Criminal records in Tarrant County, Texas, are available through several channels. TarrantCourt.us allows for quick access to public information on criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the county's official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. Online tools, personal visits, and written requests all work for searching and obtaining criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Tarrant
Start your search with TarrantCourt.us, where publicly available information on court cases can be found by name or case number. This is a convenient first step that does not require registration.
Online Search through Official Portals
- District Clerk Court Document Lookup — The District Clerk document search portal covers felonies and other criminal cases filed in the district court. Enter the defendant's full name or case number.
- County Clerk — Online Search — Through the County Clerk online search portal, records of misdemeanors handled at the County Court level are available.
- Sheriff's Office — Daily booked-in reports contain information on individuals recently brought to the county jail.
- Texas DPS Crime Records — The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains a statewide database of criminal histories. Through this service, a state-level criminal background check can be requested.
Personal Visit
In the Tarrant County courthouse in Fort Worth, there are public computer terminals. The District Clerk handles felony requests, while the County Clerk handles misdemeanors. Bring a valid ID with you.
Written Request
Send a letter to the Tarrant County District Clerk's office with the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. Include payment by money order. For a state-level criminal history check, the request is sent to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service.
What you need to start the search:
- Full first and last name of the person
- Date of birth — optional, but significantly narrows results
- Case number — if you know it
Search Tarrant Criminal Cases by Case Number
Every criminal case in Texas is assigned a unique number by the court clerk upon filing charges. In Tarrant County, felony numbers typically have a format like 0000000D, where the digits indicate the filing year and sequential number, and the letter indicates the type of case (e.g., "D" for District Court criminal cases).
County Court misdemeanor cases have a different numbering system — they often include a designation of the specific County Court at Law handling the case.
If you know the case number, enter it in the appropriate field on the District Clerk or County Clerk portal. The result will show the parties involved, charges, hearing dates, and current status. Without a case number, searching by name also works, though it may return multiple results for common surnames.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Tarrant
Criminal case records contain several key elements. Here's what each means:
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Texas Penal Code or other code under which charges are filed |
| Severity Level | Felony — from Capital to State Jail Felony; Misdemeanor — Class A, B, or C |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may elevate, reduce, or substitute charges after the initial filing |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting consideration
- Active — the court process is ongoing
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all obligations are fulfilled, the case is closed
Hearings
Types of hearings in Tarrant County criminal cases:
- Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance before a judge, where charges are read
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-trial — procedural hearing before the trial begins
- Trial / Sentencing — substantive consideration of the case and sentencing
- Review hearing — review of compliance with probation or other court requirements
Court Results
| Result | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by plea or jury verdict |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted by the court or jury |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the prosecutor or judge |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after substantive consideration |
| Deferred Adjudication | The judge postpones sentencing; if conditions are successfully met, the case may be closed without a conviction |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Tarrant
Certified copies are officially authenticated documents with the clerk's seal, accepted as legal proof.
Where to Apply
For felonies, the Tarrant County District Clerk is responsible. Misdemeanor records are kept by the County Clerk. For a complete state-level criminal history check, contact Texas DPS Crime Records.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — Visit the District Clerk's office at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center. Present a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport).
- By Mail — Send a written request with the name, case number, and return address. Include payment by money order.
- Online — Some documents are available through the District Clerk Court Document Lookup portal, but obtaining a certified copy usually requires an in-person visit or mail request.
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID
- Case number (recommended)
- Full name and date of birth of the person being inquired about
Contact Information
Tarrant County District Clerk — Criminal Division
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Tarrant
Fees are set according to the Texas Local Government Code and the fee schedule approved by the county clerk.
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $1.00 per page | Standard rate for uncertified copies |
| Document certification | $5.00 | In addition to copy costs; includes the clerk's seal |
| Criminal history check (Texas DPS) | Depends on the type of request | Requests through Texas DPS have a separate fee schedule; details on the Crime Records website |
| Warrant database search | Free | Through the sheriff's and Justice of the Peace Courts online portals |
Processing Times
- In Person — Uncertified copies are usually issued the same day. Certified copies may take 1–3 business days.
- By Mail — Processing takes 5 to 10 business days, not including delivery time.
- Online Viewing — Search results are displayed instantly, but downloading a certified document online is usually not possible.
For current fee verification, contact the District Clerk's office directly or visit the official Tarrant County website.