County Clerk
The Bexar County Clerk is responsible for a wide range of county records, filings, licenses, court-related documents, and public record services. Residents, property owners, businesses, attorneys, veterans, and other users may work with the office to search official records, record real property documents, obtain marriage licenses, file assumed business names, request certain vital records, access misdemeanor and probate records, file court documents, and handle other County Clerk matters. This article explains which division handles each service, how the available online and in-person systems differ, what information or documents to prepare, and common filing or search mistakes that can delay a request.
County Clerk Responsibilities
Bexar County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark serves as clerk and custodian for many records filed with or maintained by the county. The official Bexar County Clerk page organizes the office's major services and provides access to its divisions, public searches, forms, and service information.
The County Clerk's responsibilities include recording or maintaining several different types of documents. These include assumed business names, certain birth and death certificates, Commissioners Court minutes, DD 214 military discharge records, marriage licenses, mental health records, personal financial statements, real property and land records, foreclosure notices, and filings associated with civil, criminal, bond forfeiture, and probate cases.
The office also manages financial matters involving cash bond refunds and withdrawals from court registry funds. Because these services are handled by different divisions, identifying the correct department before filing, requesting a copy, or visiting an office can prevent an unnecessary trip or misdirected request.
Services are divided by department
The County Clerk is not a single service counter for every type of record. Marriage licenses and assumed names, for example, are handled separately from real property recordings. Vital Statistics handles certain certificate and marriage-record functions, while Civil Central Filing, Criminal Central Filing, Probate, Mental Health, Deed Records, Recordings, and Bookkeeping and Court Registry have their own responsibilities.
The county's County Clerk services directory is particularly useful when a user knows the type of transaction but is unsure which division is responsible.
Office Hours and Service Locations
The Bexar County Courthouse, Paul Elizondo Tower, and Cadena-Reeves Justice Center normally provide County Clerk services Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except county holidays. The County Clerk page also states that extended hours are available on Wednesdays until 5:45 p.m. at applicable offices.
The Southside Annex provides County Clerk services Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office also operates a mobile satellite service called Records on the Run on alternating dates and times throughout the month.
Because not every division is located in the same building, users should determine which department handles their transaction before traveling. The County Clerk contact page identifies the division locations used for Administration, court filing, deed records, marriage licenses, mental health matters, probate, recordings, archives, vital statistics, and other services.
Public Record Searches
Many users can begin with an online search rather than visiting a County Clerk office. The County Clerk manages a free Official Records Search that allows users to search and view documents online. Uncertified copies of available records may also be printed directly from the system.
The Bexar County Public Record Search page explains that the Official Records Search includes several categories:
Assumed names
Commissioners Court records
Foreclosures
Land records
Marks and brands
Marriage records
Miscellaneous records
Personal property records
Plats
Public notices
Spanish Archives records
Searching the official records system
The Official Public Records Search contains multiple record collections, so choosing the correct collection is an important first step. The county instructs users to select the desired document type from the "Change department" dropdown near the search bar. Users can then enter their search terms and set a start date and end date for the period they want to review.
Multiple searches can be conducted at the same time by opening additional search tabs within the system. This can be useful when the same name or property may appear in more than one record category.
Public records are not court records
A common source of confusion is treating every County Clerk search as one database. Official public records and court case records are not always searched through the same system. For example, the Public Record Search covers land records, assumed names, marriage records, foreclosures, and related recorded documents. Criminal misdemeanor and probate searches may use separate county court-record systems.
If an open record is not available through one of the County Clerk's listed searches, the county directs users to its Public Information Act Request Center. The request portal allows users to submit an open records request and check its status. An account is needed to track and receive information associated with a request, and users can also review past requests to determine whether the information has already been provided.
Real Property and Land Records
The Recordings Division files, records, and maintains real property records, personal property records, notices of trustee sales, military discharges, and public notices. Records that are not restricted by law or court order may be available through the County Clerk's public records system.
The county's Real Property and Land Records page provides the official recording procedures for deeds, liens, releases, foreclosures, and related documents.
