Denton County Court Records Search
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Denton County ranks among the fastest-growing counties in Texas, with a court system that reflects the scale and complexity of the region spanning from the city of Denton south through Lewisville, Flower Mound, Frisco, and parts of Carrollton. The county operates ten district courts, two county courts at law, five county criminal courts, two statutory probate courts, six justice of the peace courts, a magistrate court, and numerous municipal courts — all generating records that document the progress and resolution of legal disputes. Two separate clerk offices divide custodial responsibility: the District Clerk handles district court records (felonies, high-value civil suits, and family law), while the County Clerk maintains records for probate, misdemeanor, juvenile, and county-level civil cases as well as vital statistics and real property filings.
Individuals looking for Denton County court records can search through official clerk offices, online case inquiry tools, public access terminals at the courthouse, and state-level databases. The Denton County Records Inquiry portal provides free electronic access to many case types. For statewide court data, TexasStateCourts.us may assist users in identifying publicly available court case information across Texas counties, including Denton.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Denton County?
Identifying the correct clerk office is the critical first step. The District Clerk’s Office maintains all records for Denton County’s district courts, which have jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil disputes above county court thresholds, and family law matters including divorce and child custody. The County Clerk’s Office serves as the official record keeper for misdemeanor court records, probate court records, juvenile court records, county-level civil cases, real property records, and vital statistics.
Online Case Search
The Denton County Records Inquiry portal is the primary free electronic search tool. Users can look up case records by entering a party name, case number, attorney name, or filing date range. The portal includes case records, court calendars, and Sheriff jail and bond records. Results display case summaries, party information, court events, and orders. The county’s Judicial and Law Enforcement Records Search page provides direct links to this portal as well as the Texas Convictions Database and registered sex offender searches.
For real property documents and vital records, the County Clerk maintains the Official Records Search portal, which covers deeds, liens, mortgages, plats, and marriage license records.
In-Person Access
Both clerk offices are located at 1450 East McKinney Street in Denton, TX 76209. Public access terminals within the courthouse allow self-service case research. Staff at both offices can assist with locating records during business hours.
District Clerk’s Office
Address: 1450 E. McKinney Street, 1st Floor, Denton, TX 76209
Mailing: P.O. Box 2146, Denton, TX 76202
Phone: (940) 349-2200
Additional Phone: (972) 434-8822
Fax: (940) 349-5754
Email: dcrecords@dentoncounty.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
County Clerk’s Office
Address: 1450 E. McKinney Street, Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-2012
Fax: (940) 349-2013
Courts Division Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday — 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The County Clerk operates six locations throughout the county for vital records and recording services:
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Denton (Main) | 1450 E. McKinney Street, Denton, TX 76209 | (940) 349-2012 |
| Carrollton | 1029 W. Rosemeade Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75007 | (972) 434-7170 |
| Cross Roads | 1400 FM 424, Suite 105, Cross Roads, TX 76227 | (940) 349-4400 |
| Flower Mound | 6200 Canyon Falls Drive, Suite 700, Flower Mound, TX 76226 | (972) 434-3950 |
| Frisco | 5533 FM 423, Suite 301, Frisco, TX 75036 | (972) 434-3900 |
| Lewisville | 400 N. Valley Parkway, Suite 2094, Lewisville, TX 75067 | (972) 434-4790 |
Requesting Copies by Mail, Fax, or Email
To obtain copies of district court records, complete the Records Request Form and submit it in person, by mail to P.O. Box 2146, Denton, TX 76202, by fax to (940) 349-5754, or by email to dcrecords@dentoncounty.gov. No record requests will be processed without a completed form. Allow up to 10 business days for processing.
Copy and Search Fees (District Clerk)
| Service | Fee | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Search fee (per name/search) | $5.00 | GC 51.318(b)(3) |
| Certified paper copy — certificate and seal | $5.00 | GC 51.318(b)(7) |
| Certified paper copy — per page | $1.00 | GC 51.318(b)(7) |
| Non-certified paper copy — per page | $1.00 | GC 51.318(b)(8)(A) |
| Non-certified electronic copy (up to 10 pages) | $1.00 | GC 51.318(b)(8)© |
| Non-certified electronic copy (11+ pages) | $0.10/page | GC 51.318(b)(8)© |
| Certificate of name change (divorce) | $10.00 | TFC 45.106 |
All credit card transactions are subject to a processing fee of 2.75% with a minimum of $1.00 per transaction.
Are Court Records Public in Denton County?
