Dallas County Court Records
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Dallas County is the second-most-populous county in Texas and home to one of the largest judicial systems in the state, with its main courthouse facilities clustered in downtown Dallas. Tens of thousands of cases move through its courts every year, covering everything from felony prosecutions to civil disputes, family law proceedings, probate administration, and more. Two offices handle the preservation and release of those records: the Dallas County District Clerk, who maintains files for district-level civil, criminal, family, and juvenile courts; and the Dallas County Clerk, who manages records for the county courts at law, county criminal courts, probate courts, and vital statistics. Under Texas Government Code, Chapter 51, both offices are responsible for safeguarding these materials and making them available as the law requires.
If you want a broader overview of how Texas courts are organized, TexasStateCourts.us is a useful starting point. For Dallas County specifically, the county maintains its own online portals, clerk offices, and public-access tools that let you search by case number, party name, or other identifiers — either online or at the courthouse counter.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dallas County?
Dallas County offers several ways to find court case records, depending on what type of case you need and which office holds the file.
Online Portals
The county runs two main electronic search systems:
- Dallas County Courts Portal — The Dallas County Courts Portal includes a quick search tool that accepts either a record number or a party's name in Last, First Middle Suffix format. If you want full registered access, you'll need to fill out a user registration form.
- Criminal Background Search — The Felony and Misdemeanor case search tool lets you look up criminal matters by name or case number and doesn't require you to register first.
The online record search page also brings together links to civil, criminal, probate, and other Dallas County case databases in one place.
In-Person Requests
You can access records at counter windows in two main courthouse buildings:
George Allen Courts Building (Civil, Family, Juvenile, Probate)
Address: 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202
Civil & Family Records Desk: Basement B Floor West
Phone: (214) 653-6076
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday
Frank Crowley Courts Building (Criminal/Felony)
Address: 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207
Criminal Records Desk: 2nd Floor (between Jury Room and Cashier windows)
Phone: (214) 653-5950
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday
Requests submitted after 4:00 PM are processed the following business day.
Mail and Email Requests
You can also submit written requests by mail or email. For criminal records, email your completed Criminal Records Request Form to DCRecordsCriminal@dallascounty.org. For civil and family records, attach a completed Civil & Family Records Request Form and send it to DCRecords@dallascounty.org. If paying by check or money order, mail your payment to the appropriate records division address.
Records Service Fees (Revised October 2024)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certification of record | $5.00 per document |
| Paper copies (all types) | $1.00 per page |
| Exemplification of document | $5.00 per document + $1.00/page |
| Name change certification (divorce only) | $10.00 |
| Digital records sent electronically | $1.00/page (first 10 pages), then $0.10/page |
| Paper records scanned and sent electronically | $1.00 per page |
| Search fee (per name or instrument, no case number) | $5.00 |
| Search and retrieval from off-site warehouse | $5.00 |
The District Clerk accepts cash, in-state personal checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards. Debit card transactions carry a $2.95 fee, and credit card payments add a 2.15% surcharge. You can also pay through the online payment portal. Always confirm the exact cost with the records office before paying — overages are typically held in escrow rather than refunded.
Are Court Records Public in Dallas County?
Court records in Dallas County are generally open to public inspection. Texas common law, statutory provisions, and judicial rules each play a role in establishing public access. It's worth noting that the Texas Public Information Act, codified in Government Code Chapter 552, covers executive-branch records and does not directly regulate the court system. Court record access is mainly shaped by the common-law right of access and by individual court rules adopted under the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration.
That said, certain categories of information are kept from public view:
- Sealed records — Cases sealed by court order cannot be inspected or copied without a subsequent order lifting the seal.
- Juvenile records — Proceedings in the 304th and 305th Juvenile District Courts are confidential. Juvenile court records held by the District Clerk are currently available only in paper format and are not posted online.
- Sensitive personal data — Under a Texas Supreme Court order effective January 1, 2014, pleadings containing un-redacted Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth of minors, and similar identifiers are prohibited from online display.
- Sexual assault victim information — Names and identifying details of sexual assault victims are excluded from public online records and must be requested in person if otherwise accessible.
- Settlement negotiations involving the state — Certain investigation or prosecution materials are also exempt under statutory provisions.
A complete fee schedule for records services is published on the District Clerk's website.
Dallas County Criminal Court Records
Dallas County's criminal court structure is one of the largest in Texas, with cases divided between felony-level criminal district courts and misdemeanor-level county criminal courts, all housed at the Frank Crowley Courts Building.
