Tarrant County Court Records Search
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Tarrant County is the third-largest county in Texas by population, with its county seat in Fort Worth and major cities including Arlington, Mansfield, Hurst, Grapevine, and Southlake. The county maintains an extensive court system comprising district courts, county criminal courts, county courts at law, probate courts, justice of the peace courts across eight precincts, family courts, and a juvenile court. Two elected officials share responsibility for court records: the Tarrant County District Clerk serves as custodian of all district-level case files — felony criminal, civil, and family matters — while the Tarrant County Clerk maintains records for county criminal courts, county courts at law, probate courts, vital statistics, and real property filings. Knowing which office holds the records you need is critical to an efficient search.
Individuals looking for Tarrant County court information can begin their research through the Texas state court system’s various online resources. The TexasStateCourts.us website can help users identify the appropriate court or clerk office for a specific case type. Beyond that statewide directory, both the District Clerk and the County Clerk operate their own electronic search tools, and public-access computer terminals are available at multiple courthouse locations throughout the county. For cases that require certified copies or detailed document retrieval, formal written requests — submitted in person, by mail, or electronically — are typically required along with applicable statutory fees.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Tarrant County?
Tarrant County provides distinct search pathways depending on the court level and type of case.
District Court Cases (Felony Criminal, Civil, Family)
The District Clerk offers a subscription-based Web-Based Access Service that gives remote, 23-hour-a-day access to civil, family, delinquent tax, felony, and misdemeanor court records. Subscribers can search by party name, case number, or attorney and view imaged court documents. The service requires a non-refundable $50 processing fee and a monthly charge of $35 for one to five users. Applications are submitted to:
Tarrant County District Clerk’s Office
100 N. Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Attn: Office Manager
Phone: (817) 212-7208
Email: wm-districtclerk@tarrantcountytx.gov
For those who do not wish to subscribe, the District Clerk provides free self-service document lookup terminals at three locations, all open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:
- Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center — 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196; (817) 884-1342
- Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building — 100 N. Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196; (817) 884-1240
- Tarrant County Family Law Center — 200 E. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196; (817) 884-1114
A basic records search performed by a clerk costs $5. Standard copy fees apply for any documents retrieved.
County Court Cases (Misdemeanor, County Civil, Probate, JP)
The County Clerk maintains a free Tarrant County Court Records Search portal for county courts at law, probate courts, and justice of the peace courts. Users can search by case number, party name, attorney name, or filing date. Property records and marriage license records are searchable through the County Clerk’s Official Records Search. The statewide re:SearchTX platform also indexes Tarrant County civil and probate data.
Requesting Copies by Mail
Written requests for District Clerk records should include the case number (or a $5 search fee if the number is unknown), a self-addressed stamped envelope for certified paper copies, or a valid email address for electronic copies. Mail requests to the appropriate office:
- Disposed family law and civil cases: 200 E. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 (Attn: Records)
- Felony criminal cases: 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 (Attn: Criminal Section)
Personal checks are not accepted. No FedEx shipping is available.
District Clerk Copy Fees
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-certified paper | $1.00 per page |
| Non-certified electronic (1–10 pages) | $1.00 |
| Non-certified electronic (11+ pages) | $0.10 per additional page |
| Certified paper | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification/seal |
| Certified electronic (1–10 pages) | $1.00 + $5.00 certification/seal |
| Certified electronic (11+ pages) | $0.10 per additional page + $5.00 certification/seal |
| Records search (no case number) | $5.00 |
Are Court Records Public in Tarrant County?
Texas follows a strong presumption of public access to court records. Although the judiciary is exempt from the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552), the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure — particularly Rule 76a — establish that court records are presumed open to public inspection. Rule 76a provides a specific procedure for any party seeking to seal court documents, requiring a hearing and a finding that the interest in sealing outweighs the public’s right of access.
Records that are generally available for public inspection include criminal case dockets, charging instruments, plea records, judgments, civil petitions, motions, court orders, and final judgments. Probate filings, including wills admitted to probate and estate inventories, are likewise accessible.
