DONLEY COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Donley County Public Records?

By the Texas Public Information Law, Donley public records mean any information that is produced, written, collected, gathered, or managed under an ordinance or law or in connection with the performance of official business by or for:

• A governmental body;
• a government agency and the government agency has a right of access to the data, owns the data, spends or contributes public money for producing, writing, collecting, gathering, or managing the data; or
• An individual employee or officer of a governmental body in the employee’s or officer’s official capacity and if the information concerns the governmental body’s operations.

The law also defines “Information in connection with the transaction of official business” as information created by, maintained, received, or transmitted to a government agent or employee.

Public information also covers any electronic message created, received, transmitted, or managed on any device provided that the transmission is in connection with the transaction of official business. Donley public records can exist in the form of a paper, book, letter, e-mail, document, online post, instant message, text message, other electronic communication, or photograph. They can also take the form of a printout, tape, film, microfiche, photostat, microfilm, sound recording, drawing, map, and a video, data, or voice representation kept in computer memory. However, protected health information, as defined by law, is not considered public information.

Donley County Crime Statistics

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) publishes crime statistics for Donley County. Its most recent crime report shows that the Donley County Sheriff's Office recorded a total of 42 index crimes with 21 arrests and 18 clearances in 2018. There were two robberies, three aggravated assaults, ten burglaries, 22 larcenies, and five auto thefts of the total crime sum. The Sheriff recorded zero counts for murder and rape. Donley County's 2018 crime rate was 1,294.3 crimes per 100,000 population, a 1.4% decrease from the previous year. The county's index crime count decreased by 4.5% in the same span, while arrest counts increased by 31.3%. There were fewer cases of burglary and larceny-theft in 2018 than in the previous year.

Are Donley County Criminal Records Public?

Under Texas Public Information law, the public can access most of the Donley County records. The law considers public information, all deferred adjudication, and conviction records and may make such records available to the general public. Requesters can search the C.R.S. Public Site to conduct an online name-based search on Donley criminal records. However, they may have to present specific information required to access the documents.

How to Obtain Donley County Police Reports and Arrest Records?

The Donley County sheriff’s office is responsible for enforcing law and order in the county. By Texas Public Information law, people can access most of the Donley County records. The TPIL enjoins Donley County officials and departments to promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law unless an exception to disclosure exists. People can request Donley County police reports and arrest records by contacting Donley County Sheriff via email or at:

300 S. Jefferson
P.O. Box 910
Clarendon, TX 79226

They can also call (806) 874-3533 or send a fax to (806) 874-3458. Requesters may have to include enough description and detail about the report to locate the information requested. They may also have to pay the required fees.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Donley County

Interested persons can request Donley County sex offender information by contacting Donley County Sheriff via email or at:

300 S. Jefferson
P.O. Box 910
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-3533
Fax: (806) 874-3458

The Texas Department of Public Safety (“TXDPS”) also keeps a sex offender registration database covering Donley County. The database consists of information provided to Texas local law enforcement authorities by sex offenders during registration. Any offender living, working, attending school, or incarcerated in the area will be in the registry. Members of the general public hold the fundamental right to obtain the list in question. The search tools available online allow Donley County residents to seek out every sex offender inside their home’s specific mileage. Anyone can access the data of registered sex offenders in Donley county by searching the Texas sex offender registry, which serves as a central repository for sex offender related information in the state.

The registry contains information such as the full name and aliases of the offenders and their addresses, unique physical and online identifiers, and other related data. People can also register to receive electronic notifications on sex offenders. Registered individuals can receive information via email on the current status of sex offenders within a specific radius of the registered individual’s address.

How to Find Donley County Inmate Records

Interested persons can locate and contact Donley County Jail at:

Donley County Jail
P.O. Box 910
300 S. Jefferson
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-3533
Fax: (806) 874-3458

People can obtain reports regarding inmates and offenders from the Donley County Judge’s Office. Requesters can apply for records by submitting an Open Records Request by fax, mail, or in-person to:

Donley County Judge
P.O. Box 909
Clarendon, TX 79226
TelePhone: (806) 874-3625
Fax: (806) 874-1181

Applicants should include sufficient detail and description about the petition to allow the County to locate and identify the Donley inmate record requested correctly. They must respond to reported estimates of costs for reproducing documents and secure timely payment for any mutually accepted charges. The Texas Department of Corrections also maintains information pooled from various housing units, and requesters can search the inmate database for inmate Information. A search on the platform provides the following information:

• The aliases and the full name of the inmate
• The details of the convicted crime
• Relevant personal data like their gender, birth date, and mugshot
• Prospective release date and date of incarceration
• The security level of the housing facility and its location
• Any relevant past convictions and sentences served
• Bail/bond conditions (if applicable)

How Do I Visit an inmate in Donley County Jail?