Criminal District Courts (Felonies)
Sixteen criminal district courts — numbered 1 through 7, plus the 194th, 195th, 203rd, 204th, 265th, 282nd, 283rd, 291st, 292nd, and 363rd — handle felony prosecutions. All are located at:
Frank Crowley Courts Building
Address: 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207
Select court phone numbers: Criminal District Court No. 1 at (214) 653-5605, Criminal District Court No. 5 at (214) 653-5640, and the 363rd at (214) 653-5890.
County Criminal Courts (Misdemeanors)
County Criminal Courts No. 8 through 11 handle Class A and Class B misdemeanors, also at the Crowley building on the 4th floor. For misdemeanor record inquiries, contact the Dallas County Clerk's Criminal Courts Division at (214) 653-5767 or (214) 653-5762, located on the 2nd floor of the Frank Crowley Courts Building.
Searching Criminal Records Online
The District Clerk publishes criminal case data going back to 1975 through the online record search portal. Case documents — pleadings, orders, and judgments — for most felony cases filed after 2009 are viewable at no charge. The criminal background search tool lets you look up felony and misdemeanor cases by name or case number without registering.
Statewide Criminal History
If you need records that span multiple jurisdictions, the Texas Department of Public Safety maintains a Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. The public conviction database includes records where a reported conviction or deferred adjudication exists; you'll need to create an account to search. The DPS also hosts the sex offender registry.
Requesting Certified Copies
Certified copies of felony records can be requested in person at the Felony Records Desk (2nd floor, Crowley building) or by emailing DCRecordsCriminal@dallascounty.org. To request by mail, send a check or money order to:
Dallas County District Clerk
Attn: Criminal Records
Frank Crowley Courts Building
133 N. Riverfront Blvd., LB-12
Dallas, Texas 75202
Dallas County Civil Court Records
Thirteen civil district courts, a designated tax court, and five county courts at law handle the full range of civil litigation in Dallas County. The civil district courts — including the 14th, 44th, 68th, 95th, 101st, 116th, 134th, 160th, 162nd, 191st, 192nd, 193rd, and 298th — are located in the George Allen Courts Building at 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202. The county courts at law (Nos. 1–5) are in the same building.
Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2024, per SB 1612)
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil lawsuit (general) | $350.00 |
| Tax suit | $350.00 (not assessed to taxing unit) |
| Domesticate foreign judgment | $350.00 |
| Subsequent action (cross-action, counterclaim, intervention, motion for new trial) | $120.00 |
| Habeas corpus (court of continuing jurisdiction) | $15.00 |
Constable service fees for citations, subpoenas, and TROs in Dallas County are $80.00; writs of execution and similar processes cost $150.00. Full details are in the District Clerk's civil filing fees schedule and process and service fees schedule.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case information dating to 1975 — and case documents for most filings after 2008 — is available through the online record search portal. No registration is needed for public access. Older records stored on paper or microfilm need to be requested in person or by mail.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov. Self-represented litigants may use the Texas courts self-help portal. Attorneys can also access civil records through the statewide re:SearchTX platform using their eFile Texas credentials.
To request copies in person or by mail, contact the Civil & Family Records Desk:
George Allen Courts Building
Address: 600 Commerce Street, Basement B Floor West, Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: (214) 653-6076
Email: DCRecords@dallascounty.org
For mail payments, send to:
Dallas County District Clerk
Attn: Civil & Family Court Records
George Allen Courts Building
600 Commerce Street, Ste. B-30
Dallas, Texas 75202
Dallas County Family Court Records
Seven family district courts — the 254th, 255th, 256th, 301st, 302nd, 303rd, and 330th — handle divorces, child custody and support disputes, adoptions, paternity determinations, protective orders, and termination of parental rights. All are located in the George Allen Courts Building at 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202, on floors 3 and 4 of the New Tower. Select phone numbers include the 254th at (214) 653-6136 and the 301st at (214) 653-7385.
Public Access Restrictions
Under a Texas Supreme Court order effective January 1, 2014, online access to family court records in Dallas County has been suspended. The suspension was triggered by continued inclusion of un-redacted sensitive data — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, addresses, and dates of birth of minor children — in filings by litigants and attorneys. Attorneys may view current family court records through the re:SearchTX portal using their eFile Texas credentials.
How to Obtain Family Court Records
- Complete the Civil & Family Records Request Form.
- Email the form to DCRecords@dallascounty.org.
- The Records Department will reply with a cost estimate.
- Pay the quoted amount through the online payment portal, by check or money order, or in person.
In-person requests are accepted at the Civil & Family Records counter, George Allen Courts Building, Basement B Floor West, Dallas, TX 75202.
