How to Find Criminal Records in Texas (Free Guide)

Why Finding Criminal Records in Texas Is More Complicated Than It Looks

Texas is one of the largest states in the country, with 254 counties and multiple agencies responsible for maintaining different types of criminal history data. When most people search for how to find criminal records in Texas, they expect one centralized, free database. The reality is messier: records are spread across the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), individual county courthouses, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and municipal court systems.

This guide walks you through every legitimate method for finding criminal records in Texas - what each one covers, what it costs, and where the gaps are. Whether you are a landlord screening a tenant, a small business owner vetting a contractor, a recruiter doing due diligence, or an individual who wants to see what's publicly available about their own history, this is the most complete breakdown available.

Understanding Texas Criminal Records: The Basics

Before diving into search methods, it helps to understand what kinds of records actually exist in the Texas system and who maintains them. Texas criminal records are not a single file stored in a single place. They are a collection of documents generated at each step of the criminal justice process - from initial arrest through prosecution, trial, sentencing, and any appeals.

Conviction records include final judgments, sentencing documents, and appeals for misdemeanor and felony convictions. These are maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Arrest records are typically kept by local law enforcement agencies and the Texas DPS - they include documentation such as arrest reports, booking information, and bail and bond logs.

Texas criminal records are organized around offense levels. The state uses the following classification system:

• Class C Misdemeanor: The lowest level. Covers minor offenses like traffic violations and public intoxication. Punishable by fine only, no jail time. These records are often only maintained at the local municipal court level and may not appear in the DPS statewide system.
• Class B Misdemeanor: Examples include first-offense DWI and possession of small amounts of marijuana. Punishable by up to 180 days in a county jail. These are the threshold for DPS reporting requirements.
• Class A Misdemeanor: Examples include assault causing bodily injury and theft between $500-$1,500. Punishable by up to one year in county jail.
• State Jail Felony: Punishable by 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility.
• Third, Second, and First Degree Felonies: Increasingly serious offenses ranging from 2 years to life in state prison.
• Capital Felony: The most serious classification, reserved for capital murder cases.

This classification matters because different databases cover different offense levels - and if you only check one source, you may completely miss records that exist in another part of the system.

Method 1: The Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search

The Texas Department of Public Safety operates the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system, which is the closest thing the state has to a centralized criminal record database. This is the first place most people should start.

What it covers: The DPS Criminal History Name Search includes information about arrests, prosecutions, and disposition of cases for individuals arrested for Class B misdemeanor or greater offenses. Class C convictions may sometimes be available as well. Critically, only cases that have been formally reported to DPS are included - not every arrest in every county automatically makes it in.

How much it costs: To perform a criminal history record search, you must create a CRD Secure Website account and purchase credits for each search. Each search credit costs $1.00, plus a 2.25% processing fee and a $0.25 transaction fee per order. If your search returns no records, you still lose the credit. A search credit will be debited from your account for searches resulting in no matching records.

Fingerprint-based checks: If you need a certified, legally defensible result - for example, for regulated employment in healthcare, childcare, or licensed positions - the only way to positively link someone to a criminal record is through fingerprint identification. DPS has entered into a contract with IdentoGO to provide statewide electronic fingerprinting through FAST locations. Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) are available by scheduling an appointment online or by calling 1-888-467-2080. The cost of this service is $10.00 plus a $15.00 fee for the criminal history record information, and results are mailed to the address provided.

Important limitation: DPS itself states that searches based on names, date of birth, and other alphanumeric identifiers are not always accurate. The system uses a "Soundex" algorithm to match on similar-sounding but differently-spelled names (for example, JESSE and JESSIE), and your search results will indicate how your search matches, whether it is a full or partial name match and a Soundex or exact match. False positives and missed records are both possible. It is recommended that you preview a record before opening the complete record, because if you open a full record you will use your search credit.

