Dallas County Court Records Search | Criminal and Civil Cases

Dallas County, Texas · Felony, misdemeanor, civil, family, probate and local court cases

Route a Dallas County Case to the Right Court and Record Office

Start with the county’s main courts portal when you have a party name, case number or approximate filing date. It can return felony, misdemeanor, civil district, county civil, probate and limited family case information without requiring public registration.

The difficult part is knowing when not to use that portal. Small claims and evictions belong to a Justice of the Peace court, City of Dallas tickets use the Municipal Court system, juvenile files are restricted, and federal cases use PACER. This page separates those systems and explains what to save, how to request copies and which clerk to contact.

Case or cause number Party’s legal name Approximate filing year Court or case type Attorney name if known
DALLAS COURT RECORD SWITCHYARD ROUTING FILE
FRANK CROWLEY Felony and misdemeanor
GEORGE ALLEN Civil and family
PROBATE Estates and guardianship
JP / CITY Small claims and tickets
CASE
CORRECT COURT IDENTIFIED
A court search is not a statewide background check. Dallas County systems primarily cover cases filed in Dallas County courts. They do not automatically include another Texas county, federal court, every municipal court, sealed records or restricted juvenile information.
Public portal

Registration is not required for ordinary public access.

Felony records

District Clerk; case information reaches back to 1975.

Misdemeanors

County Clerk maintains Class A and B cases.

Civil records

Determine district court versus county court at law.

Official review

Local procedures checked August 5, 2026.

Start with the case type

Which Dallas County court record are you trying to find?

FELONY CRIMINAL Use the District Clerk

Search indictments, felony dockets, bond orders, pleas, dismissals, judgments and sentences.

Search felony records
MISDEMEANOR Use the County Clerk

Class A and B misdemeanors are maintained by the County Criminal Courts Division.

Search misdemeanor records
CIVIL LAWSUIT Identify district or county court

Both appear in the portal, but records and copy requests go to different clerk divisions.

Choose the civil route
DIVORCE OR FAMILY Expect document restrictions

Case information may be visible, but public online pleading access is restricted.

Request family records
PROBATE OR GUARDIANSHIP Use the County Clerk

Search estates, wills, guardianships and related probate cases.

Search probate cases
SMALL CLAIM, EVICTION OR TICKET Use JP or Municipal Court

These cases are often missing because they are being searched in the wrong system.

Find the local court

Go directly to the Dallas County record task

The portal section explains the search. Later sections handle restricted files, certified copies and cases outside the county portal.

Main county search

How to search the Dallas County Courts Portal

Best search order: use the exact case or cause number first, then try the full party name, then narrow by filing year, case type, court or attorney.
Open the official county record-search page This route remains useful when the direct portal link changes or fails to load. Open Dallas County Online Record Search
Select Dallas County and District Court Case Information and Documents The county states that public registration is not required.
Search the exact record number first Copy the number from a citation, notice, warrant, prior order, jail result or attorney correspondence.
Search the party name when the number is unknown Use the legal name that would have appeared when the case was filed.
Open every plausible result Common names can return unrelated criminal, civil, family and probate matters.
Compare the filing date and court Confirm that the year, case category, court number and party role fit the matter you need.
Open the case details Review the parties, attorneys, charge or case type, disposition, events, hearings and available documents.
Save the complete case number You will need it when calling a clerk, ordering a certified copy or locating the physical file.
Check each listed case separately One person or company may have several unrelated Dallas County cases.
Contact the correct clerk when a document is missing The portal may show a docket entry even when the image is restricted, historical or stored offline.
Portal loading problem: allow cookies and JavaScript, use a current browser, disable aggressive content blockers for the page and return through the official Dallas County record-search page when the direct portal times out.
Case-result decoder

