What are College Station Public Records?
Under the Texas Public Information Act, public records for College Station are determined as information produced, collected, gathered, and maintained by government agencies within the city. This includes any information created or stored during the performance of official government business or as required by law. Public records can be created and stored in a variety of forms including written and typed documents, electronic messages, computer files, video, audio, pictures, and maps. Some records created by government entities however may be classified and confidential and hence are exempt from public access. Examples of such records include the following:
- Student records and personal information
- Personnel information which if released would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
- Records containing certain legislative documents and real estate information
- Records of pending settlement decisions or pending litigation which concern the state
- Records containing trade secrets and certain commercial or financial information.
- Records containing information on the price and location of real estate prior to the public announcement of such information.
- Certain information relating to the regulation of financial institutions and securities.
In addition to government agencies, public city records may be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may either opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
College Station Crime Statistics
The College Station Police Department collects and maintains crime statistics and data for the city. This information is then passed on to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for addition to their Uniform Crime Reporting System(UCR). This database contains nationwide crime statistics and is used to study crime trends in an area and make informed decisions on crime-fighting techniques and strategies. According to the FBI UCR for 2018 and 2019, rape, property crime, and larceny decreased by 36.8%, 13.4%, and 23.1% respectively. In contrast, robbery, assault, burglary, and vehicle theft increased by 43.3%, 2.3%, 37.2%, and 19.5% respectively. Murder and arson in 2019 remained at the same level as in 2018 with total violent crime in the city reducing by 5.1%.
Are College Station’s Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records for College Station are considered public records under the Texas Public record laws and are open to public view. To obtain these records for College Station requesters must contact the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS). Requesters can perform name-based criminal record searches either in person at the TDPS office or online using the Criminal Record Service (CRS) public website. A more accurate check using fingerprints can be made using the fingerprinting services at the TDPS. To perform a name-based search online using the CRS public site the request will need to create an account online and purchase search credits. A search credit is used to perform each name-based search on the website. The TDPS charges $10 for every name-based search performed in person at the office while each search credit purchased online costs $3. The CRS public site will also charge a small processing fee depending on the medium of payment. Fingerprint-based criminal records are always performed in person by submitting a completed fingerprint card at the TDPS. The service costs $10 for fingerprinting and $15 for the fingerprint-based criminal record search.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Police reports and other records can be obtained in several ways from the College Station Police Department. Records can be obtained from the police department in person, by mail, and by using the public request portal operated by the city secretary.
To request police records by mail, the resident must mail a written request identifying the records to the police department at:
City of College Station Police Department
Attention: Police Records,
P.O. Box 9960,
College Station, TX 77842
Walk-in requests for records can also be made at the police department main office at:
800 Krenek Tap Road
College Station, TX 77840
Individuals with any inquiries may call the police department at (979)764.5096. Where fees apply, payments for walk-in requests can be made in cash or checks while mailed requests must include a check for the correct amount. All checks must be made payable to “the City of College Station”.
Public record requests can also be made online using the public records request online request portal.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in College Station
Sex offender information for College Station can be found using the Texas Public Sex Offender website operated by the state department of public safety. The website has a search page that allows users to search for sex offenders using different criteria. These include searches by name, by location, and by higher institutions. Users may also create an account on the registry which allows them to download the full registry and receive updates to the registry when they occur. Individuals with any inquiries may also find answers by contacting the Sex Offender Bureau at (512) 424-2800.
How to Find College Station Inmate Records
Inmates from College Station are usually detained in the county detention center operated by the sheriff’s office. Inmate records from College Station can be obtained by contacting the Brazos County Sheriff Office as they are in charge of records in the detention center. Inmate information can be obtained by calling the detention center directly at (979) 361-4800 or using the jail record search page on the sheriff’s office website.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in College Station City Jail?
As of 2019, the City of College Station no longer operates a municipal jail and all inmates have been moved to the Brazos County Detention Center. To visit an inmate at the detention center, visitors must be on the inmate’s authorized visitation list. It is the inmate’s responsibility to fill the prospective visitors’ names and addresses in the list as they appear on their government-issued identification. All visitors will be checked for identification when they arrive at the facility for their visit. The detention center has 4 units housing inmates in custody at the jail. Housing units 1 and 2 have in-person window visits while housing units 3 and 4 are provided video visitation. The length of the visits will be dependent on which housing unit the inmates reside in. All inmates are entitled to 2 visits per week with a maximum of 2 visitors per visit for each inmate. Visits take place according to the housing unit’s visitation schedule and all visits must be scheduled using the Brazos County inmates visitation scheduling application.