How to use it:

• Go to the TxDPS Crime Records Division public site (securesite.dps.texas.gov)
• Create a free account
• Purchase search credits
• Enter the person's full name, date of birth, and any other identifiers you have
• Preview results before opening a full record to avoid unnecessary credit charges
• Review the match type returned - exact matches are more reliable than Soundex matches

Method 2: County Court Records

Most criminal records originate at the county or municipal court level where cases are actually tried. Counties maintain docket sheets, sentencing orders, and disposition data. Texas has 254 counties, and each one manages its own system.

For counties using the re:SearchTX portal (run by the Office of Court Administration), you can search case records online for free. Re:SearchTX offers a free subscription plan that lets you search records from multiple counties and courts. It includes civil cases from district, county, and probate courts, but it may not have all records from all counties in Texas. Access to full documents and other features may be available for a fee.

Larger counties that have their own recording databases include Bexar, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Harris, Tarrant, and Travis counties. For smaller counties not on any of these systems, you may need to visit the county clerk's office in person or contact them directly. To access records that are not online, you will need to contact the county clerk's office directly.

Harris County - The Largest County in Texas: Harris County has a complex judicial system and is one of the largest in the state. Harris County residents can access criminal court records through the Harris County District Clerk's website. The portal allows users to search for records related to criminal cases, including case statuses, trial results, and related documents, though you must create an account to view certain records and case details. Criminal court records in Harris County may pertain to felonies, misdemeanors, or traffic violations, and these records include arrest information, charges, trial details, and sentencing. The Harris County District Clerk handles felony case records, while the Houston Municipal Courts manage Class C misdemeanors. If you need a certified copy, you may need to visit the office in person or request it through the online system.

Cases from the Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and courts of appeals are searchable through the Texas Appeals Management and eFiling System (TAMES). Files available online can be viewed for free, but you will need to contact the specific court for records not posted online.

Some counties, like Denton and Tarrant County, allow searching Justice of the Peace (JP) records online as well. Municipal cases may be searchable on the individual municipal court's website, and these can include cases like traffic tickets and city code violations.

The downside: Doing a thorough search county-by-county across Texas is extremely time-consuming. If you don't know which county a person lived in or committed an offense in, you could be checking dozens of courthouse portals. Not all records are digitized, so online searches may not yield all the information you are looking for.

Method 3: Texas Sex Offender Registry

The Texas DPS maintains a free, publicly searchable Sex Offender Registry. You can search by name, city, ZIP code, or proximity to a specific address. This database is separate from the criminal history system and does not require purchasing credits. It is one of the most accessible free criminal record resources in Texas and is updated regularly.

The Sex Offender Registry is particularly useful for parents vetting individuals who may have contact with children, landlords screening for registered offenders near sensitive facilities, or anyone conducting a safety check on a new neighbor or acquaintance. Because it is geographically searchable, you can also check whether registered offenders are located near a specific address - a feature the DPS criminal history search does not offer.

It is worth noting that individuals are ineligible for a nondisclosure order if they have ever been convicted or placed on deferred adjudication for any offense requiring registration as a sex offender under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This means that sex offender registry entries cannot be sealed and will remain permanently visible in this database.

Method 4: Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Search

If you specifically want to know whether someone is currently incarcerated in a Texas state prison, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) offers a free inmate search tool. This only shows individuals currently housed in a TDCJ facility - it does not show released offenders, people in county jails, or historical conviction data.

For county jail inmates, you would need to check the individual county's sheriff's office website. Many Texas counties, including Harris County, maintain their own online jail roster portals that allow you to look up current detainees by name. These are separate systems from the TDCJ and from the DPS criminal history database.

Method 5: Texas Violent Offender Database

The Texas DPS also maintains a free Violent Offender Database for family violence and stalking cases. This database contains information provided to DPS regarding certain domestic violence and stalking offenses. It is a niche resource but valuable if that is specifically what you are searching for - for instance, if you are hiring a caregiver, entering a new personal relationship, or screening a prospective roommate.

