Texas Criminal Records Search (2026) Arrests, Background

What Counts as a “Texas Criminal Record” — And Why People Get This Wrong

When most people say “Texas criminal record” they picture a single document — one tidy printout with every arrest, charge, and conviction in order. That’s not what exists. A Texas criminal record is actually scattered across multiple systems that rarely talk to each other:

• DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH) — the statewide repository maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Arrest fingerprints from all 254 counties get uploaded here, along with the court disposition once it’s reported back. This is what most “Texas background check” really means.
• County Court Records — the individual case files held by district clerks and county clerks. This is where the actual charging documents, motions, plea papers, and dispositions live. The DPS record is a summary; the court file is the raw evidence.
• County Jail Booking Records — the arrest roster kept by each sheriff. Booking photo, charges at intake, bond amount. Does not include outcomes.
• FBI National Database (NCIC/III) — the federal layer. Texas DPS uploads fingerprint data here, which is why a Texas arrest shows up on out-of-state background checks.

The gap between these layers is where most errors live. A charge might be dismissed in court but still show as “pending” on DPS because the disposition was never reported back. An expungement might clear the DPS record but not the county clerk file. A private background check company might buy outdated data from a county that hasn’t purged sealed records. Fixing your record means fixing it everywhere — not just one database.

Public Record vs Criminal History — Different Things

Quick clarification before we go further. A “public record” search in Texas often pulls civil lawsuits, property deeds, divorce filings, and court judgments. A “criminal history” search pulls arrests and convictions only. People conflate the two constantly. The DPS site gives you criminal history. The county clerk sites and re:SearchTX give you both — criminal plus civil — depending on which department you’re pulling from.

How to Search Texas Criminal Records — Three Legitimate Ways

You’ve got three real options. Plus about a dozen shady third-party sites that scrape the official data and resell it with an upcharge. Skip those. Stick with the three paths below and you’ll get more accurate data at a fraction of the price.

Option 1 — Texas DPS Public Conviction Database ($3 per name)

This is the workhorse for most situations. The DPS Public Website Conviction Database is the official statewide search run by the Crime Records Division. It pulls directly from the Computerized Criminal History System. Anyone can use it — no license, no certification, no legal reason required.

What you’ll need: Full name, date of birth, and approximately $3 per search. Credit or debit card only. The system accepts partial names and will try spelling variations automatically.

Micro Step-by-Step — Running a DPS Public Search

1. Go to publicsite.dps.texas.gov/DpsWebsite/CriminalHistory/. Bookmark this exact URL — the homepage routes through a few redirects and people get lost.
2. Click Register in the top nav. Create an account with an email that you actually check — password reset links expire in 20 minutes.
3. Buy search credits. Each credit is $3 and covers one name search. You can load multiple credits at once if you’re running several checks. The site also adds a small transaction fee on top.
4. Click Search Database. Enter last name, first name, and full date of birth. Middle initial if you have it — this is what separates two people with the same name.
5. Review results. The system shows a list of matches. Click any match to open the rapsheet, which includes charges, arresting agency, court disposition (if reported), sentence, and case number.
6. Print or save the rapsheet immediately. The session times out after 25 minutes and you cannot retrieve the same view without using another credit.

Option 2 — DPS Secure Site Fingerprint-Based Search ($1 per credit)

The DPS Secure Site is the fingerprint-based portal used primarily by employers, licensing boards, volunteer coordinators, and agencies doing FACT Clearinghouse checks. Individual members of the public can use it too, but most people don’t because it requires setting up an ongoing account relationship.

Search credits are $1 each plus a 2.25% fee per credit and a $0.25 transaction fee. Much cheaper per search than the public site — but the account setup and approval process is the tradeoff. Typically worth it only if you’re running more than 10 searches per month.

Option 3 — Personal Review of Your Own Criminal History (~$25)

If the record is about you, this is the path. A personal fingerprint-based review is the only version legally usable to challenge errors, confirm expungement, apply for immigration relief, or hand over to an employer who insists on an official copy. It’s routed through IdentoGO (IDEMIA) — the state’s contracted fingerprinting vendor.

Micro Step-by-Step — Ordering Your Own Record

1. Go to identogo.com/locations/texas. Type in your ZIP code and find the closest enrollment center — there are 200+ statewide including most UPS Stores and Sam’s Clubs in major metros.
2. Click the location to see hours and booking. Click Schedule or Manage Appointment.
3. Select service type: Review of Personal Criminal History. You’ll need the DPS service code (different codes apply depending on whether you’re doing a general self-review, an employment-related review, or an agency-specific one — the site walks you through it).
4. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID to the appointment. Texas driver’s license, state ID card, US passport, military ID, or permanent resident card. Expired IDs get you turned away — bring a backup.
5. Fingerprinting takes under 10 minutes. No ink, no paper cards — it’s all electronic scan. The technician submits directly to DPS.
6. Receive results by mail in 3–14 business days. Some enrollment centers offer a digital download option if you opted in during booking — check your email.

