About the Nueces County Clerk
Kara Sands serves as the Nueces County Clerk. The County Clerk's description page traces the office to 1836, when Texas first created it as the successor to the Spanish-Mexican "escribano." The Texas Constitution provides for an elected County Clerk under article 5, section 20, naming the office as clerk of the County and Commissioners Courts and recorder of the county.
The County Clerk is one of the most active offices in any Texas county. The job spans recording, vital records, elections, treasury, fine collections, assumed names, and miscellaneous filings. Continuing education is required: the office must complete 20 hours each year, including three hours on registry funds and one hour on fraudulent court documents and fraudulent filings.
What the Nueces County Clerk Records
The County Clerk's filing department maintains real property records, personal property records, notices of trustee sales, military discharges, and other official public records. The office also issues marriage licenses, records birth and death certificates, files assumed-name certificates, and acts as the local registrar for births and deaths outside Corpus Christi city limits but within the county.
- Real property deeds, deeds of trust, releases, and liens.
- Notices of trustee sales and foreclosure notices.
- Marriage licenses and certified copies.
- Birth and death records for the county.
- Assumed-name certificates for businesses.
- Military discharge records, with statutory access limits.
- Hospital liens, cattle brands, and other miscellaneous filings.
The County Clerk also serves as the Commissioners Court clerk, posting agendas, attending meetings, and recording minutes. When the Texas Legislature abolished the county treasurer position effective January 1, 1988, those duties moved to the County Clerk, who is now the chief custodian of county funds.
Office Location, Hours, and Contact
The Nueces County Clerk's office sits on the second floor of the courthouse in downtown Corpus Christi. The office is open Monday through Friday.
Nueces County Clerk
901 Leopard St., Room 201
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361) 888-0580
Mon-Fri 8:00 am-4:00 pm
filing.cc@nuecescountytx.gov
Searching the Official Public Records
The Nueces County Clerk runs an open Official Public Records Search at nueces.tx.publicsearch.us. The portal is branded "The County of Nueces" and "County Clerk Kara Sands." The Quick Search form lets users search by grantor or grantee, subdivision, document type, or document number, with date filters and a choice between index-only and OCR full-text search. The portal also exposes a cart, sign-in, and Property Alert tools for users who want copies or notifications.
The screenshot is from the Official Public Records Search, the County Clerk's main online tool for Nueces County records.
Free to search; copies and certified documents carry a per-page fee.
Step-by-Step: Request a Certified Copy
A certified copy carries the County Clerk's seal and is the version courts and agencies accept. Use the official portal or visit Room 201 to order one.
- Identify the document by recording date, parties, or document number.
- Open the Official Public Records Search at nueces.tx.publicsearch.us.
- Add the document to the cart and select certified copy.
- Register or sign in to complete the order.
- Pay the fee for the first page and any additional pages.
- Receive the certified copy with the County Clerk's certification.
For an in-person order, bring valid ID and payment to the second floor. Cash, money order, and approved cards may be accepted, with some payment limits for property and land records.
Nueces County Clerk Fee Schedule
The County Clerk publishes a fee schedule for recording, copies, and certifications. The table lists the common items. Bring exact payment when possible; payment rules vary by document type.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Official Public Records, first page | $20.00 |
| Additional pages | $4.00 |
| Each indexed name over 5 | $0.25 |
| Federal tax liens | $25.00 |
| State tax liens | $10.00 |
| Abstracts of judgment, first page | $20.00 |
| Abstracts of judgment, additional pages | $4.00 |
| Honorable Discharge / DD214 | No charge |
| Non-certified copy, per page | $1.00 |
| Certified copy, per page | $1.00 |
| Certificate per document | $5.00 |
| Marriage license, formal | $76 cash |
| Marriage license with Twogether certificate | $16 cash |
| Nonresident marriage license | $176 cash |
| Certified copy of marriage license | $7.00 |
| Birth certificate | $23.00 |
| Death certificate, first copy | $21.00 |
| Death certificate, additional copies | $4.00 |
| Assumed-name certificate | $18.00 |
| Foreclosures per document | $7.00 |
Free Property Fraud Alert Service
Kara Sands launched a free Property Fraud Alert Service in 2023. The county page says property fraud happens when someone files documents against property for financial gain or to take ownership without the owner knowing. The alert service does not block fraudulent filings, but it notifies subscribers within 24 hours of documents filed against their property so they can act quickly.
If you suspect a fraudulent filing, the County Clerk page lists a multi-step response: review the document, file an Owner's Affidavit Regarding Purported Conveyance, mail a copy to the purported fraudster by certified or registered mail with return receipt and a letter giving 120 days to file a controverting affidavit, file a Certificate of Mailing the Owner's Affidavit, and after 120 days file a Petition for Judicial Review in the District Clerk's office if nothing controverting was filed.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
The County Clerk handles marriage licenses and certified copies. It is also the local registrar for births and deaths outside Corpus Christi city limits but within the county. The office issues short-form birth certificates; long-form certificates required for passports are available through Corpus Christi Vital Records, per the county's note. Birth records become public after the 75th anniversary of the birth, and death records after the 25th anniversary.
For marriage license details, including the 72-hour waiting period, the 90-day expiration, ID requirements, and the Twogether in Texas discount, see the marriage and divorce records page.
Thank A Veteran ID Card
Kara Sands founded the Thank A Veteran ID Card program in 2015. The card lets Nueces County veterans access discounts and services at participating local businesses. Veterans bring proof of service, such as a DD214, to the County Clerk's office to request the ID. Honorable Discharge filings, including DD214, are recorded at no charge, though access to the recorded document is restricted under Texas law.
Elections and Treasury Duties
Beyond recording, the Nueces County Clerk runs countywide special and general elections, including early and absentee voting, generally acting as the Elections Administrator for the county. The office also keeps Commissioners Court records and posts the agendas for those meetings.
Treasury duties moved to the County Clerk when the county treasurer position was abolished in 1988. The office keeps the county's books, files a monthly treasurer's report to the Commissioners Court, and runs an in-house fine collection department for felony and misdemeanor fines and court costs.
County Clerk and District Clerk: Split System
Texas uses two clerks. The County Clerk handles official public records, marriage, vital records, assumed names, and commissioners court business. The District Clerk handles district court case files, including civil, family, and criminal records. Filing at the wrong clerk is a common mistake, and the offices point requesters to each other when needed.