Free Dallas County Public Records Search: Find Criminal, Inmate & Vital Records

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Free Dallas County Public Records Search

Access Dallas County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

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Dallas County public records cover an array of reports, documents, and public indexes that anyone can search; such records include warrants, arrest and criminal information as well as court documents and vital records pertaining to birth, death, marriage, and divorce.

Individuals can utilize this free guide to find publicly available records in Dallas County by reviewing the most affordable and efficient methods, as well as the custodians that host each type. Readers can look up county records in accordance with Texas laws regarding freedom of information and public records while ensuring protection from discrimination.

Although there are some restrictions on who can access which record type and other stipulations such as needing permission from the subject of some records to obtain them, this helpful guide will simplify the process and get desired public records into searchers’ hands in no time.

How To Perform a Dallas County Inmate Search Through Local Law Enforcement Agencies

The Texas Public Information Act was signed into Texas Government Code to ensure prompt and transparent access to statewide government records, unless sealed or withheld by law.¹ Dallas County public records are included in the broader Texas public records and are available to searchers who know where to find them.

When retrieving arrest records or trying to find someone’s mugshot, it is beneficial for the searcher to know the arrestee’s full name as well as an estimate of both when and where the arrest occurred.

Individuals throughout Dallas County can find out if someone is in jail by reviewing the county’s arrest and inmate records hosted by local law enforcement agencies such as the sheriff’s department and municipal police agencies.

Find Dallas County Inmate & Arrest Reports via the County Sheriff

The Dallas County online arrest search feature is maintained by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and hosts information on inmates held in any of the county’s detention facilities.^2,3 To browse the jail roster, individuals can search for the inmate’s information (name, birth date, race and sex), booking number or case number.

After a search is conducted, relevant Dallas County bookings and inmate profiles will be displayed along with the subject’s:

• Bond Amount
• Booking Date
• Booking Number
• Charge
• Date of Birth
• Jail Location
• Magistrate
• Mugshot
• Name
• Race
• Sex
• Warrant Number

In addition to browsing jail records online, interested parties can opt to find recent arrest reports by contacting the sheriff’s office directly or submitting an electronic public records request and having the record returned by mail, fax, email, or by picking it up from the office in person.

Dallas County Sheriff’s Department
133 North Riverfront Boulevard
Dallas Texas 75207

Inmate Information Line: 214.761.9025

Lew Sterrett Justice Center
111 W. Commerce St.
Dallas TX 75202

Phone: 214.875.2460
North Tower: 214.761.9025

George Allen Detention Center
600 Commerce St.
Dallas Texas 75202

Track Down Information on Arrestees Through City Police Departments in Dallas County, Texas

City or “municipal” police departments can also be contacted for inmate information compiled from several sources such as police reports, jail information and arrest records (as long as the department in question was the arresting agency).

Some examples of city police agencies throughout Dallas County are listed below along with the best ways to find inmate information:

The Records Section of the City of Dallas Police Department allows members of the public to request copies of arrest reports both in person or by mail; requesters need to know the subject’s name, sex, race, birthdate, and date the arrest occurred.

Dallas Police Department
Open Records
1400 South Lamar
Dallas TX 75215

Phone: 214.671.3148
Fax: 214.671.4636

The Garland Police Department operates a temporary holding facility–the Garland City Jail; interested parties can find arrestee and inmate information by submitting public information requests or visiting the department office.

Garland Police Department
1891 Forest Ln.
Garland Texas 75042

Phone: 972.485.4840

Garland City Jail
1900 West State St.
Garland Texas 75042

Phone: 972.485.4890
Fax: 972.485.4804

Information on inmates held in the Grand Prairie Police Department Detention Center can be accessed by requesting police records online, in person, or by mail, fax or email. The agency charges $.10 per copy for arrest reports with an additional $2 charge for optional certification.

