What Are Dallas City Public Records?
According to the Texas Public Information Act, Dallas City public records consist of typewritten, handwritten, or electronic information generated, maintained, and also disseminated by the state and local departments, except under circumstances where access is restricted by law. According to the Act, exempted records may include:
- Private information that infringes on personal privacy
- Trade secrets
- Certain personnel records of a governmental body
- Information on pending court cases
- Financial information
- Information concerning ongoing law enforcement investigation
According to the Act, interested persons must direct requests to the appropriate custodians before available public records are provided. Restricted information may be withheld entirely or redacted from copies given to members of the public.
Dallas City Crime Statistics
The 2019 crime statistics for the City of Dallas shows that there were a total of 57,049 offenses recorded by Dallas P.D. in that year. Larceny-theft was the most common crime recorded with 25,816 cases, followed by auto theft and burglary with 10,259 and 9,210 cases, respectively. Other crimes consisted of 198 murders, 797 rapes, 4,400 robberies, and 6,369 assaults. In comparison, the city recorded a total of 54,953 offenses in 2018. Larceny-theft was also the most common crime with 25,691 cases, followed by auto theft and burglary with 9,681 and 9,123 cases, respectively. Other crimes consisted of 155 murders, 861 rapes, 3,986 robberies, and 5,456 assaults. An analysis of the data of both years revealed that there was a 3.8% rise in total crime rates.
Are Dallas City Criminal Records Public?
Under Texas law, criminal records for the city of Dallas fall under the category of public information. At the state level, individuals can conduct criminal history background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS), while the Dallas County Clerk's Office allows the public to conduct criminal background checks or felony criminal records requests. Dallas City criminal records often contain both arrest information and details of court disposition.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Dallas Police Department compiles and provides police reports, arrest records, accident reports, offense reports, and other open records through its Records Section. Interested persons can make requests via mail or in person at the customer service window located at 1400 South Lamar Street. Requestors are required to provide the relevant names, dates, locations, and other information in the request. For instance, requests for Dallas City arrest records require details like the arrestee’s name, gender, birth date, race, and date of arrest.
Accident reports cost $6, while offense reports cost 10 cents per page for in-person requests or a 50 cents flat fee for mailed requests. Moreover, requests for open records can be faxed to (214) 671-4636. Call (214) 671-3343 for further inquiries on open records and (214) 671-3345 for other police reports.
Note: There are some restrictions on the release of arrest reports.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Dallas City
Interested persons can obtain sex offender information from the Public Sex Offender Registry managed by the TXDPS. Individuals can search for information by name, geographical location, college, or university campus. The Sex Offender Registration Squad of the Dallas P.D. is responsible for registering convicted sex offenders who reside in the City of Dallas. The unit also forwards the information to the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS).
How to Find Dallas City Inmate Records
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department manages the operations and records of the detention facilities located in different cities in the county. Individuals should visit the Sheriff’s website and use the jail lookup system to search for inmates by the prisoner information, prison number, or case number. The required details for the prisoner information search category include the inmate’s first name, last name, sex, and sex.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Dallas City Jail?
Persons interested in visiting inmates in any detention facility in Dallas City or other cities in the county must fill a visitor registration form and must be on the inmate’s visitor card, except in cases of special visits granted by the warden. Get visitation procedures, rules, schedules, addresses, and other relevant information from the visitation page on the Sheriff's website. Individuals who wish to have on-site or off-site video visits will find related information on the video visitation page. For further information, call (214) 761-9025.
Court Records
Under the Texas Public Information Act, courts in the City of Dallas allow members of the public to view, inspect, or obtain copies of various court-generated records on criminal, civil, probate, and other court proceedings.
Locations of Courts in Dallas City
District Courts in Dallas County
Dallas County District Courts
George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building
600 Commerce Street,
Dallas, TX 75202
Dallas County District Courts – Family
George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building
600 Commerce Street,
Dallas, TX 75202
Dallas County District Courts – Juvenile
Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Building
2600 Lone Star Drive,
Third Floor
Dallas, TX 75212
Dallas County District Courts – Tax
George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building
600 Commerce Street,
Dallas, TX 75202
Constitutional County Courts in Dallas County
Dallas County Constitutional Court
Renaissance Tower
1201 Elm Street,
Dallas, TX 75270
County Courts at Law in Dallas County
Dallas County Court at Law
George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building
600 Commerce Street,
Dallas, TX 75202
Statutory Probate Court in Dallas County
Dallas County Probate Court
Renaissance Tower
1201 Elm Street,
Dallas, TX 75270
Justice Courts in Dallas County
Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 – Place 1
South Dallas Government Center
7201 South Polk Street,
Dallas, TX 75232
Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 – Place 1
North Dallas Government Center
10056 Marsh Lane,
Room 132,
Dallas, TX 75229
Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 – Place 1
East Dallas Government Center
3443 St. Francis Avenue,
Dallas, TX 75228
Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 – Place 2
Beckley Courthouse
410 South Beckley Avenue,
Dallas, TX 75203
Municipal Courts in Dallas County
Cockrell Hill Municipal Court
4125 West Clarendon Drive,
Dallas, TX 75211
Dallas Municipal Court
2014 Main Street,
Dallas, TX 75201
Highland Park Municipal Court
4700 Drexel Drive,
Dallas, TX 75205
Are Dallas City Court Records Public?
