Texas Background Checks

Sometimes it's hard to know the truth about someone simply because of what they tell you. Maybe their eyes make them look a little suspicious or their words don't give you the confidence that you hoped to have. When that occurs, you can turn to public records. Public records are records that are compiled by the government in order to help create transparency.

You can use these public records for Texas background checks. Search for the name of someone in Texas (possibly adding the city if the name is too common to provide you with specific results), perform a quick search on a public records site, and suddenly you have a considerable amount of information on the individual's background, including valuable data such as:

  • The individual's criminal history.
  • Their current and former addresses.
  • Their marriage information and more.

    • You may even be able to access their social media pages if they are linked to their full name. These Texas background checks are a great way to make sure that the person you're acquainted with - whether it is romantically, a friendship, or a possibly candidate for a job - is the person they claim themselves to be.

    You don't need the individual's permission, as these are considered a matter of public record, and thus not applicable to any rules and regulations. Simply perform the search and get the information you need.

    These days it's tough to be too trusting. Luckily, these Texas background checks give you an opportunity to ensure that the person that you are associating with is someone that can be trusted. That alone makes it worth the time.

    Texas Criminal Records

    One component of the Texas Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) (part of the Texas Department of Public Safety or TxDPS) is the computerized criminal history system (CCH). This statewide repository houses all information on arrests, prosecutions, and dispositions of individuals arrested with a Class B misdemeanor or higher in the state of Texas. The other component of the CJIS is the Corrections Tracking System (CTS), which is managed by the Department of Criminal Justice.

    Only specified individuals and entities as laid out by the Texas CJIS department have the authority to access Texas criminal records through the secure website. Among these are legislatively authorized private entities (private schools, safe houses, etc.), legislatively authorized government entities and non-criminal justice agencies (housing authorities, public schools, hospitals, etc.).

    Those who do not fall into these two categories may access the public website. The search area requires a login account and must be supplied with credits either by credit card or check. The cost per credit is $3.00 and some accounting fees may be applicable.

    To request criminal records by mail do the following:

    For further information regarding accessing Texas criminal records, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety office at the address below:

    Texas Department of Public Safety
    P O Box 4087
    5805 North Lamar Blvd.
    Austin, Texas 78752-4422
    (512) 424-2000

    Resource Links
    Texas Computerized Criminal History
    Request Form

    Texas Court Records

    As the Texas court system is exceedingly localized, the Office of Court Administration does not have a single website portal area encompassing all courts for searching purposes. To search for Texas court records, the centralized website location lists all the applicable Texas counties with links to their respective court record websites. For those counties not listed, the Texas Courts Online website provides an additional resource at iDocket.com.

    If you are conducting a Texas background check, keep in mind that each county court records search link has a different setup. Some require a user name and password login, while others simply show a search form. Of those showing the actual search criteria needed, searches may be made by name or case number, party type, attorney type, status, and filing dates. Records returned are compiled with complete information regarding the court case.

    To search for court records online do the following:

    For further information regarding accessing Texas court records while you are conducting Texas background checks, contact the Office of Court Administration at the address below:

    Office of Court Administration
    Tom C. Clark Building
    205 W. 14th St., Suite 600
    Austin, TX 78701
    (512) 463-1625

    Resource Links
    Texas Case Searches

    Texas Jail Records

    The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is responsible for the searchable database provided online at its website. Requests for Texas jail records may be made in one of three ways: by telephone, by e-mail and directly online. The information provided online is general information only and will not divulge privacy protected information.

    Searches are conducted free of charge. Pop-ups must be enabled in order for the search results to be returned properly. Searches can be made by name, race, TDCJ number, SID number and sex. The results that are returned contain full name information, race, sex, projected release date, unit of assignment and age.

    To search for jail records online do the following:

    For further information regarding accessing Texas jail records, contact the TDCJ Executive Services office at the address below:

    TDCJ – Executive Services
    P.O. Box 99
    Huntsville, TX 77342-0099
    (936) 295-6371
    (800) 535-0283

    Resource Links
    Texas Offender Online Search

    Texas Driving Records

    The Texas Department of Public Safety encompasses the Texas driving records and allows for online requests of records by their respective owners. The Texas Department of Public Safety complies with all rules and regulations when it comes to privacy and requires specific information be completed prior to the release of any information. Copies and certified copies of driving records may be requested for insurance, employment, or driving safety course purposes.

    The fees involved with requesting a driving record depend upon the type of record requested. A three year record costs $6.00 and a record containing all accidents and violations (furnished to license holder only) costs $7.00. Certified versions of either are charged at $10.00.

    For further information regarding accessing Texas driving records, contact the office at the address below:

    Texas Department of Public Safety
    Driver Records Bureau
    P.O. Box 149246
    Austin, Texas 78714-9246
    (512) 424-2600

    Resource Links
    Texas Driving Record Information

    Additional Resources

    Texas Sexual Offender Registry
    Texas Attorney General