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Texas Counties Deliver
 

 

Carol Swize

COUNTY CLERK


210 W. Calvert, Suite 100

Karnes City, Texas 78118

Phone: (830)-780-3938

Fax: (830)-780-4576

 

Chief Deputy Clerk: Jamie Leal    jamie.leal@co.karnes.tx.us
Deputy Clerks: Elie Garcia    elie.garcia@co.karnes.tx.us
                                            Griselda Cantu    griselda.cantu@co.karnes.tx.us

     Mary Rios          mary.rios@co.karnes.tx.us

                               
  • Monday - Friday:  8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM for lunch.

     

    Payments may be made by cash, credit card, check or money order. Checks and money orders must be made payable to Karnes County Clerk.

    Please note when using a credit card– there will be a service fee of $3.00 per hundred.

  • Our office is open for normal business.

    A face mask is optional.

  • Jury is set for September 20, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.. Please bring your juror questionnaire filled out. 

  • We do not handle record search requests by phone. Requests can be made via fax, email or in person. Any extensive searches will need to be done by the customer or a real estate title company. We do not perform searches for liens under any circumstances.  Information concerning liens recorded against a property may be researched by the public in our office located at 210 W. Calvert, Suite 100, Karnes City, Texas, or online by clicking the link below this message. Title insurance and guaranteed clear title searches are performed by title companies for a fee; you may also seek legal advice from an attorney. The County Clerk’s Office does not guarantee a clear title and is not responsible for any encumbrances on the property. We suggest you contact your legal advisor if you have concerns or questions about a particular property.

    SEARCH KARNES COUNTY OFFICIAL PUBLIC RECORDS

    You can view and print Land Records from June 2003 to present. Documents before 2003 must have the volume and page number to be able to view/print as they are not indexed. Once you are on County Government Records you will need to make a username and password in order to access our records. Printing is $1 per page just like in office. If you are needing help navigating the website please contact our office.

    Official Public Records Filing Requirements

    Information Request Form - please note our office does not email any documents, we can only fax or regular mail. 

    DD214Request

    Karnes County Helpful Tips when researching: Brochure

    • FRAUDULENT FILING

      Pursuant to Section 51.901 of the Texas Government Code:

      If a county clerk believes in good faith that a document filed with the county clerk to create a lien is fraudulent, the clerk shall:

        (1) request the assistance of the county or district attorney to determine whether the document is fraudulent before filing or recording the document;
        (2) request that the prospective filer provide to the county clerk additional supporting documentation; and
        (3) forward any additional documentation received to the county or district attorney.

      Pursuant to Section 37.101 of the Texas Penal Code:

       (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly presents for filing or causes to be presented for filing a financing statement that the person knows:

        (1) is forged;
        (2) contains a material false statement; or
        (3) is groundless.

       (b) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the third degree, unless it is shown on the trial of the offense that the person had previously been convicted under this section on two or more occasions, in which event the offense is a felony of the second degree. An offense under Subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3) is a Class A misdemeanor, unless the person commits the offense with the intent to defraud or harm another, in which event the offense is a state jail felony.

    Fraud Guard is a simple way to help you prevent from being the victim of property fraud. Register your name and when a document is recorded with your name on it you will be notified via email. This gives you early warning of property fraud being committed in your name.

    How to sign up:

    • Visit countygovermentrecords.com
    • Make a username and password
    • Select Karnes County
    • On the top tabs click ‘Fraud Guard’
    • Register your email
    • Sign up Individuals and Business

    It's EASY & FREE!

    Any questions you may contact the County Clerk’s Office at 830-780-3938.

  • Copies of Birth and Death Certificates may be purchased from the County Clerk’s Office in person or by mail by filling out the Application for Birth or Death Certificate, having it notarized, and mailing it to:

    Karnes County Clerk's Office
    210 W. Calvert, Suite 100
    Karnes City, TX 78118

    Valid Photo ID is required for online or in person request. If you do not have a Valid Photo ID- Click here for acceptable forms of Identification.

    Below you will find the application for a Birth or Death Certificate through the mail.

    Request for Birth or Death Certificate (Mail-In)

    Only an immediate family member can request a Birth/Death Record: Immediate Family Member is defined as any of the following:

    • Self
    • Child
    • Parent/Guardian
    • Brother/Sister
    • Grandparent
    • Spouse

     

    The following birth and death records may be obtained from the Karnes County Clerk’s Office:

    • All births that occurred in the State of Texas from 1890 - Present
    • If you need a birth certificate for a passport you usually need a new version of your long form birth certificate. Long form Birth Certificates can only be purchased from the county in which you were born.
    • Death records that occurred in Karnes County ONLY, regardless of decedent’s county of residence, from 1903 – Present
    • All delayed Birth/Death records and court ordered Birth/Death records

     

    **If you are needing to make a correction to your birth certificate this must be done through DSHS-Vitals Statistics office in Austin using the VS-170 form. Please follow the instructions on the application and submit to DSHS-Vitals Statistics in Austin. We have attached the form below as a courtesy. Our office does not make any corrections.

    Correcting a Birth Certificate Application

    As a convenience to the customer, Vital Statistics system now has an ordering status feature. The customer can now check an order status at:

    https://dshs.texas.gov/orderstatus/ or call 888-963-7111.

     

    Frequently asked questions, go to: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vs/faq/#correct.