Grand Prairie Police Department & Detention Center
1525 Arkansas Ln.
Grand Prairie Texas 75052

PD Phone: 972.237.8790
Detention Center Phone: 972.237.8951

Anyone can submit a records request to the Records Section of the Carrollton City Police Department or stop by in person to inquire about arrestees and inmates held in the Carrollton City Jail. Public copies of arrest reports are free, but comprehensive or “full copies” come at a nominal fee.

Carrollton Police Department – Records Section
2025 East Jackson Rd.
Carrollton Texas 75006

Phone: 972.466.3290

Requesters in Lewisville–a city partly in Dallas County and partially in Denton County–can ask for incident information by completing a police public records request or inquiring in person or by mail with the Lewisville Police Department.

Lewisville Police Department
1955 Lakeway Drive, Ste. 230
Lewisville Texas 75057

Phone: 972.219.3600

Mailing Address:
PO Box 299002
Lewisville Texas 75029

Individuals seeking incident or inmate records in other cities can easily enter “[city name] Texas arrest records” into any search engine to find the relevant online directory, phone number, or other useful contact information.

How To Retrieve Dallas County, Texas Marriage & Divorce Records

Anyone hoping to find out if someone is married or has finalized a divorce can check with the respective record custodians in Dallas County, as both marriage and divorce records are considered public information.

Searchers can quickly check public records for free or at a low cost to gain insight on the individual in question.

Search for Records of Marriages Held in Dallas County via the County Clerk

The best way to check if someone is married in Dallas County is to utilize online search tools or to request the desired records from the Dallas County Clerk directly. Anyone can view this information.

Dallas County marriage records can be obtained for $10 per search with an additional $4.35 for credit card processing and delivery fees. Applicants can either complete an online marriage certificate request or apply for a certificate of marriage at the clerk’s office during business hours.⁴ Requesters must display acceptable forms of identification to submit the request.

Requested records, if available, will be disbursed within 3-6 weeks either by mail (for a $1 standard shipping fee) or applicants can retrieve their records from the clerk at the address below:

Dallas County Clerk of Court – Records Bldg.
Attention – Vitals
500 Elm Street Suite 2100
Dallas Texas 75202

Phone: 214.653.7099
Fax: 214.653.7176
Hours: Weekdays 8am – 4:30pm

Access Divorce Records Through the Dallas County District Clerk

Dallas County divorce records are hosted by the District Clerk and can be found in several ways:

• Obtain public divorce records dating back to 1975 through the Dallas County court records search (free to search, but copies come at a small fee)
• Ask for a divorce record by submitting a Civil & Family Court record request
• Apply for a certified divorce certificate by completing a request for divorce decree
• Visit the District Clerk Civil and Family records desk to request certified divorce records

600 Commerce St.
Dallas Texas 75202

All payments for copies of records can be made via the District Clerk’s payment portal, in person at the address above (by cash, credit, check or money order), or by mail to the address below (via money order or check):

Dallas County District Clerk of Courts
Attention – Civil and Family Court Records
600 Commerce St., Suite B 30
Dallas TX 75202

Obtain Dallas County Marriage & Divorce Certificates via the Texas Department of State Health Services

The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) can also be utilized to find various marriage and divorce record types or to browse the state’s marriage and divorce indexes from 1966 (marriage) and 1968 (divorce) on.⁵

Interested parties can go through the process of obtaining vital records for the associated costs and fees either online, in person via local vital records offices or by mail.

Third party services excel at finding vital records efficiently and affordably, as these platforms can check not only aliases and other information that may not be held in public records, but can also perform checks throughout the entire country rather than being limited to a particular county or even state.

As a last resort, the local church where the marriage ceremony was held could still maintain records of marriage that took place in or near the church; searchers tracking down certificates of marriage or interested in genealogy can benefit from checking out this option.

How To Track Down Criminal Records in Dallas County, Texas

By checking if someone has a criminal record, interested parties can find information on a subject’s prior and ongoing criminal court proceedings as well as details about former arrests, criminal activity, detention facilities and sentencing. Public criminal records of individuals in Dallas County can be accessed via either local or state custodians. Each public records repository is outlined below along with the process of obtaining criminal history records from each source.