Understand what the portal result does—and does not—show

Use each field to confirm the case before relying on it
Portal field
What it tells you
What to verify
Common mistake
Case or cause number
The unique number assigned to that court matter.
Use the entire number, including letters when shown.
Assuming two similar numbers are the same case.
Case type
Whether the record is criminal, civil, family, probate or another category.
Confirm the case belongs to the expected clerk and court.
Calling the felony desk about a county civil case.
Party name
A plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, estate or other party.
Compare middle name, suffix, company name and party role.
Relying on a common name alone.
Filed date
When the court case was opened.
Compare it with the incident, contract, divorce or estate timeline.
Treating it as the date the underlying event occurred.
Court
The court currently assigned to the case.
Use the court page for hearing or coordinator information.
Going to a courthouse without checking the assigned court.
Case status
A broad status such as open, pending, disposed or closed.
Read the judgment, dismissal or final order.
Assuming “closed” explains how the case ended.
Events or docket entries
What was filed, scheduled, ordered or recorded.
Open the newest entries and check whether a hearing changed.
Relying on an older setting after a continuance.
Disposition
How a charge, claim or case was resolved.
Review every criminal count or civil claim separately.
Applying one count’s result to the entire case.
Document image
That an online copy is available for public viewing.
Determine whether it is plain or electronically certified.
Using a portal printout when a certified copy is required.
No document link
The filing is indexed but the image is not publicly available online.
Contact the correct records desk.
Assuming the document does not exist.
The most important distinction

Dallas County District Clerk versus County Clerk

District Clerk

The District Clerk maintains records for:

  • Felony criminal district courts
  • Magistrate Court records
  • District civil lawsuits
  • Family district cases
  • Juvenile district cases

Main office: George Allen Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, Suite 103, Dallas, TX 75202.

General telephone: 214-653-7307

County Clerk

The County Clerk maintains records for:

  • Class A and B misdemeanor courts
  • County courts at law civil cases
  • Probate and guardianship cases
  • Truancy and other county-level records
  • Closed county criminal, civil and probate files

General telephone: 214-653-7099

Simple rule: felony, district civil and family records usually mean District Clerk. Misdemeanor, county civil and probate records usually mean County Clerk.
Felony and misdemeanor cases

Search Dallas County criminal court records by court level

Felony cases

The Dallas County District Clerk is the custodian for felony court records and Magistrate Court records.

  • Case information is available online back to 1975.
  • Documents are available for most felony cases filed after 2009.
  • Search by cause number whenever possible.
  • Review each charge, setting, plea, judgment and sentence separately.
  • Restricted victim or child information may require an in-person request.

Misdemeanor cases

Dallas County’s County Clerk maintains Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases.

  • Search current case information through the main Courts Portal.
  • Plain documents for many cases from 2011 forward are available online.
  • Older files may be stored offsite.
  • Certified records require a separate request.
  • Do not contact the District Clerk for a county misdemeanor copy.
Felony Records Desk
Frank Crowley Courts Building
133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, second floor
Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: 214-653-5950
Email: DCRecordsCriminal@dallascounty.org
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
County Clerk Criminal Courts Division
Frank Crowley Courts Building
133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, second floor, Room A-1
Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: 214-653-7099
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Coming from the jail search? Dallas County jail results may display a warrant or cause number. Enter that number in the Courts Portal rather than beginning with a broad name search.
Civil lawsuits

Determine whether the case is district civil or county civil

District civil court

Maintained by the Dallas County District Clerk.

  • Case information is available back to 1975.
  • Documents are available for most cases filed after 2008.
  • Common matters include complex disputes, injunctions, title disputes and larger civil actions.
  • Records counter: George Allen Courts Building, basement B floor west.
County court at law

Maintained by the Dallas County Clerk.

