What are Odessa Public Records?
The TPRA provides for what constitutes Odessa public records. Odessa public records include any document whether physical or electronic, generated, maintained, transmitted, or received, in relation to official public endeavors. Such documents may be paper, film, devices that can store an electronic signal, tape, mylar, and any physical material on which information can be recorded. Typically, books, letters, e-mail, pictures, sound recording, tape, map, and recording can be public records in Odessa. Nevertheless, not all records are open to public access in Odessa. The documents containing the following information are not regarded as public records in Odessa:
- Confidential information;
- Confidentiality of certain personnel information;
- Information that the disclosure will infringe the privacy of a person;
- Litigation or settlement negotiations involving the state or a political subdivision;
- Information related to competition or bidding;
- Information related to the location or price of the property for public purpose prior to the public announcement of the project or the formal award of the contract;
- Certain legislative documents, such as a draft or working paper about proposed legislation or an internal bill analysis or working paper for the purpose of evaluating proposed legislation;
- Certain legal matters, such as where a court prohibits the public disclosure of certain information;
- Information relating to the confidentiality of sensitive crime scene image;
- Information about student records;
- Birth and death records;
- Records or documents exempted from public disclosure by law.
Odessa Crime Statistics
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides annual statistical reports of crime in all cities and counties in Texas. In 2019, Odessa reported a total number of 4,906 crimes, including 1,282 violent crimes and 3,624 property crimes. The violent crimes reported include 13 murders, 141 rapes, 128 robberies, and 1,000 aggravated assaults. The property crimes reported include 469 burglaries, 2,656 larcenies, and 499 auto thefts. There was a 21.3% increase in crimes from the previous year. Murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, larceny, and auto theft rates increased by 67%, 20%, 23%, 22%, 25%, and 25% respectively. At the same time, there was a decline in burglary rates by 7%.
Are Odessa Criminal Records Public?
Pursuant to Texas laws, Odessa criminal records are public. Odessa criminal records are available for public access both at the county and the state level. At the state level, the Texas Department of Public Safety handles statewide requests for background checks and criminal records. At the county-level, requests are attended to by local law enforcement agencies, and in Ector county, by the Ector County Sheriff’s Office. The office manages all records pertaining to criminal activity within Odessa and other parts of the county.
How to Obtain Odessa Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Identification and Records Division of the Ector County Sheriff's Office maintains Odessa police reports and arrest records. The office is in charge of conducting all of the office's clerical activities, including processing criminal records and police reports of accidents within the county. Residents may obtain a police report or arrest record by making in-person inquiries to the Sheriff's Office or by submitting a written request to:
The Ector County Sheriff's Office
2500 US-385,
P.O. Box 2066
Odessa, TX 79766
Phone: (432) 335-3050
To obtain Odessa police reports and arrest records, the division requires a requestor to provide information about the incident, including the name of the victor or perpetrator as well as the name, place, and date of the event.
The Texas Department of Public Safety also provides public access to criminal arrest records. These records which are contained in the conviction database include details of statewide misdemeanors, arrests, Class C convictions, and deferred adjudications. Requesters should create a CRS Account and purchase credits in order to perform a search. Using their login information the requester may then self-serve by submitting a search request on the database using the name and birthdate of the subject
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Odessa?
Interested persons should check out the Texas Sex Offender Registry to find sex offender information in Odessa. The registry provides useful information about sex offenders like their location, compliance status, and internet identifiers. The search feature on the online registry enables users to search for offenders by name, address, or proximity to higher education institutions. Interested persons can also be receiving email notifications regarding sex offenders database changes by utilizing the Department of Safety Notification’s Subscription Service.
How to Find Odessa Inmate Records?
Odessa inmate records are maintained at the county level. The Detention Department of the Ector County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of maintaining the Ector County Detention Center which houses all inmates within the county. To access information about the facility and its inmates, contact the Identification and Records Division of the County Sheriff's Office or utilize the office’s Jail Records Inquiry System. Using the system, interested persons can search inmates by first and last name or booking number in order to access the inmate's primary charge, bail/bond conditions, and other related information.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Odessa Jail?
