OVERVIEW OF THE COUNTY CLERK

The office of the County Clerk has been in existence in Texas since 1836,superseding the "escribano" of Spanish-Mexican rule. The Texas Constitution, Section 20, Article 5 provides:

 

"There shall be elected for each county, by qualified voters, a County Clerk, who shall hold his office for four years, who shall be clerk of the County and Commissioners Courts and recorder of the county, whose duties, perquisites and fees of office shall be prescribed by the Legislature and a vacancy in whose office shall be filled by the County Commissioners Court until the next general election; provided that in counties having a population of less than 8,000 there may be an election of a single Clerk who shall perform the duties of District and County Clerks."

 

The County Clerk is the record keeper and Registrar for the county, Commissioners Court, and County Courts.

  • RECORDING AND FILING INSTRUMENTS
    • Instruments that prove ownership or interest in real property.
    • Instruments concerning the identity of commercial activities, and
    • Instruments concerning the identity of persons.
  • PROPERTY RECORD MANAGER - PUBLIC ACCESS
    • The Clerk's office contains a library of records, such as deeds, maps, plats, and other records related to property located within the county. These records are open to the public.
  • COMMISSIONERS COURT
    • The County Clerk is the clerk of the Commissioners Court and shall serve the court during each of its terms.
    • Post Notices of the agenda for each meeting.
    • Take minutes of meetings.
  • CRIMINAL COURT
    • Files Misdemeanor cases and continues process until the case is closed.
    • Responsible for collection of criminal court cost.
    • Hold cash bonds in registry on criminal cases.
  • CIVIL COURT
    • Civil cases handle disputes between parties. Matters in controversy depends on the dollar amount outlined in statute for a County Courts jurisdiction.
  • JURIES
    • Coordinate juries for County Court Cases when needed.
  • PROBATE COURT
    • Probate cases deal with protecting the wishes, rights, and obligations of persons regarding their property when these persons are unable to do so as a result of death or incapacitating illness, either physical or mental.
  • DATA COLLECTING & REPORTING
    • Responsible for gathering data and reporting to several state and local agencies.
  • RECORDING CATTLE BRANDS
  • CERTIFYING ALCOHOL PERMITS FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
  • ISSUE CERTIFIED COPIES OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES - TEXAS BIRTHS ONLY
  • ISSUE CERTIFIED COPIES OF DEATH CERTIFICATES - SWISHER COUNTY DEATHS ONLY
  • ISSUE, RECORD, AND INDEX MARRIAGE LICENSE / DECLARATIONS OF INFORMAL MARRIAGEAMEND BIRTH /
  • ASSUMED NAMES / DBA
  • MILITARY DISCHARGE PAPERS - DD214
  • FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
    • File copy of proposed and approved budget for the County
    • File copy of budgets of cities within boundaries.
    • Collect fees specified by statute
    • Make reports to auditor/treasurer with disbursements.
    • Receive funds ordered by the court and disburse upon court order.
    • Maintain accounts for Minors.