Due to the confidentiality of some cases, not all Dallas City court records are available to the members of the public for inspection and issuance. Texas law prohibits public access to court records in certain circumstances. Examples of documents that may be restricted from public’s access include:
- Juvenile delinquency cases and certain other information relating to minors
- Information that threatens the privacy or security of individuals and certain professionals
- Records that are subject to the order of nondisclosure
- Proprietary records
- Information on crime victims or informants
- Child custody cases
Can You Look Up a Dallas City Court Case Online?
Due to the confidentiality of some cases, online accessibility to Dallas City court records depends on the case. Individuals can search for information on civil, family, county, and probate proceedings with the court portal site, while document information or criminal background checks on misdemeanors and felonies are retrievable on the public access site. However, there are no guarantees that information will be available online, credible, or updated.
How to Obtain Dallas City Civil Court Case Records
The Dallas County District Clerk is the custodian of Dallas City civil court case records dating back to 1975. Civil court case records filed after 2008 may be available online, and various request forms for retrieving Dallas court records are on the clerk’s website. Individuals can also make requests in person or send completed request forms or written requests to the District Clerk or the Civil & Family Courts Records at:
George Allen Courts Building
600 Commerce Street
Basement “B” Floor West
Dallas, TX 75202
Email: DCRecords@dallascounty.org
How to Obtain Dallas City Criminal Court Records
Interested members of the public can obtain Dallas City criminal records from the office of the Dallas County District Clerk. Individuals can get document information or criminal background checks on misdemeanors and felonies online or use the various request forms available on the clerk’s website. Individuals may make requests in person or send completed request forms or written requests to the District Clerk or appropriate court where criminal proceedings took place.
What Are Dallas City Vital Records?
Dallas City vital records are government recordings of live events like marriage, divorce, birth, or death that happen to individuals in the city. These records are collated, maintained, or issued by different governmental agencies at the state, county, and city levels. However, while most of these records are considered to be public information, there are restrictions on the accessibility of certain documents.
Where and How to Obtain Dallas City Divorce Records
The Dallas County District Clerk manages records of divorces that occurred in Dallas City and other cities or towns in the county. For uncertified or certified copies of divorce decrees, contact the District Clerk’s Records Department at 600 Commerce Street, Basement “B” Floor West, or calls (214) 653-6076 to make inquiries. Individuals can make requests in person or send written requests or filled forms via mail to:
Dallas County District Clerk
Attn: Civil & Family Court Records
George Allen Courts Building
600 Commerce St. Ste. B-30
Dallas, TX 75202
The information that will facilitate record search includes the divorce case number, name of divorcees at the time of divorce, and year of the divorce filing. The records department may also require requesters to provide government-issued identification or clear copies, as well as fees for retrieving and duplicating the divorce decrees. Excluding search and processing fees, the clerk charges $5 per copy and $1 per certified page, which can be paid in cash (in-person), credit card, money order, and personal check.
Individuals can also obtain verification letters or general divorce information from the Vital Statistics Office of the Department of State Health Service (DSHS) by making online requests or searching the public index of divorces. Dallas City divorce records online requests cost $20.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Dallas City
The Dallas County Clerk manages records of marriages that occurred in Dallas City and other cities or towns in the county. Dallas City marriage records are considered to be public information. However, marriage indexes or verification letters cannot be used for official purposes and do not contain all information submitted in the marriage license. For copies of Dallas City marriage certificates or licenses, either of the married couple or other authorized persons may visit or submit written request letters containing relevant names, dates, and location to:
Dallas County Clerk’s Office
Attn: Vital Statistics
Renaissance Tower
1201 Elm Street. Ste. 2100A
Dallas TX 75270
When required, requesters should provide valid identification and processing fees, which must not exceed standard rates.
Where and How to Get Public Dallas City Marriage Records
Individuals can obtain Dallas City public marriage records from the public index of marriages provided by the Vital Statistics Office of the Department of State Health Service or make requests for verification letters online for $20. Individuals may also visit the Dallas County Clerk’s Office or send queries to:
Dallas County Clerk’s Office
Attn: Vital Statistics
Renaissance Tower
1201 Elm Street. Ste. 2100A
Dallas TX 75270
Phone: (214) 653-7099
Fax: (214) 653-7176
Where and How to Find Dallas City Birth Records
The Division of Vital Statistics (DVS) maintains and issues Dallas City birth records, but these only become publicly available from the 75th anniversary of the birth. Until then, these records are strictly accessible to persons with valid claims, relationships, or authority such as the individual mentioned in the record, parent/legal guardians, siblings, child, spouse, grandparents, and other authorized third-parties. Mail completed application form (Spanish), valid identification, $23 fees in money order/cashier check, and other requirements to:
City of Dallas Vital Statistics,
1515 Young Street,
Dallas, TX 75201
Note: The DVS has long-form Dallas City birth certificates from April 1983 to the present and abstract birth records from 1926 to date.
Where and How to Find Dallas City Death Records?
The Division of Vital Statistics (DVS) maintains and issues Dallas City death records, but these only become publicly available from the 25th anniversary of the death. Until then, these records are strictly accessible to persons with valid claims, relationships, or authority such as the individual mentioned in the record, parent/legal guardians, siblings, child, spouse, grandparents, and other authorized third-parties. Mail completed application form (Spanish), valid identification, fees in money order/cashier check, and other requirements to:
City of Dallas Vital Statistics,
1515 Young Street,
Dallas, TX 75201
The DVS charges $21 for a death certificate, an additional $4 for each additional copy in the same request, and $1 as the mail request fee. Note that only records of deaths that happened from April 1983 to the present are available at the division.