Individuals who want to visit inmates at the Donley County Jail can do so at 301 South Jefferson Street, Clarendon, TX, 79226. Friends and family of offenders resident at the jail may have to confirm that the inmate they intend to visit has visitation privileges. They may also have to verify that their visitation remains booked as an eligible inmate cannot receive visitors if the jail cancels the visitation. They can do so by phone via (806) 874-3533; however, the jail also posts visitation cancelations online. Visitors may have to present valid photo identification to access the jail facility.

Visitors ought to dress and conduct themselves appropriately. Cell phones are not allowed inside the secure perimeter. Each inmate is only allowed one visit per weekend. The jail authority may terminate a visit and even remove visitors' names from an inmate’s visitors list because of improper conduct. However, individuals removed from an inmate's visitors list can submit a written appeal to:

The Director's Review Committee (DRC)
P.O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX 7742

The visitor may have to submit the appeal within 14 days of the date on the unit’s written notice of removal.

Court Records

The Donley County trial court system consists of District Courts, Constitutional County Courts, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts. The following addresses and contact information are for all the courts present in the county:

Donley County 100th District Court
Donley County Courthouse Annex
4th Street PO Drawer U
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-3436
Fax: (806) 874-3351

Donley County Constitutional Court
Donley County Courthouse Annex
4th Street PO Drawer U
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-3436
Fax: (806) 874-3351

Donley County Justice of the Peace Precincts 1 & 2
S Sully Street
P.O. Box 828
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 74-2016
Fax: (806) 874-9057

Donley County Justice of the Peace Precincts 3 & 4
P.O. Box 62
Hedley, TX 79237
Phone: (806) 856-5914
Fax: (806) 856-0017

Clarendon Municipal Court
P.O. Box 843
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-1448

Are Donley County Court Records Public?

The Texas Public Information law allows public access to information held by the government. Generally, judicial records other than those exempted by law are open to the general public for inspection and copying. The law exempts the following court records from public disclosure:

• Judicial work products and drafts;
• Security plans;
• Personnel information or any personnel record that, if disclosed, would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
• Home address and family information;
• Any records associated with an applicant for volunteer services or employment;
• Internal deliberations on judicial or court administration matters;
• Court law library information;
• Judicial calendar information;
• Any confidential information;
• Litigation or settlement negotiations records;
• Records of investigations of character or conduct;
• Examination records, unless requested by the tested person after the test’s conclusion.

How to Obtain Donley County Civil Court Case Records

Texas courts records are open to the public and are available through the court clerk's office. Requesters can obtain all court records in Donley County from the County Courthouse. The Courthouse collects and handles all forms regarding cases determined by the court. Requesters can obtain Donley Court records by contacting the clerk of the courthouse at:

Donley County Courthouse
Sully St
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-3625

How to Obtain Donley County Criminal Court Records

Donley County courts records are open to the public and are available through the court clerk's office. The courthouse collects and handles all documents regarding cases determined by the court. Requesters can obtain Donley Court records by contacting the clerk of the courthouse at:

Donley County Courthouse
Sully St
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-3625

What are Donley County Vital Records?

Donley Vital records consist of life events documented by the government. They include marriage, divorce, birth, and death records. Following state laws, only selected Texas vital records are open to the public. Certain factors like the type of document requested, the year in which the vital event occurred, and the requestor’s legal authority may regulate access to these records. The county offices only process applications to obtain records made by eligible requesters. However, Interested parties may approach the courts for an order to allow them access to restricted documents. They may need to provide a valid means of identification and pay appropriate fees before obtaining copies of Donley County vital records. Typically, only the following category of people are considered eligible:

• The record's registrant;
• The legal guardians or parents of the registrant;
• The siblings of the registrant;
• The grandparents of the registrant;
• An adopted or biological offspring of the registrant;
• A registrant's spouse or civil union partner;
• Anyone authorized by the registrant or court order to request the record

Where and How to Obtain Donley County Divorce Records

The District Court Clerk of Donley County maintains and disseminates records of divorces granted in the county to requesters. Interested individuals can send an email or direct their requests to:

PO Drawer U
220 W. 4th / Courthouse Annex
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-3436
Fax: (806) 874-3351

However, the Department of State Health Services’ Vital Statistics Section office maintains a general index of divorces granted since 1968. The following information is available in the public index of divorces:

• Names of Parties;
• File number;
• Ages of parties;
• Marriage date;
• Number of children under eighteen;
• The date the court dissolved the marriage;
• The county name and code that filed the decree.