Locate Criminal History Information in Dallas County

Although there are no comprehensive criminal history reports available from any county agencies for official or commercial use, it is still possible for members of the public to look up Dallas County criminal records filed after 2009 by conducting a Dallas County felony and misdemeanor search.

This free criminal record check search tool can be utilized by entering a relevant case number or party name and will return details such as charges and dispositions. All information found through this resource was compiled by the county and district clerks.

Individuals hoping to find misdemeanor case records in Dallas County can also call or visit the office of the County Clerk to look up someone’s criminal record.

Dallas County Clerk
133 North Riverfront Boulevard
Dallas Texas 75202

Phone: 214.653.5767

If a felony record needs to be ordered or certified, requesters should email the Criminal Records Section of the Dallas County District Clerk at [email protected] or request the document or certification in person at the Felony Records counter. A completed felony records request form must be submitted at the time of request–either at the records counter or as an email attachment.

Sealed records will not be disbursed without a court order.

Dallas County District Clerk – Criminal Records Section
133 North Riverfront Boulevard
Dallas Texas 75202

Costs & Fees

Fees vary depending on the type and quantity of records requested–and whether or not the record is certified–so all requesters should confirm the total charge with the clerk before paying in person (at the address above), via the online payment portal, or by mail via check or money order to the following address:

Dallas County District Clerk
Frank Crowley Courts Bldg.
133 North Riverfront Boulevard, LB – 12
Dallas TX 75202

As a final option for securing criminal information locally, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) or city police departments can be contacted to ask about specific incident or arrest details, but these are simply the arresting agencies and will not be able to provide a complete criminal history report. Contact information for the sheriff’s department and many municipal police agencies can be found above in the section about inmate searches.

Acquire Texas Criminal Records by Utilizing State Resources (TX Department of Public Safety, Department of Criminal Justice & More)

While criminal reports from county custodians are helpful, the most reliable, accurate and comprehensive criminal history records are obtainable from state resources. The Crime Records Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides both name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history searches; the methods of requesting each type–along with the expenses of each–are summarized under the headings found below.⁶

Alongside the DPS, other state and federal agencies offer free and publicly available criminal details to individuals in Texas:

• BOP inmate search – A search tool for inmates previously or currently in custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons
  • Enter subject’s name or BOP register number
  • Displays charges, mugshots and convictions
• Texas Public Sex Offender Website – Texas’ state sex offender registry
  • Look up offenders by location, name, or institute of higher education.
• National Sex Offender Public Website – National sex offender registry
  • Perform searches by location or offender name
• Inmate information search hosted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) shows information on current TDCJ inmates^7,8
  •  Look up inmates by name, TDCJ number, detention facility, or state identification number (SID)
  • View sentencing dates, offense details, parole eligibility, etc.

Perform a Name-Based Criminal History Search

Name-based criminal history conviction searches provided via DPS require searchers to create a free account and then purchase search credits at a cost of $3 for each search by money order, check or credit card (credit card payments will require an additional processing fee).

Once a search has been performed, users will have access to information on subjects with either a deferred adjudication (delay of case proceedings until the individual has met conditions of supervision) or conviction.

Name-based searches require the searcher to know the subject’s first and last name; results display class B misdemeanors, prosecutions, arrests and other relevant criminal information.

Conduct a Fingerprint-Based Criminal Conviction Search

The Fingerprint Applicant System of Texas (FAST, a partner of IdentoGO) is Texas’ system for conducting fingerprint-based criminal history searches. However, this service is not publicly available and only entities authorized by state statute can utilize it. This type of search is typically used by government agencies and certain employers or job sectors.

An outline of the fingerprint-based search and its fees are laid out below under the heading on background checks.

