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Texas Counties Deliver – learn how county government serves you
County Clerk
Renee Reynolds
103 E Main
P O Box 1010
Fairfield, TX  75840
Phone: 903-389-2635
Fax: 903-389-6956


 
Chief Deputy
 Alicia Davis

Office Hours:  

8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday
8:00 am to 4:30 p.m. on Friday

 

Cut off time is 4:30 Monday - Thursday and 4:00 on Fridays on All Filings and Recordings, etc.

The County Clerk's office serves as the Official Record Keeper for Freestone County,
County Court, and the Commissioner's Court.

Scanning and Records Management
The County Clerk scans real property records, public records, probate, criminal and commissioner's court minutes; manages and preserves these records. These records are scanned daily and ready for viewing images.  Our records are computerized from 1960 to the present.

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  • Fee List - Effective Jan 1, 2024
    Fee List -     effective Jan. 1, 2023

    1) We do not include the citation and posting fees in our initial filing fees. So, please be sure to add in the necessary citation fees AND posting fees when e-filing with us.

    2) Please file the Will as a separate lead document and not as an attachment to the application.

    Copy Notice Fees

     

    Sheriffs and Constable Fees

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  • If you would like to request a birth certificate, death certificate or a certified copy of your Marriage License click on the link below
    https://freestonetx.permitium.com/rod
    Marriage Licenses

    The County Clerk issues marriage licenses and Declaration of Informal Marriage licenses.
    Recording of Marriage Records for the County of Freestone began in 1851. The fee for a marriage license is $81.00.  However, there is a way to get part of this fee waived.

    The legislature passed HB 2685 last session which authorizes a statewide initiative to promote "Healthy Marriages". The healthy marriage initiative in Texas promotes free, skills-bases marriage education and provides couples with the tools they need to manage challenges inherent to relationships. Classes taught in various venues around the state include eight hours of training
    focusing on communication skills, conflict resolution and the elements of a healthy marriage.

    The couples who take the courses and are provided a certificate by the approved providers will have the added benefit of having $60.00 of the marriage license waived. The only cost to the couple who have the certification is $21.00 instead of the regular $81.00.  Those who do not take the course, will pay the regular $81.00 for a marriage license.

    For more information concerning Marriage License go to     
    https://www.dshs.texas.gov/ 
    or
    For more information on where these courses are offered go to
    https://twogetherintexas.com/UI/HomePage.aspx
    Birth & Death Certificates

    The County Clerk files and maintains all birth and death records for Freestone County. 
    The Freestone County Clerk will only retain death records for individuals who died in Freestone County.  Maintenance of birth and death records for the State of Texas began in 1903.
    (NOTE:  If requesting birth and death records, valid identification is REQUIRED under State Law.)

    The County Clerk's office is NOW a REMOTE BIRTH ACCESS. 
    If you are a native born Texas you can get a birth certificate. 
    You no longer have to travel to the State Vital Statistics Office in Austin or
    Vital Records Office in the County where you were born.

    FAQ's and Instructions for Filling out Birth/Death Certificate Application
    ID Requirements for Birth and Death Certificates
     
    To obtain a birth or death certificate by mail:
    1. Print the appropriate form below, sign it and have it notarized. Notarization is required by Texas Health & Safety Code § 191.0031. You must send in the original signed and notarized form.
    2. Include a copy of your valid Driver’s License or other identification.
    3. Send a check or money order made payable to “Freestone County Clerk” in the appropriate amount. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH.
    4. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request.
    5. Please include your phone number so that we may call you if we have any questions. Otherwise, we will have to return the application to you and this will result in a delay in processing your request.

    Birth/Death Certificate Application

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  • Misdemeanor and Criminal Offenses

    The County Clerk records information on all class A and B misdemeanor offenses such as DWI's, thefts, assaults, and drug cases.  The office also issues Occupational Licenses for individuals.  This office also provided administrative support to the county court through the issuance of warrants, summons, bond forfeitures, subpeonas, commitments, etc. (NOTE: The only people that are NOT charged for copies in misdemeanor criminal cases are District Attorney's and the Defendant's Attorney of Record at the time of the offense.) 


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  • NOTICE: Proposed Guardian Background Check Requirement

    Effective June 1, 2018, all guardianships in the state of Texas must be registered with the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC)
    https://www.txcourts.gov/jbcc/guardianship-certification/

    Probate Fees - Effective January 1, 2023

    1) We do not include the citation and posting fees in our initial filing fees. So, please be sure to add in the necessary citation fees AND posting fees when e-filing with us.

    2) Please file the Will as a separate lead document and not as an attachment to the application.

