Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 48255

Karnes County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Karnes County, Texas. Serving a population of 15.018 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Karnes • Land Area: 747,752 sq mi • State: Texas (TX)

Call: (512) 835-1705 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗

Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri

Physical Courthouse Address

Karnes County Courthouse / Recording Office, Karnes, TX 78113

Seat of government for Karnes County in Karnes, TX.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(512) 835-1705

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 48255 • Coordinates: 28.9090° N, -97.8522° W

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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Karnes County

✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode

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Land Records & Real Property

Karnes County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 118.011

First Page Base Fee

$26.00

Includes statutory county automation index surcharge

Each Additional Page

$4.00

Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page

Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps

None (Texas has NO state or local real estate transfer tax)

Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Texas:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.

Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.

Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.

Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.

Instant Public Records & Title Verification

Need Official Property Deeds or Title Records in Karnes County?

Search land records, deed history, mortgage transfers, tax liens, judgments, and parcel ownership across Karnes County, Texas. Instantly access official document copies online without visiting the courthouse records vault.

Warranty & Quitclaim Deeds
Mortgage & Lien Records
Assessor Parcel History

Search Karnes County Records Online Encrypted search • Public records database

Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Karnes County

License Fee $82.00 ($22.00 with 'Twogether in Texas' certificate)

Waiting Period 72 Hours

✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 90 days of issuance.
✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Karnes County courthouse.
✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.

State Policy: Mandatory 72-hour waiting period; waived for active-duty military or Twogether in Texas graduates.

Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $23.00

Death Cert $21.00

Marriage Cert $21.00

• Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
• Filing Agency: Processed through Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) & County Clerk Vital Statistics and the local Karnes County clerk counter.

Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.

Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Karnes County

Filing Fee: $26.00

1. Filing Authority

In Karnes County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the County Clerk.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Texas.

3. State Rules & Notice

Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) filed in the County Clerk's office for sole proprietorships and general partnerships. Valid 10 years.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Karnes County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Karnes County County Clerk. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Texas.

Name Search Included

Articles of Organization

Texas Compliant

State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Texas Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Texas county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download

Get Texas Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance

Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Texas

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Texas recording offices:

Wilson County Seat: Floresville

~23.1 mi →

Goliad County Seat: Goliad

~30.8 mi →

DeWitt County Seat: Cuero

~32 mi →

Bee County Seat: Beeville

~34.7 mi →

Atascosa County Seat: Jourdanton

~41.3 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Karnes County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Karnes County Clerk & Recorder office located?

The official Karnes County office is located at Karnes County Courthouse / Recording Office, Karnes, TX 78113. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (512) 835-1705.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Karnes County?

Under Texas statute (Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 118.011), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Karnes County costs $26.00 for the first page, plus $4.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: None (Texas has NO state or local real estate transfer tax).

How do I obtain a marriage license in Karnes County, TX?

Both applicants must appear in person before the Karnes County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $82.00 ($22.00 with 'Twogether in Texas' certificate). Texas requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Karnes County?

In Karnes County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the County Clerk with a standard statutory filing fee of $26.00. Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) filed in the County Clerk's office for sole proprietorships and general partnerships. Valid 10 years.

How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Karnes County?

Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $23.00 and death certificates starting at $21.00) can be requested through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) & County Clerk Vital Statistics or directly at the Karnes County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.