Texas Court Records — The Layer That Actually Matters in Legal Fights

DPS shows you the summary. The court file shows you the full story — every motion, every hearing transcript order, the exact plea, the final judgment signed by the judge. If you’re fighting an error, preparing for an expungement, or needing certified proof of dismissal, you need the court record, not the DPS printout.

re:SearchTX — The Statewide Court Portal

The Texas Office of Court Administration runs a system called re:SearchTX that gives you free search access across district, county, and probate courts in all 254 counties. Free subscription, no credit card required to search the index. You pay only if you need to download actual case documents, and only for documents that aren’t in your own case.

Micro Step-by-Step — Finding a Criminal Case on re:SearchTX

1. Go to research.txcourts.gov/CourtRecordsSearch/Home.
2. Click Sign Up if you don’t have an account. The free tier is enough for almost everyone. Premium subscription is aimed at attorneys running daily searches.
3. Click Search. Filter by county, court type (criminal district court, county court at law, justice of the peace), and case type. Entering a name alone searches statewide — useful when you don’t know which county the case is in.
4. Click any result to view the docket — every filing in the case with date and description. This tells you exactly where the case stands.
5. To get certified copies, click through to the clerk’s office contact info (shown on each case) or go in person to the clerk in that county.

Appellate Cases — Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Courts of Appeals

If the case was appealed, the appellate-level record sits in a separate system called TAMES (Texas Appeals Management and eFiling System). This covers the Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and all 14 intermediate courts of appeals. Free to view files that are online.

County Clerk & District Clerk — When You Need Certified Copies

Every county has two clerks that matter for criminal records: the District Clerk (felonies, higher-level cases) and the County Clerk (misdemeanors, probate). Certified copies of a case disposition, dismissal order, or expungement order usually cost $5–$15 per page. Required for everything from mugshot removal demands to immigration hearings.

Texas Criminal Records vs Court Records vs Background Checks — Side-by-Side Comparison

Texas DPS Crime Records Division — Where the State Data Actually Lives

Physical address matters here because people sometimes need to go in person for complicated corrections or unique record requests. The DPS Crime Records Division is located at the main DPS headquarters complex in north Austin.

📍 Address: 5805 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
📞 Access & Dissemination Bureau: (512) 424-2474
📞 Criminal History Inquiry Unit (for record errors): (512) 424-7256
📧 Refunds & billing: fingerprintrefunds@dps.texas.gov
🌐 Main hub: dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records

Correcting Errors on Your Texas Criminal Record

Errors are more common than DPS likes to admit. The number one cause is the missing disposition problem — a charge gets entered when you’re arrested, but the court never reports back the outcome. So five years later your record still shows “pending” on something that was dismissed the week it was filed. Employers see “pending charges” and walk away before you get a chance to explain.

Micro Step-by-Step — Fixing a DPS Record Error

1. Order a fresh Review of Personal Criminal History through IdentoGO. You cannot dispute something you haven’t officially seen.
2. Identify the specific error: wrong disposition, missing disposition, identity mismatch, charge that shouldn’t be there. Write it down in one sentence.
3. Gather supporting documents. For court outcomes: certified copy of the judgment from the district clerk. For identity mismatch: new fingerprint scan plus photo ID.
4. Call the DPS Criminal History Inquiry Unit at (512) 424-7256. Explain the error. They’ll tell you which mailing or upload path applies to your specific situation.
5. Submit the correction packet. DPS contacts the originating agency (usually the arresting police department and the county court). If they verify the correction, DPS updates the CCH record — typically within 60–90 days.
6. Confirm the fix by running a fresh personal review after 90 days. Do not assume it was done.

Expungement and Nondisclosure — The Only Permanent Fixes

If the record itself is accurate but you want it gone, Texas law gives you two routes. Different eligibility. Different consequences. Different level of finality.

How Expungement Actually Works — In Order

1. Confirm you qualify under CCP Art. 55.01 — read the full text at statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Most common qualifying situations: charges dismissed, acquittal at trial, pretrial diversion completed, Class C misdemeanor deferred completed.
2. Get a certified disposition from the district clerk where the case was filed. Tell them you need it “for an expunction petition” — they know what to include.
3. File a Petition for Expunction in the district court of the county where the arrest happened. Free legal help at texaslawhelp.org, full forms available. Filing fee is around $300 depending on county.
4. The court sets a hearing, typically 30–90 days out. Most uncontested petitions are granted at the first hearing in under 10 minutes. Bring multiple certified copies of the order.
5. The signed Order of Expunction must be served on every named agency — DPS, FBI, arresting department, county clerk, any private background check company the court lists. Each agency has 180 days to destroy the record.
6. After the 180-day window, run a new fingerprint-based personal review through IdentoGO. If the record still shows, contact that specific agency with a copy of the order. They must comply.

