Tarrant County Court Records Search | Criminal and Civil Cases

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Tarrant County, Texas · Felony, misdemeanor, civil, family, probate and Justice Court records

Route a Tarrant County Case to the Clerk That Actually Holds It

Tarrant County does not place every court case in one database. A felony, divorce or District Court lawsuit usually starts with the District Clerk. A Class A or B misdemeanor, County Court at Law lawsuit, probate matter or Justice Court case follows a different search route.

Use the case type—not just the person’s name—to choose the correct portal. This guide explains what to click, what information appears, how to find a hearing, when a case may be missing and how to obtain an uncertified or certified copy.

Search District Clerk options Open County and Justice Court search Choose the correct court
Case or cause number Party’s legal name Date of birth for criminal records Approximate filing date Court or case type
FORT WORTH COURT SWITCHYARD ROUTING CASE
DISTRICT CLERK
COUNTY CLERK
MUNICIPAL COURT
CASE
CORRECT CLERK + CASE FOUND
Do not assume “Tarrant County court records” means one search. The wrong portal can return no result even when a valid case exists. Identify whether the case is felony, misdemeanor, district civil, County Court at Law, family, probate, Justice Court or municipal before searching.
Felony cases

Maintained by the Tarrant County District Clerk.

Misdemeanors

Class A and B records are maintained by the County Clerk.

Small claims

Search the correct Justice of the Peace precinct.

Certified copies

Order from the clerk that maintains the case.

Source review

Official pages checked August 5, 2026.

Start with the case type

Which Tarrant County record are you trying to find?

FELONY CRIMINAL Indictment, felony charge or felony disposition

Use the District Clerk criminal division. Search by cause number, defendant name and date of birth when available.

Open the felony workflow
CLASS A OR B MISDEMEANOR County Criminal Court case

Use the County Clerk Criminal Division and public county-court records search.

Find a misdemeanor case
CIVIL LAWSUIT District Court or County Court at Law

Determine the court level first. The amount and relief requested can affect where the case was filed.

Choose the civil portal
DIVORCE OR FAMILY Divorce, custody or support case

Family records are maintained by the District Clerk, but some documents are confidential or restricted.

Search family records
PROBATE OR GUARDIANSHIP Estate, will or guardianship matter

Use the County Clerk’s Probate Court records route and contact the probate copy desk when documents are needed.

Search probate records
SMALL CLAIM, EVICTION OR TICKET Justice Court or municipal case

Search the county Justice Court portal or the city court that issued the citation.

Find the lower court
One county, several record keepers

Use this clerk-routing map before entering a name

DISTRICT CLERK District-level cases

Felony criminal, district civil, family, delinquent tax and certain juvenile records.

Remote document access may require a subscription; free public terminals are available onsite.
COUNTY CLERK County-level records

Class A and B misdemeanors, County Courts at Law, probate and guardianship records.

The public Tyler portal also covers County Courts at Law, Probate and Justice Courts.
JUSTICE COURTS Precinct-level civil cases

Small claims, debt claims, evictions, repair-and-remedy matters and some citations.

Find the correct precinct before filing, paying or requesting copies.
MUNICIPAL COURTS City-filed Class C cases

Traffic, parking, city ordinance and other municipal matters filed by Fort Worth or another city.

A municipal ticket may not appear in the county criminal-record portal.
Most efficient sequence: identify the case type, search the exact case number, verify the parties and court, open the register of actions, check the newest setting or disposition, and order only the document you actually need.

Go directly to the court-record task

Use the portal sections first. Copy fees, courthouse locations and missing-case fixes appear farther down.

Case-result decoder

Understand the information shown in a Tarrant County case

What a court-search field means—and what to check next
Field
What it identifies
What it does not prove
Next action
Case or cause number
One court matter within the filing system.
That another case with similar parties is connected.
Use it for copies, court calls and payments.
Case type
The court category assigned to the filing.
The final legal result.
Open the register of actions.
Court location
The assigned court or precinct.
The hearing will occur in the same room shown on an older notice.
Verify the newest setting.
Party
A plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, decedent, ward or other named participant.
Identity when people share the same name.
Compare middle name, DOB, address or lawyer where legally visible.
Filed date
When the clerk accepted the case or filing.
When the dispute, arrest or underlying event occurred.
Read the petition, indictment or complaint.
Case status
A system status such as pending, disposed or closed.
How each claim or criminal count ended.
Find the signed judgment, dismissal or disposition.
Register of actions
A chronological list of filings, hearings and court events.
That every listed document is publicly downloadable.
Request the exact document from the clerk.
Judicial officer
The judge or court associated with a setting or case.
That the assignment cannot change.
Confirm the current court before travelling.
Hearing date
A setting entered on the calendar.
The hearing was not reset, cancelled or converted to remote appearance.
Check the live docket and contact the coordinator.
Disposition
The court’s recorded outcome or resolution.
That an appeal, enforcement action or later order does not exist.
Review the signed final document and later docket entries.
Felony and misdemeanor records

Search the correct criminal clerk before checking the docket

Felony criminal case

The District Clerk is the official record keeper for felony cases filed in Tarrant County District Courts.

