What Are Hale County Public Records?
Hale County public records refer to government-generated materials of any format that contain information related to the transaction of official business by departments in the county. These consist of paper, film, typed, and electronically-stored information. According to the Texas Public Information Act, records may be withdrawn from public access or redacted from copies given to the public if they contain:
- Financial, commercial, and privilege information
- Information concerning ongoing investigations or prosecution
- Student records and personal identifying information on minor
- Trade secret
- Private information
- Personnel records
- Other potentially injurious recordings
Hale County Crime Statistics
According to the annual crime report provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Hale County had 1,586 arrests in 2018. Among the 346 crime categories, there were no indexed arrests for murder and arson, while robbery, burglary, and theft had one, 28, and 96 incidents, respectively. Compared to the 2014 statistics, arrests had increased by approximately 37.6% from 1,153 indexed arrests.
Are Hale County Criminal Records Public?
Most Hale County criminal records fall under the category of public information. Interested persons may obtain criminal history information from the Texas Department of Public Safety by signing up and conducting an online name search on the Computerized Criminal History System (CCH). However, record seekers can only conduct searches on arrest, prosecution, or disposition cases related to Class C convictions or deferred adjudication, Class B misdemeanor, or greater violation of the state code, as recorded by the TxDPS. Criminal case or conviction details may also be available at the District or County Clerk Office.
How to Obtain Hale County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Obtaining Hale County arrest records and police records like accident/crash and incident reports may depend on the agency's jurisdiction. For example, case or accident reports may be available at the municipal police department that filed the report originally, while Hale arrest records depend on the arresting agency such as the Sheriff’s Office, Plainview Police Department, or other jurisdictions. For records filed by the Hale County Sheriff’s Office, send requests to:
1900 South Columbia,
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 296-2724
Fax: (806) 296-5725
For statewide arrest or criminal case information, conduct an online name search with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Note: Not all Hale county police or arrest records are public.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Hale County
Interested persons may obtain information on offenders who reside, school, or earn a living in Hale County and other state areas from the Texas Department of Public Safety, which maintains a public sex offender registry. Individuals may search the registry, download it, or subscribe for more updates on sex offenders. The categories of offender search are:
- Map search: With location, city, or address
- Registrant search: With first and last name
- Institute of Higher Education: By selecting an institute or campus
How to Find Hale County Inmate Records
The Hale County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for maintaining records of past and current inmates in the Hale County Jail. Individuals interested in obtaining jail rosters or information on an old or present inmate in the jail should contact the Sheriff’s Office/Jail at:
Hale County Sheriff’s Office
1900 South Columbia,
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 296-2724 (Sheriff)
Fax: (806) 296-5725 (Sheriff)
Phone: (806) 293-5377 (Jail)
Fax: (806) 291-8029 (Jail)
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Hale County Jail?
Individuals who wish to visit an inmate currently in the Hale County Jail must first contact the Sheriff’s Office/Jail to obtain information on the inmate's availability, visitation schedules, procedures, and dress code. Call the jail at (806) 293-5377 or contact:
Hale County Sheriff’s Office
1900 South Columbia,
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 296-2724 (Sheriff)
Fax: (806) 296-5725 (Sheriff)
Fax: (806) 291-8029 (Jail)
Court Records
As part of the Texas Judicial Branch, Hale County Courts grants access to various documents containing information on the cases, proceedings, and administrative actions carried out in the court, in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act. Courts in Hale County are located at:
Hale County 64th District Court
Hale County Justice Center
225 Broadway Street,
Suite 4
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226
Fax: (806) 291-5206
Hale County 242nd District Court
Hale County Justice Center
225 Broadway Street,
Suite 4,
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226
Fax: (806) 291-5206
Hale County Constitutional Court
Hale County Courthouse
500 Broadway Street,
Suite 140,
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5261
Fax: (806) 291-9810
Hale County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Hale County Courthouse
500 Broadway Street,
Suite 10,
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5201
Fax: (806) 291-5310
Hale County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
FM 54 &, Interstate 27 Service Road,
P.O. Box 217,
Abernathy, TX 79311
Phone: (806) 757-2476
Fax: (806) 757-2481
Abernathy Municipal Court
811 Avenue Drive,
P.O. Box 310
Abernathy, TX 79311
Phone: (806) 298-2546
Hale Center Municipal Court
702 Main Street,
P.O. Box 532
Hale Center, TX 79041
Phone: (806) 839-4451
Petersburg Municipal Court
1924 Main Street,
P.O. Box 326
Petersburg, TX 79250
Phone: (806) 667-3461
Plainview Municipal Court
901 Broadway Street,
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 296-1177
Fax: (806) 296-1125
Are Hale County Court Records Public?
Not all records generated or maintained by Hale County courts are public.Hale court records that contain information redacted or restricted under the Texas Public Information Act or other statutes are confidential, only available to individuals with direct claims, court order, or other authorization. Examples of confidential sections include identifying information on crime victims or witnesses, court records sealed under nondisclosure order, crime scene images, and other personal information. However, Hale County court records that are not under statutory exemptions are open to the public.