    Probate Matters         Probate Requirements & Civil Case

    The office maintains records for civil and probate court. The Office issues citations, writs of execution, letters of guardianship, letters testamentary, notices, and other documents as required by law or requested by the customer. The probate court hears cases concerning wills to be probated, administration of estates, mental health commitments, guardianships, etc. 

    Texas Office of Court Administration Citation by Publication and Court Notices Website
    The Office of Court Administration’s Citation by Publication and Court Notices Website contains citations by publication and other public or legal notices required to be posted on the website or requested to be posted by a court or court clerk. The website was developed pursuant to Senate Bill 891 (86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019) which requires OCA to develop and maintain a searchable website for these notices. All documents maintained on the website are uploaded by district or county clerks or court staff and are fully searchable by the public.

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  • Freestone County Clerk provides the following forms for your convenience:
    Assumed Name Application/DBA
    Assumed Name Abandonment
    Assumed Name Withdrawal

    Overview
    Individuals doing business under any name other than their own and certain business entities need an assumed name certificate to do business in the State of Texas. Texas Business & Commerce Code, Chapter 71. The assumed name certificate is also known as “doing business as,” or “dba.”

    It is necessary to file an assumed name certificate in each county in which the filer will maintain an office or every county in which the filer will conduct business if the filer does not maintain an office. Texas Business & Commerce Code, § 71.054.

    Individuals starting a business may want to seek legal advice from an attorney.

    Additional information about starting a business may be found at the Texas Secretary of State’s website on how to start a business: sos.state.tx.us/corp/business-startup.shtml

    Who can file in Freestone County?
    Freestone County accepts assumed name certificates for filing from the following:
    Individuals
    Sole Proprietorship
    General Partnership
    Unincorporated Nonprofit Association

    See Texas Business & Commerce Code § 71.052.

    Certain business entities file their assumed name certificates solely with the Texas Secretary of State and thus, Freestone County does not accept assumed name certificate filings from these entities:
    Corporation
    Limited Partnership
    Limited Liability Partnership
    Limited Liability Corporation

    See Texas Business & Commerce Code § 71.051.

    Filing Fees
    $24

    We accept a cashier’s check, money order or a personal/business check payable to: Renee Reynolds, Freestone County Clerk. If submitting payment by personal check.

    Waiver for Veterans:
    In 2017, the Texas Legislature waived fees for filing assumed name certificates for military veterans as defined by Texas Occupations Code § 55.001 (persons who served on active duty and were discharged or released from active duty). You must present valid identification showing your active duty or veteran status to claim this waiver.

    Validity and Expiration
    An assumed name certificate is good for 10 years from the date of filing the certificate. If you are still using the business name ten (10) years after your filing date, you must file a new certificate preceding the certificate’s expiration date. Texas Business & Commerce Code § 71.151.
    Has there been a change?
    You must file a new certificate if any of the information on the original certificate changes during the period of validity. Texas Business & Commerce Code § 71.152.

    Statement of Abandonment
    A statement of abandonment is filed if the registrant ceases to conduct business or render professional services under the assumed name stated in the certificate. It is filed in the same office as where the assumed name certificate was filed. Texas Business & Commerce Code § 71.153.

    Withdrawal of Individual Owner
    If one or more of the partners in the business wishes to withdraw from the business, a withdrawal is filed.
    A copy of the assumed name certificate must be attached to the completed, signed and notarized withdrawal form.
    The same fees listed above apply for abandonment or withdrawal.

    Change of Address
    If the business changes addresses, the registrant must abandon the original certificate and file a new certificate reflecting the correct address.

    Instructions for filing:
    1. Choose your name.
    2. You can search the County Records here Search Assumed Names for availability of the name of the business. It is always best to search all variations of the business name.
    The County Clerk’s Office will not research the availability of a business name and does not verify that a duplicate filing has occurred.
    Note: Failure to find a name in our records does not necessarily mean the name is available. The Freestone County Clerk accepts no responsibility for search parameters chosen by the applicant or the accuracy or completeness of searches performed.
    3. You may file your assumed name document by mail or by drop off at our office but the document must be complete - notary services are not available at our office.
    All documents will be returned by mail. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for us to return the document to you.
    4. Please make the cashier’s check, money order or personal/business check payable to:
    Renee Reynolds, Freestone County Clerk
    5. If you are a military veteran eligible for waiver of the fees, please include a copy of your military identification.
    6. Assumed Name Applications, Assumed Name Abandonments and Assumed Name Withdrawals must be notarized. If you are bringing in your document at our office, please have it notarized beforehand. Notary services are not available at our office.
    7. If mailing, please mail your original and notarized document along with payment to:
    Freestone County Clerk
    P.O. Box 1010
    Fairfield, Texas 75840