Court records in Denton County are generally accessible to the public. While many governmental records in Texas fall under the Texas Public Information Act, court records are primarily governed by common law principles and specific court rules. Rule 76a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure establishes the framework for public access to court records, creating a presumption that unfiled discovery materials exchanged between parties may be sealed only upon a showing of specific interests, while filed court records carry a strong presumption of openness.
Records that are restricted from public access in Denton County include:
- Sealed records — Cases sealed by court order under Rule 76a or other authority are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records — Texas law restricts the release of juvenile criminal records, particularly for misdemeanor offenses and non-felony matters. Juvenile court files maintained by the County Clerk carry additional confidentiality protections.
- Adoption records — Adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only to authorized persons.
- Information classified as confidential by statute — Records containing Social Security numbers, certain financial identifiers, and information that could compromise law enforcement investigations or judicial proceedings may be redacted or withheld.
- Birth and death records — Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, birth records remain confidential for 75 years and death records for 25 years from the date of the event.
When copies of court records are provided, clerks may redact personal identifiers or other confidential information before release. Individuals seeking access to sealed or restricted records generally must obtain a court order.
Denton County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Denton County are adjudicated by the district courts (felonies) and the county criminal courts (Class A and B misdemeanors). The District Clerk maintains felony case records, while the County Clerk handles misdemeanor court records. The county operates five county criminal courts, all located at 1450 East McKinney Street, Denton, TX 76209.
Online Criminal Case Searches
Criminal court records can be searched through the Denton County Records Inquiry portal by defendant name, case number, citation number, attorney name, or filing date. The results display charges, court events, party information, and disposition details. The county’s Judicial and Law Enforcement Records Search page also links to Sheriff jail and bond records, the Texas Convictions Database, and the Texas IVSS (Integrated Victim Services System).
Arrest Records and Criminal History
The Denton County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, offense reports, and criminal history information. Requests for these records must be made under the Texas Public Information Act using one of the following methods:
- Online submission through the Denton County electronic request portal
- Email to the Sheriff’s Office records division
- In-person delivery to the Records Division
- Mail via USPS to:
Denton County Sheriff’s Office — Records Division
127 North Woodrow Lane
Denton, TX 76205
Phone: (940) 349-1600
Criminal Investigations: (940) 349-1660
Jail Records: (940) 349-1630
Each request should specify the subject’s name, incident date, location, and any known case or incident numbers. Identification and processing fees may be required.
For statewide criminal history checks, the Texas Department of Public Safety provides an online criminal history search at $3 per search.
County Criminal Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| County Criminal Court 1 | 1450 E. McKinney St., Suite 1419, 1st Floor | (940) 349-2160 |
| County Criminal Court 2 | 1450 E. McKinney St., 1st Floor | (940) 349-2170 |
| County Criminal Court 3 | 1450 E. McKinney St., Suite 2400, 2nd Floor | (940) 349-2180 |
| County Criminal Court 4 | 1450 E. McKinney St., Suite 2306, 2nd Floor | (940) 349-2380 |
| County Criminal Court 5 | 1450 E. McKinney St., Suite 2315, 2nd Floor | (940) 349-2190 |
Denton County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Denton County are distributed across the district courts (general jurisdiction civil cases), county courts at law (civil disputes up to jurisdictional limits), and justice of the peace courts (small claims, evictions, and minor civil actions). The District Clerk maintains records from district court civil proceedings, and the County Clerk manages county court at law civil records.
Searching Civil Records
The Denton County Records Inquiry portal allows free online searches of civil case records by party name, case number, or filing date. The District Clerk’s forms page provides a Case Record Search Form for formal requests. Property-related records — including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats — are searchable through the County Clerk’s Official Records Search, and property tax and appraisal data can be found via the Denton Central Appraisal District Property Search.
Requesting Copies
To obtain copies of civil records from the District Clerk, complete the Records Request Form and submit it in person, by mail, fax, or email. Standard fees apply: $1.00 per page for non-certified copies, $5.00 certificate and seal plus $1.00 per page for certified copies, and $5.00 per name for clerk-conducted searches. The miscellaneous fees schedule provides a full breakdown of all applicable charges.
For county court civil records, contact the County Clerk’s Courts Division at (940) 349-2012.
