Texas Background Checks

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:

Step 1: Fill out the Request for Public Criminal History Data form. Click Here.
Step 2: Include payment. There is a $10.00 processing fee for each record search request.
Step 3: Mail completed application and payment to the address indicated on the form.

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:

Step 1: Visit the Texas Courts Online Case Searches webpage. Click Here.
Step 2: Select a county.
Step 3: Contact the county clerk of court office or submit a record request via the county’s unique online system.

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:

Step 1: Visit the Texas Inmate Search webpage. Click Here.
Step 2: Select “Online Offender Search” and fill out all required information fields.
Step 3: Click “Submit Request” to view all available results.

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