Certain categories of records are restricted or confidential under state law:
- Sealed records — documents sealed by court order are not available for public viewing
- Juvenile proceedings — confidential under Texas Family Code Title 3
- Expunged records — removed from public access after a court grants an expunction order
- Ongoing investigation materials — may be withheld until the investigation is complete
- Sensitive personal information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and certain personal identifiers must be redacted from electronically filed documents under TRCP Rule 21c
Birth records are confidential for 75 years from the date of the event, and death records are restricted for 25 years. Only immediate family members, legal guardians, legal representatives, or entities with a direct tangible need may obtain certified copies of vital records within these restriction periods.
Tarrant County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Tarrant County are divided among three tiers of courts. Eleven district criminal courts handle felony prosecutions. Ten county criminal courts adjudicate Class A and Class B misdemeanors. Justice of the peace courts process Class C misdemeanor offenses and traffic violations.
Felony Records
All district criminal courts are located at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196. The eleven courts and their phone numbers are:
| Court | Floor | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal District Court No. 1 | 5th | (817) 884-1351 |
| Criminal District Court No. 2 | 6th | (817) 884-1347 |
| Criminal District Court No. 3 | 7th | (817) 884-1356 |
| Criminal District Court No. 4 | 8th | (817) 884-1362 |
| 213th District Court | 8th | (817) 884-1529 |
| 297th District Court | 5th | (817) 884-1908 |
| 371st District Court | 6th | (817) 884-2985 |
| 372nd District Court | 6th | (817) 884-2990 |
| 396th District Court | 7th | (817) 884-2768 |
| 432nd District Court | 6th | (817) 884-2935 |
| 485th District Court | 8th | (817) 212-7143 |
Felony case records are maintained by the District Clerk’s criminal division. Searches can be conducted through the Web-Based Access Service, in-person terminals at the Tim Curry Justice Center (3rd floor), or by written request. The District Clerk also provides online access to executed probable cause and search warrants and post-conviction writs.
Misdemeanor Records
The County Clerk maintains misdemeanor case records for the ten county criminal courts, all located at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center. For copies, contact the County Clerk’s criminal division at (817) 884-2820. A criminal background search covering Class A and B misdemeanors is available for $5 at:
Tim Curry Justice Center
401 W. Belknap Street, 2nd Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-2820
Class C misdemeanor and traffic records can be searched through the Tarrant County Court Records Search or the County Courts Class “C” Browse portal.
Sheriff’s Office Records
The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Records Division processes public records requests for arrest and incident reports. Requests can be submitted:
- Online: through the county’s public records request portal
- By email: TCSO_Records@tarrantcountytx.gov
- In person or by mail: Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, Records Division, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Walk-in customers are accepted until 4:50 p.m. Requests should include the report number, type of incident, date of occurrence, and parties involved when known. Statewide criminal history checks are available through the Texas Department of Public Safety for $3 per name-based search.
Tarrant County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Tarrant County is handled by ten district civil courts and three county courts at law. District courts have original jurisdiction over civil matters with more than $500 in controversy, while the county courts at law share concurrent jurisdiction in disputes between $500 and $200,000, as well as eminent domain and property-title matters under Texas Government Code § 25.2222(b).
District Civil Courts
All ten district civil courts are housed in the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, 100 N. Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196. Courts include the 17th, 48th, 67th, 96th, 141st, 153rd, 236th, 342nd, 348th, and 352nd District Courts, with phone numbers ranging from (817) 884-1450 to (817) 884-2730. The District Clerk’s civil/tax division processes document requests for these courts. Requesters who do not have a case number will be charged the $5 records search fee. Civil court dockets are published online by individual court coordinators.
County Courts at Law
Records from the three county courts at law are maintained by the County Clerk. Case information is available through the Tarrant County Court Records Search portal. To order copies of county court at law documents, call the County Clerk’s office at (817) 884-1069. Payments for copies can be processed through the online payment system. County Clerk copy fees for court documents are $1 per page (regular) and $1.50 per page (certified).
Property Records
Real property documents — including deeds, liens, easements, and trustee modifications — are recorded by the County Clerk. The public can search and purchase property documents through the Clerk’s Official Records Search. Unofficial copies can be downloaded free of charge; certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee. Mail requests for property records should include the document number, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by money order, cashier’s check, or business check (no personal checks) payable to the Tarrant County Clerk and mailed to:
Tarrant County Clerk
Attn: Room B30
100 W. Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
All civil filings must be submitted electronically through eFileTexas.gov.