Persons incarcerated by the Odessa police are housed in the Ector County Detention Center located at:
2500 South US Highway 385
P.O. Box 331
Odessa, TX 79760
Phone: (432) 335-3060
Jail visitation arrangement follows a first-come, first-serve system. Visitors are to fill out a Visitation Permit (also available in Spanish) and submit it to the receptionist at the Detention Center, and wait till it is their turn to meet their designated inmate. Printing and completing the visitation permit before-hand may save some time. No visitation permit will be accepted within the last 15 minutes of a visitation period.
Inmates in Odessa jail are entitled to two visits per week. Family, friends, and legal representatives can visit inmates on Tuesday and Thursday within the following period of time:
- 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
- 2:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
The visitation period is twenty minutes except for visitors who have traveled 100 miles or more - which may be granted thirty minutes. Visitors at the Ector jail must provide a valid photo ID issued by the city or town they reside.
Court Records
The Ector County Courts handle cases emanating from the city of Odessa. The Ector County court system consists of district courts, constitutional courts, courts at law, justice courts, and municipal courts. Each of these courts has a class of cases over which they may exercise jurisdiction over. Typically, municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over ordinance violation and class C misdemeanors.
Location of Courts in Odessa
Below are the contact details of every court within Ector County and the city of Odessa.
Ector County District Courts
Ector County 70th District Court
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Avenue, #301
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4290
Fax: (432) 498-4292
Ector County 161st District Court
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Avenue, #301
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4290
Fax: (432) 498-4292
Ector County 244th District Court
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Avenue, #301
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4290
Fax: (432) 498-4292
Ector County 358th District Court
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Avenue, #301
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4290
Fax: (432) 498-4292
Ector County Constitutional Court
Ector County Constitutional Court
Ector County Courthouse
300 N Grant Avenue, #111
P.O. Box 707
Odessa, TX 79760
Phone: (432) 498-4130
Fax: (432) 498-4177
Ector County Court at Law No. 1
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Avenue, #111
P.O. Box 707
Odessa, TX 79760
Phone: (432) 498-4130
Fax: (432) 498-4177
Ector County Court at Law No. 2
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Avenue, #111
P.O. Box 707
Odessa, TX 79760
Phone: (432) 498-4130
Fax: (432) 498-4177
Ector County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Avenue, #208
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4201
Ector County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Avenue, #208
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4202
Ector County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Avenue, #208
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4203
Ector County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Avenue, #208
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4204
Ector County Municipal Court
Odessa Municipal Court
201 N Grant Avenue
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 335-3300
Are Odessa Court Records Public?
Odessa court records are public in accordance with Texas state laws. However, a record will cease to be public pursuant to a court order to that effect. Odessa court records are maintained by the office of the Ector County District Court Clerk located at:
300 N Grant Avenue, Room 301
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4290
Fax: (432) 498-4292
District.Clerk@ectorcountytx.gov
Municipal courts also grant public access to their court records.
Can you look up an Odessa Court Case Online?
Interested persons can look up Odessa and Ector court cases online by using the Public Court Records Portal managed by the District Clerk's Office. Usage of the index without images incurs no cost. Frequent users may however opt for an annual subscription at a rate of $100 for individuals and $250 for organizations. Users under the annual subscription enjoy enhanced access to the index which will include digital document images applicable to the record.
How to Obtain Odessa Civil Court Case Records?
Requests for Odessa civil court case records are handled at the county level. The Office of the Ector County District Clerk is responsible for conducting all the clerical and administrative activities of the Ector County Court, including keeping and issuing records of cases handled by the court. Interested residents may obtain copies of Ector civil court case records by requesting them from the office either in person or by mail. Requesters are to provide the office with information about the requested court case record like the plaintiff/defendant name, the case file number, and the date of filing. Interested persons are to make requests at:
Ector County District Clerk
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Street
Room 301
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4290
Alternatively, interested persons can sign up on the Ector County court records portal and follow the instructions it provides for persons requesting civil court records.
How to Obtain Odessa Criminal Court Records?
Requests for Odessa criminal court case records are documented at the county level. Criminal court records in Ector County are managed and disseminated by the Office of the Ector County District Clerk which is also responsible for the conduct of the clerical and administrative duties of the Court. Interested persons can make in-person or mailed requests for criminal court records at the Clerk’s office located at:
Ector County District Clerk
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Street
Room 301
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4290
The office will require requesters to present information about the requested court case record like the defendant's name, the case file number, and the date of filing. Interested persons may also log into the court’s public records portal to request their criminal court records.
