Sec. 53.203.  RECORDING OF BOND AND CONTRACT.  (a)  The bond and the contract between the original contractor and the owner shall be filed with the county clerk of the county in which is located all or part of the owner's property on which the construction or repair is being performed or is to be performed.  A memorandum of the contract or a copy of the contract may be substituted for the original.
(b)  The plans, specifications, and general conditions of the contract are not required to be filed.
(c)  The county clerk shall record the bond and place the contract on file in the clerk's office and shall index and cross-index both in the names of the original contractor and the owner in records kept for that purpose.
(d)  On request and payment of a reasonable fee, the county clerk shall furnish a copy of the bond and contract to any person.
(e)  In any court of this state or in the United States, a copy of the bond and contract certified by the county clerk constitutes prima facie evidence of the contents, execution, delivery, and filing of the originals.
Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3551, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.  Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 683, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987;  Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1138, Sec. 30, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.