Recording property documents
Real property documents may be filed in person or by mail. The County Clerk requires original documents with original signatures for recording and will not record a copy in place of the original.
When a document is recorded in the County Clerk's office, it is cashiered, assigned an instrument number, and scanned. The original document is then returned. The stated recording fee is $25 for the first page of a document and $4 for each additional page. The office accepts cash, credit cards, checks, and money orders for real property recording, with checks payable to the Bexar County Clerk.
Users mailing a recording should make sure they are sending the original document and the correct payment rather than a photocopy. Sending only a copy is a significant filing mistake because the office expressly requires the original for recording.
Deeds and lien records
A release of lien may be recorded in person or by mail. The original release is required. The County Clerk does not prepare deeds or other property documents, so the recording office should not be treated as a document-preparation service.
Once a deed has been recorded, a plain copy can be located through the Official Public Records Search by selecting Land Records. Certified deed copies may be requested in person or by mail. The listed copy charge is $1 per page plus $5 for certification.
Recorded lien information may also be researched through Deed Records or the Official Records Search. The County Clerk does not guarantee clear title and does not determine whether a property is free from encumbrances.
Foreclosure records and notices
The County Clerk maintains foreclosure-related public records, including notices of trustee sales. Mortgage foreclosure notices can be located through the Official Public Records Search, and the County Clerk also provides a GIS foreclosure map.
Foreclosure sales are conducted on the first Tuesday of each month between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If the first Tuesday is January 1 or July 4, the sale is conducted on the first Wednesday at the same times. The county states that the sale takes place on the west side of the Bexar County Courthouse, between the courthouse and Paul Elizondo Tower, or at another location designated by Commissioners Court.
Registration is not required to bid on a mortgage foreclosure. Tax foreclosure bidding has a separate registration requirement. Mortgage and tax foreclosures are cash auctions, and only cash or certified funds may be tendered at the sale; personal checks are not accepted.
The County Clerk's foreclosure map is updated twice each month: on the first Friday after the auction and approximately 18 days before the next sale.
Marriage License Services
Marriage licenses are recorded by the Bexar County Clerk. The official marriage license page covers eligibility documents, application procedures, fees, waiting periods, recording, and requests for copies.
Applying for a marriage license
Both applicants generally must appear in person at a County Clerk marriage office, the Southside Annex, or an available Records on the Run location. If one applicant cannot appear, the other applicant or an adult representative may bring a completed and notarized Affidavit of Absent Applicant for Marriage License. The absent-applicant procedure does not apply to an informal marriage license.
Applicants must provide acceptable proof of age and identity. The county lists options that include a qualifying driver's license or state identification card, an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a passport, or another qualifying United States or foreign government document under the applicable Texas Family Code provision. Each applicant must also provide a Social Security number when applicable.
The listed fees are $80 for a marriage license and $45 for an informal marriage license. The County Clerk's page states that cash or credit cards other than American Express are accepted and temporary checks are not accepted.
Applicants under 18 must present a certified Texas or other state court order removing the disabilities of minority. The County Clerk also states that an applicant generally may not have been divorced during the previous 30 days unless an applicable exception is satisfied.
Online applications expire quickly
The County Clerk offers an online marriage license application and an online informal marriage license application. Submitting the online form does not eliminate the required in-person step. The electronic application remains available to the County Clerk for up to four days after submission, so applicants should plan their office visit within that period and bring the necessary documentation.
Waiting period and license validity
A marriage license is valid for 90 days from its issue date and may be used in any county in Texas. Texas law generally requires a 72-hour waiting period between issuance and the marriage ceremony.
The County Clerk lists exceptions to the 72-hour waiting period when applicants have a written judicial waiver, when one applicant is an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces and provides identification, when the applicants provide a qualifying Twogether in Texas premarital education certificate, or when the applicants are remarrying each other.
A qualifying Twogether in Texas certificate is valid for one year from the course date, waives the 72-hour waiting period, and provides a $60 reduction in the marriage license fee.