Access Your Own Statewide Texas Criminal History Record

Residents of Texas can request copies of their own Texas criminal history records to review them, ensure their accuracy, or to simply maintain a copy for their own personal records.⁹

Individuals desiring copies of their own criminal records from DPS have the following options:

• Perform a name-based criminal record check online by entering their own name
• Use FAST to submit fingerprints through IdentoGO and perform a Review of Personal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
  •  $10 search charge with an additional $15 CHRI fee ($25 total)
  • Call +1(888)467-2080 to set up a fingerprinting appointment
  • Reports will be delivered by either postal mail or email

Conduct a Background Check on Anyone in Dallas County, Texas

In Dallas County, background checks can be conducted for both personal and professional purposes to investigate individuals and gain insight into their past. Though both types of checks are available, professional background checks must adhere to certain state and federal laws while personal checks are more lax.

Information about key features and methods of obtaining each background check are laid out below:

Personal Background Checks

• Do not require the subject’s permission
• Do not require a stated reason for the check to be conducted
• Offer insight on colleagues, new neighbors and acquaintances
• Information gained is prohibited from use regarding any form of intimidation or harassment
• Can be done by gathering public information such as the records outlined in this guide (arrests, warrants, court records, name-based searches, vital records, etc.) or through helpful and low-cost third party platforms which can cover many jurisdictions at once and save the searcher time and effort

Professional Background Checks

• Necessitate the subject of the check’s written consent prior to performing the background check
• Permit the subject to request a copy of the background check report for their own records or to verify accuracy or dispute false reporting
• Are formal investigations conducted for employment, residency and other professional reasons (i.e. adoption, healthcare roles, security)
• Detail the subject’s history of education, employment, court cases, residences, convictions, sentences and more
• Primarily done in one of two methods: Level 1 (name-based) checks or Level 2 (fingerprint verified checks) – detailed below
• Must follow all regulations and laws below:
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – Prohibits workplace discrimination and allows applicants and employees to file a charge of employment discrimination if they have been rejected, fired, or otherwise discriminated against
  • Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) – Safeguards consumer information and ensures accuracy in reporting; fraud reports can be submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if a professional check is conducted without the subject’s written permission
  •  Texas Division of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights – Serves to enforce state laws regarding workplace and housing discrimination; the Division can be reached via phone at 512.437.3450 or by mail at:

Texas Commission on Human Rights
PO Box 13493
Austin, Texas 7871

Professional background checks are not available through any Dallas County agencies, but Texans can complete their own Level 1 name-based Criminal History Conviction Name Search through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) after creating an account and buying credits ($3 per search).

See the entire process for performing name-based searches above in the section on criminal records.

Fingerprint background checks (Level 2) require that official fingerprint cards (available from the Crime Records Division of DPS) be forwarded to the FBI for a check against the national database, but only individuals authorized or required by law can obtain this type of background check.⁶ To complete a fingerprint-based check, an authorized agency or employer must provide their assigned code to the subject of the check, as the subject will need to submit the code to DPS.

Criminal record background checks are $15 each while fingerprint cards cost $10 and are available via the DPS directly or through local law enforcement agencies. The agency code, appropriate fees and an acceptable form of identification should all be submitted.

How To Find Information on Warrants in Dallas County, Texas

Dallas County public records include various types of warrants issued within the county, so concerned citizens can easily check if someone has a warrant by contacting the Dallas County Sheriff Department Warrants Section on the phone or in person at the following address: ¹⁰

Dallas County Sheriff’s Office – Warrants Section
133 North Riverfront Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75207

Warrant General Inquiries: 214.761.9026
Warrant Section: 214.653.2700

A Dallas County wanted search can be conducted by entering the wanted person’s name, zip code, citation number, case number, or demographics.¹¹ Wanted individuals’ information is disclosed on this online warrant database. Details include the subject’s full name, birth date, last known address and what they are wanted for.

Subjects who have outstanding Dallas County warrants can also be viewed on the Top 50 Wanted List.

In addition to accessing warrant information through the Dallas County sheriff’s office, members of the public can also contact local city police departments to conduct warrant searches. For example, details about city of Dallas arrest warrants will be disclosed to individuals who call 214.670.0109 while Garland open warrants are posted publicly with the wanted person’s name and number of active warrants against them.

