Tarrant County Court Records

Tarrant County court records are legal documents and materials created and received by courts serving the county. They are a part of the larger framework of Texas court records and play a crucial role in legal matters, community safety, and public transparency.

Court records in Tarrant County, Texas, typically include case dockets, judgments, party information, motions, orders, and exhibits. Interested persons can visit the various court locations in Tarrant County or use remote resources provided by the courts to view and obtain these records.

Are Court Records Public in Tarrant County?

Yes. The Texas Judiciary, although exempt from the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code 552), embraces the law’s principles of openness. The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, especially rule 76a, underscores the presumption of open access to court documents.

However, certain court records are not open to the public under state law (such as the PIA), federal law, and court rules. These records include documents and information tied to ongoing investigations, sealed court records, and juvenile proceedings. Also, financial data, patented information, and social security numbers are confidential and not included in publicly available court records.

Tarrant County Court Records Search

Searching for court records in Tarrant County requires knowing the presiding court and having the appropriate case information to utilize the most effective case retrieval resources. County and District Clerks of Court in Tarrant County provide various avenues for court records searches, including online, in person, or by mail.

The public can also access third-party websites run by private vendors to find Tarrant court records.

Tarrant County Court Records Search by Name

Interested parties can find court records using defendant, plaintiff, or attorney names online, at courthouses, or through clerks’ offices via mail. However, some offices, such as the District Clerk, require users to provide case numbers. Using other search parameters, such as a name, may incur extra costs.

Tarrant County Courts

Tarrant County’s court system comprises the following courts:

• District Courts
• County Criminal Courts
• County Courts at Law
• Probate Courts
• Justice of the Peace Courts
• Juvenile Courts
• Magistrate Courts

Some courts have subdivisions, such as the district court’s criminal, civil, and family divisions. Below are different courthouse addresses in the county:

Civil District Courts

17th District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
Third Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1460

48th District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
Fourth Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-2690

67th District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
Fourth Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1452

96th District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
Fourth Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1450

141st District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
Third Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1992

153rd District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
Third Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-2691

236th District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
Fifth Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1709

342nd District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
Fifth Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-2710

348th District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
Third Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-2715

352nd District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
Fourth Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-2730

District Criminal Courts

Criminal District Court No. 1
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Fifth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-7213
Phone: (817) 884-1351

Criminal District Court No. 2
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Sixth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0214
Phone: (817) 884-1347

Criminal District Court No. 3
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Seventh Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0215
Phone: (817) 884-1356

Criminal District Court No. 4
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Eighth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0216
Phone: (817) 884-1362

213th District Court
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Eighth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0219
Phone: (817) 884-1529

297th District Court
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Fifth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0229
Phone: (817) 884-1908

371st District Court
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Sixth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-7213
Phone: (817) 884-2985

372nd District Court
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Sixth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-2990

396th District Court
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Seventh Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0215
Phone: (817) 884-2768

432nd District Court
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Sixth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0219
Phone: (817) 884-2935

485th District Court
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Eighth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-7213
Phone: (817) 212-7143
Fax: (817) 850-7999

County Criminal Courts

County Criminal Court No. 1
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Fifth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0256
Phone: (817) 884-1337

County Criminal Court No. 2
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Sixth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1338

County Criminal Court No. 3
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Seventh Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0243
Phone: (817) 884-1374

County Criminal Court No. 4
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Fifth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0239
Phone: (817) 884-1426

County Criminal Court No. 5
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Eighth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0239
Phone: (817) 884-2726

County Criminal Court No. 6
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Eighth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0275
Phone: (817) 884-2745

County Criminal Court No. 7
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Seventh Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0276
Phone: (817) 884-2773

County Criminal Court No. 8
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Seventh Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0401
Phone: (817) 884-3400

County Criminal Court No. 9
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Eighth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-7678
Phone: (817) 884-3410

County Criminal Court No. 10
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Sixth Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-7679
Phone: (817) 884-3420

Probate Courts

Probate Court No. 1
Tarrant County Courthouse
Room 260A
100 West Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76196-0242
Phone: (817) 884-1200

Probate Court No. 2
Tarrant County Courthouse
Room 150
100 West Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76196-0242
Phone: (817) 884-1415

Justice of the Peace Courts

Precinct 1
1895 Courthouse
Room 450
100 West Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76196-0242
Phone: (817) 884-1395

Precinct 2
Southeast Subcourthouse
Suite 200
700 East Abram Street
Arlington, Texas 76010
Phone: (817) 548-3925

Precinct 3
Northeast Courthouse
Suite 220
645 Grapevine Highway
Hurst, Texas 76054
Phone: (817) 581-3625

Southlake Town Hall, Suite 220
1400 Main Street
Southlake, Texas 76092
Phone: (682) 732-6589

