Tex. Gov't Code Section 51.501
Joint Clerks


(a)

Except as otherwise provided by this section, a county with a population of less than 8,000 shall elect a single clerk to perform the duties of the district clerk and the county clerk.

(b)

The offices of county clerk and district clerk may remain separate if a majority of the qualified voters in the county vote to keep the offices separate at an election held for that purpose. The commissioners court of the county may hold a special election for that purpose on a uniform election date authorized by law that occurs not later than the 30th day before the date of the regular primary election that precedes the expiration of the constitutional term of office for the clerk. Notice of the special election shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county not later than the 20th day before the date scheduled for the election. The question may be presented to the voters again immediately before the expiration of each subsequent constitutional term of office of the separate clerk. The special election may not prevent a county clerk, district clerk, or joint clerk from serving the full term of office to which the clerk was elected.

(c)

The commissioners court of a county that has a population of 5,415 to 5,515 shall determine whether the county shall have a joint clerk but may not take action to prevent a district clerk, county clerk, or joint clerk from serving the full term of office to which the clerk was elected.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 597, Sec. 69, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 669, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1163 (H.B. 2702), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 644 (H.B. 4559), Sec. 36, eff. September 1, 2023.

Source: Section 51.501 — Joint Clerks, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.­51.­htm#51.­501 (accessed Apr. 13, 2024).

51.001
Appointment
51.002
Clerk Pro Tempore
51.003
Removal of Clerk
51.004
Duties
51.005
Fees and Costs
51.006
Fee for Attorney’s License or Certificate
51.007
Vacancy During Vacation
51.0045
Electronic or Microfilm Storage
51.0046
Privacy of Certain Records and Documents
51.0051
Additional Fees
51.101
Oath
51.102
Deputy Clerk
51.103
Removal of Clerk
51.104
Duties and Liabilities
51.105
Electronic Storage
51.201
Appointment
51.202
Clerk Pro Tempore
51.203
Removal of Clerk
51.204
Records of Court
51.205
Electronic or Microfilm Storage
51.206
Law Library
51.207
Fees and Costs
51.208
Additional Fees
51.301
Vacancy
51.302
Bond
51.303
Duties and Powers
51.304
Preservation of Records
51.306
Recording Proceedings of More than One Court
51.307
Transferred Judgments
51.308
Clerk Pro Tempore
51.309
Deputy Clerks and Other Employees
51.310
Deputy District Clerks of Bexar County
51.311
Special Deputy District Clerk in Lubbock and Nueces Counties
51.312
Special Deputy District Clerk in Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Tarrant, and Travis Counties
51.313
Special Deputy District Clerk in Collin and Denton Counties
51.314
Special Deputy District Clerk in Galveston County
51.315
Special Deputy District Clerks for Certain Courts in Harris County
51.316
Deputy Clerk and Assistant in Hidalgo, Jefferson, and Nueces Counties
51.318
Fees Due When Service Performed or Requested
51.319
Other Fees
51.320
Bill for Services
51.322
Removal
51.401
Clerk Pro Tempore
51.402
Duties and Powers
51.403
Transfer of Cases
51.404
Special Deputy County Clerk in Galveston County
51.501
Joint Clerks
51.502
Seal
51.601
Court Reporter Service Fund
51.602
Compensation of Certain Clerks
51.605
Continuing Education
51.606
Prohibited Fees
51.607
Implementation of New or Amended Court Costs and Fees
51.608
Imposition of Court Costs in Criminal Proceedings
51.609
Immunity from Liability for Disclosure or Release of Court Documents
51.610
Uncollectible Fees
51.801
Definition
51.802
Place of Filing
51.803
Supreme Court Regulation and Approval
51.804
Completion of Electronic Filing
51.805
Transmission or Distribution of Data
51.806
Signature on Original
51.807
Local Rules
51.808
Notice of Self-help Resources
51.851
Electronic Filing Fee
51.852
Statewide Electronic Filing System Fund
51.901
Fraudulent Document or Instrument
51.902
Action on Fraudulent Judgment Lien
51.903
Action on Fraudulent Lien on Property
51.904
Warning Sign
51.905
Documents Filed with Secretary of State
51.941
Additional Filing Fee in Appellate Courts for Basic Civil Legal Services for Indigents
51.942
Rules
51.943
Basic Civil Legal Services Account
51.1045
Electronic Documents and Digital Multimedia Evidence
51.3031
Issuance of United States Passports
51.3032
Electronic Display of Official and Legal Notices by District Clerk
51.3071
Transfer of Cases
51.3195
Copies of Court Records Preserved Only on Microfilm or by Electronic Method

Accessed:
Apr. 13, 2024

§ 51.501’s source at texas​.gov