Texas Public Records

The Texas Public Information Act is a series of laws governing public information release from governmental agencies in Texas. These laws give the public the right to request access to government records and set rules and regulations for how those records must be released. The Act also contains provisions for protecting information that is considered confidential or sensitive.

Suppose an agency decides to withhold information that has been requested. In that case, it must give the requester a written explanation of why the information is being withheld within ten days of receiving the records request.

How to Find Texas Public Records

A public record is a document or piece of information created or maintained by a governmental agency during its official business. This can include birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, court, tax, and property records.

Records requests or inspections can be made online, by mail, or in person.

If you request records from a state agency, you can find contact information for each agency on the State Agency List of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC).

Are Texas Public Records Available Online?

There are several ways to find Texas public records online as governmental agencies are increasingly making them available through their websites.

For instance, the Texas Department of Public Safety has an online database of Criminal History Records that can be searched by name or date of birth. The Texas Judicial Branch also has an online case lookup tool that allows users to search for court cases by name, case number, or file number.

Other agencies, such as the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, provide online access to specific types of public records such as unclaimed properties and sales taxpayer searches.

What Records are Available in Texas?

As stipulated in the Texas Public Information Act, public records are available for inspection and copying unless they are excepted by law.

Texas state agencies must maintain records that document their activities and functions, as well as records that are created while doing business with the public.

Some common types of public records include:

Birth and death certificates
Marriage licenses
Court records
Tax records
Property records
Criminal records
And more

TSLAC also has public records that maintain an archive of state records, including maps, photographs, manuscripts, vital records, and more.

What Records are Non-Public in Texas?

As with any other state, some records are exempt from disclosure under Texas public records law.

Some of the most common exemptions include:

Information that is considered confidential under state or federal law
Trade secrets
License plate numbers
Social security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Certain financial information
And more

Additionally, there may be circumstances where an agency can withhold information even if it is not specifically exempt from disclosure.

For example, if the release of the information would interfere with an ongoing investigation or put someone's safety at risk, the agency may choose to withhold the information.

Types of Public Records Available in Texas

Here are some examples of the types of public records that are available in Texas:

Texas Public Criminal Records

As mentioned above, the Texas Department of Public Safety has a statewide database of criminal history records that is available to the public.

These records include information such as:

Full name and alias of the individual
Date of birth
Race
Fingerprints
Mugshots
Details of offenses and arrests
Charges
Arrest records
Warrants

You need to open an account with the DPS to access these records. Once you have done so, you can search the database by name or date of birth. This is free of charge and can only occur through their website.

Police Departments and Sheriffe Office in Texas :

Harris County Sheriff's Office1200 Baker Street, Houston, TX

Dallas County Sheriff's Office133 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas , TX

Tarrant County Sheriff's Office200 Taylor Street, Fort Worth, TX

Bexar County Sheriff's Office200 North Comal Street, San Antonio, TX

Travis County Sheriff's Office5555 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX

Collin County Sheriff's Office4300 Community Ave., McKinney, TX

Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office711 E El Cibolo Rd, Edinburg, TX

Denton County Sheriff's Office127 N Woodrow Lane, Denton , TX

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office1 Criminal Justice Dr, Conroe, TX

Williamson County Sheriff's Office508 S Rock St, Georgetown, TX

Arrest Records and Warrants

Arrest records are public information in Texas and are typically maintained by local law enforcement agencies.

On the other hand, warrants typically come from a judge and are therefore part of the court record. You can search for warrants and arrest records through the statewide Crime Record Search Service maintained by the DPS.

You may also choose to visit the local Sheriff's office in the county where the arrest was made to request copies of arrest records.

Inmate and Jail Records

Inmate and jail records are documents that contain information about individuals who have been arrested and are being held in detention by local law enforcement.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) maintains these records. You can use their online Inmate Search tool to find information about inmates, including:

Name
Convicted offense and details
Sentence information
Projected release date
Location
Past convictions and incarcerations

You need to have at least the following information to use the TDCJ Inmate Search tool:

Last name and first name of the inmate
TDCJ number (if known)
SID number

There is no need to create an account to use this tool.

Jails and Prisons in Texas :

Harris County TX - The 711 Jail711 North San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX

Harris County TX - The 1307 Jail1307 Baker Street, Houston, TX

Joe Kegans State Jail707 Top Street, Houston, TX

Harris County TX - The 1200 Jail1200 Baker Street, Houston, TX

Pam Lychner State Jail2350 Atascocita Road, Humble, TX

Houston FDC 1200 TEXAS AVENUE, HOUSTON, TX

Harris County TX Juvenile Detention Center1200 Congress Street, Houston, TX

Houston Processing Center15850 Export Plaza Drive, Houston, TX

Harris County TX - The 701 Jail701 North San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX

Leidel Residential Reentry Center1819 Commerce Street, Houston, TX

Texas Background Checks

Texas follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a federal law that regulates how background checks can be performed.