Lastly, the county clerk will be able to provide answers about warrants originating in Dallas County; the clerk’s contact information may be found below:

133 North Riverfront Blvd.
Dallas Texas 75207

Phone: 214.653.7099
Fax: 214.653.7176
Hours: Weekdays 8am – 4:30pm

How To Look Up Probationer Details Through the Dallas County Community Supervision & Corrections Offices

The Dallas County Community Supervision & Corrections Division (CSCD) is responsible for supervision of probationers within the county, meaning the CSCD oversees individuals who have been convicted of crimes but are granted the option to live and work in the community rather than being incarcerated in jail.¹²

Members of the public can find information on probationers by filling out the CSCD contact form, reaching out to the CSCD Administration Office (by mail, phone, or in person), or by contacting any of the countywide CSCD satellite offices.

Dallas County Community Supervision & Corrections
Administration Office
1300 West Mockingbird Ln., Floor 3
Dallas TX 75247

Phone: 214.653.5300

How To View Court Records in Dallas County, Texas

Texas’ court organization is comprised of three primary levels–the trial courts, appellate courts and the state’s supreme court. At the county level, the Dallas County & District Courts include criminal courts, county courts of appeals, civil, family, juvenile, probate, and justice of the peace courts.

Find Trial Court Case Documents in Dallas County Through the Central Records Division & Online Public Indexes

The county clerk’s Central Records Division hosts all county court records and allows public access to all court documents and audio files that have not been legally sealed. The clerk can also be reached with questions about upcoming trials, court dates, or other court information.

Dallas County judicial records dating back to 1846 can be requested from either of the locations below; be sure to review the record request information for the types and methods of submitting requests–as well as the fee schedule for costs–before visiting these courthouses or requesting a court record by mail.

George Allen Courts Building
600 Commerce St.
Dallas Texas 75202

Phone: 214.653.7099
Fax: 214.653.7176
Hours: Weekdays 8am – 4pm

Frank Crowley Criminal Courts Building
133 North Riverfront Boulevard
Dallas Texas 75207

Phone: 214.653.7099
Hours: Weekdays 8am – 4:30pm

Records pertaining to civil, family, juvenile & criminal district courts can be browsed online via the electronic Dallas County case search by entering a party’s name or the case record number.¹³

Felony and misdemeanor case documents could also be reviewed through the online public access database by entering the criminal court case number or through the online criminal case document search by typing a relevant case number or name.

Civil, family, juvenile and criminal district court documents may be obtained through the District Clerk’s Record Information Office as well.¹⁴

Conduct a Search of Appellate & State Supreme Court Records

Aside from the trial courts, courts of higher authority are listed below with their relevant record request or search options:

• Dallas County falls within jurisdiction of the Fifth Court of Appeals:
  • Fifth Court of Appeals case search
• The highest state court with the most authority is the Texas Supreme Court
  • Texas Supreme Court Appellate case search
  • Court of Criminal Appeals case/document search

How To Obtain Vital Records in Dallas County (Birth & Death)

Records of birth and death are often needed for insurance, genealogy and other government records. These documents can also be useful to have for one’s own personal records.

However, Texas birth records are legally confidential for 75 years while death records are withheld for 25 years, meaning until these time periods have passed only the subject named on the certificate, immediate family members, those who can prove tangible interest or individuals granted access by court order can obtain them.

Request Birth & Death Records Through the Dallas County Clerk

Birth and death records for all of Dallas County are available via the Dallas County Clerk’s Vital Records Division with the exception of events that occurred within the city limits–documents pertaining to these events must be accessed via the ​​City of Dallas Vital Records Unit as they run their own vital records office.

Records of birth are available dating back to 1928 and death records dating back to 1930.

