerk and County Clerk maintain case information accessible through the Texas Online Records portal. Property appraisal data is available through the Montague County Appraisal District, which publishes assessment records online. Vehicle title and registration records may be accessed through the Montague County Tax Office on TxDMV.gov. Some historical records are available on microfilm through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Montague County Clerk's Office at 101 N. Lafayette Street, Montague, TX 76251. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and complete a written request form available at the public counter.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Montague County Clerk, P.O. Box 77, Montague, TX 76251. Requests must include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Texas Government Code § 552.228, governmental bodies must promptly produce public information upon request.

Phone/Email: The Montague County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (940) 894-2461. Email inquiries may be directed to the office through the county's official website at co.montague.tx.us.

What Are Public Records in Montague County?

Public records in Montague County are defined under the Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code § 552.002, as any information that is collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	District Clerk / County Clerk
Property deeds, liens, mortgages	County Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	County Clerk / Texas DSHS
Tax appraisal and assessment records	Montague County Appraisal District
Vehicle title and registration	Montague County Tax Office
Business/assumed name filings	County Clerk
Voting and election records	County Elections Administrator
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Judge's Office
Law enforcement records	Montague County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Commissioner's Court

Historical county records, including county court minutes dating from 1876, are available on microfilm through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's Montague County records collection.

Is Montague County an Open Records County?

Montague County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552), the state's primary open records statute. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to any person upon request, and governmental bodies are prohibited from requiring a requestor to state a reason for the request. The Texas Attorney General's Office oversees compliance and issues open records rulings when agencies seek to withhold documents.

As the Texas Attorney General's Office states, "The Public Information Act gives the public the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why a person wants the information." Montague County governmental bodies are required to respond to public information requests promptly and, in most cases, within ten business days. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance governing public records access beyond the requirements established by state law.

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

The standard fee structure for public records in Montague County is governed by the Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70, which establishes the charges that governmental bodies may assess for producing public information. Current fees applicable to most requests include:

Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page (letter or legal size)
Certified copies: $1.00 per page (County Clerk documents)
Oversize copies: Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic records: Charges for labor and overhead may apply if the request requires programming or manipulation of data
Postage and shipping: Actual cost when records are mailed
Search fees: May be assessed for requests requiring more than one hour of labor

Inspection of public records at a public counter is available at no charge. Accepted payment methods at the Montague County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Montague County Clerk. Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the governmental body when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the requestor is unable to pay.

Service	Standard Fee
Paper copy (per page)	$0.10
Certified copy	$1.00/page
Electronic copy (simple)	$0.10/page equivalent
In-person inspection	No charge
Postage	Actual cost

Does Montague County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person at the offices of the Montague County Clerk and the Montague County District Clerk during regular business hours. Under the Texas Public Information Act, governmental bodies may not charge a fee for the inspection of records that do not require reproduction. The following resources provide free access to public records:

Montague County Appraisal District: Property appraisal and tax assessment data is available at no cost through the Texas Comptroller's property tax directory for Montague County
Texas Department of Public Safety: The Texas Sex Offender Registration Program provides free public access to the statewide sex offender registry online
Texas State Library and Archives: Certain historical Montague County records on microfilm are accessible at no charge through participating libraries
County Clerk's public access terminal: An on-site terminal at the Montague County Clerk's Office allows free inspection of recorded instruments

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while members of the public may inspect records without charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Montague County?

Any person may request public records in Montague County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, the right to access public information is extended to any individual, and governmental bodies are expressly prohibited from requiring requestors to identify themselves or explain the purpose of their request as a condition of access. Non-residents of Texas retain the same rights as Texas residents with respect to public information requests.

Specific provisions apply to certain record types:

Vital records (birth and death certificates): Access is restricted to authorized individuals as defined by the Texas Health and Safety Code; requestors must provide proof of relationship or legal authority
Juvenile records: Access is limited to parties specified by statute
Personal records requests: Individuals requesting their own records may be required to provide identification to verify identity before restricted personal information is released
Law enforcement records: Certain arrest and incident records may require the requestor to be the subject of the record or an authorized representative

Members of the public requesting records on behalf of another individual or an organization must identify the capacity in which they are acting when required by the maintaining office.

What Records Are Confidential in Montague County?

Texas law establishes a comprehensive set of exemptions to public disclosure. Texas Government Code Chapter 552, Subchapter C, enumerates the categories of information that governmental bodies are authorized or required to withhold. Confidential records in Montague County include:

Sealed court records: Orders of sealing issued by a court of competent jurisdiction
Juvenile records: Records of minors involved in delinquency proceedings, protected under the Texas Family Code
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Information that would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and home addresses of private individuals
Medical and mental health 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: Maintained as confidential by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Personnel records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary records, and certain employment information
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to governmental bodies under a claim of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety

When a governmental body seeks to withhold information, it may request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office, which applies a balancing test to determine whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in confidentiality.

Montague County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Montague County Clerk
101 N. Lafayette Street, Room 1
Montague, TX 76251
(940) 894-2461
Montague County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays

Montague County District Clerk
101 N. Lafayette Street
Montague, TX 76251
(940) 894-2571
Montague County District Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Montague County Tax Assessor-Collector
101 N. Lafayette Street
Montague, TX 76251
(940) 894-3881
Montague County Tax Office