Midland County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Midland County?

Public records in Midland County, Texas, are defined under the Texas Public Information Act as any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. This definition encompasses a broad range of documents, data, and recordings regardless of physical form or medium.

The following record types are currently available through various Midland County offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Midland County District Clerk and County Clerk
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments) — maintained by the Midland County Clerk and Appraisal District
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the Midland County Clerk and the Texas Department of State Health Services
Business records (assumed name certificates, permits, and business licenses) — maintained by the Midland County Clerk
Tax records (property tax assessments and payment histories) — maintained by the Midland County Tax Assessor-Collector
Voting and election records — maintained by the Midland County Elections Office
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commissioners court, boards, and commissions) — maintained by the Midland County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — available through the Midland County Auditor's Office
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the City of Midland Planning Department

Members of the public may access many of these records through the Midland County Clerk's official portal or by submitting a written request to the appropriate custodial office.

Is Midland County an Open Records County?

Midland County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act, which governs public access to government records throughout the state. Under Texas Government Code § 552.001, it is the policy of the State of Texas that each person is entitled to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees. This statute establishes a strong presumption in favor of disclosure, placing the burden on the governmental body to demonstrate that a requested record falls within a recognized exception.

Key provisions of the Act currently in effect include:

Governmental bodies must promptly produce requested information, generally within ten business days of receiving a written request
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 for their request

Midland County operates in accordance with these provisions and does not impose additional local restrictions beyond those authorized by state law. The county's compliance with Texas sunshine laws ensures that commissioners court meetings, budget deliberations, and other official proceedings remain open to the public.

How to Find Public Records in Midland County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Midland County public records through several established channels. The following steps outline the current process for submitting a records request:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record type being sought. Court records are held by the District or County Clerk; property and vital records are held by the County Clerk; tax records are held by the Tax Assessor-Collector.
Submit a written request. Requests may be submitted in person at the relevant office, by mail, or by email. Under the Texas Public Information Act, requests must be directed to the designated Public Information Coordinator (PIC) for each governmental body. The PIC contact information database maintained by the Office of the Attorney General lists the designated contact for Midland County entities, including Midland County Hospital District d/b/a Midland Memorial Hospital at 400 Rosalind Redfern Grover Pkwy, Midland, TX 79701.
Provide sufficient detail. Requests should include the type of record, relevant names, dates, case numbers, or parcel identification numbers to facilitate timely retrieval.
Pay applicable fees. Upon notification of the cost estimate, requestors must remit payment before copies are released.
Receive records. The governmental body must respond within ten business days, either by producing the records, requesting an Attorney General ruling, or notifying the requestor of a reasonable time estimate for production.

Federal court records for cases filed in Midland are accessible through the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, which maintains a divisional office in Midland at 200 E. Wall Street, Midland, TX 79701.

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

Current fees for public records in Midland County are governed by Texas Government Code § 552.261, which authorizes the Texas Office of the Attorney General to set a standard charge schedule for copies of public information. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
Oversized copies: Actual cost of reproduction for maps, blueprints, or non-standard formats
Certified copies: Vital records and official documents carry additional certification fees set by statute; certified copies of birth or death certificates are currently $22.00 per copy through the County Clerk
Labor charges: When a request requires more than 50 pages, a labor charge of $15.00 per hour (or the actual hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of fulfilling the request) may apply
Overhead charges: An overhead charge of 20 percent of the labor charge may be assessed for requests requiring substantial retrieval time

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are available under § 552.267 for requestors who demonstrate that release of the information is in the public interest and that the requestor is unable to pay. Fees for driver record requests are administered separately through the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division.

Does Midland County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Texas law. Governmental bodies are not permitted to charge for the inspection of records on-site; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following free access options are currently available:

In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect records at the Midland County Clerk's Office, District Clerk's Office, and other custodial offices during regular business hours at no charge
Online portals: The Midland County Appraisal District provides free online access to property appraisal data and ownership records through its public search tool
Court records online: Basic case information for district and county court cases is accessible at no charge through the Texas Online Public Access portal maintained by the Office of Court Administration
Election records: Voter registration data and election results are available at no charge through the Midland County Elections Office and the Texas Secretary of State's website

Who Can Request Public Records in Midland County?

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — is entitled to request public information from Midland County governmental bodies. Under Texas Government Code § 552.001, the right of access to public information is not conditioned upon the requestor being a Texas resident or providing identification. Specifically:

Residency: Non-residents of Midland County and non-residents of Texas retain full rights to request public records
Identification: Requestors are generally not required to provide identification unless accessing records that contain restricted personal information or requesting certified copies of vital records
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request; governmental bodies may not inquire as to the intended use of the information
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records, are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or by court order
Requesting one's own records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal criminal history or driving records, may be required to provide proof of identity to ensure proper disclosure

What Records Are Confidential in Midland County?

Not all government-held information is subject to public disclosure. Texas Government Code Chapter 552 enumerates numerous categories of information that are currently exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following record types are treated as confidential under applicable law:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals under 17 years of age in delinquency proceedings are confidential under the Texas Family Code
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Information held by law enforcement that, if released, would interfere with an active investigation is exempt under § 552.108
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are protected from disclosure
Medical records: Patient health information is protected under both HIPAA and Texas Health & Safety Code provisions; records maintained by entities such as Midland Memorial Hospital are subject to these protections
Adoption records: Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services are confidential
Personnel records: Employee performance evaluations and certain personnel file contents are exempt, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions involving public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a governmental body is protected under § 552.110
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Information that could compromise public safety or government facility security is exempt from disclosure

When a governmental body believes a requested record falls within an exemption, it must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within the statutory deadline rather than unilaterally withholding the information.

Midland County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Midland County Clerk serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, liens, assumed name certificates, vital records, and commissioners court minutes.

Midland County Clerk's Office 200 W. Wall Street, Suite 105 Midland, TX 79701 (432) 688-4500 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding county holidays) Midland County Clerk

Midland County District Clerk's Office 500 N. Loraine Street, Suite 300 Midland, TX 79701 (432) 688-4540 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Midland County District Clerk

Midland County Tax Assessor-Collector 2110 N. A Street Midland, TX 79705 (432) 688-4810 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Midland County Tax Assessor-Collector

Midland Central Appraisal District 4631 Andrews Highway Midland, TX 79703 (432) 699-4991 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Midland Central Appraisal District

Midland County Sheriff's Office 400 S. Main Street Midland, TX 79701 (432) 688-4600 Midland County Sheriff's Office