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Texas State Records
The Secretary of State is the custodian of information regarding
charters of incorporation and financing statements used in connection
with commercial loans are available by telephone. County clerks maintain
real estate (and liens upon real estate) documents, birth, marriage and
divorce decrees. Also, county clerks maintain court records for District
Courts, County Courts, County Court at Law pleadings, motions, and
orders. These documents may be requested by the trustee or Bankruptcy
Court in connection with bankruptcy filed under Chapter 7 or 13.
Accessing Texas State Records Online
Many Texas State Records online are available free, yet are not
generally admissible into evidence. To become admissible, most records
must be certified as true and correct by the legal custodian. A
certification is nothing more than a signed and notarized statement
proving the source of document, yet does not verify the truth of
contents within documents. Certification requires payment of a nominal
fee.
The availability of Texas court records online remains in it's infant stage of development. Counties containing the largest cities frequently provide internet access to public records. Many smaller and/or rural counties do not maintain websites and court records, real estate records, deeds, liens and conveyances must be obtained either in person at the County Clerk's Office or by mail. In all counties, certification of records requires the payment of an additional fee, yet may be required as a condition of admissibility in Texas Bankruptcy Courts. Alternatively, records may be offered as evidence in Texas Bankruptcy Courts by stipulation upon the agreement of all parties in interest.
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