Persons filing documents in the county property records with the county clerk’s office in person will be required to show a photo ID beginning Dec. 4.

The new requirement is the result of a law approved by state legislators during the most recent 2025 session.

It is aimed primarily at curbing fraudulent transactions.

The county clerk’s office at the courthouse in Quitman will record the ID and is required to keep it confidential. It is allowed to be accessed only in the event of a criminal investigation.

Wood County Clerk Kelley Price said notices of the change have been posted in her office, and the staff is notifying those who regularly do business with the office, such as title companies and banks.

It is also posted on the county’s website.

The office can refuse to file a document if the ID is not provided.

The change approved as part of Senate Bill 16 can be found in Section 191.010(b) of the Local Government Code.

Acceptable forms of photo ID include the following:

State-Issued Driver’s License or ID Card

U.S. Military ID Card

U.S. Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”)

General Identification Card issued by a Municipality

U.S. Recognized Tribal ID Card

U.S. Passport or from a U.S. recognized Foreign Government

Texas DPS issued License to Carry a Concealed Handgun.

They must not be expired for more than 60 days and must be in physical form.

Anyone with concerns can call the clerk’s office at 903-763-2711.