The data in this database is not duplicated in the standard criminal history search interface, so it needs to be checked separately if those specific offense types are relevant to your search.

Method 6: Submit a Public Information Act Request

For records not posted online, you can submit a written request under the Texas Public Information Act. This applies to arrest records held by police departments and sheriff's offices. Texas law generally requires agencies to respond promptly, though there can be delays and some records may be withheld if they fall under specific legal exemptions.

Note that court case records are not subject to the Texas Public Information Act or the federal Freedom of Information Act - those are governed by separate common law, statutory law, and court rules. The Public Information Act primarily applies to records held by executive branch agencies like law enforcement, not by the courts themselves.

Keep in mind: juvenile records, records related to ongoing investigations, and records that have been sealed or expunged will not be available through this process. When a Texas court issues a nondisclosure order, those records are restricted from public access. When records are expunged, they are completely cleared and will not appear in any search.

Method 7: Major Texas County Online Portals at a Glance

Beyond Harris County, here is a quick reference for searching criminal records in other major Texas counties:

• Dallas County: The Dallas County District Clerk maintains an online case search portal for criminal and civil records. Felony cases go through the District Clerk, while misdemeanor cases are handled by the County Clerk.
• Tarrant County (Fort Worth): The Tarrant County Criminal District Court and County Courts at Law maintain public-facing search portals, and some JP records are searchable online.
• Bexar County (San Antonio): Bexar County provides online public access to both criminal and civil court records through its District Clerk portal.
• Travis County (Austin): Travis County maintains a public records search through its District Clerk's online system, covering felony criminal cases and civil matters.
• Collin County (Plano/McKinney): Collin County has its own online records portal through the District and County Clerk offices.
• Denton County: Denton County provides access to criminal case records through its District Clerk portal and also allows JP record searches online.

For any county not listed above, the Texas Judicial Branch website provides contact information and links to district and county clerks' offices statewide. The Texas Office of Court Administration also offers additional resources for court records.

The Faster Way: Use a Nationwide Criminal Records Search Tool

If you need to run multiple searches, check records across state lines, or just want a faster result without manually navigating multiple government portals, a consolidated search tool is the practical choice.

Galadon's free Criminal Records Search tool searches sex offender registries, corrections records, arrest records, and court records nationwide from a single search. Instead of logging into the DPS, cross-checking county portals, manually searching TDCJ, and verifying the Sex Offender Registry one-by-one, you get a consolidated view in one place.

This is especially useful for:

• Small business owners vetting contractors, freelancers, or new hires without a formal HR process
• Landlords and property managers screening prospective tenants before signing a lease
• Recruiters doing a preliminary check before investing time in a candidate
• Individuals who want to run a check on themselves before a job application
• Real estate investors researching individuals they are about to do deals with
• Parents and caregivers verifying people who will have contact with children or elderly family members
• Property owners checking on people connected to a specific address or transaction

It is worth pairing the Criminal Records Search with Galadon's Background Checker, which generates comprehensive background reports with trust scores - pulling together identity verification, address history, and more into a single profile. And if you need to locate contact information for a person you are researching, the Property Search tool can surface property owner names, phone numbers, emails, and address history for any US address - useful when you have a name but need to verify location history or reach someone directly.

What's Actually in a Texas Criminal Record?

When you pull a public criminal record in Texas, the information typically includes:

• Full legal name and known aliases
• Date of birth
• Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
• Arrest date and arresting agency
• Offense charged, including the specific statute violated
• Prosecution status and disposition (convicted, dismissed, deferred adjudication, acquitted, etc.)
• Sentencing information where applicable (probation, fine, incarceration length)
• Court of record and case number

Harris County criminal court records specifically include information about the defendant, charges, the timeline of hearings, arrest dates, mug shots, physical description of the offender, the offender's attorney, and the judge hearing the case.

It is important to understand the difference between an arrest record and a conviction. An arrest does not equal a conviction. Arrest records document that law enforcement took someone into custody - they are not proof of guilt or criminal behavior. The DPS public conviction database only shows public information tied to convictions or deferred adjudications, not mere arrests.