Precinct 4
Northwest Subcourthouse
Suite 201
6713 Telephone Road
Lake Worth, Texas 76135
Phone: (817) 238-4425

Precinct 5
Fort Worth Police Administration Building
Room 112-C
350 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76196-0247
Phone: (817) 884-1438

Precinct 6
Southwest Subcourthouse
6551 Granbury Road
Fort Worth, Texas 76133
Phone: (817) 370-4525

Precinct 7
Mansfield Subcourthouse
Suite 202
1100 East Broad Street
Mansfield, Texas 76063
Phone: (817) 473-5101

Precinct 8
Poly Subcourthouse
3500 Miller Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76119
Phone: (817) 531-5625

Family Courts

231st District Court
Family Law Center
5th Floor
200 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0240
Phone: (817) 884-3796, (817) 884-2756 (Associate Judge)

233rd District Court
Family Law Center
5th Floor
200 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0227
Phone: (817) 884-1794, (817) 884-1197 (Associate Judge)

322nd District Court
Family Law Center
4th Floor
200 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0230
Phone: (817) 884-1427, (817) 884-3030 (Associate Judge)

324th District Court
Family Law Center
4th Floor
200 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0232
Phone: (817) 884-1432, (817) 884-1991 (Associate Judge)

325th District Court
Family Law Center
5th Floor
200 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0233
Phone: (817) 884-1537, (817) 884-1444 (Associate Judge)

360th District Court
Family Law Center
4th Floor
200 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0290
Phone: (817) 884-2708, (817) 884-2720 (Associate Judge)

IV - D (Child Support) Courts
Family Law Center
1st Floor
200 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
Child Protection Court Nos. 1 and 2 (CPS)
Family Law Center
200 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196

Juvenile Court

323rd District Court
Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center
2701 Kimbo Road
Fort Worth, TX 76111
Phone: (817) 838-4600

Tarrant County Superior Court Case Search

Tarrant County does not have superior courts. Instead, district courts serve as courts of general jurisdiction at the county level, a role often performed by a superior court.

Tarrant County District Court Records

Tarrant County's District Courts adjudicate more severe cases than other courts in the county. They have original jurisdiction in all divorce, felony criminal, family, and juvenile cases and hear civil cases with over $500 in controversy (exclusive of interest). District Courts in Tarrant County also share concurrent jurisdiction in specific cases with the County Courts.

The Tarrant County District Clerk is the primary custodian of adjudicative records generated or filed with the county’s District Courts. The office provides the following means for viewing and requesting court records:

• A Web-Based Access Service for viewing court records online
• Public access terminals at specific locations for looking up court documents
• Civil and criminal dockets on a court division's webpage

In-person and mail-in requests for copies of court records.

Interestingly, the County Criminal Courts and County Courts at Law in Tarrant County play a role similar to district courts of limited jurisdiction in some U.S. regions. The courts share concurrent jurisdiction in specific cases with the Tarrant County District Courts. These cases include civil disputes where over $500 but less than $200,000 is in dispute, eminent domain cases (regardless of the amount involved), proceedings to settle personal or real property title issues, and certain criminal cases, among others listed in Texas Government Code 25.2222(b) and Texas Government Code 25.2223.

Tarrant County has 10 County Criminal Courts and 3 County Courts at Law. The Texas legislature creates these statutory courts to serve the county's population (over 2 million as of the 2020 census). Records of the county courts are maintained and disseminated by the Tarrant County Clerk. People can use online, mail-in, telephone, and in-person channels provided by the office to view/obtain civil and criminal case records generated in the courts.

Tarrant County Criminal Records

The Texas Department of Public Safety is the sole entity that compiles and produces arrest and criminal records on individuals. However, the department only releases these records to eligible private and public entities.

Be that as it may, individuals can request Tarrant County arrest records and other criminal-related reports from local law enforcement agencies, including police departments, the sheriff's office, and the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s office.

Members of the public can submit requests to the local sheriff’s office or criminal district attorney’s office if the sheriff's office made the arrest or the offender was criminally charged. If another law enforcement agency handled the arrest or the suspect was never charged, the individual can submit an information request to the arresting police agency.

Note that Tarrant arrest records tied to ongoing investigations may not be released until the investigations are complete.

Tarrant County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Most Tarrant County criminal court records are generated and collated by district, county criminal, and justice of the peace courts. 10 county criminal courts handle class A and B misdemeanor cases, 11 district courts oversee felony-level cases and some misdemeanors, and justice of the peace courts mainly adjudicate class C misdemeanors and other minor offenses.

Looking Up District Criminal Court Records

The District Clerk's criminal division disseminates Tarrant criminal records for the district courts. The office offers different avenues for viewing case files and dockets and obtaining copies of court documents.

