How to Search Texas Public Records
Texas splits court records between District Clerks (felonies, major civil) and County Clerks (misdemeanors, property). Property appraisals go through independent Central Appraisal Districts (CADs).
- Court cases: Each county has a District Clerk and County Clerk. No single statewide court search.
- Sex offenders: DPS Sex Offender Registry at publicsite.dps.texas.gov.
- Inmates: TDCJ offender search at offender.tdcj.texas.gov.
- Business entities: Secretary of State SOSDirect at sos.state.tx.us.
- Property: County-level CADs set market values. Tax Assessor-Collector collects.
- E-filing: eFileTexas.gov for all Texas courts.
Texas Counties — Most Searched
Statewide Databases
Find the right database below — each covers a different record type.
Criminal & Court Records
Jail & Inmate Records
Vital Records
Business, Voter & Other
How to Search Texas Criminal Records
Two hundred and fifty-four counties. No statewide court search. Two different clerks in every county — the District Clerk for felonies and major civil, the County Clerk for misdemeanors and property. The Texas DPS criminal history check at txdps.state.tx.us/cch costs $3 with quick turnaround. Harris County (Houston), Dallas, Bexar (San Antonio), and Tarrant (Fort Worth) all have online court search. TDCJ at offender.tdcj.texas.gov handles state inmates. The DPS sex offender registry is at publicsite.dps.texas.gov. For statewide coverage, the $3 DPS check is the practical starting point.
Last reviewed:How to Search Texas Court Records
Every one of the 254 counties has two clerks maintaining separate records — the District Clerk (felonies, major civil over $200) and the County Clerk (misdemeanors, probate, property recording). No statewide search ties them together. Harris County (Houston), Dallas County, Bexar County (San Antonio), and Tarrant County (Fort Worth) each have their own online case search — these four counties alone cover over 25% of the state's population. Justice of the Peace Courts handle evictions, small claims, and traffic. Municipal Courts handle city ordinance violations. E-filing goes through eFileTexas.gov for all court levels. The scale is the challenge: 254 independent county court systems with no central portal.
How to Search Texas Property Records
Central Appraisal Districts — CADs — set property values in Texas, and they're independent agencies, not county offices. Each county has a CAD. The County Clerk records deeds, mortgages, liens, and property documents. The Tax Assessor-Collector sends bills and collects payments. Three separate entities for three separate functions. The biggest CADs — HCAD (Harris County), DCAD (Dallas), TCAD (Travis), BCAD (Bexar) — all have free online property search. Don't confuse the CAD (what your property is worth) with the County Clerk (who owns it and what's recorded against it). They're completely separate systems.
How to Get Texas Vital Records
DSHS Vital Statistics at dshs.texas.gov handles statewide birth and death records — $22 for birth certificates. But the faster route is often the local registrar: many county and city clerks issue copies of locally filed records same-day or next-day, compared to weeks through the state. Marriage licenses come from the County Clerk. Divorce records sit with the District Clerk. Texas also recognizes informal marriage (common-law marriage) — the declaration is filed with the County Clerk if the couple chooses to register it. With 254 counties, the local route is almost always faster than going through the state for vital records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there two clerks in every Texas county? ▼
The District Clerk handles district courts — felonies, major civil, family, juvenile. the County Clerk or the District Clerk, depending on the record type handles county courts-at-law — misdemeanors, small claims, property recordings, marriage licenses.
Is there a free statewide criminal search in Texas? ▼
No free comprehensive option. The DPS Sex Offender Registry is free. For court cases, search the county District Clerk where the case was filed.
What is a Central Appraisal District (CAD)? ▼
Every Texas county has an independent CAD that sets property market values. The CAD is not a county office. The Tax Assessor-Collector bills and collects based on CAD values.
What is a Central Appraisal District (CAD) in Texas? ▼
A CAD is an independent agency (not a county office) that determines property values for tax purposes in each Texas county. The CAD sets market values, the taxing entities set tax rates, and the County Tax Assessor-Collector sends the bills and collects payments. Search property values on the CAD website for your county.
What is the difference between District Clerk and County Clerk in Texas? ▼
District Clerk: felonies and major civil. County Clerk: misdemeanors, property deeds, probate, marriage licenses. In smaller counties one person may hold both roles. In larger counties they are separate offices.