The FCRA allows employers to request a copy of an individual's criminal history from the Texas Department of Public Safety, provided that the individual has given their written consent.

The criminal history report will include information such as:

Arrests
Convictions
Pending criminal cases
And more

To do a background check, you can go to DPS' Crime Record Search Service by opening an account.

How to find Sex Offenders in Texas

Texas sex offender registry is a public database containing information about individuals convicted of sex crimes.

In Texas, the sex offender registry is maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety. An online sex offender registry tool allows you to search for offenders by name, SID number, or location.

To search, you must create an email account with the DPS.

Texas Public Vital Records

The Vital Statistics Section (VSS) of Texas Health Services is responsible for the state's public vital records.

Public vital records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. You can request copies of these records through the VSS website. To get certificates online, you need to prove your identity by providing one or two of the following information:

State-issued driver's license or ID number,
Social Security Number, AND
Relationship to individual listed on the record.

You can also request copies by mail or in person. You need to include a notarized application form, a photocopy of your ID, and the required fees for mail requests. In-person requests can be made at a local or central VSS office.

Texas Court Records

There is no online database of Texas court records. However, you can request court records copies from the county clerk's office that filed the case.

To get copies of court records, you need to fill out a request form and submit it to the clerk's office. The clerk will then search for the documents and provide them to you if they are available.

Additionally, some counties in Texas have an online case search tool that allows you to search for court records by name, case number, or other keywords. However, not all counties have this type of tool.

If you need help finding court records, you can contact the clerk's office in the county where the case was filed, and they will assist you.

State Court System in Texas

There are three levels of courts in Texas:

The Supreme Court is the court of last resort and hears appeals from lower courts.
The Court of Criminal Appeals is the court of last resort for criminal cases.
The Intermediate Appellate Courts are the Courts of Appeals.

You can visit the Texas Judicial Branch website to learn more about the Texas court system.

Courts in Texas :

Harris County District Court201 Caroline St., Houston, TX

Dallas Municipal Court2014 Main St, Dallas, TX

Dallas County District Court600 Commerce St., Dallas, TX

Tarrant County District Court100 N Calhoun St., Fort Worth, TX

Bexar County District Court101 W Nueva, Ste 217, San Antonio, TX

Travis County District Court1000 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX

Collin County District Court2100 Bloomdale Rd, Ste 12132, McKinney, TX

Hidalgo Municipal Court110 E Flora Ave, Hidalgo, TX

Hidalgo County District Court100 N. Closner, Edinburg, TX

Denton Municipal Court601 E Hickory, Denton, TX

Driving Records

The DPS is also in charge of maintaining driving records in Texas.

A driving record is a document that contains information about your driving history, such as:

Traffic violations
Accidents
DUI/DWI convictions
License suspensions or revocations

To get a copy of your driving record, you can request it online or by mail. For online requests, you must provide your driver's license number, social security number, and date of birth. A valid credit card is also necessary to pay the required fees. You can request your driving record online here.

For mail requests, you will need to complete the Driver Record Request Form and submit it to the DPS at:

Texas Department of Public Safety

PO Box 149008

Austin, Texas 78714-9008

Civil Driving Infractions

A civil driving infraction is a non-criminal moving violation, such as speeding or running a red light.

You can pay the fine by mail or in person if you have been cited for a civil driving infraction. You can also request a hearing to contest the citation.

These infractions are handled by the Justice of the Peace Court in the county where the violation occurred. You can visit the Justice of the Peace Court website in the relevant county to learn more about contesting a civil driving infraction.

Texas License Plate Lookup

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles can help you look up the owner of a vehicle with the license plate number.

Third-party websites also offer this service for a fee. These websites claim to have access to DPS databases and can provide you with information about the owner of a vehicle, such as their name, address, and contact information.

Texas Property and Asset Records Online

The county clerk maintains property records in Texas in each county.

You can search for property records online, in-person, or by mail through the county clerk in the relevant county or by setting up an account with a third-party website that offers access to county clerk databases.

Important Government Agencies in Texas

Below are some essential government agencies in Texas that maintain public records:

Counties in Texas

Other Records in Texas

List of Content

How to Find Texas Public Records
1. Are Texas Public Records Available Online?
What Records are Available in Texas?
1. What Records are Non-Public in Texas?
Types of Public Records Available in Texas
Important Government Agencies in Texas
Other Records