About Burnet County
Established in 1852 and named after David Gouverneur Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas, Burnet County includes approximately 1,020 square miles of rolling hills, lakes, and scenic countrysides. Burnet County seat is Burnet area (pronounced 'burn-it' by locals), situated at 229 S. Pierce Street. As of the most recent census estimates, Burnet County has a population exceeding 50,000 residents, reflecting steady growth driven by retirees, telecommuters, and those seeking a Hill Country lifestyle. Burnet County is distinguished by its position in the Highland Lakes chain, with portions of Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, and Lake LBJ within its boundaries, making it a recreation and tourism hub. Major communities include Marble Falls, the largest city; Burnet; Granite Shoals; Horseshoe Bay; and Bertram. Burnet County is renowned for its granite quarries, wildflower displays (particularly bluebonnets), and the Vanishing Texas River Cruise. Burnet County Clerk's Office, located at 220 S. Pierce Street in Burnet area, maintains official records including court documents, marriage licenses, and assumed name certificates. Burnet County Tax Assessor-Collector, at the same address, handles property appraisals and tax collection. Burnet County Recorder functions are performed by the County Clerk in Texas, recording deeds, liens, and property instruments. Longhorn Cavern State Park and the historic Fort Croghan Museum reflect Burnet County's frontier heritage and geological significance.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Burnet County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Burnet County. The office is tasked with patrolling these areas, managing Burnet County jail, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records. Notable divisions within the office include the Criminal Investigations Division and the Patrol Division, which work together to address and investigate crimes in Burnet County.
Police Departments
In addition to Burnet County Sheriff's Office, several city police departments operate within Burnet County. These include the Marble Falls Police Department, the Burnet Police Department, and the Granite Shoals Police Department. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective city limits, handling local crimes and traffic enforcement.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Burnet County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1701 E. Polk Street in Burnet, Texas 78611 (phone: 512-756-8080), is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Burnet County under Sheriff Calvin Boyd.
- Processing fees for copies may apply as permitted under Section 552.261 of the Texas Government Code.
Burnet County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same East Polk Street location, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanor offenders; an online inmate roster is accessible through the Sheriff's website allowing searches by name or booking number, displaying current custody status, charges, and bond information. Municipal law enforcement is provided by Burnet Police Department serving the city of Burnet area, the Marble Falls Police Department covering Marble Falls, the Granite Shoals Police Department, and smaller departments in Bertram and Horseshoe Bay. Under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), arrest records and booking reports are generally considered public information, and citizens may request these records by submitting written requests to the custodian of records at the respective law enforcement agency.
Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the Sheriff's online jail roster or by formal public information request, though some agencies may redact certain images under specific statutory exemptions. Burnet County does not have tribal law enforcement jurisdictions, though Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens and Department of Public Safety troopers maintain concurrent jurisdiction on state highways and waterways throughout Burnet County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Burnet County, TX are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Criminal Records - Burnet County, TX (Arrests, Jails & Most Wanted Records).
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Burnet County, TX are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Burnet County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.
- Look up current inmates and booking information at Burnet County Jail Inmate Roster Lookup, Burnet, TX.
- Sheriff's Office: Burnet Co. Sheriff's Office | Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
- The bond and bail process allows release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.
Courts & Case Records
Burnet County's judicial system includes the 33rd District Court, which handles felony criminal cases, divorces, and civil matters exceeding $200 in controversy. Burnet County Court is located at 220 S. Pierce Street, Burnet, TX 78611 (phone: 512-756-5420), with the Honorable Guilford L. 'Gil' Jones presiding. Burnet County Court at Law, established to handle county-level criminal misdemeanors and civil cases between $200 and $250,000, operates from the same address.
- Burnet County maintains four Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-4) handling Class C misdemeanors, small claims under $20,000, evictions, and serving as magistrates for warrant issuance and initial appearances.
