What are Houston Public Records?
According to the Texas Public Records Act, government-generated information falls under the umbrella of open records unless otherwise stated. The State Code guides the management of public records in Houston and all other cities in Texas. Houston public records include arrest records, court records, and vital records. Some records may also contain pictures. Under the law, some portions of Houston public records may be unavailable for public inspection due to their confidentiality status.
Houston Crime Statistics
The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) published the 2019 Crime Statistics Reports for the State. According to the data provided, the Houston Police Department reported a total of 127,000 crimes in 2019. This data reflects a 7.5% increase in crime count from the previous year. Houston's crime rate as of 2019 is 5391.39 crimes per 100,000 population. Per crime category, the City Police Department reported 275 murders, 1,241 rape crimes, 9,147 robberies, 14,586 assaults, 17,038 burglaries, 71,615 cases of larceny-theft, and 13,098 auto theft incidents in 2019.
Are Houston Criminal Records Public?
Under Texas law, deferred adjudication and conviction records for the City of Houston are open to the public. The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains Houston criminal records. Details on criminal records such as arrest information will remain on file indefinitely if not expunged.
Anyone can query the department by visiting the C.R.S. Public Site. Via the website, members of the public can conduct a name-based search. It may take up to ten days to process a Houston criminal record request.
How to Obtain Houston Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Record seekers may be able to obtain copies of a police report or arrest record by contacting the Houston Police Department. However, the State of Texas does not consider criminal offense reports as public records unless the criminal case becomes closed on conviction. This means that records of criminal cases under investigation are unavailable for public inspection. Criminal offense reports may contain non-confidential sections that are open to the public. The information available in these sections include a summary report of the crime, the crime victim's name and address, the date, time, and location of the incident in view, the name(s) of the responding officer, and the incident number.
The record seeker may request open Houston arrest or police reports via email, by faxing (713) 308-3260. The Police Department also processes walk-in requests at:
Records Division
1st floor
1200 Travis
Houston, TX 77002
One can also send a written request via mail to:
Office of Planning & Data Governance / Open Records Unit
1200 Travis
21st Floor
Houston, TX 77002
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Houston
The Texas Department of Public Safety provides a Public Sex Offender Registry search tool that enables people to locate registered sex offenders in Houston. Record-seekers may search for sex offenders by name, location, or by the offender's acquaintance with any institute of higher education in the state. A digital Sex Offender Registry is also available for download. This document is usually updated twice every week.
How to Find Houston Inmate Records
The Harris County Sheriff maintains records of all inmates detained in the Harris County Jail. Members of the public can locate inmates by using the inmate locator tool. Houston's inmate information is open to the public. Record-seekers may search for inmates by name, social security number (SSN), birth date, or System Person Number (SPN). The search results will display a summary of the inmate's data and conviction information.
How Do I Visit Inmates in Houston City Jail?
Houston City inmates are housed in the Harris County Jail. Video visitation is available only for inmates housed in the Joint Processing Center. On-site visitation occurs at any of the following jail locations:
701 N. San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-8430
711 N. San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-1188
1200 Baker Street
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-7484
1307 Baker Street
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-2400
Inmate visitation is on Tuesday and Wednesday (4:00 p.m. up until 9:00 p.m.), and during the weekend (3:30 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.). The Harris County Sheriff permits one 20-minute visit for each visiting day. Visitors aged 17 years and above will need to provide a valid means of identification before they can visit.
Court Records
The trial court system for the State of Texas comprises District Courts, Criminal District Court, Constitutional County Courts, County Courts at Law, Statutory Probate Courts, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts. There are 110 court locations in the City of Houston. Houston court records are under the purview of the Harris County District Court Clerk.