How to Obtain Hale County Civil Court Case Records
The District Clerk maintains civil case records filed in the two District Courts in Hale County, while the County Clerk's Office is responsible for preserving records of all civil cases filed in the Hale County Courts. However, requests for municipal court records should be made to the specific Municipal Court where the case took place. Individuals may view or obtain copies of District Clerk records by making in-person or mailed requests with case description and fees to:
Carla Cannon
Hale County District Clerk
Hale County Justice Center
225 Broadway, Suite 4
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226
Fax: (806) 291-5206
For County Clerk records interested persons may contact:
Latrice Kemp, County Clerk
500 Broadway Street,
Room 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5261
Fax: (806) 291-9810
Email: lkemp@halecounty.org
Note: Regular files can typically be dispatched via mail, email, or fax, but official/certified files can only be delivered via mail.
How to Obtain Hale County Criminal Court Records
Individuals who wish to obtain Hale County criminal court records must first determine the record custodian. The District Clerk is the custodian of criminal case records filed in the two District Courts in Hale County, while the County Clerk's Office preserves records of all criminal matters heard in the Hale County Courts. However, requests for municipal court records should be made to the specific Municipal Court where the case took place. To view or obtain copies of District Clerk records, make in-person or mailed requests with case description and fees to:
Carla Cannon, District Clerk
Hale County Justice Center
225 Broadway, Suite 4
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226
Fax: (806) 291-5206
For County Clerk records, individuals may direct requests to:
Latrice Kemp, County Clerk
500 Broadway Street,
Room 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5261
Fax: (806) 291-9810
Email: lkemp@halecounty.org
Note: Regular files can typically be dispatched via mail, email, or fax, but official/certified files can only be delivered via mail.
What Are Hale County Vital Records?
Hale County vital records refer to data files relating to residents’ critical life events. These files or documents may provide information on people's marriages, divorces, births, deaths, and much more. These life event data files may be in the form of marriage certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, death certificates, birth verification letters, and others. Individuals may obtain Hale County vital records from depositories in the county or their state alternatives, such as the District Clerk, County Clerk, or Texas Department of State Health Services. However, not all are publicly available.
Where and How to Obtain Hale County Divorce Records
Decrees or divorces granted by the District Court in Hale County are available at the District Clerk’s Office. Interested persons may request copies of these records by providing case details like divorces names, divorce date, and location, along with fees and other requirements to the clerk’s office at:
Carla Cannon, District Clerk
Hale County Justice Center
225 Broadway, Suite 4
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226
Fax: (806) 291-5206
Indicate if copies should be certified or uncertified and provide valid identification when required. Requesters should note that the cost of duplicating Hale County divorce records must not exceed the actual or standard fees. The Vital Statistics Section (VSS) of the Texas Department of State Health Services also issues verification letters for divorces from 1968 to the present. Interested persons may request these letters online for $20 or view the public index of divorces.
Where and How to Get Public Hale County Marriage Records
The Hale County Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains records of these marriages. Unless otherwise classified as confidential, individuals can obtain copies of Hale County marriage records from the County Clerk Office by sending requests with applicant information, marriage details, fees, and other requirements to:
Latrice Kemp, County Clerk
500 Broadway Street,
Room 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5261
Fax: (806) 291-9810
Email: lkemp@halecounty.org
The Vital Statistics Section of the DSHS also provides a public index of marriages and marriage verification letters following online requests, which may involve providing marriage description, $20 fees, and other information.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Hale County
Hale County marriage certificates that are confidential are also available at the County Clerk Office. However, only the married couple mentioned in the document, and other authorized persons may view or obtain copies of the record. Eligible persons may send requests with applicant information, marriage details, fees, and other requirements to:
Latrice Kemp, County Clerk
500 Broadway Street,
Room 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5261
Fax: (806) 291-9810
Email: lkemp@halecounty.org
Individuals may also get verification letters of marriages from the Vital Statistics Section by making online requests and paying the $20 fees.
Where and How to Find Hale County Birth Records
Hale County birth records are confidential documents with restricted access, until 75 after the birth, after which they will be publicly available. Qualified applicants include the registrant, parents, legal representatives, direct relatives, and others with legitimate interests. These are available locally at the County Clerk Office and issued for $23 per certified copy. Persons may obtain copies of Hale County birth certificates by sending completed application forms, $23 per requested copy, and other requirements to:
Latrice Kemp, County Clerk
500 Broadway Street,
Room 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5261
Fax: (806) 291-9810
Email: lkemp@halecounty.org
Furthermore, the Vital Statistics Section issues birth certificates or verification letters to eligible applicants for $22 per certified copy. To make requests submit or mail application forms, valid identification, and fees to:
Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
Where and How to Find Hale County Death Records
The County Clerk Office is responsible for filing and issuing Hale County death certificates. However, these records are confidential documents with restricted access until 25 after the death. Qualified applicants include the deceased’s parents, direct descendants, close relatives, legal representatives, spouse, and others with legitimate interests. An individual may request a copy of Hale County death records for $21 and additional copies for $4 each by sending a completed application form, fees, and other requirements to:
Latrice Kemp, County Clerk
500 Broadway Street,
Room 140
Plainview, TX, 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5261
Fax: (806) 291-9810
Email: lkemp@halecounty.org
Furthermore, these records are also available at the state level with the Vital Statistics Section of the DSHS. An individual may request a certificate or verification letter for $20 or additional copies of the certificate for $3 each by submitting or mailing a completed application form, valid identification, and fees to:
Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