Family Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2024)
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce – no children | $350.00 |
| Divorce – with children | $401.00 (includes DRO fees) |
| Adoption of child | $401.00 (includes DRO fees) |
| Annulment – with children | $401.00 (includes DRO fees) |
| Annulment – without children | $350.00 |
| Paternity | $350.00 |
| Protective order application | No fee |
| Modification/termination of withholding | $15.00 |
| Incoming transfer (SAPCR) | $401.00 |
Family filing fee details, including statutory citations under Texas Local Government Code 133.151 and 135.101, are listed in the District Clerk's family filing fee schedule.
Divorce Decree Requests
To get a copy of a divorce decree, complete the Request for Divorce Decree form and email it to DCRecords@dallascounty.org. The Records Department will send back a cost estimate, which you can pay online, in person, or by mail.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Dallas County are issued and maintained by the County Clerk's Vital Records Division. The division covers 31 cities in Dallas County but does not include the City of Dallas, which operates as its own local registrar through the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. Each marriage record search carries a non-refundable search fee of $10.00, plus a $4.00 service and card-processing fee and a $0.35 transaction charge. To order certified marriage records, visit the County Clerk's online ordering portal linked from the Vital Records page.
Birth and Death Records
The Dallas County Clerk's Vital Records Division maintains birth certificates (dating to 1928) and death records. Birth and death records may only be issued to the individual named on the record or to immediate family members.
- Birth certificate: $23.00 per copy (limit of ten lifetime orders per requestor through the county)
- Death certificate: $21.00 per copy
Death records are confidential under Texas Administrative Code 181.28 and require the requestor to meet specified eligibility requirements. You'll need to submit a completed Birth and Death Records Request form in person or by mail to:
Dallas County Clerk's Office – Vital Records
500 Elm Street, Suite 2100
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: (214) 653-7099
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday
State-level birth and death records are also available through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section by online request, mail-in application, or in-person visit at 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756.
Dallas County Probate Court Records
Dallas County has three statutory probate courts that handle wills, estate administration, guardianship, heirship determinations, mental health commitments, and related matters. The Dallas County Clerk maintains all probate court records and serves as clerk for these courts.
Probate Court Locations
All three courts are located in the 1201 Elm Building in downtown Dallas:
Probate Court No. 1
Address: 1201 Elm Street, 24th Floor, Suite 2400-A, Dallas, TX 75270
Phone: (214) 653-7236
Probate Court No. 2
Address: 1201 Elm Street, 22nd Floor, Suite 2200-A, Dallas, TX 75270
Phone: (214) 653-7138
Probate Court No. 3
Address: 1201 Elm Street, 22nd Floor, Suite 2200-B, Dallas, TX 75270
Phone: (214) 653-6166
The County Clerk's Probate Division handles filings, record requests, and fee collection at:
Dallas County Clerk – Probate Division
Address: 600 Commerce Street, 7th Floor, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: (214) 653-7099
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday
Email: closedprobaterec@dallascounty.org
Probate Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2022)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application for probate of will / letters testamentary / muniment of title / administration | $360.00 |
| Application for determination of heirship | $360.00 (plus $600.00 attorney ad litem deposit) |
| Combined administration and heirship | $360.00 (plus $600.00 ad litem deposit) |
| Application for letters of guardianship | $360.00 (plus $600.00 ad litem deposit; add $25.00 court investigator fee if guardianship of person; $100.00 bond deposit if guardian of person) |
| Small estate affidavit | $360.00 |
| Mental illness case (citation included) | $360.00 (add $150.00 with arrest fee) |
| Will deposit | $5.00 |
| Subsequent adverse action (contest, intervention, cross-claim, motion to modify, etc.) | $120.00 |
| Letters (testamentary, administration, guardianship) | $2.00 per letter |
| Certified copies | $1.00/page + $5.00 certification per document |
| Probate estate name search | $5.00 |
Cases requiring posted notice add $20.00, and citation by publication adds $65.00 (plus $8.00 per issuance). The publisher's fee for the Daily Commercial Record is billed separately. A full probate filing fee schedule with statutory citations is available for download.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be viewed online through the Dallas County Courts Portal by name or case number. To request copies of closed probate records, email DCClosedProbateRec@dallascounty.org or send a written request to:
Central Records Division
600 Commerce Street, B-1
Dallas, TX 75202
Checks and money orders should be made payable to John F. Warren, County Clerk. An Affidavit of Inability to Pay Court Costs is available for those who qualify, though unless an IOLTA certificate is received, all petitions filed with such an affidavit will be reviewed in conjunction with the District Attorney's Office before the court takes action.