Burnet County Clerk's Office at 220 S. Pierce Street maintains court records for the District Court and County Court at Law, offering public access to case information, judgments, and court documents. While some basic case information may be searched online through third-party legal databases, full access to official records requires in-person visits or written requests to the County Clerk, with copying fees of $1.00 per page for standard documents and $5.00 for certified copies as authorized by Texas Local Government Code Section 118.011.
Municipal courts in Burnet area, Marble Falls, and other incorporated cities handle city ordinance violations and fine-only offenses occurring within city limits. Under Texas Government Code Section 552.108 and Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, court records are presumptively public unless sealed by court order or protected by specific confidentiality statutes concerning juveniles, mental health proceedings, or certain family law matters.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Burnet County are maintained by Burnet County Clerk's Office at 220 S. Pierce Street, Burnet, TX 78611 (phone: 512-756-5449). As the official recording office in Texas counties, the County Clerk records warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, lis pendens notices, easements, right-of-way agreements, mineral leases, plat maps, and subdivision documents.
- Recording fees are established by Texas Local Government Code Section 118.011, with standard documents costing $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page.
- Certified copies of recorded documents are available from the County Clerk for $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page.
The office provides an online document search system accessible through Burnet County website at burnetcountytexas.org, allowing users to search recorded instruments by grantor/grantee name, document type, or legal description; viewing and printing documents typically requires a fee-based subscription or per-page charges. Burnet County Appraisal District, located at 2703 S. Water Street, Burnet, TX 78611 (phone: 512-756-6891), maintains property tax records, appraisals, ownership information, and exemption data; their website at burnetcad.org offers a free online property search by owner name, address, or property ID, displaying current appraised values, tax history, and property characteristics.
Burnet County Tax Assessor-Collector handles tax collection and can provide tax payment histories and delinquency information. Burnet Central Appraisal District also maintains a GIS mapping system with parcel boundaries, aerial photography, and property data layers accessible to the public for research and planning purposes.
Vital Records
Vital records for Burnet County are managed through both local and state offices under the Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 3. Birth and death certificates occurring in Burnet County may be requested from Burnet County Clerk's Office, Local Registrar division, at 220 S. Pierce Street, Burnet, TX 78611 (phone: 512-756-5449). Birth certificates cost $23 for the first copy and $22 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously; death certificates are priced at $21 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies.
- Processing time for walk-in requests is typically same-day or next business day if the record is on file locally; records may take 2-3 weeks if retrieval from state archives is required.
- Applicants must provide valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and demonstrate direct and tangible interest in the record requested.
- Expedited service and mail-order options are available, with mailing fees added to base costs.
Only immediate family members and legal representatives with proper identification can obtain certified copies under Texas Family Code Section 191.0046. For full searches or older records, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit in Austin maintains statewide records dating to 1903 for births and 1903 for deaths; their website at dshs.texas.gov/vs offers online ordering through VitChek with expedited processing available for additional fees. Marriage licenses are issued by Burnet County Clerk's Office with a current fee of $81.00, reduced to $21 if applicants complete a premarital education course; couples must apply in person with valid government-issued photo identification and social security numbers.
Divorce decrees are recorded in the District Court and obtained through the County Clerk's records department.
Business & Licensing
Business records and licensing in Burnet County involve multiple government levels and offices. Burnet County Clerk's Office at 220 S. Pierce Street, Burnet, TX 78611 (phone: 512-756-5449) accepts and records Assumed Name Certificates (DBAs or 'Doing Business As' filings) for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under names other than the owner's legal name, as required by Texas Business and Commerce Code Section 71.002. The filing fee is $26 for businesses operating in a single county.
- Water Street, Burnet, TX 78611 (phone: 512-715-5106), which maintains records of commercial and residential building permits, septic system permits, and development plats.
- The Highland Lakes Economic Alliance and Burnet Chamber of Commerce (phone: 512-756-4297, website: burnetchamber.org) provide business development resources, though they do not issue licenses.