Recording and requesting copies
After the ceremony, the original marriage license may be recorded through Vital Statistics, the Southside Annex, a Records on the Run location, or by mail. A license submitted by mail is recorded and returned to the address written on the back of the license.
The County Clerk can provide copies of marriage licenses recorded in Bexar County, including licenses issued there from 1837 to the present. Only marriage licenses purchased in Bexar County are recorded by this County Clerk, regardless of where the ceremony takes place. A person seeking a license issued by another county must contact that county's clerk.
Marriage licenses are public records, so anyone may request a copy by completing the appropriate copy request form. A Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage is treated differently: the county states that it is not a public record, and only the two applicants listed on the declaration may receive a copy.
Assumed Business Names
The County Clerk accepts certificates for unincorporated assumed business names, often called DBAs. The official assumed business name page describes a three-part process involving a name search, completion of the certificate, and submission of the filing.
Name availability comes first
Before filing an assumed name, applicants should search the County Clerk's Official Records Search to determine whether the desired name is already being used. County Clerk staff can also conduct a search through the Assumed Name/DBA office.
If the name is available, the correct Assumed Name Certificate must be completed and either notarized or acknowledged before filing. Every business partner must sign the certificate before the notary. A County Clerk deputy may acknowledge the certificate for a $1 fee.
A separate certificate is required for each assumed name. Applicants may file multiple names, but they cannot place multiple desired business names on a single certificate as a substitute for separate filings.
Submission and filing fees
An assumed name certificate may be mailed after notarization or acknowledgment with the appropriate fee, submitted and paid in person, or initiated through the County Clerk's online application and completed in person. Online submissions remain available for five days after submission.
The filing fee is $13 for one owner plus 50 cents for each additional owner. A plain copy of an assumed name certificate is $2, and a certified copy is $7. The office accepts cash, credit cards except American Express, checks, and money orders. Temporary checks are not accepted.
Corrections require a new filing
An assumed name certificate cannot be amended merely because incorrect information was placed on the original certificate. The county instructs applicants to verify their information before submission. When information changes in a way that makes an existing certificate materially misleading, a new assumed name certificate must be filed.
An assumed name certificate is also not a business license. Filing a DBA with the County Clerk therefore should not be treated as proof that every separate license, occupancy, tax, or regulatory requirement for a business has been completed.
Birth and Death Certificates
The County Clerk's Vital Statistics Department maintains only specific categories of birth and death records. This distinction matters because many Bexar County vital records are handled by another government office rather than the County Clerk.
The County Clerk may provide records for births, including home births, in unincorporated or rural portions of Bexar County before 1967; births at Wilford Hall Military Medical Center before 1967; and deaths that occurred at home in rural Bexar County between 1903 and 1967.
The County Clerk birth and death certificate page states that hospital births and home births within San Antonio city limits, deaths in Bexar County before 1903, birth records dating from 1873, and fetal death records dating from 1952 are handled through the City of San Antonio's local vital records office.
County Clerk certificate requests by mail require the Request a Birth/Death Certificate application to be completed, notarized, and mailed to the Vital Statistics Department. Most changes to a birth certificate are handled through the Texas Department of State Health Services rather than by the County Clerk.
Civil Court Filing Services
The Civil Central Filing Department handles filing operations and requests connected to county civil cases. Electronic filing requires an electronic filing service provider that acts as the intermediary between the filer and the state's eFileTexas system.
Copies of civil case documents
Copies may be requested by electronic filing, mail, or in person. Users should provide the name and case file number when available. Plain copies cost $1 per page, with an additional $5 per document for certification. The County Clerk states that civil copies cannot be faxed or emailed to customers.
Keeping the case file number with the request can reduce confusion, especially when multiple parties have similar names or a person has more than one case.
Civil deadlines and filings
For a citation answer, the County Clerk's civil information states that a party has 20 days from the date of service to file an answer. The clerk's office will not calculate the answer's due date for a litigant. Answers may be submitted by eFiling, mail, or in person.
The County Clerk also states that its employees cannot provide legal advice or prepare applications or petitions for litigants. This distinction is especially relevant when a filing involves an occupational driver's license or another proceeding requiring a formal application.