  • Search with the cause number first.
  • When searching by name, add the defendant’s DOB.
  • Review indictment, settings, bond orders, plea, judgment and sentence.
  • Request a certified disposition when proof is required.

Felony records and background help: 817-884-1342

Class A or B misdemeanor

The County Clerk Criminal Division maintains cases filed in Tarrant County’s County Criminal Courts.

  • County Clerk criminal records date back to 1976.
  • Staff can provide case number, court, setting, attorney or bondsman information.
  • Use the public portal for available case information.
  • Contact the Criminal Division for document-copy instructions.

County Clerk Criminal Division: 817-884-1066

A criminal case search is not automatically a statewide background check. A District Clerk felony check covers Tarrant County felony records. It does not by itself search every Texas county, municipal court or federal court.

Tarrant County felony background check

Where

Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, third floor, 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth.

What to provide

The person’s full name and date of birth.

Current published fee

$5 for a Tarrant County felony background check.

The District Clerk lists Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, money order, cashier’s check and cash as accepted payment methods for its felony background service.
Criminal-record call script
I am trying to locate a [felony/Class A or B misdemeanor] case for [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The approximate filing or arrest date is [date]. I have [case number/no case number]. Can you confirm whether your office maintains the case and explain how to obtain the docket and a certified disposition?
Civil District and County Courts

Find a civil lawsuit at the correct court level

District Court civil case

The District Clerk maintains lawsuits filed in Tarrant County Civil District Courts.

  • Search District Clerk access by case number or party.
  • Review petition, answer, service, motions, orders and judgment.
  • Check the individual Civil District Court docket for hearings.
  • Request copies from the Civil/Tax division.

County Court at Law case

The County Clerk maintains civil cases filed in the three County Courts at Law.

  • Search through the public Tarrant County Records Search portal.
  • These courts handle civil matters within their statutory jurisdiction.
  • The County Clerk describes a jurisdictional limit up to $250,000.
  • Call the copy desk before paying for documents online.
District civil records: Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, 100 N. Calhoun Street, second floor, Fort Worth, TX 76196; 817-884-1240.
County Court at Law records: Tarrant County Old Courthouse, Room 250, 100 W. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196; 817-884-1101.

Documents that usually answer a civil-case question

Original petition or complaint
Citation and proof of service
Defendant’s answer
Temporary restraining order or injunction
Motion for summary judgment
Dismissal or nonsuit
Final judgment
Post-judgment enforcement filing
Phone-scam warning: The County Clerk states that its civil offices will not call to tell someone they are being sued and demand money. Verify a pending case through the official portal or call the Civil Department directly.
Divorce and family records

Search Tarrant County family cases without expecting every document to be public

Divorce and family records are maintained by the District Clerk at the Tarrant County Family Law Center, 200 E. Weatherford Street, third floor, Fort Worth, TX 76196.
Search by the case number when known It is the safest route to one divorce, custody, support or parentage matter.
Search both party names Try current and prior surnames when a divorce or name change may affect the result.
Check the filing and disposition dates Confirm that the case fits the relationship and timeline you are researching.
Locate the final signed order For a divorce, the final decree is more useful than a general “disposed” status.
Expect restricted information Addresses, children’s information, social-security numbers and certain reports may be redacted or unavailable.
Request the exact document Provide the case number and party names to avoid the additional records-research fee.
Open Family Law records information Email the District Clerk records team
When emailing a Family Law copy request, include the party names and case number when available. Do not send sensitive personal information unless the clerk specifically requires a secure method.
Family Law records: 817-884-1265
Family Law Center, 200 E. Weatherford Street, third floor, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Estates, wills and guardianships

Search probate records through the County Clerk portal

Tarrant County’s Probate Courts maintain estate, guardianship, mental-health and related probate matters. Public case information is available through the Tarrant County Records Search portal.
Open the public County Clerk portal Choose the Probate Court location or case category.
Search the decedent or ward Enter the legal name and adjust the filing-date range when many results appear.
Verify the case category Distinguish an estate administration from guardianship, mental-health or another probate matter.
Read the register of actions Look for application, will, inventory, appointment, oath, letters, claims, accountings and final orders.
Check public-access limits Guardianship, medical, financial and mental-health documents may be restricted.
Call before ordering copies The Probate copy desk can explain availability and current payment instructions.
Probate Clerks
Tarrant County Old Courthouse, Room 233
100 W. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Main probate line: 817-884-1770
Document-copy help: 817-884-1069
Justice and municipal courts

Find small claims, evictions, debt cases and city citations

Justice of the Peace Court

Justice Courts handle precinct-level civil and citation matters.