Tarrant County Family Court Records
Family law proceedings in Tarrant County are adjudicated by six dedicated district family courts — the 231st, 233rd, 322nd, 324th, 325th, and 360th — as well as IV-D child support courts and child protection courts. All family courts are located at the Tarrant County Family Law Center, 200 E. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196. The 323rd District Court, which serves as the juvenile court, is located at the Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center, 2701 Kimbo Road, Fort Worth, TX 76111, Phone: (817) 838-4600
The District Clerk’s family law division maintains all family court records. Copies can be obtained in person at the Family Law Center (3rd floor), by mail (200 E. Weatherford Street, Attn: Family Court Records, Fort Worth, TX 76196), or remotely through the Web-Based Access Service. The same copy fee schedule used for criminal and civil records applies. A case number is required; without one, the $5 research fee is assessed.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees are filed with the District Clerk and can be obtained through the same channels described above. Some divorce records may be sealed by court order and accessible only to the parties involved.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the County Clerk’s vital records division. Both applicants must appear in person (or together via video conference for formal licenses) at any of the eight vital records locations throughout the county. Key fee and procedural details:
- Standard license fee: $76 (cash or credit card; 1.73% surcharge for cards)
- With Twogether in Texas premarital education certificate: $16
- Out-of-state applicant surcharge: $100 (if neither applicant can prove Texas residency)
- Informal (common law) marriage: $41
- Waiting period: 72 hours after issuance (waivable for active military, by district judge order, or with a premarital counseling certificate)
- License validity: 90 days from date of issuance
- Certified copy of a marriage license: $21 (first copy), $11 (each additional)
Marriage license records can be searched online through the Official Records Search by selecting “marriage” from the document-type dropdown menu. Online applications are available through the County Clerk’s online portal, though applicants must still appear in person to sign and purchase the license. All vital records locations are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and can be reached at (817) 884-1550.
Birth and Death Records
Certified copies of birth and death certificates are available through the County Clerk for events that occurred in Tarrant County. Requesters must present valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate eligibility (immediate family, legal guardian, legal representative, or entity with a direct tangible need). Fees are $23 per birth certificate copy and $21 for the first death certificate copy ($4 for each additional copy purchased at the same time). Applications can be submitted in person, by mail to 200 Taylor Street, Suite 301, Fort Worth, TX 76196, or online through VitalChek. Birth records from Arlington (1971–present) and Grapevine (1973–present) must be obtained from those cities’ respective City Halls.
Tarrant County Probate Court Records
Tarrant County has two probate courts that handle the validation of wills, estate administration, guardianships for minors and incapacitated persons, conservatorships, trusts, and civil mental health commitments.
Probate Court No. 1
Tarrant County Courthouse, Room 260A
100 W. Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1200
Probate Court No. 2
Tarrant County Courthouse, Room 150
100 W. Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1415
The County Clerk’s probate division is the custodian of all probate records, housed in Room 233 of the Tarrant County Old Courthouse, 100 W. Weatherford Street. Office hours for the probate clerks are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For filing questions, call (817) 884-1770. For copies of probate documents, call (817) 884-1069.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is available through the Tarrant County Court Records Search portal. Users can look up cases by party name, case number, or filing date.
Obtaining Copies and Making Payments
To order copies, contact the Clerk’s office at (817) 884-1069 and then use the online payment portal to complete the transaction. Additional online payment options include:
- Probate or Guardianship Ad Litem Payments — select the case type from the dropdown, enter the case number and ward or decedent name
- Probate Miscellaneous Fees — for filing fees, purchasing letters or citations, and subscribing to Secure Attorney Access; call (817) 884-2840 with questions
A new probate fee schedule took effect on January 1, 2026. Filing fees for common proceedings include $404 for a new Small Estate Affidavit. Service-related fees include $28 for posted citation, $83 for personal citation, and $83 for show cause, lawsuit, or subpoena issuance. The full service and other fees schedule is published on the County Clerk’s website.
E-Filing Requirements
All probate filings must be submitted electronically through eFileTexas.gov. The County Clerk provides court rules for e-filing in the Tarrant County Probate Courts and a subsequent filing codes instruction guide to help filers navigate the system. Citations prepared by the Clerk can be delivered electronically to the filing attorney for arrangement of service. Notice to Creditors must be mailed directly to the publisher; after publication, the newspaper clipping and publisher’s affidavit are filed with the Probate Clerk’s office. Contact the office for publisher address information.