The Odessa Municipal Court maintains its criminal court records for cases within its jurisdiction. Hence, for records pertaining to ordinance violation cases as well as class C misdemeanors, interested persons are to contact the Odessa Municipal Court at the following address:
Odessa Municipal Court
201 N Grant Avenue
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 335-3300
What are Odessa Vital Records?
Odessa vital records constitute the official documentation of life events that occur within the city’s jurisdiction. These records are kept by government repositories and they include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce decrees or verification. Typically, Odessa vital records are managed at the state level by the Texas Vital Statistics Office. However, as per state laws, vital records are also co-managed by both the Ector County Clerk and the Clerk of District Court. The records custodian also provides for persons that are legally eligible to request these records.
Where and How to Obtain Odessa Divorce Records?
Requests for Odessa divorce records are handled at both the county and state levels. Hence, Odessa divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of the Ector District Court. Interested persons can obtain Odessa divorce records by making in-person or mailed requests at:
Ector County District Clerk
Ector County Courthouse
300 North Grant Street
Room 301
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4290
Requestors will be required to provide details pertaining to the divorce like the names of the divorced parties, the date and where the divorce occurred, as well as the case file number of the divorce court records (if known).
Requesters may also obtain divorce verification letters from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). This letter may only be obtained through the mail. To request for it, send a completed Application for Divorce Verification along with a copy of a valid photo ID and appropriate payment to:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
1100 West 49th Street
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78756-3191
A copy of the divorce verification letter attracts a fee of $20.
Where and How to Get Public Odessa Marriage Records?
Requests for Odessa marriage records are attended to by the Office of the Ector County Clerk. The office maintains and issues records of marriage certificates and licenses granted by it from 1891 to date. To request an Odessa marriage record, download and complete an Application for a Marriage Record. Submit the completed form (either in person or via mail) along with the appropriate fees and a copy of a valid ID to:
Ector County Clerk
300 North Grant Street
Room 111
P.O. Box 707
Odessa, TX 79760
A certified copy of an Odessa marriage record costs $21.00.
An alternative to Odessa marriage records are Texas state marriage verification letters. The DSHS issues these verification letters at a $20 per copy charge for marriages performed from 1968 to date within the state. Only mail requests are acceptable to obtain marriage verification letters. Interested residents should fill out the Application for Marriage Verification and provide a copy of a valid photo ID and payment. Submit all of the mentioned documents by mail to:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
1100 West 49th Street
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78756-3191
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Odessa?
All marriage records in Odessa are considered public. Nevertheless, a marriage record may be declared as confidential if there is a request by the registrant(s) or court order to that effect. In such instances, only the persons named on the record or other persons authorized by the court can access the marriage record.
Where and How to Find Odessa Birth Records?
The Ector County Clerk maintains birth records for events that occurred in Odessa and other cities within the county. In accordance with Texas state laws, birth records are not public records and can only be received by eligible requestors, which include the registrant, their immediate family members (with proof of relationship), and persons with legal authority to do so.
To request birth records, download and complete an Application for a Certified Copy of a Birth. The completed form should be sent (either via mail or in-person) together with the stated fees and ID requirements:
Ector County Clerk
300 North Grant Street
Room 111
P.O. Box 707
Odessa, TX 79760
A certified copy of an Odesse birth record attracts a $23 fee.
Alternatively, Odessa birth records can be requested from the DSHS either in person or through the mail. Interested residents should fill out the Texas Birth Certificate Application. The completed form, along with a valid photo ID and payment, should be submitted to:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
1100 West 49th Street
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78756-3191
Where and How to Find Odessa Death Records?
Ector County death records are maintained and issued by the office of the Ector County Clerk. Pursuant to Texas state laws, death records are not public records and can only be received by specific persons eligible to obtain the record. These persons include immediate family members of the named registrant (with proof of relationship) and legally authorized persons. Interested residents can request death records by completing and submitting an Application for a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate. The completed form should be sent along with the stated fees and ID requirements either via mail or in-person to:
Ector County Clerk
300 North Grant Street
Room 111
P.O. Box 707
Odessa, TX 79760
A certified copy of an Odessa death record attracts a fee of $21, while additional copies ordered at the same time cost $4 each.
The DSHS also provides copies of Odessa death records through in person or by mail requests. Interested persons are expected to complete the Texas Death Certificate Application and notarize it. The completed form should then be sent together with a copy of a valid photo ID and required payment to:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
1100 West 49th Street
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78756-3191
