Open Records

The City of Royse City is committed to open and transparent government. The City Secretary's Office handles all public information requests according to the Texas Public Information Act.

How to Submit an Open Records Request

To request public records, you must submit a written request that includes:

• A clear description of the records you need
• Your contact information (mailing address, phone number, or email)

The City process requests through and online portal, where you can submit and track your request. Once processed, you can download the records or choose to receive them another way. Please note, some requests may require a processing fee.

Important Guidelines

Requests must be for existing documents or records; the City is not required to answer questions, create new records, or compile data. If your request is unclear, the City may ask for more details to ensure the right records are provided.

Exceptions to Disclosure

Some records are not available by law, including but not limited to:

• Bank account and routing numbers
• Social Security numbers
• Driver's license and license plate numbers
• Email addresses
• Date of birth
• Credit card details
• Insurance policy numbers

If a record might be confidential, the City must ask the Texas Attorney General to decide if it can be released. You will be informed if this happens and updated on the decision.

Public Information Act

The Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives everyone the right to access government records without needing to provide a reason. The City Secretary is the designated officer to handle open records requests.

The City is allowed to recover costs associated with fulfilling requests, based on rates set by the Texas Administrative Code. For more information, see the Charges Associated with Open Records Requests.