Online

Individuals can use the District Clerk’s Web-Based Access Service. This online database allows members of the public to view information and documents for different cases, including felonies and misdemeanors. People who want to use this service must apply for an account with the District Clerk's office and pay the required fees.

They must fill out the Subscriber's Agreement form and send it to:

Tarrant County District Clerk's Office
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Attn: Office Manager

New subscribers must pay a $50 non-refundable processing fee and $35 monthly access fee for one to five users.

In-Person

Individuals can use public access terminals at the District Clerk's office to view case files. These terminals are located at:

Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
100 North Calhoun Street
Second Floor
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1574

Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
401 West Belknap
Third Floor
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1574

Family Law Center
200 East Weatherford
Third Floor
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1265

Mail

Members of the public who can obtain copies of court documents from the District Clerk’s office's criminal section in person or mail a written request to the following address:

Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
401 West Belknap Street, Third Floor
Fort Worth, Texas
Phone: (817) 884-1342

It costs $1 per page for non-certified paper copies and $1 for 1 to 10 pages (plus 10 cents per additional page) for non-certified electronic copies. Each certified paper copy costs $1 with an additional $5 seal/certification fee. In contrast, certified electronic copies cost $1 for 1 to 10 pages (plus 10 cents for each additional page) with a $5 charge for the certification/seal.

The District Clerk's office also provides online tools to access executed probable cause and search warrants and post-conviction writs.

Looking Up Tarrant County Criminal Court Records

The County Clerk's office maintains and distributes records for Class A and B misdemeanor cases heard in the County Criminal Courts. Individuals can contact the office by email or call (817) 884-2820 to request copies of these documents.

The office also offers a criminal background search service for class A and B misdemeanor cases at $5. Individuals can visit the following address for the background search:

Tim Curry Justice Center
401 West Belknap Street
Second Floor
Fort Worth, Texas
Phone: (817) 884-2820

Looking Up Justice of the Peace Criminal Court Cases in Tarrant County

Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts handle class C criminal misdemeanor cases. Members of the public can use the Tarrant County Case Search or County Courts - Class “C” Browse online databases to look up these records.

Get Tarrant County Civil Court Records

Civil court records are materials and documents from non-criminal legal disputes. These suits happen in District Courts and County Courts at Law in Tarrant County. Although both courts have overlapping jurisdictions in some instances, one must go through the right source to view or obtain related documents.

Get District Civil Court Records

District Courts have original jurisdiction over civil matters in Tarrant County. The District Clerk provides several resources for checking and obtaining copies of civil case records. They include:

• The Web-Based Access Service: A paid online database that allows searchers to view case records and information remotely.
• Public access terminals: Computers in specific locations where members of the public can research case records.
• In-person and mail-in requests: Individuals can visit the District Clerk's office or local courthouses to request copies of court records. They can also send their requests by mail to the appropriate office. Individuals must provide a case number for the search or pay $5 if they do not know a case number.
• Civil court docket pages: People who want to find upcoming case proceedings can access civil court dockets published by specific district civil court coordinators.

Obtaining County Civil Court Records

County Courts at Law handle different types of civil cases. These courts have concurrent jurisdiction with district civil courts in certain matters, and the Tarrant County Clerk is the main records custodian. The Clerk's office provides the following resources for finding and obtaining case records:

• Tarrant County Case Records Search: This online database allows members of the public to search for and view case information from the County Courts at Law. Individuals can start a search with a case number, filing date, or party or attorney name.
• County Courts at Law Documents: Individuals who want to obtain copies of county courts at law records should contact the County Clerk’s office at (817) 884-1069. They can then use the online payment processing service to pay for the copies before calling the office to complete the order. Regular court documents cost $1 per page, while certified documents cost $1.50 per page.

Tarrant County Family Court Records

Family law proceedings, such as adoption, child custody, parental rights, and spousal support, are handled by specific district family courts in Tarrant County. The District Clerk is responsible for maintaining and dispensing records generated from these proceedings.

People seeking to view or obtain copies of family court documents have different options:

Online Access

Individuals can pay to use the District Clerk's Web-Based Access service to view family court documents from the comfort of their homes. They must pay a processing fee of $50 (non-refundable) while opening the District Clerk Subscribers Access account and a monthly subscription fee of $35 for one to five users.