Criminal Records and Filing
The Criminal Division handles County Clerk functions associated with criminal and bond forfeiture operations. Criminal misdemeanor records and the DWI/Family Violence Fugitive Search are accessed through the county's justice information portal rather than through the general Official Public Records Search used for deeds and other recorded documents.
Electronic filing requirements
Attorneys are required to electronically file court documents in Bexar County civil, probate, and criminal cases through a service provider certified by the Office of Court Administration.
For criminal eFiling, documents electronically transmitted before midnight on a filing deadline are considered timely under the County Clerk's stated filing rules. A filing made on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday is considered filed on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
Electronic filings should also comply with restrictions on sensitive information. The County Clerk's criminal filing instructions identify Social Security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, bank and credit card account numbers, government identification numbers, and certain identifying information about minors as sensitive data. Documents containing prohibited unredacted sensitive data may be struck by the court.
Probate and Guardianship Records
The Probate Department handles probate-related County Clerk services, including court records, copy requests, wills deposited for safekeeping, and filings involving estates and guardianships. Probate court records can be searched through the county's court record systems.
Effective October 1, 2025, the Probate Department implemented a new case numbering system for guardianship cases. Users working with guardianship records should therefore pay close attention to the case number associated with the particular record or proceeding they are researching.
Probate copy requests
Probate copies may be requested by eFiling, mail, or in person. Requesters should provide the person's name and case file number when available. Plain copies cost $1 per page, and certified copies carry an additional $5 charge per document. Probate copies cannot be faxed or emailed to the customer.
Wills for safekeeping
A person may deposit a will with the County Clerk for safekeeping for a one-time $5 fee. The will is placed in a sealed envelope and stored securely. A deputy clerk does not review the contents. The clerk issues a certificate of deposit when the will is received.
The testator may remove the deposited will at any time. After the testator dies, a person named on the outside of the sealed envelope may withdraw the will after providing proof of identification and proof of the testator's death.
Depositing a will for safekeeping is different from admitting a will to probate. The County Clerk states that a will must be filed and admitted to probate before letters testamentary can be issued.
DD 214 Military Records
Filing a DD 214 with the County Clerk is optional, but it creates permanent county retention of the record and allows the office to provide a certified replacement copy later.
The original, complete DD 214 must be provided for recording. The County Clerk also requires proof of age and identity. Examples listed by the office include a driver's license, original or certified birth certificate, passport, visa, or military identification card.
There is no fee to file a DD 214. After the filing is completed, the original is returned along with three certified copies at no charge.
Who may request a copy
Once a DD 214 has been recorded with the County Clerk, the veteran may request a copy. The office also allows an immediate family member to make the request. The listed family relationships are spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother.
A requester must provide proof of age and identity through valid government-issued or state-issued photo identification. The veteran's full name is the minimum information needed for the search. The year of discharge is not mandatory, but the County Clerk states that providing it is extremely helpful.
Records on the Run
The County Clerk operates a mobile satellite office known as Records on the Run. It travels to locations throughout Bexar County and offers selected in-person services outside the courthouse complex.
The Records on the Run schedule lists upcoming dates and locations. Because the schedule alternates throughout the month, users should review the current calendar before traveling to a mobile event.
Services identified for the mobile unit include:
Purchasing a marriage license
Registering an assumed business name or DBA
Recording original real property records
Recording a DD 214 military discharge record
Researching or registering a cattle brand
Requesting copies of DD 214 records
Requesting assumed business name copies
Requesting marriage license copies
Requesting real property record copies
Obtaining information about the County Clerk's GIS foreclosure map
Obtaining information about the Spanish Archives
Common County Clerk Mistakes
Choosing the wrong record system
The Official Public Records Search should not be assumed to contain every court record. Land records, marriage records, assumed names, foreclosures, and similar recorded documents use the public records system, while misdemeanor and probate records may require a court-record search. Identifying the record type before searching is usually more useful than searching the same name repeatedly in one database.