Locations of Courts in Houston
Harris County 11th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
9th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2600
Harris County 55th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline St, 9th Floor, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2650
Harris County 61st Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
9th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2625
Harris County 80th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
9th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2680
Harris County 113th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
10th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2575
Harris County 125th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
10th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2550
Harris County 127th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
10th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2525
Harris County 129th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
10th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2500
Fax: (832) 927-2506
Harris County 133rd Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
11th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2480
Harris County 151st Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
11th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2455
Harris County 152nd Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
11th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2425
Fax: (832) 927-2417
Harris County 157th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
11th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2400
Harris County 164th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
12th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2380
Harris County 165th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
12th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2365
Harris County 174th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
13th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-4200
Fax: (832) 927-4218
Harris County 176th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
9th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-4225
Fax: (832) 927-4218
Harris County 177th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
13th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-4250
Fax: (832) 927-4251
Harris County 178th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
9th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-4275
Fax: (832) 927-4280
Harris County 179th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
11th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-4100
Fax: (832) 927-2466
Harris County 180th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
10th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-4125
Fax: (832) 927-4121
Harris County 182nd Criminal District Court
Harris County Juvenile Justice Center
1200 Congress Street
1st Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-4150
Harris County 183rd Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
11th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-4175
Fax: (832) 927-4155
Harris County 184th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
10th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3900
Fax: (832) 927-3920
Harris County 185th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
9th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3925
Fax: (832) 927-3946
Harris County 189th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
12th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2325
Harris County 190th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
12th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2300
Harris County 208th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
10th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3950
Fax: (832) 927-3920
Harris County 209th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
12th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3975
Fax: (832) 927-3995
Harris County 215th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
13th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2215
Fax: (832) 927-2211
Harris County 228th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
11th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3800
Harris County 230th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
13th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3825
Fax: (832) 927-2271
Harris County 232nd Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
9th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3850
Fax: (832) 927-3869
Harris County 234th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
13th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2234
Harris County 245th Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
15th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1245
Harris County 246th Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
16th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-4500
Harris County 247th Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
15th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1247
Fax: (713) 274-1254
Harris County 248th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
13th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3875
Fax: (832) 927-2351
Harris County 257th Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
16th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-4560
Harris County 262nd Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
12th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3700
Fax: (832) 927-3790
Harris County 263rd Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
10th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3725
Fax: (832) 927-3768
Harris County 269th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
13th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2269
Harris County 270th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
13th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2270
Harris County 280th Family Protective Order Court
Harris County Juvenile Justice Center
1200 Congress Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-4680
Harris County 281st Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
14th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2130
Harris County 295th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
14th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-1375
Harris County 308th Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
8th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-4600
Harris County 309th Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
16th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-4520
Harris County 310th Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
15th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1310
Harris County 311th Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
8th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-4580
Fax: (713) 274-4598
Harris County 312th Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
16th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-4540
Harris County 313th Juvenile District Court
Harris County Juvenile Justice Center
1200 Congress Street
5th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-8450
Harris County 314th Juvenile District Court
Harris County Juvenile Justice Center
1200 Congress Street
5th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-8465
Harris County 315th Juvenile District Court
Harris County Juvenile Justice Center
1200 Congress Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-8480
Harris County 333rd Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
14th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-1800
Fax: (832) 927-1812
Harris County 334th Civil District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
14th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-1825
Harris County 337th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
11th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3750
Fax: (832) 927-2417
Harris County 338th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
12th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3775
Fax: (832) 927-3790
Harris County 339th Criminal District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
12th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3650
Fax: (832) 927-6503
Harris County 351st Criminal District Court
Harris County Juvenile Justice Center
1200 Congress Street
1st Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3680
Harris County 507th Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
15th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-4620
Harris County CPC Family District Court
Harris County Juvenile Justice Center
1200 Congress Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2899
Harris County District Clerk Office
201 Caroline Street
#420
P.O. Box 4651
Houston, TX 77210
Phone: (832) 927-5800
Harris County MDL Civil Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline St
17th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-2700
Harris County Constitutional Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
#310
P.O. Box 1525
Houston, TX 77251
Phone: (713) 274-6390
Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
#740
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1345
Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
#740
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1349
Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 3
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
5th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1353
Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
#740
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1358
For County Civil Courts, the Suite number is the mailing address. The court location is on the 5th Floor.