In-Person and Mail-in Requests

Interested individuals can visit the District Clerk’s office's family section or mail their requests to the following address:

Family Law Center
200 East Weatherford Street, Third Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Attn: Family Court Records
Phone: (817) 884-1265

Requesters must pay to obtain copies of family court documents. They cost:

• $1 per page for non-certified paper copies
• $1 for 1 to 10 non-certified electronic pages (plus 10 cents for each page from 11 and above).
• $1 per certified paper copy with an additional $5 seal/certification fee
• $1 for 1 to 10 certified electronic pages (plus 10 cents for each additional page) with an additional $5 certification/seal fee

Tarrant Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records include papers and other documents filed with a District Clerk during proceedings initiated by couples seeking to dissolve their marriages. These court records are maintained by the Tarrant County District Clerk's family law division. Individuals can visit the office or use the clerk's Web-Based Access Service (fee-based) to search for dissolution of marriage records.

Individuals should note that some dissolution of marriage records may be sealed by court order and only be accessible to parties of the case.

Tarrant County Marriage and Divorce Records

Members of the public can obtain marriage and divorce documents from the Tarrant County or District Clerk's offices, depending on the type of record.

Divorce records can only be obtained through the District Clerk, while Tarrant County marriage records (i.e., marriage licenses) can be accessed through the County Clerk.

Obtaining Copies of Tarrant County Marriage Certificates and Licenses

Tarrant County marriage records are classified as vital records and are maintained by the county's clerk. Marriage licenses are the only legal proof of marriage in Texas, unlike other states that issue marriage certificates. People looking to obtain marriage licenses recorded in the county can visit one of the Tarrant County vital records locations during work hours. They can also submit mail requests. Requesters must pay $21 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies ordered simultaneously.

Interested parties can also view electronic copies of marriage records through the clerk’s Official Records Search website. However, they must select "marriage" from the drop-down menu beside the search box to search.

Individuals can also order copies of marriage licenses through the County Clerk's approved vendor. However, they must pay additional processing ($10) and delivery fees.

Tarrant Birth and Death Records

Tarrant County birth records are critical documents that can validate people's legal identities, ages, and citizenship. They can help individuals access services such as education, healthcare, and Social Security.

On the other hand, Tarrant County death records are critical in facilitating legal proceedings related to inheritance, estate settlement, and financial services. Death certificates can also help families claim life insurance and access pension benefits.

People seeking a Tarrant County birth certificate or death record can query the County Clerk's office or City Hall (if the birth or death was recorded in Grapevine after 1973 or Arlington after 1971).

Interested parties must fill out the Tarrant County Birth or Death Certificate Application form, provide valid government-issued identification and sworn statement, and submit all via mail to 200 Taylor Street, Suite 301, Fort Worth, TX 76196, or any local vital records office.

Requesters must prove eligibility by attesting that they are related to the certificate’s subject or have legal permission to request the document.

Each certified copy of the birth certificate cost $23. The first certified copy costs $21 for death certificates, while subsequent copies cost $10 for the same purchase.

Individuals can also request copies of birth and death records online through the county’s third-party vendor. The service attracts an additional $10 fee plus delivery costs.

Tarrant County Probate Court Records

Tarrant County Probate Courts handle cases related to the validation of wills, administration of estates for deceased persons, incapacitated persons, and minors, establishment of guardianships for minors and incapacitated persons, and civil mental health commitments.

The Tarrant County Clerk is the primary custodian of probate court records and provides retrieval resources to the public.

Individuals can use the Tarrant County Court Records Search online system to view basic details about probate cases heard locally. People who want to obtain copies can contact the clerk's office at (817) 884-1069. Usually, the Clerk's office directs requesters to an online payment processing webpage, where they can indicate and pay for the document they want to order. The office must be contacted via telephone to complete the order.

Tarrant County Property Records

Property records are another class of documents that make up Tarrant County public records. They are created in relation to real property transactions, including transfers and ownership. Property documents include liens, easements, agreements, deeds, and trustee modifications.

The County Clerk's office preserves and dispenses property records in Tarrant County. The office provides a portal to view and purchase property documents online. Searches are conducted using a grantor or grantee's name and date range. Users can also download unofficial copies for free or pay to print certified copies. Official copies cost $1 per page plus $5 for certification.

Members of the public can also request copies of Tarrant County property records from the County Clerk by mail or in person.

People can also request copies by mail. Mail requests must include the document number (which can be obtained from the Clerk's Official Records Search page), stamped and self-addressed envelope, and enclosed money order, cashier's check, or business check addressed to the Tarrant County Clerk. The mailing address is as follows:

Tarrant County Clerk
Attn: Room B30
West Weatherford Street
Worth, Texas 76196-0401

Tarrant County Court Records Online

Members of the public have different online avenues for accessing Tarrant court records, including official and third-party websites. Third-party sites like courtrecords.us provide records for a fee, allowing users to view documents and files from different courts on one database. These sites are usually searchable with a person's first and last name. That way, inquirers do not need a case number or know the specific filing court to find court records.

Users must understand, however, that third-party websites are private businesses that pool records from official sources by purchasing them in bulk. They are not affiliated with government agencies.