  • Dallas County has five county courts at law.
  • Cases include civil disputes and appeals from Justice of the Peace courts.
  • Search through the main Dallas County Courts Portal.
  • County Clerk Civil Courts Division is on the first floor of the George Allen Courts Building.
Search by cause number or party name Open the case and identify the exact court.
Confirm the party’s role A person or company may appear as plaintiff, defendant, intervenor, garnishee or another party.
Review the claims and docket Look for the petition, answer, service, motions, hearings, trial settings and judgment.
Check for a transferred or appealed case A case may move between a Justice Court, county court at law or district court.
Request the judgment separately when needed A portal docket may not provide the certified final judgment required for collection or appeal.
District Clerk Civil and Family Records Desk
George Allen Courts Building
600 Commerce Street, basement B floor west
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-653-6076
Email: DCRecords@dallascounty.org
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
County Clerk Civil Courts Division
George Allen Courts Building
600 Commerce Street, first floor, Suite 101
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-653-7099
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Divorce, custody and family cases

Family case information is not the same as public document access

Dallas County limits online access to family court pleadings because documents may contain Social Security numbers, financial account information, addresses and information about children.
Search the party name or case number The main county search page identifies family district case information.
Save the cause number and assigned court Dallas County has several family district courts.
Do not expect public online pleadings A case listing may appear while the documents remain unavailable.
Request the exact document State whether you need a divorce decree, custody order, support order, petition, judgment or another filing.
Contact the Civil and Family Records Desk for cost Receive the exact amount before using the payment portal.
Use a certified copy when official proof is required Schools, government agencies, retirement plans and other institutions may reject a plain portal printout.
Copy-ready family record request
I request a [plain/certified] copy of [divorce decree, custody order, support order or other document] in Dallas County cause number [number], styled [party names]. The approximate filing or order date is [date]. Please provide the total copy and certification cost and payment instructions before processing.
Wills, estates and guardianships

Search Dallas County probate records by estate or case number

Estate case

Search the decedent’s name, estate style or probate case number.

Guardianship

Search the ward, applicant, guardian or case number when public information is available.

Mental health matter

Access may be limited because medical and mental-health information can be confidential.

Dallas County has three probate courts. Probate matters are maintained by the County Clerk at the George Allen Courts Building.
Search the Courts Portal Use the estate, decedent, guardian, ward or case number.
Open the case summary Confirm the probate court number, filing date and estate style.
Review available documents Look for applications, wills, inventories, orders, letters and accountings when publicly available.
Request historical or closed records from the County Clerk The current Central Records transition affects which years can be accessed and how.
Ask whether certification is needed A bank, title company or another court may require a certified order or letters.
County Clerk Probate Division
George Allen Courts Building
600 Commerce Street, seventh floor, Suite 400
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 214-653-7099
Records before 2013: DCClosedProbateRec@dallascounty.org
Records from 2013 forward: DCOpenProbateRec@dallascounty.org
Cases outside the main clerk divisions

Search Justice Court and Dallas Municipal Court separately

Justice of the Peace courts

Dallas County Justice Courts handle matters including:

  • Small claims and debt claims
  • Evictions
  • Repair-and-remedy cases
  • Class C misdemeanors and some traffic matters
  • Towing and property-seizure hearings
  • Occupational driver’s licence matters

Dallas County currently has ten Justice Courts. Identify the precinct and place before requesting a record.

Find the correct Dallas County Justice Court

Dallas Municipal Court

Use the City of Dallas system for:

  • Dallas traffic citations
  • City ordinance violations
  • Municipal Class C misdemeanors
  • City civil citations
  • Dallas municipal warrants and balances

Search by citation number, name and date of birth, docket number or police case number.

Open Dallas Municipal Citation Search
City citation timing: Dallas Municipal Court states that a citation can take up to ten business days to appear online. A missing new ticket does not necessarily mean the case was cancelled.
Dallas Municipal Court
2014 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: 214-670-0109
The city states that there is no free or dedicated public parking. Paid street, lot and garage options are available.
Restricted records

Dallas County juvenile files are not open public portal records

Dallas County states that juvenile court records are not accessible to the general public without approval from the juvenile district court.
Attorney of record or litigant

Appear at the Juvenile Courts Section with picture identification.

Documents may be reviewed in the designated viewing room.

Other requester

A signed court order may be required before the District Clerk can permit access.

Juvenile case records are not available through the ordinary public online portal.