  • Small claims
  • Debt claims
  • Evictions
  • Repair-and-remedy cases
  • Certain precinct citations

Texas Justice Court small claims and debt claims generally have a $20,000 jurisdictional limit, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees.

Municipal Court

A city court maintains cases filed by that city, including many traffic, parking, ordinance and Class C criminal matters.

  • Fort Worth Municipal Court
  • Arlington Municipal Court
  • Grand Prairie Municipal Court
  • Mansfield Municipal Court
  • Other city courts within Tarrant County

Search the city named on the citation rather than assuming the county maintains it.

Find the correct Justice Court precinct

Use the case number when one already exists The public Tarrant County Records Search may identify the Justice Court and precinct.
When filing, search the address precinct Use Tarrant County’s address information directory to identify the Justice of the Peace and Constable precinct.
Verify the claim category Small claims, debt claims and evictions follow different procedures and forms.
Contact the assigned precinct Copy fees and payment instructions can differ by Justice Court.
Search Justice Court records Find a precinct by address Open Fort Worth Municipal Court
A Justice Court payment or filing must go to the precinct assigned to the case. Do not send a payment to another precinct because it is geographically closer.
Hearing dates and court calendars

Confirm the newest docket before going to court

Criminal District Court

Use the official criminal-court docket route and verify the setting with the lawyer, bondsman or assigned court.

Civil District Court

Civil dockets are maintained by individual court coordinators rather than the District Clerk.

County and Justice Court

Use the calendar or hearing function in the public Tarrant County Records Search portal.

Open the case first Confirm the cause number, court and party before checking a calendar.
Read the newest docket entry An older notice may have been replaced by a reset, cancellation or amended order.
Check the court’s own docket page Individual courts may publish current and next trial or hearing dockets.
Confirm in-person or remote appearance Do not assume a video setting or physical courtroom from an older entry.
Contact the court coordinator when uncertain The coordinator has more current scheduling information than a static downloaded docket.
Check Civil District Court dockets Check criminal court dockets Check Fort Worth Municipal docket
A docket is not proof of disposition. It shows scheduled or recorded court activity. Use the signed judgment, dismissal, decree or final order for the legal result.
Uncertified and certified documents

Order the right copy without paying for unnecessary pages

Before ordering, write down the case number, exact document title, filing date and approximate number of pages. “Everything in the file” is slower and usually more expensive than requesting the controlling document.
Current Tarrant County District Clerk copy prices
District Clerk service
Published price
When to use it
Non-certified paper copy
$1 per page
Ordinary paper research copy.
Non-certified electronic, 1–10 pages
$1 total
Small electronic document.
Non-certified electronic, 11+ pages
$0.10 per page
Larger electronic document.
Certified paper copy
$1 per page plus $5 certification/seal
Official paper proof.
Certified electronic copy
Electronic copy charge plus $5 certification/seal
Official electronically certified record.
Clerk-performed records research
$5 when no case number is provided
When the clerk must locate the case.
These are District Clerk prices. County Clerk, Probate and Justice Court copy charges may differ. Call the correct division before sending payment.

Uncertified copy

Usually suitable for personal review, case preparation or confirming what a filing says.

Certified copy

Contains the clerk’s certification and seal and may be required for another court, licensing body, immigration matter, employer or government agency.

District Clerk mailed requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope for certified paper copies and a valid email address for non-certified electronic copies. The District Clerk states that personal checks and FedEx shipping are not accepted.
Copy-ready document request
I request a [certified/non-certified] [paper/electronic] copy of [exact document title] filed in Tarrant County case number [number], styled [case name], on or about [filing date]. Please confirm availability, the page count, certification charge, accepted payment method and total cost before processing.
Review District Clerk copy rules County Court at Law copies Probate copy information
Before a felony case is filed

Request Tarrant County magistration and unfiled criminal documents

The District Clerk has access to certain unfiled criminal documents created during the magistration process before a felony cause is formally filed.
Probable-cause records

Probable-cause affidavit and probable-cause determination.

Warrant documents

Arrest warrant and arrest-warrant affidavit when publicly available.