Texas Criminal Records for Employers — What’s Legal, What’s Not

Employment screening in Texas is governed primarily by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and EEOC guidance. A few key rules that surprise employers and applicants alike:

• Any third-party background check company running criminal records on an applicant must get written consent first. No exceptions.
• The EEOC strongly discourages employers from considering arrests that did not lead to conviction — but Texas does not prohibit it outright. Arrest-only inquiries can still legally happen.
• Convictions older than seven years may not appear on most commercial background checks (the “seven-year rule” under FCRA) — but this does not apply to jobs paying over $75,000 annually. High-earner applicants often see much older records.
• Sealed records under a nondisclosure order should not appear on private background checks. If one does, you have a legal cause of action against the background check company.
• Certain industries — childcare, healthcare, financial, security guard, commercial drivers — have elevated screening requirements and can access records others can’t.

FCRA, Public Data, and the Limits of Third-Party Sites

Sites that call themselves “Texas criminal records search” or “instant background check” fall into two groups. Some license data directly from DPS and pay for it — these can legally be used within FCRA rules if the site is FCRA-compliant. Most don’t. Most scrape public data, never pay DPS, and sell the results without any FCRA compliance. Using their output for a hiring or housing decision can get you sued.

Rule of thumb: if the site is not a registered Consumer Reporting Agency and doesn’t display FCRA disclosure language on its order form, do not use what it returns for anything that affects someone else’s job, lease, or license application.

Juvenile Records in Texas — Different Rules Entirely

Juvenile records are not public in Texas. They’re sealed by default under most circumstances, with automatic sealing for many cases after the person turns 18 and meets certain conditions. Sealed juvenile records do not appear on any background check and cannot be released without a court order. Full rules at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

If an adult has an old juvenile matter that wasn’t automatically sealed, a petition for sealing can be filed through the juvenile court where the case originated. Free help available at TexasLawHelp. Most juvenile sealings are granted if no adult conviction followed.

Sex Offender Registry — Public and Always Searchable

The Texas Sex Offender Registry is a separate public portal run by DPS. Free to search. Shows the offender’s name, photo, address, offense, and risk level. Registration requirements are governed by Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and are among the strictest in the country. Unlike general criminal records, sex offender registry entries cannot be expunged in most cases while the registration period is active.

Federal Criminal Records in Texas — Different Database

Federal charges filed in US District Courts (Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas) do not appear on DPS criminal history. For those, you need PACER — the federal court records system.

Access at pacer.uscourts.gov. Costs $0.10 per page. Free if your quarterly usage stays under $30. Covers every federal criminal case, bankruptcy, and civil matter. Separate account from state systems.

Tips Nobody Talks About — What Actually Saves Time

• Run the free PACER trial first if the case might be federal. PACER gives first-time users a no-cost 30-minute search window. Enough to confirm whether a federal case exists before you commit to paid searches.
• Request court docs by fax, not mail. Several Texas district clerks still process fax requests in 2–3 business days versus 10–14 for mail. Call the clerk and ask — they won’t volunteer this.
• Small counties answer the phone. Rural Texas counties with populations under 50,000 often have a district clerk who will look up a case over the phone while you wait. Big counties never do this. Small ones still do.
• The DPS “offline” record is a real thing. If your Secure Site search shows “offline record — manual processing required,” don’t assume it’s an error. Certain older or special-case records physically sit in a filing cabinet at the Crime Records Division and have to be pulled by a technician. Budget an extra 5–10 business days.
• Check your own arrests first, not just convictions. Running a DPS public search on yourself shows convictions only. To see what actually shows on an FCRA-compliant employer check, you need the fingerprint-based review. They are not the same output.
• Federal background checks pull from NCIC, not DPS directly. If your record is fine in Texas but a federal employer sees something weird, it’s usually an old entry that the FBI never got the update on. The fix runs through DPS because DPS is the source — but the visible effect happens at the FBI level.
• “Deferred adjudication completed” is not the same as “conviction.” A lot of Texans don’t realize a completed deferred adjudication is eligible for nondisclosure even though it looks like a conviction on the face of it. Worth a free 15-minute consult with an attorney before writing off the option.

Related Texas Resources — Verified Official Links

• TxDPS Crime Records Services — main hub
• DPS Public Conviction Database — $3 searches
• DPS Secure Site — fingerprint-based
• re:SearchTX — statewide court records
• Texas Judicial Branch
• TDCJ Offender Search
• Texas AG Consumer Complaints
• Texas Law Help — free legal forms
• Texas State Bar Lawyer Referral — 1-800-504-2092
• PACER Federal Records
• Texas Statutes
• VINELink — free release alerts

Frequently Asked Questions