District Clerk Juvenile Courts Section
Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center
2600 Lone Star Drive, third floor
Dallas, TX 75212
Phone: 214-698-4903
Clerk offices: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
The Juvenile Section generally handles copy requests in person and does not typically provide records electronically or by mail. It accepts cash, an in-state check or money order rather than credit-card payment.
Appeals and federal cases

When the Dallas County portal is not the controlling system

Fifth Court of Appeals

Use the Fifth Court of Appeals for many state civil and criminal appeals originating in Dallas County.

The court also serves Collin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman and Rockwall counties.

Open the Fifth Court of Appeals
Federal district case

Federal civil and criminal cases filed in Dallas are generally handled by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Search public electronic dockets through PACER.

Open PACER
Federal bankruptcy

Bankruptcy cases are also federal records and are not part of the Dallas County portal.

Use PACER or the appropriate federal bankruptcy clerk.

Northern District of Texas public terminals can be used to search party names and case numbers for federal cases filed since 1990. PACER also provides online access to federal appellate, district and bankruptcy records.
Plain, certified and exemplified records

Choose the copy that matches the reason you need it

Do not pay until the correct clerk confirms the service and amount
Record type
What it is
When it may work
Current practical step
Portal view
Public case information or an available plain document image.
Research, checking a setting or understanding the docket.
Save the case number and document title.
Plain copy
A non-certified reproduction of a court document.
Personal files or informal review.
Ask whether the online image can be printed without charge.
Certified copy
A clerk-certified copy bearing official authentication.
Government, employment, licensing, title or court use.
Request the exact document and certification.
Exemplified copy
A more formal authentication package.
Another jurisdiction or a specific legal proceeding.
Confirm that exemplification is actually required.
Letter of disposition
A clerk record explaining the outcome of a criminal case.
Showing how a charge was resolved.
Ask the criminal records division which document meets the request.
County Clerk’s currently published copy fees:
Plain copy: $1 per page
Certification or exemplification: an additional $5 per case
Extra certification charges may apply when file size requires more than one certification.
District Clerk costs depend on the record and service. Contact DCRecords@dallascounty.org for civil or family records, or DCRecordsCriminal@dallascounty.org for felony records, and wait for the exact cost before paying.
Do not estimate the payment yourself. Dallas County’s payment pages instruct requesters to obtain an invoice or exact amount first. Overpayments may not be refundable, and underpayments can delay the order.
Important 2026 service change

County Clerk Central Records is operating under a temporary access notice

Effective April 6, 2026, Dallas County Clerk Central Records published a temporary notice related to a facility move. The notice states that email requests and telephone follow-up are temporarily unavailable through that division until further notice.
Access currently listed by County Clerk Central Records
Record category
Current published access
Where to go
Criminal misdemeanor
2011 to current available online; certified copies in person.
Frank Crowley or George Allen courthouse.
Probate
1985 and prior, and 2002 to current, listed as available in person.
George Allen Courts Building.
County civil
Prior to 2004, 2007–2010 and 2012 to current, listed as available in person.
George Allen Courts Building.
Years not listed
The temporary notice states that unlisted year ranges cannot currently be accessed through Central Records.
Check the live notice before making a trip.
County Clerk Central Records
George Allen Courts Building
600 Commerce Street, B-1
Dallas, TX 75202
Normal published counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
No-result and no-document help

Why a Dallas County court record may be missing

You searched the wrong court system A City of Dallas ticket, JP eviction, federal lawsuit or appellate case will not appear where a county felony appears.
The name format differs Try the surname, legal business name, former name, middle initial, suffix or another known spelling.
The case is new Filing, clerk acceptance, citation processing and system indexing can take time.
The record predates online imaging The case can appear in the index while the document remains on paper, microfilm or in offsite storage.
The document is confidential Family, juvenile, child-victim, sexual-assault, mental-health and other protected information may not be public online.
The file is sealed A clerk generally cannot release a sealed record without an authorising court order.
The case was transferred or appealed Search the receiving court and review the latest docket entry.
Central Records access is temporarily limited The 2026 County Clerk transition affects historical and closed county-level files.
Missing-record call or email script
I am trying to locate Dallas County case number [number], styled [party names], filed approximately [date]. The matter appears to be a [felony, misdemeanor, district civil, county civil, family, probate, JP or municipal] case assigned to [court if known]. The portal shows [describe result or missing document]. Can you confirm whether your office holds the file, whether it is public, and how I can request a plain or certified copy?
County court portal questions: CC-Inquiry@dallascounty.org
District court portal questions: DC-Inquiry@dallascounty.org
Online document-access problems: DCInquiry@dallascounty.org
Privacy and restricted information