    STATE REGISTRAR WEBSITE

     

  • Marriage License Requirements

    Request for copy of Marriage License

    Affidavit of Absent Applicant For Marriage License & Offender's Identification Card Certification Form

    REQUIREMENTS 
    (please allow 30 minutes to complete)     
    Both parties must be present together 
    Must present valid Driver's License or photo ID

    Must present Social Security Card
    (if no SS Card, please contact office for alternatives)
    If either party has been divorced, must wait at least 30 days from date the Judge signed the Final Decree before applying for a new Marriage License, unless the Divorce Decree itself contains a waiver of this requirement, in which case a Certified Copy of the Final Divorce Decree must be presented to our office 
      

    License is valid anywhere in the state of Texas and on international waters; expires after 90 days but must wait 72 hours to use it unless you are granted a waiver by the County or District Judge BEFORE the application is completed

    How to change your name using the "Name Change Kit"

    Save Time and Money with our unique name change kit.

    Order Online at: NameChangeKitOrder (namechangeprocess.com)

    Referral Code: 125548

     

     

     

  • Assumed Name Certificates (DBAs) become effective upon recording and remain in effect for 10 years unless withdrawn or abandoned. Original, properly notarized form is required for recording. We advise you to consult your attorney, CPA, or financial institution if you need assistance completing these forms. 

    Assumed Name Certificate (DBA)
    (each additional name to index)        

    $26.00
    $0.50

    ASSUMED NAME/ DBA

  • Mark and Brands currently on file will expire August 30, 2021. The office will be begin accepting renewals on your brand Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Please see the memo below and application for more information.

    MEMO AND APPLICATION

  • Karnes County Clerk is now accepting online payments for misdemeanor cases.

    DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENTS FOR JP CASES, FELONY CASES, OR FAMILY LAW CASES.

    Call (830)-780-3938 to verify that payment should be made to this office.

    THE COUNTY CLERK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MISDIRECTED PAYMENTS!

    Proceed to the link below to make your payment.

    Pay your COUNTY CLERK ONLY fees here!

  • *AS OF JANUARY 1, 2016, ANY AND ALL PROBATE DOCUMENTS MUST BE 
    E-FILED. WE ARE A CONSTITUTIONAL COUNTY COURT & ARE NOT "AT LAW"

    WE ADVISE YOU TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY

    If you choose not to do so, you may visit one of these websites for guidance.

    https://texaslawhelp.org

    https://www.sll.texas.gov/self-help/

     

     Filing Requirements & Preferences

    (We ask that each document within an e-file envelope be submitted as a separate Lead Document, no "attachments". If a document is to have an exhibit, please submit the document & exhibit together as 1 pdf.)    		         -   Last 3 digits of both Applicant's & Decedent's                      DL# & SS# required in application
            -   Decedent's DOB, residence address and age at                  time of passing either in the application or in e-file              notes/comments for preparation of the Abstract
            -   Decedent's date of death required in application
             

     

    Frequently, the Court receives calls from parties who are asking for legal advice. Please note that the Court does not give legal advice and does not represent any party in a claim before this Court. For legal advice please consult an attorney. You may find a local attorney through the Texas Bar website (www.TexasBar.com) or go to TexasLawHelp.org.

    For any further questions please contact our Probate Clerk Elie Garcia at (830)-780-3938 or by email at elie.garcia@co.karnes.tx.us 

     

  • KARNES COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT

    KARNES COUNTY IS A CONSTITUTIONAL COUNTY COURT & IS NOT "AT LAW".

    THIS OFFICE DOES NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER JUVENILES OR FELONY CASES. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (830) 780 3938 WITH ANY QUESTIONS. 

    *ALL CRIMINAL DOCUMENTS MUST BE E-FILED EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2018. THERE IS NO FEE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SERVICE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE.

    *CRIMINAL PAYMENTS MAY BE MADE BY CASH, CASHIER'S CHECK, MONEY ORDER, OR CREDIT/DEBIT CARD. PLEASE NOTE WHEN USING A CREDIT CARD THERE IS A $3 SERVICE CHARGE PER HUNDRED.

    REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION MUST BE MADE IN WRITING; COPY FEES MUST BE PREPAID. 

    THIS OFFICE DOES NOT PERFORM CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

    Misdemeanor Court Searches:

    Upon request, the Clerk’s Office will perform a search of our misdemeanor records. Customers often refer to this as a “criminal background check.” This office does not perform criminal background checks. Please note that our search only includes data on Karnes County Class A and B misdemeanors as well as any Class C misdemeanor cases appealed from a municipal or Justice of the Peace Court. No federal or other county Justice of the Peace or municipality misdemeanor records are searched. The data provided from these searches relies on the information obtained and entered into our computer system. Inaccurate data obtained or inaccurately entered by any office performing data entry in the system will result in erroneous data returned. For the most accurate results, please provide as much identifying information as possible.

    When requesting a search of misdemeanor data, please provide the person’s full name and date of birth plus any other identifiers that may assist in locating the correct individual. Copies of the findings can be provided after payment has been received.

    COPY FEE $1.00/PG
    CERTIFIED COPY FEE $1.00/PG + $5.00 CERTIFICATION FEE

     

    Frequently, the Court receives calls from parties who are asking for legal advice. Please note that the Court does not give legal advice and does not represent any party in a claim before this Court. For legal advice please consult an attorney. You may find a local attorney through the Texas Bar website (www.TexasBar.com) or go to TexasLawHelp.org.

    For any further questions please contact our Court Clerk Jamie Leal at (830)-780-3938 or by email at jamie.leal@co.karnes.tx.us