What You Won't Find in Public Texas Criminal Records

There are real gaps in what public searches will reveal. Understanding these gaps is just as important as knowing where to look.

Juvenile Records: If you were referred to court for delinquent conduct or for conduct indicating a need for supervision before age 17, regardless of whether you were taken into custody, you have a juvenile record. Juvenile criminal records in Texas are handled separately and are generally not available to the public. All minor criminal records in Texas are sealed - if someone was convicted of a crime before they turned 18, that information is not publicly accessible through any standard search.

Expunged Records: In Texas, an expunction can permanently remove entries from an adult criminal history record. When a record is expunged, the law treats the arrest or case as if it never occurred. Once an expunction is granted, government agencies, courts, and law enforcement must delete or destroy records relating to the case, and the individual may legally deny the arrest or charge in most situations. Records that have been expunged will not appear in any search - not DPS, not county courts, not third-party background check services.

Records Under a Nondisclosure Order: A nondisclosure order seals a criminal record rather than destroying it. The record is removed from public view but remains accessible to certain government agencies, law enforcement, and licensing authorities. If you obtain an order for nondisclosure, you can deny having a criminal record in many circumstances like applying for some private sector jobs and housing, but there are important exceptions - such as applying to the military, applying for a federal job, or in immigration proceedings.

Class C Misdemeanors: Class C misdemeanors (the lowest level, often traffic violations or minor offenses) are inconsistently reported to the DPS system. If someone was convicted of a Class C offense in a municipal court, that record may only exist at the local level and will not show up in the statewide DPS search.

Out-of-State Offenses: The DPS system only covers Texas arrests and convictions. If someone committed an offense in another state, that record will not appear in the Texas CCH database. For a complete picture of someone's criminal history across multiple states, you need a nationwide search.

Federal Crimes: Offenses prosecuted in federal court - such as federal drug trafficking, wire fraud, or immigration violations - are not part of the state DPS system. Federal criminal records are maintained separately through the federal court system (PACER) and FBI databases.

Expungements and Nondisclosure Orders: What Searchers Need to Know

Because expungements and nondisclosure orders directly affect what shows up in a criminal record search, it helps to understand when Texas law allows them.

Texas law offers two ways to limit public access to criminal records: expunction and orders of nondisclosure. An expungement is considered stronger than a nondisclosure order, but both options can greatly benefit the person seeking them.

Expunctions (sometimes called expungements) can permanently remove entries from an adult criminal history record. They are typically available for arrests that did not lead to a conviction, certain situations involving deferred adjudication for Class C misdemeanors, and cases where charges were dismissed. You cannot expunge any conviction. After an expunction, the individual can legally deny the incident ever happened, and the record is not accessible to the public or most private entities.

Nondisclosure is when the court seals certain offenses from public disclosure. Both are procedures used to clean up adult criminal history records, which can impact job searches, professional licenses, and credit scores. Under a nondisclosure order, records are hidden from public view and most private entities like employers or landlords, but they remain visible to government agencies and law enforcement.

From a searcher's perspective, the practical implication is this: even a thorough criminal record search through every available Texas source may not surface every offense a person has been involved in. Texas law also allows for automatic nondisclosure for first-time misdemeanors that were dismissed and discharged after completing deferred adjudication under certain conditions. And depending on the class of offense, waiting periods before eligibility apply - 180 days after a Class C misdemeanor arrest, one year for Class A and B misdemeanors, and three to five years following an arrest for felonies. Criminal records cited for expunction are destroyed within 180 days of the court order.

A practical note: even when a record is officially expunged, online court databases and third-party background check companies sometimes keep records accessible unless formal legal steps are taken to contact those companies and demand removal. This is an imperfection in the system that affects both people who want their records cleared and researchers who may encounter stale or invalid data.

