OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know
How to use this page: Pick the record type you need below. Each section names the agency that holds those records and links to the official source — no aggregators, no third-party services. Because Texas is so large and many records are held at the county level, knowing which of the 254 counties the record is from will save you time.

What You Can Find Here

⚖️ Court case records through re:SearchTX statewide
🔍 Arrest records from county sheriffs and municipal police
📋 Criminal history checks through Texas DPS
🏛️ Vital records, property records, and open-records requests
Have this ready before you start:
  • Full name of the person or business
  • Case number, if you have one
  • The county where the record was created

How Records Work in Texas

Texas's court and arrest records live across three levels: state, county, and arresting-agency. The state judiciary under the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals maintains appellate records, and re:SearchTX aggregates trial-court data statewide. Texas DPS holds statewide criminal history through its Crime Records Service. Most local records — property deeds, marriage licenses, local court filings — live at the county level.

Texas has 254 counties, the most of any U.S. state. Each has its own clerk, sheriff, and district clerk maintaining separate records. Large urban counties (Harris, Dallas, Bexar, Tarrant, Travis) have robust online portals; smaller rural counties may require a phone call, email, or in-person visit. The 14 intermediate Courts of Appeals are organized by region, not by county line.

Counties in Texas

Texas has 254 counties — the most of any U.S. state. Select one below to find local court, arrest, and court and arrest records.

Major Counties

What this page does not show: Not every record is online. With 254 counties, online coverage varies dramatically — some counties have excellent portals, others require phone calls or in-person visits. Older records in particular may only exist in paper form at the local clerk's office. When in doubt, call the county directly.

This page is a guide to help you find official records — it is not the official database. All information comes from government sources. Verify details directly with the agency that holds the records.

Last updated: April 24, 2026