What are College Station Vital Records?
Vital records for College Station are the documents kept by the city’s authorities that record the life events that have taken place within it. Examples of these records include birth, marriage, divorce, and death records. Although marriage and divorce records are considered public records in Texas, birth and death records only become public information after some time has passed. These records can be accessed and copied from their respective custodians at the College Station City Secretary, the Brazos County District Clerk, and the Brazos County Clerk. On the state level, vital records may also be requested from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
Where and How to Obtain College Station Divorce Records
Divorce records can usually be obtained from the district clerk of the county district court where the case took place. Divorce records for College Station can be obtained from the district clerk's office of the Brazos County District Court at:
The County Courthouse
300 E. 26th Street
Suite 1200/1201
Bryan, TX 77803
Phone: (979) 361-4230
Requests can be made during office hours of 8:00 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. and can be made in person or by mail. The request must submit details of the divorce such as the names of the parties involved and the case number to help locate the record. Copies of the divorce record cost $1 per page and $5 for the certification of the document.
Divorce records can also be provided by the state department of health and human services. This divorce record is a divorce verification letter confirming that a divorce was registered in the state of Texas. These confirmation letters cost $20 each, are not legal substitutes for a divorce decree and availability is based on information submitted by local district clerks.
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in College Station
Residents from College Station can obtain a copy of a marriage record from the Brazos County Clerk. The requester may obtain the record by coming in person or mailing a request to the county clerk at:
County Courthouse
300 E. 26th Street
Suite 1430
Bryan, TX 77803
Phone: (979) 361-4128
Fax: (979) 361-4125
A certified copy of the marriage license can only be obtained from the county clerk where the marriage was originally filed and will cost $21 per copy.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services also issues a form of the marriage record. This document is a marriage verification letter confirming that the marriage was registered in the state of Texas. The obtainability of these letters depends on information forwarded from local county clerks and these letters are not considered legal alternatives to marriage licenses. Each marriage verification letter will cost the requester a $20 fee.
Where and How to Find College Station Birth Records
Birth records for College Station can be obtained from the city secretary’s office in College Station or the Brazos County Clerk. In Texas, birth records do not become public records until after 75 years. Before that time has passed only certain authorized persons may request copies of birth records, these are:
- The person on the records
- Their parents
- Another member of the immediate family (spouse, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren)
- Guardians or legal representative
Anyone requesting a birth certificate will be required to present a form of acceptable identification prescribed by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Any person not of the immediate family applying for a birth record must provide legal documentation showing a direct and tangible interest in the record.
Obtaining Copies of College Station Birth Certificates
Birth certificates for College Station can be obtained by contacting the College Station City Secretary in person or by mail. The requester must fill the birth certificate application form which is available in English and Spanish and submit it to the city secretary. The records can be submitted in person to the office located at 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842. Records requests are processed during the office hours of Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Requesters will be required to show original government-issued identification from the list of acceptable identification (preferably a driver's license).
Requests by mail involve mailing the complete form, a photocopy of the identification, and the correct fees to the local registrar at:
Local Registrar
P.O. Box 9960
College Station, TX 77842
If the request is by mail, the form must be completed in front of a notary public, signed, and then notarized. Mailed requests should also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope and a postage fee of $8. Certified copies of the birth record cost $23 per copy. The fee is paid using personal checks and money orders made payable to “The City of College Station”. Cash and credit/debit cards are only accepted during walk-in requests at the office.
Anyone with any questions can call the city secretary’s office at (979) 764-5016.
Where and How to Find College Station Death Records
Death Records for Texas and by extension College Station are restricted records and become public records 25 years after the death occurred. Before that time passes only certain authorized persons may request and receive these records. These persons include:
- The parents of the deceased
- The immediate family of the deceased (spouse, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren)
- Guardian
- A legal agent or representative of the family
Death certificates for the city can be obtained in person or by mail from the city secretary’s office. Vital records requests are usually processed at the office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Monday through to Friday. An individual requesting a death certificate by mail must fill the Death Certificate Application in English or Spanish and mail it to the:
Local Registrar
P.O. Box 9960
College Station, TX 77842
The mailed request must have the form notarized by a notary public and include a photocopy of the requester’s driver’s license or other acceptable identification.
Walk-in requests simply come into the office at 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842, submit the completed application, show identification, and pay the fees.
A certified death certificate for College Station costs $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Mailed requesters must include an $8 postage fee for returning the record. All fees can be paid in money orders and personal checks made out to “The City of College Station”. Credits cards and cash will only be accepted during in-person requests at the city secretary’s office.
