What is a Public Information Act Request?

he Texas Public Information Act (PIA) gives the public the right to access government information. This applies only to records that already exist. The district is not required to create new records, conduct research, or answer legal questions.

What Records Can I Request?

Bexar Central Appraisal District (BCAD) keeps records in hardcopy, microfilm, and electronic formats. Records Management Staff can issue certified copies, which courts and administrative agencies in Texas will accept as certified copies of the original.

Available information includes:

• 1998–present: Property Appraisal Cards and Appraisers Field Cards
• 1982–1997: Limited microfiche records, including geographic ID number, legal description, situs address, owner name and mailing address, property class, taxing unit identifiers, and land/improvement/total values
• GIS geodatabase data, appraisal data, and hearing or protest data exports (available upon request)

For records dated prior to 1982, contact the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector at:

Vista Verde Plaza Building, Archives Department
233 N. Pecos La Trinidad
San Antonio, TX 78207-3175
Phone: 210-335-6595
bexar.org/1515/Tax-Assessor-Collector

The Bexar Central Appraisal District does not maintain:

Most BCAD information is available under the Act, though some exceptions apply. Records Management Staff will notify you if an exception applies to your specific request

Is There a Fee?

Fees are currently waived for:

• Requests resulting in fewer than 10 pages of copies
• Requests from local taxing jurisdictions, the State of Texas, and related state offices per Texas Government Code § 552.267, since release is in the public interest

Fees for copying, programming, and data manipulation may apply to larger requests per the guidelines set under Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, Subchapter F. If you have questions about fee estimates, you can contact the Cost Rules Administrator at the Attorney General's Open Records Division.

All fees must be paid before documents are released. You'll receive an invoice for each transaction.

How Long Will It Take to Receive Requested Information?

BCAD processes requests in the order received and responds to every request within 10 business days from the date received.

If the information can't be compiled in that time, Records Management Staff will send a letter explaining the delay and specifying when and where you can inspect or obtain copies, per Texas Government Code § 552.221(d).

Once your request is ready, staff will mail the documents or coordinate pickup using the contact information you provided.

How Do I Submit a Request?

Requests must be submitted in writing with enough detail for BCAD to identify and locate the records. Any written request is subject to the Public Information Act.

Per Texas Government Code § 552.234, you may submit your request by:

• Mail: Bexar Central Appraisal District, Attn: Records Management Officer, 411 North Frio Street, San Antonio, TX 78207
• Fax: (210) 242-2455
• Email: OpenRecords@bcad.org
• Online: help.bcad.org (select "Open Records" from the Request Type dropdown)