Dallas County Court Records Search
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Dallas County is the second-most-populous county in Texas and home to a sprawling judicial system headquartered primarily in downtown Dallas. Tens of thousands of cases move through the county’s courts each year, generating records that span felony prosecutions, civil disputes, family law proceedings, probate administration, and more. Two principal custodians oversee the preservation and release of these 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 charged with safeguarding these materials and making them available in accordance with applicable law.
Residents and researchers seeking Texas court case data may benefit from TexasStateCourts.us as an introductory resource for understanding how the state judiciary is organized. Beyond that statewide reference, Dallas County maintains its own dedicated online portals, clerk offices, and public-access tools that enable searches by case number, party name, or other identifiers, both electronically and at the courthouse counter.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dallas County?
Dallas County provides multiple pathways for locating court case records, depending on the case type and the office that holds the file.
Online Portals
The county operates two primary electronic search systems:
- Dallas County Courts Portal — The Dallas County Courts Portal offers a quick search tool that accepts either a record number or the party’s name in “Last, First Middle Suffix” format. Full registered access requires completing a user registration form.
- Criminal Background Search — The Felony and Misdemeanor case search tool allows name-based or case-number lookups for criminal matters and does not require registration.
Additionally, the online record search page consolidates links to civil, criminal, probate, and other Dallas County case databases in a single location.
In-Person Requests
Records are available at counter windows in the county’s two principal 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
Written requests, accompanied by the appropriate request form, may be sent to either clerk office. For criminal records, email requests along with a 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. Mail check or money-order payments to the address of the relevant records division.
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 incur a $2.95 fee, and credit card payments carry a 2.15% surcharge. Payments may also be submitted through the online payment portal. Requesters should always confirm the exact cost with the appropriate records office before paying, as overages are typically held in escrow rather than refunded.
Are Court Records Public in Dallas County?
Court records in Dallas County are presumed open to public inspection. Texas common law, statutory provisions, and judicial rules each establish a framework for public access. However, the Texas Public Information Act — codified in Government Code Chapter 552 — governs executive-branch records and does not directly regulate the court system. Instead, court record access is principally governed by the common-law right of access and by individual court rules adopted under the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration.
Certain categories of information are exempt from public disclosure:
- 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 maintained by the District Clerk are currently available only in paper format and not published online.
- Sensitive personal data — Pursuant to 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 public.
- Settlement negotiations involving the state and 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 among the largest in the state, with cases distributed across felony-level criminal district courts and misdemeanor-level county criminal courts, all housed in 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 — hear felony prosecutions. All are located at:
Frank Crowley Courts Building
Address: 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207
Select court phone numbers include 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 adjudicate Class A and Class B misdemeanors at the same 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, judgments) for most felony cases filed after 2009 are viewable at no charge. The criminal background search tool allows the public to look up felony and misdemeanor cases by name or case number without registration.
Statewide Criminal History
For records spanning 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. Searches require account creation. The DPS also hosts the sex offender registry.
Requesting Certified Copies
Certified copies of felony records may be requested in person at the Felony Records Desk (2nd floor, Crowley building) or by email to DCRecordsCriminal@dallascounty.org. By mail, send 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) sit 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. A full breakdown is available 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 civil filings after 2008, are available through the online record search portal. No registration is required for public access. Older records conserved on paper or microfilm must 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
Mail payments 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, adoption proceedings, 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
Pursuant to a Texas Supreme Court order effective January 1, 2014, online access to family court records in Dallas County has been suspended. The suspension was prompted 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 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, 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 obtain a copy of a divorce decree, complete the Request for Divorce Decree form and email it to DCRecords@dallascounty.org. The Records Department will provide a cost estimate, payable 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 serves 31 cities in Dallas County but does not cover 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. A completed Birth and Death Records Request form must be submitted 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 operates 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 incur an additional $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 may be viewed online through the Dallas County Courts Portal by name or case number. Copies of closed probate records may be requested by email to DCClosedProbateRec@dallascounty.org or by 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, 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.