For full business entity searches including corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships, the Texas Secretary of State Business & Public Filings Division maintains the SOSDirect online database at sos.state.tx.us/corp, offering free searches by entity name, file number, or registered agent, displaying formation dates, registered addresses, and status. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts handles sales tax permits and franchise tax accounts through their webfile system. Professional licenses for occupations such as real estate agents, electricians, plumbers, and cosmetologists are issued by respective state licensing boards rather than county offices.
Building permits, construction inspections, and zoning compliance are handled by Burnet County Development Services Department at 2703 S. Marble Falls maintains its own Building Inspections Department for projects within city limits.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Burnet County
Explore public records for 8 cities and communities in Burnet County, Texas.
Economy & Demographics
Burnet County's economy represents a diverse blend of tourism, retirement services, construction, agriculture, and small manufacturing, reflecting its position as a Hill Country gateway and Highland Lakes recreation destination. Tourism constitutes a major economic driver, with Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, and Lake LBJ attracting fishing enthusiasts, boaters, and vacation property owners year-round; the annual Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet draws tens of thousands of visitors each April.
- The median household income in Burnet County is estimated at approximately $64,000 to $68,000, slightly below the Texas state median but reflecting a lower cost of living than nearby Austin.
- Manufacturing facilities include stone processing plants and light industrial operations.
- Recent economic development has focused on attracting retirees and remote workers fleeing Austin's higher costs, driving residential construction and service sector growth.
Healthcare and senior services represent significant employment sectors, with Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Marble Falls, Seton Highland Lakes hospital, and numerous assisted living facilities serving Burnet County's growing retiree population. Major employers include the school districts (Burnet CISD, Marble Falls ISD), county government, healthcare systems, retail centers including the Hill Country Galleria area near Bee Cave, and hospitality businesses. Agriculture remains economically relevant with cattle ranching, hay production, goat and sheep operations, and some viticulture.
The granite quarrying industry, historically significant and reflected in Burnet County's 'Granite Capital of Texas' designation, continues on a smaller scale with Texas granite used in monuments and construction materials. Horseshoe Bay Resort is a major employer and tourism anchor with golf courses, marina, and conference facilities. Unemployment rates typically track slightly above state averages, ranging from 3.5% to 4.5% in recent years.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Burnet County are administered by Burnet County Elections Administrator, located at 220 S. Pierce Street, Suite 108, Burnet, TX 78611 (phone: 512-756-5449). The Elections Office website, accessible through burnetcountytexas.org, provides sample ballots, early voting locations and times, election results, and polling place information.
- Burnet County provides detailed precinct-by-precinct results on election night and official canvass reports following certification.
Voter registration in Texas is handled at Burnet County level; residents may register by completing and submitting a voter registration application to Burnet County Elections Office, available online through the Texas Secretary of State at texas.gov or in person at the Elections Office, county libraries, and various government offices. The registration deadline is 30 days before any election, and Texas does not offer online voter registration, applications must be submitted by mail or in-person with original signatures. To find your specific polling place in Burnet County, voters can use the 'Where Do I Vote?' tool on Burnet County elections website or call the Elections Office; polling locations are assigned based on voter registration address and precinct boundaries.
Public election records include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted under Texas Election Code Section 18.066), campaign finance reports filed with Burnet County clerk for local candidates, candidate applications and filings, and precinct-level election results dating back decades. Mail-in (absentee) ballots in Texas are restricted to voters 65 years or older, those who will be absent from Burnet County during the entire early voting period and Election Day, those confined in jail but otherwise eligible, or those with a disability or illness; applications for mail ballots must be submitted to Burnet County Early Voting Clerk using Form ABBM, available on Burnet County website. Under the Texas Election Code and Public Information Act, citizens may request copies of voted ballots (subject to redactions), poll lists, tabulation reports, and audit documentation, promoting transparency and enabling election observation.