County Courts at Law
County Court at Law 1
Address: 210 South Woodrow Lane, Charlie J. Cole Building, Denton, TX 76205
Phone: (940) 349-2525
County Court at Law 2
Address: 1450 E. McKinney Street, Suite 2510, 2nd Floor, Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-2120
Justice of the Peace Courts
Denton County operates six justice of the peace courts across the county, handling small claims, evictions, and debt cases. All justice courts maintain their own records. Locations include precincts in Denton, Frisco, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Cross Roads, and Carrollton, with contact details listed on the county courts page.
Denton County Family Court Records
Denton County does not operate a standalone family court. Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, protective orders, and termination of parental rights — are handled by judges within the county’s district courts. All ten district courts are located at 1450 East McKinney Street, Denton, TX 76209, and the District Clerk maintains all family law case records.
Searching Family Court Records
Family case records can be searched through the Denton County Records Inquiry portal using party names, case numbers, or filing dates. While most family court case information is publicly viewable online, some records involving minors, adoption proceedings, or cases with sealing orders may be restricted.
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records from the Denton County district courts are maintained by the District Clerk. To obtain copies, complete the Records Request Form and provide the names of the parties, case number (if known), and the specific documents needed. Submit the form with applicable fees in person, by mail (P.O. Box 2146, Denton, TX 76202), by Fax: ((940) 349-5754), or by email (dcrecords@dentoncounty.gov). Processing typically takes several business days to two weeks.
At the state level, the DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains Texas divorce records from 1968 forward and offers a searchable marriage and divorce index. Verification letters (not substitutes for certified decrees) cost $20 and can be obtained by mailing a completed application form with a photocopy of valid ID to DSHS-VSS, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040.
Marriage Records
The Denton County Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Licenses are available at all six County Clerk locations Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both applicants must be present. An online application can be submitted electronically in advance, though both parties must still appear in person within three days.
| Marriage License Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard license (without premarital education certificate) | $81 |
| With state-approved premarital education certificate | $21 |
| Declaration of informal marriage | $46 |
| Duplicate marriage license | $3 |
A 72-hour waiting period applies after issuance (waived with a premarital education certificate). The license is valid for 90 days and may be used anywhere in Texas.
The County Clerk’s Online Marriage License Index allows free searching of marriages registered in Denton County. Certified copies of a marriage license cost $16 plus $1 per page. Non-certified copies are $1 plus $1 per page. Requests can be submitted using the Marriage Record Copy Request Form.
Birth and Death Records
The County Clerk’s Office registers Denton County births and deaths. Applications for certified copies can be submitted online, by mail, or at any County Clerk location. Only individuals who meet the statutory qualifications — including the registrant, parents, spouse, siblings, grandparents, children, legal guardians, or authorized representatives — may obtain certified copies.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate (search and copy) | $23 |
| Additional birth certificate copies | $23 each |
| Death certificate (search and first copy) | $21 |
| Additional death certificates (same request) | $4 each |
| Birth/death verification search | $17 |
Denton County Probate Court Records
Denton County operates two statutory probate courts, both located at the same address. These courts have jurisdiction over the probate of wills, intestate succession, guardianships for incapacitated persons and minors, involuntary mental health commitments, eminent domain cases, and lawsuits involving a decedent’s estate or a ward’s interests.
Probate Court No. 1
Address: 3900 Morse Street, Suite 100, Denton, TX 76208
Phone: (940) 349-2036
Judge: Honorable David W. Jahn
Probate Court No. 2
Address: 3900 Morse Street, Suite 100, Denton, TX 76208
Phone: (940) 349-2260
The County Clerk is the official record keeper for probate court records in Denton County. Questions about filings, fees, and case status should be directed to the County Clerk’s Courts Division at (940) 349-2012.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched online through the Denton County Records Inquiry portal using a party name, case number, or filing date range. In-person research is available at the County Clerk’s office during business hours.
Probate Forms and Documents
The county provides an extensive library of probate documents and forms on its website, including the Small Estate Affidavit, affidavit templates for wills probated after four years, the Texas Descent and Distribution Chart, the Personal Representative Information Sheet, and various orders for dependent and temporary administration. Guardianship documents and forms — covering guardianship establishment, referral forms, annual reports on the condition and well-being of a ward, and physician’s certificates — are also available for download.
Requesting Copies
Copies of probate records can be requested from the County Clerk’s office in person, by mail, or through written request. The same fee schedule applies: $5.00 certificate and seal plus $1.00 per page for certified copies, or $1.00 per page for non-certified copies. The Local Rules of the Probate Court govern filing procedures, hearing schedules, and administrative requirements specific to Denton County’s probate division.