Burnet County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Burnet County?

Public records in Burnet County 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. Under Texas Government Code § 552.002, this definition encompasses records in any physical form, including paper documents, electronic files, photographs, and audio or video recordings.

Members of the public may access a broad range of record types maintained by Burnet County offices. The following categories are currently available through the appropriate county departments:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files maintained by the Burnet County District Clerk and County Clerk
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements maintained by the Burnet County Clerk
Vital records — birth and death certificates (Texas Department of State Health Services), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees (County Clerk)
Business records — assumed name (DBA) filings and business licenses maintained by the County Clerk
Tax records — property tax assessments and payment histories maintained by the Burnet County Appraisal District
Voting and election records — voter registration rolls and election results maintained by the County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas — Commissioners Court minutes and board agendas available through the County Clerk and posted on the county website
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets and audited financial statements maintained by the County Auditor
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, maintained by the Burnet County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — plat maps and development permits maintained by the County Engineer and relevant municipal planning departments

Is Burnet County an Open Records County?

Burnet County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act, which establishes the right of the public to access government records. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to any person upon request, and governmental bodies are required to promptly produce responsive records. The Act further provides, under § 552.228, that a governmental body must respond to a written request no later than ten business days after the date of receipt.

The county operates in accordance with Texas "sunshine" laws, which mandate transparency in governmental operations and public access to official documents. The Burnet County Attorney's Office serves as the designated public information coordinator, as listed in the PIC Contact Information Database maintained by the Office of the Texas Attorney General. Requests for public information may be directed to that office, and the county is obligated to either produce the records, request a ruling from the Attorney General, or assert a specific statutory exception within the prescribed timeframe.

How to Find Public Records in Burnet County in 2026

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

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the records sought — for example, the County Clerk for property and vital records, the District Clerk for court filings, or the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement records.
Submit a written request. Under the Texas Public Information Act, requests must be submitted in writing. Requests may be delivered in person, by mail, by fax, or by email to the designated public information officer.
Provide sufficient detail. Requests should describe the records sought with enough specificity to allow the governmental body to locate them. Requestors are not required to state a reason for the request.
Await a response. The governmental body must acknowledge the request and either produce the records or notify the requestor of any applicable exceptions within ten business days.
Access records online. Certain records, including property appraisal data and court case information, are currently available through online portals maintained by the Burnet County Appraisal District and the county's official website.
Visit in person. Members of the public may inspect records at the relevant county office during regular business hours without charge.

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

Current fees for public records in Burnet County are governed by the Texas Public Information Act and the cost rules established by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. Standard fees applicable to most requests 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, plats, or non-standard formats
Electronic records: Charges for labor, overhead, and any required programming may apply when records are not readily available in electronic form
Certified copies: Vital records and official documents carry statutory certification fees set by the Texas Legislature; birth and death certificate copies are currently $22.00 per copy through the Texas Department of State Health Services
Postage and delivery: Actual postage costs may be charged when records are mailed

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county department. Under Texas Government Code § 552.261, a governmental body may not charge fees that exceed the actual cost of producing the records. Fee waivers may be available when the requestor demonstrates that release of the information primarily benefits the general public rather than a private interest.

Does Burnet County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Burnet County. Under the Texas Public Information Act, members of the public have the right to inspect records at the custodial office at no charge during regular business hours. Charges apply only when copies are requested.

The following government resources currently provide free access to certain Burnet County records:

Burnet County Appraisal District online portal — free access to property appraisal values, ownership history, and tax account information at burnetcad.org
Texas Department of Criminal Justice — the offender search tool allows members of the public to search for incarceration records at no cost
Texas Workforce Commission — employer and workforce data, including certain business-related filings, are accessible through the Texas Workforce Commission at no charge
Burnet County official website — meeting agendas, minutes, budgets, and other county documents are posted publicly on the county's website
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services — certain child protective services records and abuse registry information are accessible through DFPS subject to applicable restrictions

Who Can Request Public Records in Burnet County?

Any person may request public records in Burnet County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Texas Public Information Act, the right to access public information is not limited to Texas residents or U.S. citizens. Requestors are not required to provide identification or explain the reason for their request when seeking most categories of public records.

Specific provisions governing requestor eligibility include:

No residency requirement: Non-residents of Burnet County and non-residents of Texas retain full rights to request public information
No identification requirement: Governmental bodies may not require requestors to identify themselves as a condition of receiving non-confidential public records
No purpose requirement: Requestors are not obligated to state the intended use of the records
Restrictions for certain record types: Access to sealed court records, juvenile records, and certain law enforcement records may be limited to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or court authorization
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as criminal history or personal tax records, may be required to provide identifying information to verify identity and protect against unauthorized disclosure

What Records Are Confidential in Burnet County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Burnet County are exempt from public disclosure under state and federal law. Texas Government Code Chapter 552, Subchapter C, enumerates specific exceptions to the general rule of openness. The following records are currently withheld from public release:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in the juvenile justice system are confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.007
Ongoing criminal investigation records — information that would interfere with an active law enforcement investigation is exempt under Texas Government Code § 552.108
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are protected from disclosure
Medical and 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 — records maintained by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services are confidential under Texas Family Code § 261.201
Personnel records — certain employee records are exempt, with exceptions for salary information and disciplinary actions involving public employees
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — commercial or financial information submitted to a governmental body in confidence is protected under Texas Government Code § 552.110
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — information that could compromise public safety or government facility security is withheld from disclosure

When a governmental body believes a requested record falls within an exception, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days, as required by the Act.

Burnet County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Burnet County Clerk serves as the primary records custodian for property records, vital records, court filings, and official county documents. Members of the public may visit the office in person, submit written requests by mail, or access certain records online.

Burnet County Clerk 220 S. Pierce St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-5406 Burnet County Clerk Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Burnet County District Clerk 220 S. Pierce St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-5450 Burnet County District Clerk Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Burnet County Sheriff's Office 1601 E. Polk St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-8080 Burnet County Sheriff's Office

Burnet County Appraisal District 212 S. Pierce St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-8291 Burnet County Appraisal District Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Burnet County Attorney's Office 220 S. Pierce St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-5449 Burnet County Attorney's Office