Texas Criminal Records for Business Use Cases

If you are using criminal record searches as part of a hiring or business process, be aware of Texas employment law and federal regulations. The interaction between state and federal rules can be complex.

The Texas 7-Year Rule: Texas law provides some protections to job applicants by prohibiting reports conducted by consumer reporting agencies from including criminal history information older than 7 years in their reports. Specifically, Texas Business and Commerce Code Section 20.05 imposes a seven-year limit on reporting convictions for jobs with salaries under $75,000, unless an exception applies. However, if the job opportunity pays more than $75,000 annually, employers can check the applicant's criminal record as far back as age 18.

Exceptions to the 7-Year Rule: Several categories of employment are exempt from the standard seven-year lookback. For jobs over $75,000 per year, there is no time limit. For those seeking employment with an insurance company, the rule also does not apply. Applicants for state and local government jobs can have checks run back to their 18th birthday. For those seeking jobs that require entry into people's homes - such as plumbers or electricians - or for residential delivery services, employers are required to check 10 years for misdemeanor history and 20 years for felony history. Healthcare and education roles are also typically exempt and require full history review.

FCRA Compliance: The Fair Credit Reporting Act governs how employers use background checks conducted by third-party consumer reporting agencies. Key requirements include: getting written consent from the applicant before running the check, providing the applicant with a copy of the report if they are denied employment based on its contents, and following adverse action procedures. Employers should evaluate the nature, gravity, and recency of a criminal offense before declining an applicant - the EEOC advises against blanket policies that reject all applicants with criminal records, as these may be discriminatory.

EEOC Considerations: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission protects against employer discrimination through background checks. When using criminal records, employers must avoid policies that disproportionately impact protected groups unless the policy is job-related and consistent with business necessity. An individualized assessment should consider the nature and severity of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and its relevance to the job duties. Applicants should also have a chance to explain their record before a final decision is made.

Ban the Box: Some Texas counties and cities, like Harris County, have enacted ordinances that delay questions about criminal history until later in the hiring process, promoting fairness for applicants. If you are hiring in one of these jurisdictions, review local requirements before including criminal history questions on initial job applications.

If you are running background checks as part of a sales or recruiting workflow, tools that integrate criminal records searches alongside contact data can save significant time. Galadon's Background Checker is built with exactly that kind of use case in mind - giving practitioners a fast, no-friction way to vet people before engaging. For recruiters who need to find and verify candidates before doing a deeper check, pairing it with the Email Finder and Mobile Number Finder creates a complete pre-engagement workflow in one platform.

How to Correct Errors in a Texas Criminal Record

Criminal record errors are more common than most people expect. Records generated by criminal background check firms may include errors such as information on convictions that have been expunged, multiple listings of the same offense, misclassification of crimes, incomplete information (for example, failing to report that a person was exonerated or that charges were dropped), and even records that belong to another person with the same name.

If you find an error in a DPS record, the process for correction depends on the type of error. If the error is in conviction or disposition data, you generally need to contact the court that handled the case, as the DPS record is only as accurate as what courts and law enforcement agencies submitted. If a conviction is found but the applicant or employee denies having been convicted of the offense, positive identification or elimination can be obtained by fingerprint comparison through DPS. If the error is in an FBI record, you can send a written challenge request to the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division at Clarksburg, WV.

To fix an error in a county-level record, you need to contact the courts or the law enforcement agency that manages that specific criminal record. You will need to show proof of the error and file an official petition to correct the issue. For Harris County specifically, you can contact the Harris County District Clerk at 832-927-5800 or visit the Criminal Justice Center in person at 1201 Franklin St., Houston, Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Criminal Records

Are Texas criminal records public?

Yes, most criminal records are public in Texas, which means anyone can view them. However, some records may be sealed or expunged, making them inaccessible to the general public. You can find out for certain what is publicly available by running a search through the DPS portal or using a consolidated tool like Galadon's Criminal Records Search.

How do I run a background check on myself in Texas?