Applicants seeking these vital records in Dallas County can:

• Complete an online birth certificate request or online death certificate request
• Submit an acceptable form of ID
• Pay the necessary fees ($23.03 for a certificate of birth or $21 for certificate of death)
  • Note: Additional fees apply for credit card payments

Access Certificates of Dallas County Births & Deaths via the Texas Department of State Health Services

Birth records and death records from 1903 on can both be obtained through the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) as well.⁵ Requesters will need to pay the applicable death record fees or birth record fees and follow the steps to request these records online, by mail or in person at local vital records offices.

All certified records of birth and death must be obtained from the county clerk.

Interested individuals can also browse digital birth and death indexes at a cost of $10 per calendar year searched.¹⁵ These indexes are available from 1925 to present for birth records and death records are accessible from 1965 on.

Third party services and sites are equipped to quickly track down vital records such as birth and divorce documents and can save searchers a great deal of time and tedious searching. However, copies of records obtained through these services will not be certified.

How To Get Property Records From the Dallas Central Appraisal District

Dallas County public records regarding land ownership and property information can be requested and obtained through the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) in person, by mail, or via email.¹⁶ The address below can be referred to for in person visits or mailed property record requests, while helpful email addresses are listed on the DCAD contact information page.

Dallas County Appraisal District
2949 N. Stemmons Freeway
Dallas TX 75247

Phone: 214.631.0910
Fax: 214.634.2518
Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30am – 5pm

Additionally, an open records request can be submitted to the Appraisal District; the District charges the following fees for document production:¹⁷

• Standard 8.5” x 11” pages – $0.10 per page
• 50 pages or more – $0.10 per page plus $15 per working hour and 20% overhead fees
• CD – $1 each
• Programming – $28.50 per working hour plus 20% overhead fees
• Postage – actual cost

Aside from asking about records in person or by mail, many free public records search options are available for viewing Dallas County property records online:

• Property Record Search by Owner Name
• Property Search by Account Number
• Property Search by Street Address
• Property Search by Business Name
• Map Search

A Synopsis of Dallas County Public Records Searches

Public records in Dallas County come in many forms and are available through many custodians and formats; below you’ll find a recap of the best ways to find each record type.

• Dallas County arrest records:
  • Dallas County Sheriff’s Office³
    • Submit an electronic public records request
    • Perform a Dallas County inmate search²
  • Municipal police departments
• Vital Records:
  • Dallas County Clerk: Birth, Marriage & Death Records
  • Dallas County District Clerk: Divorce Records
  • Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS): All Vital Records⁵
    • • Marriage and divorce indexes
      • Birth and death indexes¹⁵
  • City of Dallas Vital Records Unit: City of Dallas Birth & Death Records
• Criminal History Records & Background Checks:
  • District Clerk – Felonies
    • Dallas County felony and misdemeanor search
  • County Clerk – Misdemeanors
  • Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)⁶
    • Name-based criminal history conviction searches
    • Fingerprint-based criminal history searches
    • Review of Personal Criminal History Record Information
  • BOP inmate search
  • Texas Public Sex Offender Website
  • National Sex Offender Public Website
  • Texas Department of Criminal Justice⁸
    • Inmate information search⁷
• Dallas County Warrant Information:
  • Dallas County Sheriff Department Warrants Section¹⁰
    • Dallas County wanted search¹¹
    • Top 50 Wanted List
  • Dallas County clerk
• Probation:
  • Dallas County Community Supervision & Corrections Division (CSCD)¹²
    • CSCD contact form
• Court records in Dallas County:
  • Trial Courts
    • County Clerk’s Central Records Division
    • District Clerk’s Record Information Office
    • Public Access to court records
    • Criminal Case Record Search
  • Appellate Courts
    • Fifth Court of Appeals case search
  • State Supreme Court
    • Texas Supreme Court Appellate case search
    • Court of Criminal Appeals case/document search
• Property Records in Dallas County:
  • Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD)¹⁶
    • DCAD open record request¹⁷
    • Property Record Search by owner, account, address, business name or map

By utilizing this search form to find the most reliable and affordable processes for contacting or submitting requests to official custodians, searchers can promptly access copies of many Dallas County public records.