Requesters can obtain divorce indexes from the office of vital statistics by email detailing the following:

• Contact information
• Event requested (birth or death)
• Year(s) requested
• Format requested (microfiche or CD)

Requesters may have to pay for the costs of copies and certification (if applicable).

Where and How to Get Public Donley County Marriage Records

People can obtain Donley County marriage records that are public by email or by contacting the Donley county clerk at:

PO Drawer U
220 W. 4th / Courthouse Annex
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-3436
Fax: (806) 874-3351

Most Donley County marriage records are public records unless otherwise ruled by a court. However, a marriage record can be sealed or deemed confidential following the registrant’s request (s) or a court ruling.

Alternatively, the Vital Statistics Section of the Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a Marriage License Index from which requesters can obtain marriage license information. The marriage License index may not serve as an official document but can help locate records or verify the marriage’s date and place. The office also administers marriage verification letters following the information obtainable on the index.

The Texas Marriage License Application Indexes are available for public download. Records created before 2008 are available for viewing on Microfiche. The viewing cost is $10 during the first year, then $5 for every year after. Index searches provide the following information:

• The record’s file number
• The husband’s age and full name
• The wife’s age and maiden name
• The date of the marriage
• The location where the marriage occurred

The retrieved information will expedite the record search. Upon gaining the index’s data, a requester may then apply for a certified copy of the county court clerk’s Donley marriage license. Requesters may have to pay applicable fees.

Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Donley County

Donley County Marriage records can be sealed or deemed confidential following the registrant’s request (s) or a court ruling. Only parties named on a Confidential marriage record or legally authorized people can obtain copies of the documents. Eligible People can obtain Donley County marriage records that are confidential or sealed by contacting the Donley County Clerk at:

PO Drawer U
220 W. 4th / Courthouse Annex
Clarendon, TX 79226

They can also call (806) 874-3436 or send a fax to (806) 874-3351 for more information on obtaining the confidential marriage records in Donley County.

Where and How to Find Donley County Birth Records

Eligible applicants can obtain Donley County birth records by contacting the Donley County Clerk at:

PO Drawer U
220 W. 4th / Courthouse Annex
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-3436
Fax: (806) 874-3351

Requesters should fill a Donley County Birth Certificate application, attach the required identification and fees, and deliver them via mail or in-person to the clerk’s office. The Vital Statistics Section of the Texas Department of State Health Services also keeps and issues birth records. To obtain a Donley County birth record, eligible requesters will have to complete and submit a Texas Birth Certificate Application. They will also have to pay requisite fees and the present appropriate means of identification in-person or via mail to:

DSHS Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040

Certified copies of Donley County birth records cost $23, while heirloom requests cost $60.

The Law of the State of Texas makes the records of birth that occurred within the past 75 years restricted to only selected persons. However, Texas birth records 75 years or above are public records, provided they are not sealed by court order. The following persons are eligible to obtain Donley County birth records:

• The record's registrant;
• The legal guardians or parents of the registrant;
• The siblings of the registrant;
• The grandparents of the registrant;
• The registrants’ adopted or biological offspring;
• The registrant's spouse or civil union partner;
• Anyone authorized by the registrant or by court order to obtain the record.

Where and How to Find Donley County Death Records

Eligible applicants can obtain Donley County death records by contacting the Donley County Clerk at:

PO Drawer U
220 W. 4th / Courthouse Annex
Clarendon, TX 79226
Phone: (806) 874-3436
Fax: (806) 874-3351

Applicants will have to fill a Donley County Death Certificate application and submit it with the required fees and identification.

Alternatively, Donley County death certificates are obtainable at the state level. Eligible applicants may complete and submit a Texas Death Certificate Application in person or via mail to the Vital Statistics Section of the Texas Department of State Health Services at:

DSHS Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040

Completed forms require notarization, and requesters may have to accompany their applications with the applicable fees and I.D. Certified copies of Donley County death records cost $21. Additional copies cost $4.

Donley County death records 25 years and above are accessible to the public. However, death records below 25 years are only accessible to the deceased person’s immediate family members and people legally authorized by court order.

The following persons are eligible to obtain Donley County death records:

• The deceased’s legal guardians or parents;
• The deceased’s siblings;
• The deceased’s grandparents;
• The deceased’s adopted or biological offspring;
• The deceased’s spouse or civil union partner;
• Anyone authorized by the deceased or by court order to obtain the record.