Bringing copies instead of originals
Real property recordings require original documents with original signatures. DD 214 filings likewise require the original, complete discharge document. A photocopy that is useful for personal reference may therefore be unacceptable for the actual recording transaction.
Missing short online deadlines
Some online applications remain available only for a limited period. Marriage license applications are available to the County Clerk for up to four days after submission. Online assumed name certificate submissions are available for five days. An online submission should therefore be treated as the beginning of the transaction rather than as a permanent application record.
Requesting records from the wrong county
The Bexar County Clerk can provide copies of marriage licenses issued and recorded in Bexar County. If the license was purchased from another county clerk, the request should be directed to that county even if the marriage ceremony later took place in Bexar County.
Confusing filing with legal preparation
The County Clerk records documents and administers filing systems but does not prepare deeds, determine clear title, calculate certain court deadlines, or provide legal advice. Recording a document also does not mean that the clerk has determined the document's legal sufficiency beyond the office's filing requirements.
Submitting incomplete search information
For court copy requests, a case file number should be provided when available. For DD 214 requests, the veteran's full name is required and the year of discharge can substantially assist the search. For official public records, selecting the correct document category and narrowing the date range can make the search more precise.
County Clerk Offices
County Clerk Administration
100 Dolorosa, Suite 104, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2216
Bond Forfeiture
Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa, Basement, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2237
Bookkeeping and Court Registry
Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa, Basement, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2483
Civil Central Filing
Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa, Basement, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2231
Criminal Central Filing
Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa, Basement, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2238
Deed Records
Paul Elizondo Tower, 101 W. Nueva, Suite B109, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2273
Marriage Licenses & Assumed Names
Paul Elizondo Tower, 101 W. Nueva, Suite 120, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2223
Mental Health
Cadena-Reeves Justice Center, 300 Dolorosa, Suite B-33, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2536
Probate
Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa, Basement, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2241
Recordings
Paul Elizondo Tower, 101 W. Nueva, Suite 103, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2581
Southside Annex
Bexar County Precinct 1, 3505 Pleasanton Rd., San Antonio, TX 78221
210-335-3522
Spanish Archives Center
126 E. Nueva St., San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2125
Vital Statistics
Paul Elizondo Tower, 101 W. Nueva, Suite B110, San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-3009
County Clerk FAQs
How do I search Bexar County Clerk records online?
The Bexar County Clerk provides a free Official Records Search for several commonly requested record types, including assumed names, Commissioners Court records, foreclosures, land records, marriage records, plats, personal property records, public notices, and Spanish Archives records. When searching, choose the appropriate record collection from the “Change department” menu, enter the available names or other search terms, and set a date range when possible. The Bexar County Public Record Search also directs users to separate searches for misdemeanor records, foreclosure information, and other county records. Uncertified copies of documents available through the Official Records Search may be printed online.
Can I get a copy of a Bexar County marriage license?
Yes. The County Clerk can provide copies of marriage licenses that were originally issued in Bexar County, with records available from 1837 to the present. Because marriage licenses are public records, anyone may request a copy. A license issued by another county must be requested from that county's clerk, even if the marriage ceremony took place in Bexar County. The official marriage license page explains copy requests, recording requirements, and the difference between regular marriage licenses and Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage certificates.
Where should I look for a deed or property lien?
Recorded deeds, liens, and other real property documents can be researched through the County Clerk's Official Public Records Search by selecting land records. Plain deed copies may be viewed through the online system, while certified copies require a formal request. The County Clerk records and maintains real property documents but does not prepare deeds or guarantee that a property has clear title. The Real Property and Land Records page explains recording, deed copies, liens, and foreclosure records in more detail.
Can I file a DBA with the County Clerk?
Yes. Before filing an assumed business name, applicants should first search the County Clerk's records to see whether the desired name is already being used. The certificate must be completed correctly and either notarized or formally acknowledged before filing. If information later becomes materially misleading, the existing certificate cannot simply be amended; a new assumed name certificate is required. Filing an assumed name does not itself create a business license. Detailed filing steps and forms are available on the Bexar County assumed business name page.