Kendall County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Kendall County?

Public records in Kendall 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. Under Texas Government Code § 552.002, public information includes documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data processing records, and any other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristic.

Members of the public may access a broad range of record types maintained by various Kendall County offices:

Court Records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Kendall County District Clerk and County Clerk. These include case filings, judgments, orders, and dockets.
Property Records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements are recorded and maintained by the Kendall County Clerk's Office.
Vital Records — Birth and death certificates are filed with the County Clerk; marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the County Clerk as well. Divorce decrees are maintained by the District Clerk.
Business Records — Assumed name (DBA) filings, business licenses, and permits are recorded through the County Clerk and applicable municipal offices.
Tax Records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Kendall County Appraisal District and the Kendall County Tax Assessor-Collector.
Voting and Election Records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Kendall County Elections Administrator.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas — Records of county commissioners court meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings are maintained by the County Clerk and posted on the county's official website.
Budget and Financial Documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial reports are available through the Kendall County Auditor's Office.
Law Enforcement Records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Kendall County Sheriff's Office.
Land Use and Zoning Records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are maintained by the applicable municipal planning departments and the county.

Is Kendall County an Open Records County?

Kendall 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, and a governmental body must promptly produce public information upon request. The Act further provides that governmental bodies must respond to requests within ten business days, either by producing the records, requesting an Attorney General ruling on any claimed exceptions, or notifying the requestor of a reasonable time for production.

Texas is recognized as a strong open-government state, and Kendall County governmental bodies are bound by the Act's provisions. The Texas Office of the Attorney General oversees compliance and issues open records letter rulings when agencies seek to withhold information. The county's operations are also subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act, which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public and that agendas be posted in advance.

How to Find Public Records in Kendall County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Kendall County public records through several methods, each suited to different record types and levels of urgency.

Online Access Many records are currently available through online portals. Property records, court case information, and tax data may be searched through the respective county office websites. The Kendall County Appraisal District provides online property search tools at its official website.

In-Person Requests Members of the public may visit the relevant county office during regular business hours to inspect or request copies of records. In-person requests are often the most efficient method for obtaining certified copies of vital records, recorded documents, or court filings.

Written or Email Requests Requests may be submitted in writing by mail or email to the appropriate office. Under the Texas Public Information Act, no specific form is required; however, the request must adequately describe the records sought. The governmental body must acknowledge the request and respond within ten business days.

Steps to Submit a Request:

Identify the office that maintains the records being sought.
Prepare a written request describing the records with sufficient specificity.
Submit the request by visiting the office in person, mailing a written request, or emailing the designated public information officer.
Pay any applicable fees upon notification by the office.
Receive records in the format specified, or inspect them at the office at no charge.

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

Standard fees apply to the reproduction and certification of public records in Kendall County, consistent with the cost rules established under the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Attorney General's cost rules. Current fees are as follows:

Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page (black and white, letter or legal size), as established by the Office of the Attorney General's cost rules
Certified copies of vital records: Fees vary by record type; birth and death certificates typically carry a statutory fee set by the Texas Department of State Health Services
Recorded document copies: The County Clerk charges per-page fees for copies of deeds, liens, and other recorded instruments
Electronic records: Charges may apply for programming, media, and labor when records require compilation or formatting
Postage and handling: Actual costs may be passed on to the requestor

Accepted payment methods at county offices generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card, though accepted methods may vary by office. Under Texas Government Code § 552.261, a governmental body may not charge more than the actual cost of producing the information. Fee waivers may be available for indigent individuals or when the release of information is determined to be primarily in the public interest.

Does Kendall County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Kendall County. Under the Texas Public Information Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at the offices of the governmental body without charge. Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.

The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection at the County Clerk's Office, District Clerk's Office, and other county offices during regular business hours — no fee is charged for viewing records on-site
Kendall County Appraisal District online portal — property ownership, appraisal values, and tax information are searchable at no cost at the district's official website
Texas Courts Online — case information for district and county courts may be searched through the Texas Judicial Branch's public access tools
County Commissioner Court agendas and minutes — posted at no charge on the Kendall County official website
Voter registration and election results — available through the Kendall County Elections Administrator at no cost

Who Can Request Public Records in Kendall County?

Any person may request public records in Kendall County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Texas Public Information Act does not restrict access to Texas residents; non-residents and out-of-state individuals retain the same rights to request public information as county residents.

Key eligibility provisions include:

No residency requirement — Requestors are not required to be residents of Kendall County or the State of Texas
No identification required — In most cases, requestors are not required to provide identification to obtain public records
No purpose required — Governmental bodies may not require requestors to state the reason for their request as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving certain sensitive record types
Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide identification to verify identity and protect privacy
Requesting records about others — Certain records involving third parties, such as sealed court records, juvenile records, or records containing protected personal information, may be subject to restrictions regardless of who is requesting them

Specific record types, such as law enforcement investigative files or records containing Social Security numbers, may carry additional access restrictions under applicable state and federal law.

What Records Are Confidential in Kendall County?

Not all government records in Kendall County are subject to public disclosure. The Texas Public Information Act provides a comprehensive list of exceptions to disclosure, codified primarily in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, Subchapter C. The following categories of records are currently exempt from public release:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under Texas Family Code provisions
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Information related to active law enforcement investigations is exempt to the extent that release would interfere with the investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are protected from disclosure
Medical records — Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed under Texas law
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services are confidential
Personnel records — Certain employee records, including home addresses and personal information of government employees, are exempt
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a governmental body may be withheld
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Information that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure is exempt

Under Texas Government Code § 552.101, information considered confidential by law — whether by constitutional provision, statute, or judicial decision — is excepted from required disclosure. When a governmental body believes a requested record falls under an exception, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days rather than unilaterally withholding the information.

Kendall County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Kendall County Clerk serves as the official recorder of documents in Kendall County, maintaining property records, vital records, court records, and official county documents.

Kendall County Clerk's Office 201 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 105, Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 331-8315 Kendall County Clerk

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official county holidays.

Kendall County District Clerk's Office 201 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 209, Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 331-8600 Kendall County District Clerk

Kendall County Tax Assessor-Collector 201 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 101, Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 331-8560 Kendall County Tax Assessor-Collector

Kendall County Appraisal District 118 Market Ave., Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 249-8012 Kendall County Appraisal District

Kendall County Sheriff's Office 110 E. San Antonio Ave., Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 249-8645 Kendall County Sheriff's Office