What to do when sensitive information appears in a court record

Social Security number

Dallas County provides a District Clerk redaction form for eligible Social Security number information appearing in identified court documents.

List the cause number, document title, filing or order date and page containing the information.

Other sensitive information

Contact the clerk that maintains the record and identify the exact document and page.

Do not repost bank numbers, addresses of protected persons, information about children or other sensitive material.

A request does not guarantee removal. Whether information can be redacted, sealed or restricted depends on the document, applicable law and any court order.

Records commonly unavailable to the general public

Sealed court files
Confidential juvenile records
Protected child information
Sexual-assault victim information
Certain family pleadings
Mental-health information
Adoption records
Documents restricted by court order or statute
Hearings, settings and payments

Do not treat a portal date or payment button as the full instruction

Upcoming hearing

Open the newest docket entries and check the assigned court’s page.

A prior setting may have been moved, cancelled or converted to a remote hearing.

Remote hearing

Some Dallas County courts publish CourtCall, Zoom, livestream or virtual-workroom links.

Use only the link published by the assigned court.

Payment

Confirm whether the payment is a fine, court cost, copy invoice or filing fee.

Using the wrong payment portal can delay or misapply the funds.

A filed request does not cancel a court appearance. Unless the court grants a continuance or provides different written instructions, follow the current setting shown by the assigned court.
Practical courthouse guidance

Know which downtown building you need before parking

Frank Crowley Courts Building

Felony and misdemeanor criminal courts and records counters.

133 N. Riverfront Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75207
George Allen Courts Building

District civil, family, county civil, probate and Central Records services.

600 Commerce Street
Dallas, TX 75202
Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center

Juvenile district courts and restricted juvenile records.

2600 Lone Star Drive
Dallas, TX 75212
Dallas County parking is first come, first served. Public parking is not generally free. The county lists garages near Frank Crowley and George Allen, with operating hours that can differ by facility.
Self-represented help

Research the record without mistaking it for legal advice

Dallas County Law Library
George Allen Courts Building
600 Commerce Street, Suite B40
Dallas, TX 75202

Phone: 214-653-7481

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

What the Law Library can help you locate
  • Texas statutes and court rules
  • Self-help information and forms
  • Legal-aid and lawyer-referral resources
  • Information about civil, family, landlord-tenant and consumer matters
Court-record contacts

Dallas County clerk offices, addresses and maps

District Clerk Main Office
600 Commerce Street, Suite 103
Dallas, TX 75202

214-653-7307

Civil and Family Records

214-653-6076

DCRecords@dallascounty.org

Juvenile Records Clerk

214-698-4903

County Clerk General Information

214-653-7099

County Criminal Courts
133 N. Riverfront Boulevard
Second Floor, Room A-1
Dallas, TX 75207
County Civil Courts
600 Commerce Street
First Floor, Suite 101
Dallas, TX 75202
Probate Division
600 Commerce Street
Seventh Floor, Suite 400
Dallas, TX 75202
County Clerk Central Records
600 Commerce Street, B-1
Dallas, TX 75202

Check the temporary 2026 service notice.

Dallas Municipal Court
2014 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201

214-670-0109

Map to the Frank Crowley Courts Building

Map to the George Allen Courts Building

Before travelling: confirm the clerk division, floor, current office hours, identification requirement, copy cost, accepted payment and whether the record is available under the 2026 temporary service notice.
Avoid these common mistakes

Dallas County search errors that create false “no record” results

Searching a city ticket in the county portal

Dallas Municipal Court has its own citation and docket system.