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 1
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3100
Fax: (832) 927-3120
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 2
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3125
Fax: (832) 927-3120
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 3
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3150
Fax: (832) 927-3170
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 4
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3175
Fax: (832) 927-3170
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 5
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3200
Fax: (832) 927-3270
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 6
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3225
Fax: (832) 927-3299
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 7
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3250
Fax: (832) 927-3270
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3288
Fax: (832) 927-3299
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 9
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3300
Fax: (832) 927-3320
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 10
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3325
Fax: (832) 927-3320
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 11
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3350
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 12
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3375
Fax: (832) 927-3395
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 13
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
5th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3400
Fax: (832) 927-3420
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 14
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
5th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3425
Fax: (832) 927-3490
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 15
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
3rd Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3450
Fax: (832) 927-3420
Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 16
Physical Address: Harris County Family Law Center
1115 Congress Avenue
6th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Mailing Address: Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-3475
Fax: (832) 927-3490
Harris County Probate Court No. 1
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
6th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-1401
Fax: (832) 927-1400
Harris County Probate Court No. 2
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
#680
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-1402
Fax: (832) 927-1432
Harris County Probate Court No. 3
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-1403
Fax: (832) 927-0010
Harris County Probate Court No. 4
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline Street
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-1404
Fax: (832) 927-1499
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 - Place 1
7300 N Shepherd
#138
Houston, TX 77091
Phone: (713) 274-0662 (Civil)
Fax: (713) 437-4389 (Civil)
Phone: (713) 274-0661 (Criminal)
Fax: (713) 437-4391 (Criminal)
Phone: (713) 274-0660 (Traffic)
Fax: (713) 437-4998 (Traffic)
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 - Place 2
1302 Preston Street
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-0590 (Traffic)
Fax: (713) 775-1740
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 - Place 1
10851 Scarsdale
#500
Houston, TX 77089
Phone: (281) 481-9630
Fax: (281) 484-2869
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 - Place 1
14350 Wallisville Road
#102
Houston, TX 77049
Phone: (713) 274-0760
Fax: (713) 451-8074
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 - Place 1
6000 Chimney Rock
#102
Houston, TX 77081
Phone: (713) 661-2276
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 - Place 2
16715 Clay Road
#4
Houston, TX 77084
Phone: (713) 274-0800
Fax: (281) 463-1059
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 6 - Place 1
333 Lockwood Drive
Houston, TX 77011
Phone: (713) 274-3985
Fax: (713) 926-6795 (Civil)
Fax: (713) 921-1425 (Criminal)
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 6 - Place 2
1001 SSGT Macario Garcia Drive
Houston, TX 77011
Phone: (713) 921-6141
Fax: (713) 921-1408
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 7 - Place 1
5737 Cullen Boulevard
Houston, TX 77021
Phone: (713) 747-3553
Fax: (713) 437-4226 (Civil, Small Claims)
Fax: (713) 437-4229 (Criminal, Traffic)
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 7 - Place 2
5300 Griggs Road
Houston, TX 77021
Phone: (713) 274-0700
Fax: (713) 437-4282 (Civil)
Fax: (713) 437-4284 (Criminal)
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 8 - Place 2
16603 Buccaneer
Houston, TX 77062
Phone: (281) 488-8780
Fax: (281) 480-0553
Bunker Hill Village Municipal Court
11977 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77024
Phone: (713) 827-1772
Hedwig Village Municipal Court
955 Piney Point Road
Houston, TX 77024
Phone: (713) 465-6009
Fax: (713) 465-6807
Hilshire Village Municipal Court
1025 Campbell Road
Houston, TX 77055
Phone: (713) 465-0333
Houston Municipal Court - Clear Lake
2855 Bay Area Boulevard
Houston, TX 77058
Phone: (281) 283-4946
Houston Municipal Court - Downtown
Herbert W. Gee Municipal Courthouse
1400 Lubbock Street
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 247-5479
Houston Municipal Court - North Command Station
9455 W Montgomery Road
Houston, TX 77088
Phone: (281) 405-5319
Houston Municipal Court - Southeast (Courts 13 & 14)
8300 Mykawa Rd
Houston, TX 77048
Phone: (832) 394-2202 (Court 13)
Phone: (832) 394-2206 (Court 14)
Houston Municipal Court - Westside (Courts 18 & 19)
3203 S Dairy Ashford Street
Houston, TX 77082
Phone: (281) 584-4889 (Courts 18 & 19)
Hunters Creek Village Municipal Court
Village Hall
1 Hunters Creek Place
Houston, TX 77024
Phone: (713) 465-5646
Fax: (713) 465-1551
Piney Point Village Municipal Court
7676 Woodway Drive
#300
Houston, TX 77063
Phone: (713) 782-0275
Fax: (713) 715-5916
Southside Place Municipal Court
6309 Edloe Avenue
Houston, TX 77005
Phone: (713) 668-2341
Fax: (713) 668-3305
Spring Valley Village Municipal Court
1025 Campbell Road
Houston, TX 77055
Phone: (713) 465-0333
Are Houston Court Records Public?
Houston court records are public records, according to the Texas Public Records Act. The law states that members of the public have the right to inspect all government-held records. However, a court may seal a court record or restrict the public from viewing certain portions of the record. Records of such usually contain confidential information and are only available to select individuals.
How to Obtain Houston Civil Court Case Records
Interested parties can search for civil court cases for the City of Houston by visiting the Harris County District Clerk's website. The enquirer will need to create an account using a valid e-mail address before they can access the Clerk's database. The Clerk requires an account registration for the purpose of protecting court documents.