Magistrate documents

Magistrate warning, bail conditions, personal bond and firearm warning.

Protective orders

Orders of emergency protection created during magistration.

Mental-health records

Some Article 16.22 records exist, but sealed reports are not publicly available.

Other designated records

Additional records may be designated by the magistrate.

Provide the defendant’s full legal name Add date of birth and arrest date to reduce same-name errors.
Include the arresting agency Note whether the arrest involved Fort Worth Police, Arlington Police, Tarrant County Sheriff or another agency.
Name the document you need Requesting a probable-cause affidavit is clearer than asking for “the arrest file.”
Ask whether the felony cause has now been filed Once filed, use the assigned cause number for later records.
Preferred request email: dcmagrequest@tarrantcountytx.gov
Criminal records contacts: 817-884-3355 or 817-884-2526
Walk-ins: Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, third floor
A prefiling affidavit or magistrate document is not the final criminal case. Prosecutors may decline, alter or later file charges under a new cause number.
Sealed and confidential information

Why a valid Tarrant County case may show limited documents

Juvenile record Juvenile court information is generally subject to stronger confidentiality and access restrictions.
Sealed or expunged criminal record Legally restricted records may be removed from public search or available only to authorised agencies.
Adoption or parentage document Certain family records may be sealed or available only to parties and authorised requesters.
Child or victim information Addresses, schools, phone numbers and identifying information may be redacted.
Mental-health or medical document Probate, criminal and family cases can contain sealed health information.
Unexecuted warrant or protected affidavit Access may be restricted until execution, return or further court action.
Financial account information Bank, tax, identity and other protected numbers should be redacted from public copies.
Document not imaged online A public document may exist even when the portal shows only the docket entry.
Do not submit a broad public-information request for ordinary court filings. Court-file copies should usually be requested from the District Clerk, County Clerk, Probate Clerk, Justice Court or Municipal Court that maintains the case.
No-result troubleshooting

Why a Tarrant County court search may return nothing

Check the court system Move between District Clerk, County Clerk, Justice Court and municipal court according to the case type.
Search the exact case number Recheck letters, leading zeros, punctuation and year segments.
Try another party-name version Remove punctuation from business names and try maiden, former or hyphenated surnames.
Widen the filing-date range A case may have been filed before or after the event date you know.
Check whether the criminal case is unfiled A new felony arrest may have magistration documents without a filed cause.
Search the city court A Fort Worth, Arlington or other city citation may never appear as a county misdemeanor.
Consider an archive or older system Contact the records division when the case predates the available public index.
Ask whether access is restricted Juvenile, sealed, expunged or confidential cases may not be publicly searchable.
Missing-case call script
I am trying to locate a [case type] involving [full party name]. The approximate filing, arrest or incident date is [date], and the known case number is [number, if available]. Can you confirm whether your office maintains the record, whether it is unfiled, archived or restricted, and what information is required to request a search or copy?
For people without a lawyer

Research the case without asking clerk staff for legal advice

Dell DeHay Law Library

Use the county law library for forms, statutes, court rules and legal-research materials.

Texas Court Help

Use statewide explanations and self-help resources for common Texas court procedures.

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas

Check eligibility for civil legal help involving family, housing, consumer and other noncriminal matters.

Clerk staff can explain filing locations, public search, copy methods and payment procedures. They cannot tell you what claim to file, what defence to raise, what evidence proves the case or whether you should sign an agreement.
Open the county law library Open Texas Court Help Check Legal Aid resources
Court-record locations

Tarrant County clerk offices, telephone numbers and maps

District Clerk Main Office
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building
100 N. Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196

817-884-1574

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Felony Criminal Records
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
401 W. Belknap Street, 3rd Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196

817-884-1342

District Civil and Tax
100 N. Calhoun Street, 2nd Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196

817-884-1240

Family Law Records
200 E. Weatherford Street, 3rd Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196

817-884-1265

County Clerk Criminal Division
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
401 W. Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196

817-884-1066

Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

County Courts at Law
Tarrant County Old Courthouse, Room 250
100 W. Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196

817-884-1101

County Clerk Copy Help

817-884-1069

County Court at Law and Probate document-copy assistance.

Probate Clerks
Tarrant County Old Courthouse, Room 233
100 W. Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196

817-884-1770

Juvenile Court Records
Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center
2701 Kimbo Road, East Building
Fort Worth, TX 76111

817-838-4645

County Telephone Operator

817-884-1111

Use when you know the department but not the correct division.

Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center

Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building

Tarrant County Family Law Center

Before travelling: Confirm the building, floor, room, office hours, identification requirement, payment method and whether the record can be delivered electronically.
Common search mistakes

Small details that prevent a wasted Tarrant County search

Searching every case in the District Clerk

County Court at Law, Probate and Justice Court records use the County Clerk public portal.

Searching a municipal ticket as a county case

Use the court for the city that issued the citation.

Using a nickname

Search the person or business under the legal name used in the filing.

Confusing status with outcome

“Closed” or “disposed” does not explain the judgment, dismissal or sentence.

Ordering the complete file

Request the controlling order, judgment, decree or disposition first.

Assuming no result means no case

Check another court system, an unfiled criminal record, archive or restricted-access status.

10 Tarrant County questions

Tarrant County court-record questions answered

Where can I search Tarrant County court records online?

Use the Tarrant County District Clerk for felony criminal, district civil, family and delinquent-tax cases. Use the Tarrant County Records Search portal for County Courts at Law, Probate Courts and Justice of the Peace cases. Fort Worth and other municipal citations may be maintained by the individual city court instead of the county portals.

Which clerk handles felony and misdemeanor cases in Tarrant County?

The Tarrant County District Clerk maintains felony criminal cases filed in District Courts. The Tarrant County Clerk Criminal Division maintains Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases filed in the County Criminal Courts. Municipal courts generally maintain city ordinance, traffic and other Class C cases filed by that city.

Are Tarrant County court records free to view?

Case information for County Courts at Law, Probate Courts and Justice Courts can be searched through the public Tarrant County Records Search portal. The District Clerk provides free self-service document lookup at courthouse public-access terminals, while its full remote Web Based Access service requires a subscription. Copy and certification charges apply when documents are ordered.

How do I find a Tarrant County civil lawsuit?

First determine whether the lawsuit was filed in a District Court, County Court at Law or Justice Court. District civil cases are maintained by the District Clerk. County Court at Law cases appear through the County Clerk records portal. Small claims, debt claims, evictions and certain repair-and-remedy cases are generally handled by Justice Courts.

How do I search for a Tarrant County divorce or family case?

Family and divorce cases are maintained by the Tarrant County District Clerk. Search through District Clerk access using the case number or party names, or use a free public-access terminal at the Family Law Center. Some family documents are confidential, sealed or restricted even when basic case information is visible.

How much does a Tarrant County District Clerk court copy cost?

The District Clerk currently lists non-certified paper copies at one dollar per page. Non-certified electronic copies cost one dollar for one through ten pages and ten cents per page for eleven or more pages. Certified copies add a five-dollar certification and seal fee. A five-dollar records research fee may apply when the case number is not provided.

Can I obtain Tarrant County felony documents before a case is filed?

Yes. The District Clerk maintains certain unfiled magistration documents, which may include probable-cause affidavits, arrest warrants, magistrate warnings, bail conditions, personal bonds and emergency-protection orders. Request them from the District Clerk criminal records section using the defendant’s full name, date of birth and available arrest information.

Where do I search Tarrant County small claims and eviction cases?

Small claims, debt claims, evictions and certain other lower-value civil matters are handled by Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts. Use the public Tarrant County Records Search portal and identify the correct precinct. The county’s address information directory can help determine which Justice Court precinct serves an address.

Why can I not find a Tarrant County court case?

The case may be in a different court system, may not have been filed yet, may use another spelling, may be older or archived, or may be sealed, confidential or restricted. Check both clerk systems, search by case number when available, widen the filing-date range and contact the appropriate records division when the result remains missing.

Are Tarrant County juvenile and sealed court records public?

Not necessarily. Juvenile, adoption, mental-health, sealed, expunged and other legally confidential records may be unavailable through public search. Family cases may also contain restricted documents. Access depends on the record type, the requester’s legal role and any controlling court order.

Official resources reviewed

Primary Tarrant County court-record sources

District Clerk
County Clerk and Justice Courts
Municipal and self-help
Accuracy and legal-use notice

Texas-arrest.org is an independent informational website. It is not the Tarrant County District Clerk, Tarrant County Clerk, a Justice Court, Fort Worth Municipal Court, the Texas Judicial Branch or a law firm.

Court assignments, hearing dates, portal functions, copy fees, office hours and public-access rules can change. Verify the current case through the official record-holding clerk before relying on it for litigation, employment, housing, licensing, immigration, financial or publication decisions.

A party name, charge, petition or allegation does not prove liability or guilt. Read the signed judgment, dismissal, decree, sentence or final order to understand the legal result.

Last official-source review: August 5, 2026. No general Article, WebPage, Organization or BreadcrumbList schema is included in this block because Yoast and WordPress should provide those schema types.

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