Calling the District Clerk about a misdemeanor

Class A and B misdemeanor files are maintained by the County Clerk.

Calling the County Clerk about a felony

Felony records belong to the District Clerk’s Felony Records Desk.

Expecting family pleadings online

Family case information and public document access are not the same thing.

Assuming an indexed document is downloadable

An older, confidential or restricted document may require a counter request.

Paying before receiving the exact amount

Dallas County instructs records customers to obtain an invoice before paying.

10 Dallas County questions

Dallas County court-record questions answered

Where should I start a Dallas County court records search?

Start at the Dallas County Online Record Search page and open Dallas County and District Court Case Information and Documents. Public access does not require registration. The portal covers civil district cases, family case information, county and probate cases, felonies and misdemeanors. Justice of the Peace cases, Dallas Municipal Court citations, juvenile records, state appeals and federal cases require separate systems.

How do I search Dallas County felony court records?

Use the Dallas County Courts Portal and search by the exact felony cause number when known. You may also search by the defendant’s name. Dallas County publishes felony case information dating back to 1975, with online documents available for most felony cases filed after 2009. Contact the District Clerk Felony Records Desk at 214-653-5950 for records that are unavailable online.

How do I find a Dallas County misdemeanor case?

Class A and Class B misdemeanor records are maintained by the Dallas County Clerk rather than the District Clerk. Search the Dallas County Courts Portal by name or cause number. Plain documents for many misdemeanor cases from 2011 forward are available online. Certified copies must be requested through the County Clerk or obtained in person under the current Central Records procedures.

Can I search Dallas County civil lawsuits online?

Yes. District civil case information is available online for cases dating back to 1975, and documents are available for most district civil cases filed after 2008. County court-at-law civil cases are also routed through the Dallas County Courts Portal. Confirm whether the case belongs to a district civil court or a county court at law before contacting a clerk.

Are Dallas County divorce and family court documents available online?

The county’s search page lists family district case information, but public online access to family pleadings and documents is restricted because filings may contain sensitive information. Request divorce decrees, custody orders and other family records through the District Clerk Civil and Family Records Desk at 214-653-6076 or DCRecords@dallascounty.org.

How do I search Dallas County probate records?

Search probate matters through the Dallas County Courts Portal using the decedent, estate, guardian, ward or case number. The County Clerk maintains probate records. During the current Central Records transition, some probate record years are available only in person at the George Allen Courts Building, so check the temporary service notice before travelling.

Where do I search Dallas County small claims or eviction cases?

Small claims, debt claims, evictions, repair-and-remedy cases and many Class C matters are handled by Dallas County Justice of the Peace courts. Use the Justice of the Peace page to identify the correct precinct and place, then open that court’s case-status search. Contact the specific JP court because the District Clerk and County Clerk do not maintain those case files.

Are Dallas Municipal Court cases included in the Dallas County portal?

No. City of Dallas traffic tickets, city ordinance violations and other municipal Class C cases are searched through the Dallas Municipal Court Citation and Docket Search. You may search by citation number, name and date of birth, docket number or police case number. Dallas Municipal Court can be reached at 214-670-0109.

How much do Dallas County certified court copies cost?

The Dallas County Clerk currently lists a copy fee of 1 dollar per page plus a 5 dollar charge per case when certification or exemplification is required. District Clerk charges depend on the record and service requested. Contact the appropriate records office for an exact invoice before using an online payment portal because overpayments may not be refundable.

Why can I find a Dallas County case but not its documents?

The document may predate online imaging, contain protected information, belong to a family or juvenile matter, be sealed, be stored offsite, or be temporarily unavailable during the County Clerk records transition. Confirm the court type and cause number, review the docket entry, then contact the correct District Clerk, County Clerk, JP, municipal, appellate or federal records office.

Official resources used

Primary Dallas County court-record links

Leave a Comment