Individuals can access their own criminal records through the Texas DPS, though the fingerprint-based process takes two to three weeks for mailed results. For a faster option, a consolidated background check tool can return results quickly without requiring fingerprinting. Running a check on yourself before a job application is a smart practice - it lets you see what employers will see and gives you time to address any errors or prepare explanations.

Does a dismissed charge show up on a Texas criminal record?

A charge will only not show up on a background check if the charges were dropped and you never pleaded guilty or no-contest. When you plead guilty or no-contest for deferred adjudication, the charge becomes visible on a background check, although it will show that you were not convicted. Dismissed cases may still appear in some databases unless a formal expunction has been granted and all agencies have updated their records accordingly.

Can someone with a criminal record rent an apartment in Texas?

Texas landlords can run background checks on applicants, and criminal history is a factor they may consider. Consumer reporting agencies must follow the 7-year rule for reporting criminal convictions in most cases. There is no statewide Texas law prohibiting landlords from considering criminal records in rental decisions, though landlords should be cautious about blanket policies that could create fair housing issues.

How long does it take for a Texas arrest to show up in the DPS database?

Local criminal justice agencies submit information to the DPS, which compiles it into statewide databases and forwards it to national criminal justice databases at the FBI. The timing of reporting can vary by county and agency - some update records within days of an arrest, while others may take weeks. This is one reason why a recent arrest may not yet appear in a DPS name-based search.

What is deferred adjudication in Texas and does it show on a background check?

Deferred adjudication is a type of community supervision in Texas where a judge defers a finding of guilt. If you successfully complete the terms, the charges are dismissed. However, deferred adjudication does appear on background checks - it will show that charges were filed and that you completed deferred adjudication, but it will not show a conviction. Some deferred adjudication cases are eligible for nondisclosure after a waiting period, which would remove them from public access.

Quick Reference: Texas Criminal Records Sources

• DPS Criminal History Name Search - Statewide conviction data, $1 per search credit, name-based, covers Class B misdemeanor and above
• DPS Fingerprint-Based Check - Definitive identity-linked result, $10 plus $15 CHRI fee, results mailed within 2-3 weeks
• re:SearchTX - County court case records, free online access for participating counties, civil and criminal cases
• Harris County District Clerk - Online search for felony and misdemeanor cases in Harris County, free with account registration
• Texas Sex Offender Registry - Free, searchable by name or geographic location, maintained by DPS
• TDCJ Inmate Search - Current state prison inmates only, free
• Texas Violent Offender Database - Family violence and stalking cases, free, maintained by DPS
• Public Information Act Requests - Written requests to local law enforcement for arrest records, timeline varies by agency
• TAMES Case Search - Texas appellate court records including Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals, free online
• Galadon Criminal Records Search - Nationwide sex offender registries, corrections records, arrest records, and court records in one free search

Final Thoughts

Finding criminal records in Texas requires knowing which database to check depending on what you need and why. For a quick statewide conviction check, the DPS portal is the official source. For court case details, county portals fill the gaps. For sex offenders specifically, the DPS Sex Offender Registry is the dedicated and most current resource. For current inmates, TDCJ provides that data. For family violence cases, the Violent Offender Database covers that niche.

But for most practical use cases - landlords screening tenants, recruiters vetting candidates, business owners checking contractors, individuals doing their own research - manually navigating all of these government systems for every search is not realistic. A consolidated tool like Galadon's Criminal Records Search is the most efficient starting point, especially if you are running more than one or two searches at a time or need to check records across state lines.

Use the official government sources for anything that requires certified documentation - hiring decisions for regulated industries, court proceedings, and official background check requirements. Use aggregated search tools when speed and coverage matter more than official certification, and when you need a broad picture quickly before deciding whether to invest in a deeper, formal check.

Whatever method you use, remember that an arrest is not a conviction, expunged records legally do not exist, and no single database captures everything. The most accurate picture of someone's criminal history comes from checking multiple sources - which is exactly what a good consolidated tool does for you automatically.