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  • Marks and Brand Application

    Marks and Brands to be recorded:
    Texas Agriculture Code § 144.041 sets forth the marks and brands that need to be recorded:
    (a) Each person who has cattle, hogs, sheep, or goats shall have and may use one or more earmarks, brands, tattoos, or electronic devices differing from the earmarks, brands, tattoos, and electronic devices of the person’s neighbors.
    (b) A person who owns a horse may have and use one or more of the following to identify the horse:
    (1) a brand differing from the brand of the person’s neighbors, including a fire or electric heat brand, freeze brand, acid brand, or hoof brand;
    (2) an earmark differing from the earmark of the person’s neighbors;
    (3) a tattoo differing from the tattoo of the person’s neighbors;
    (4) an electronic device; or
    (5) another generally accepted identification method.

    Fees
    For first location of brand on the animal: $26
    For each additional location: $26
    We accept cash (in person applications only), cashier’s check, money order, or personal/business check for payment. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH.
    All checks must be made payable to: Freestone County Clerk and include your driver’s license number. *Failure to include your driver’s license number will result in a delay in processing your application.

    Submitting your application for recording
    1. In-person: You can come to our main office at 103 E. Main St, Fairfield, TX 75840 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday – Thursday or between 8 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Friday. To speed up the process, please have your application already completed before you come in.
    2. By mail: You can submit your application to .
    PO Box 1010, Fairfield, TX 75840

     

     

    In accordance with Article 144.044 of the Agriculture Code, the marks and brands that have been previously recorded will expire on August 31, 2031. The owner of the brand will have from August 31, 2031 to February 29, 2032 to renew their mark or brand. On March 1, 2032, all marks and brands that have not been renewed will have no force or effect and will be available for use on a "first-come" basis.

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  • The County Clerk preserves all documents pertaining to real property records, including deeds,
    tax liens, deeds of trust, affidavits, UCCs, and files assumed names (DBA's).

    E-recording
    We offer e-recording of real property records for those who this statute applies. (LGC 195.003)
    We now offer E-Recording through the following Companies ePN, Simplifile and CSC:
    https://goepn.com/
    https://simplifile.com/
    https://www.cscglobal.com/

     

    Freestone County Real Property Recording Fees
    $25.00 for the 1st Page
    $4.00 for each ADDITIONAL PAGE attached per document

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  • Recording Subdivision Plats (maps)
    Plats are maps showing boundaries of subdivided land. A plat should be filed each time a legal boundary of a parcel is changed.
    County Plat - is a plat that requires approval from Commissioner's Court before it can be filed.
    City Plat - is a plat within a city limit and the approval of the city council must be shown on the plat before it can be filed.

    Requirements:

    • Notarization
    • Tax Certificate 
    • Plat Application (See Below)
    • Cost: $105.00

    If out of city limits plats must go through Commissioners' Court

    Plat Application
    Replat Application 

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  • Military discharge paper, also known as the DD214 form, is a document given to a person who has completed their service in the Armed Forces of the United States. This document contains pertinent information regarding their service and discharge from the military.

    By filing the DD214 with the County Clerk, a permanent record is maintained for future proof of service for veterans’ benefits and for safekeeping. Doing so allows the County Clerk’s Office to provide a certified copy of a DD214 should a qualified applicant need a replacement copy in the future.

    The original will be returned to the owner after recording.

    There is no fee to file a DD214. Texas Local Gov’t Code § 192.002.

    Only qualified applicants may obtain certified copies. The following are qualified applicants:
    1. Veteran who is the subject of the record
    2. Spouse of the Veteran
    3. Child of the Veteran
    4. Parent of the Veteran
    5. Legal guardian of the Veteran
    6. If there is no living spouse, child or parent, the nearest living relative of the Veteran
    7. Person named by the Veteran, or a legal guardian, spouse, child, nearest living relative, or personal representative of the estate described in a power of attorney according to Estates Code, Ch. 572
    8. Personal representative of the estate of the Veteran
    9. Another governmental body
    10. Authorized representative of a funeral home assisting in burial of the Veteran

    To request a copy, complete this form and return to the County Clerk's Office, and include a legible copy of your valid I.D.
    Application for Certified Copy of Military Discharge Forms - DD-214
    To help reduce turnaround time, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
    There is no fee for a certified copy of the recorded military discharge form.

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  • The Freestone County Clerk offers property owners a free service to alert them of potential property fraud. This service will notify subscribers within 24 hours when a document with their registered name on it has been recorded into the county's Official Public Records. To sign up for this service, click on the following link:

    freestone.tx.publicsearch.us/property-alert

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