The Fort Bend County Clerk is the recorder and custodian of important public records, ensuring that these records are maintained in a secure, archival manner. 

Official Public Records (OPR) consist of all publicly accessible documents recorded by this office and may include deeds, plats, mortgage documents, easements, assumed names (DBA), powers of attorney, bills of sale, and liens. 

The Fort Bend County Clerk's permanent online library contains millions of documents from 1821 to the present.

Search Official Public Records

Property Code Sec. 5.0261 provides a streamlined procedure for addressing discriminatory provisions in real property records. Senate Bill 30, which took effect on September 1, 2021, amends Property Code Sec. 5.0261 to establish a process for a property owner, or another person that the owner authorizes, to request a judicial review of specific property records to determine whether they contain prohibited discriminatory provisions.
Property Code Sec 5.0261 sets out the contents of the documents required to be submitted to the court as well as a suggested format for the court’s findings and order. No filing fees may be charged under the statute.
To view the language of the Code and the format for filing with the court as well as the format for the court’s findings and order, go to Texas Constitution and Statues – Property Code-Conveyances.

Please note: Digital signatures are acceptable on a document that has been filed with the county clerk electronically by code requirements (eRecording). A paper document that contains a copy of a digital signature or signatures does not meet requirement of Property Code 12.00011 that requires a document to have an original signature. To allow for a paper document to be recorded with electronic signatures, the notary must attach a “tangible paper declaration” to the paper copy of the electronically signed instrument. Property Code 12.0013

The county clerk is the ex officio (or non-voting) member of the commissioners court. The commissioners court serves as the executive body of county government and responsible for county operations. This includes setting the county tax rate, setting the county budget, maintaining unincorporated areas of the county, managing and maintaining county facilities.

FORT BEND COUNTY CLERK'S MISSION STATEMENT

To provide excellent customer service through skilled personnel and leading edge technology to the citizens of Fort Bend County, the judges, attorneys and related agencies while being vigilant and efficient with tax payer dollars.

COUNTY CLERK DUTIES

• Serves as clerk and custodian of records for the Commissioners Court, Constitutional County Court, and Statutory County Courts.
• Acts as a recorder, local registrar, and custodian of important public records, including all bonds, deeds, birth and death certificates, assumed names (DBA), and livestock brands, ensuring that records are maintained in a secure, archival manner.
• Issues marriage licenses.

Welcome to the Office of the County Clerk

Please see our links to the left for all important information concerning a visit to any of our County Clerk locations. Office wait times, all non-contact forms of business, and a full list of our locations are available. 

Appointments are available, but not necessary. 

Safekeeping Of Wills

Pursuant to Texas Estates Code Chapter 252.001, Safekeeping and Custody of Wills - A testator, another person for the testator, an attorney, business entity, or other person in possession of a testator's will may deposit the will with the County Clerk of the County of the testator's residence.

When an original will is deposited in safekeeping, the will is not recorded or filed. The will is given a certificate number, indexed, and kept in a secure storage area. The purpose of a deposit of a will in the County Clerk's Office is to solely provide a safe and convenient repository for the will and has no legal significance.

Depositing a Will

When a will is deposited with the County Clerk, the person depositing the will must complete the Certificate of Deposit and the Will Deposit Wrapper, in full.

Information on the forms include, but is not limited to:

• Name, address, and signature of the testator.
• Name and address of each person(s) who are authorized to withdraw the will, OR
• Name and address of the executor named in the will, including any alternate executors.

A receipt of deposit will be issued upon completion to the depositor.

The fee for depositing a Will in Safekeeping is $5.00. _{[ Local Government Code 118.052(3)(E) ]}

If the will is withdrawn and redeposited, another fee of $.500 must be paid with each new deposit.

Withdrawing a Will

Wills deposited in safekeeping are not public records. Only the testator or the person(s) authorized by the testator will be allowed to withdraw the will. 

If the will is withdrawn during the lifetime of the testator:

• The testator must have the Receipt of Deposit and a Photo ID.
• A person authorized to withdraw the will must have the Receipt of Deposit, a Photo ID, and a Sworn Written Order, signed by the testator and notarized, allowing them to withdraw the will.

If the will is withdrawn after the death of the testator:

• A person authorized to withdraw the will must have a Photo ID and Proof of Death of the Testator.
• The name of the person authorized to withdraw the will and the name on the photo ID must match, or the Clerk will require additional documentation to prove a name change.

A receipt of withdrawal will be issued to the person upon completion of withdrawing the will.

Wills for Safekeeping can be deposited at:
Fort Bend County Clerk, Justice Center
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, STE #11005
Richmond, Texas 77469

Monday thru Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

If you have any questions regarding Safekeeping of Wills, please email the Courts Division at:
cclerkcourts@fortbendcountytx.gov

Fort Bend County Offices will be closed to observe the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Also, on this day we will also have the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service event. Click the link for more information.

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