Public civil court cases are available to everyone. Members of the public can conduct a search, at any time of the day. The Clerk charges $5 for the search fee when the System Person Number (SPN) is not provided or if the enquirer is not certain that the record exists. For complaints or further inquiries, one can contact the Clerk's Office at:
Harris County District Clerk
201 Caroline
Suite 420
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-5800
How to Obtain Houston Criminal Court Records
Like Civil Court Case Records, members of the public can visit the Harris County District Clerk's e-filing website. The requester will need to register an account using an e-mail. All public criminal court records are open to all.
What are Houston Vital Records?
Houston's vital records provide information on significant events that happened in the city. Under federal and state laws, such events include births, deaths, marriages, and divorce. Texas vital records may be public or confidential depending on the type of record and the information it contains. The Vital Records Division of the Texas Department of State Health Services issues copies of vital records under certain conditions at the state level. For Houston, the county offices that provide vital records include the Harris County District Clerk’s Office and the Harris County Court Clerk's Office.
Where and How to Obtain Houston Divorce Records
The Harris County District Clerk maintains records of divorce granted in Houston. The divorcees may search for divorce records by using the Clerk's Docket tool. They may also obtain a copy of a Houston Divorce Decree by visiting the Clerk's Office in person at:
Harris County District Clerk
201 Caroline
Suite 420
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-5800
Statewide, the Texas Department of State Health Services issues copies of divorce records on file since 1968. Houston divorce records are available on the online database of the state department. The state office provides copies of Divorce Verification Letters, and these documents may be requested online or by mailing a completed Marriage/Divorce Verification Application to:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3191
Walk-in requests are also available at the above address. The requester will need to provide an acceptable ID and must meet the necessary requirements provided by state laws. The cost of a Divorce Verification Letter is $20 per copy. Online orders may attract additional charges.
Where and How to Get Public Houston Marriage Records
The Texas Department of State Health Services keeps marriage license information for events that occurred in the City of Houston. With this database, record seekers may easily locate records or verify the date and location of the marriage event. The state office also provides marriage verification letters upon requests at $20 per copy. The requester may order a Verification Letter online, or by downloading and completing a Marriage/Divorce Verification Application. The Application form should be sent through mail or in person to the:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3191
The requester must be a qualified person and must provide an acceptable government ID.
Members of the public can access and download the Texas Marriage License Application Indexes for $10 per annum for the first year. Subsequently, they can download indexes of additional years at $5 per year. Interested parties may use the information provided on the index to obtain certified copies of a Houston marriage license from the Harris County Court Clerk's Office by forwarding a Request/Credit Card Authorization Form via mail or in person to:
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline
Suite 330
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-8686
Fax: (713) 755-8839
Uncertified copies are also available but only obtainable in person.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Houston
Pursuant to Texas Laws, all marriage records are open to the public. However, the married couples may request to seal certain portions of a marriage record, citing confidentiality. To access sealed records, the requester will need to challenge the restrictions on the record by obtaining a Court Order from a Texas-licensed Judge.
Alternatively, the requesting party may obtain permission from the registrants via a written and notarized document.
Where and How to Find Houston Birth Records
The Texas Department of State Health Services provides certified copies of Houston birth certificates upon request. Interested parties may request birth records online, by mail, or in person. A certified copy costs $22. Online orders attract extra fees and the only payment methods are via Debit Cards or Credit Cards. The requester cannot cancel a confirmed order, and payments are non-refundable. The requester will need to download and complete a Texas Birth Certificate Application if placing an order via mail or in-person. For walk-in requests, payments made with Credit Cards attract an additional $2.25 per transaction. The State Office processes mail or walk-in orders at:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3191
Pursuant to Section 181.1(21) of the Texas Administrative Code, only eligible parties such as the registrants, their immediate family members, legal guardian, or attorney can request copies of a Houston birth certificate. Any other applicant will need to provide a legal claim to the record upon request. The requestor should also provide any acceptable ID when querying the state office.
Where and How to Find Houston Death Records
Houston death certificates are obtainable online, in person, or through the mail from the Texas Department of State Health Services. The cost of a death record certified by the State Office is $20 for the first requested copy. Additional copies requested at the same time cost $3 each. Online orders may attract additional charges, and fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Credit Card transactions for in-person requests will incur an extra $2.25 for each transaction.
For walk-in or mail-in orders, the state Office provides a Texas Death Certificate Application form for requesters to fill. Requesting parties must also provide a valid ID. Death certificates are only available to the immediate family members of the deceased and legal representatives. According to Section 181.1(21) of the Texas Administrative Code, anyone who can provide legitimate documentation can also lay claim to a death record. The requester should forward all fees and documents for mail or walk-in orders to:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3191
