What are Victoria Public Records?
The Texas Public Information Act defines public records as information created, produced, maintained, and written by the city's government agencies. This mainly includes information gathered under the law or in connection with the performance or transaction of government business. The information may exist in many forms, including typed or written books, texts, papers, documents, electronic messages, maps, photographs, audio or video recordings.
Not all government records are public records. Some records may be sealed by a court order or excluded from public view under the law. Examples of information excluded from public view include:
- Any information concerning competition or bidding that would harm interests by providing an advantage to competitors or bidders in an ongoing competitive situation.
- The private personal correspondence or communication of elected officeholders.
- Any information contained in a personnel file the disclosure of which would cause an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
- Copies of a draft or working paper involved in the preparation of proposed legislation are excepted from public view.
- Records containing information about purchase prices or appraisals of real or personal property to be used for a public purpose. The record remains exempt until the formal awarding of any contract for the property.
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific document 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
Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Victoria Crime Statistics
According to the Victoria Police Department Annual Report, between 2019 and 2020, cases of aggravated assault and vehicle theft increased by 3% and 4.9% respectively. Conversely, cases of murder, rape, robbery, burglary, larceny, and property crime decreased by 33.3%, 24.4%, 17.7%, 9.1%, 10%, and 8.9% respectively. The report also showed a decrease in total violent crime of 6.3%
Are Victoria's Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records for the entire state of Texas and by extension Victoria City are considered public records and can be accessed by members of the public. The Victoria City Police Department records section performs a local background check for city residents on request. This local check only covers Victoria City and will only show arrests that resulted in a conviction. The resident will be required to provide Texas-issued identification and pay the fees of $7.50.
For a statewide or more comprehensive criminal history check, record seekers can obtain criminal records in-person or online from the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS). The department of public safety provides access to name-based criminal record searches and more accurate searches which require fingerprinting services. Name-based searches can be made in person at the TDPS office or online on the Criminal Record Search (CRS) public website. Record seekers will be required to create a user account on the CRS website and purchase search credits which are used to carry out each search.
Name-based searches at the TDPS office in-person cost $10 per search while search credits online on the CRS website cost $3 each. Online payments on the CRS site will also incur a small convenience fee depending on the medium of payment used. Fingerprint-based record checks will usually cost a total of $25, $10 for the fingerprinting service, and $15 for the background checks.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Police reports and other records for Victoria can be obtained from the Victoria City Police Department in person or by mail. Record seekers can obtain these records using the public information request form and mailing it to the police department at:
Victoria City Police Department–records Section
City Hall Building
105 W Juan Linn Street
Victoria, TX 77901
Main Phone: (361) 485-3700
Reports from the Victoria Police Department cost $0.10 per page and an additional $2 for the certification of the document. Police department records can also be obtained by submitting a request using the Victoria City Public Record Portal.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Victoria
Sex Offender information for individuals in Victoria City can be obtained by visiting the Online Texas Public Sex Offender Website. This online database is maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety and possesses a search page that allows users to search for offender information.
Searches using the search page can be made using parameters such as name, location, and closest higher institution. The website also allows residents to register an account on it so they can receive notices and updates to the information on the site.
How to Find Victoria Inmate Records
Requesters may find information and records for inmates in detention in Victoria by contacting the Victoria County Jail. Information seekers may call the Victoria County Sheriff's Office to inquire about an inmate's status. Inmate information can also be found using the jail inmate search tool found on the sheriff's office webpage.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Victoria City Jail?
Adult inmates arrested and detained in Victoria will usually be housed in the Victoria County Jail facility located at:
101 N. Glass St.
Victoria, TX 77901
Phone: (361) 575-0651
Visitation at the county jail takes place during the week according to the visitation schedule. Inmates are entitled to 20-minute visits, and visitors must present valid picture identification before they are allowed into the facility. Visitors with special needs or any further questions may contact the Jail Administration office at (361) 575-0651.
What are Victoria Vital Records?
Vital records for Victoria City are the official documents kept by the city's agencies recording the life events which have occurred within the city. These records include divorce decrees, birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates. For Victoria, city residents can obtain these records from a few custodians depending on the particular record. These custodians include the Victoria City Secretary and the Victoria County Clerk. On a state level, vital records can be ordered from the Vital Statistics Division of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Although marriage and divorce records in Texas are generally public records, birth and death records only become public after a certain time has passed.
Where and How to Obtain Victoria Divorce Records
Record seekers eligible to obtain divorce records for Victoria City may request them from the civil department of the Victory County Court. Requesters may obtain copies of the records by contacting the District Clerk using the following contact details:
Victoria County District Clerk
115 N. Bridge St.
Rm. 330
Victoria, TX 77901
Phone: (361) 575-0581
Fax: (361) 572-5682
Requesters may visit the district clerk's office in person during office hours to request the records. Requests can also be made by mailing a written request to the clerk containing the following information needed to locate the record:
- The specific type of record
- The parties to the divorce (full names)
- The case number of the divorce
- The date of the divorce
Copies of records from the district clerk will usually cost $1 per page and an additional $5 to certify the record. A $5 search fee will be charged if the requester cannot provide a case number or enough information to identify and find the record.
Records can also be requested online using the Victoria County Court Records Inquiry Portal. Records seekers may create an account on the site and follow the instructions to search for divorce records and other family court records online.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services also issues a divorce confirmation, which is a letter confirming that a divorce was granted and registered in Texas. The availability of this record is based on if the information has been sent in by the local district clerks in texas. Each confirmation letter will cost the requester $20, and these letters are not considered as legal replacements for divorce decrees. For that reason, residents must make sure it is a valid option for their purpose before ordering one.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Victoria
Marriage records for Victoria City can be ordered from the Victoria County Clerk's Office during office hours. The requests can be made in person, by phone, or sent in by mail. The requester may choose to fill and submit the application for a certified marriage certificate or submit a written request containing information necessary to identify and locate the record. The written request must contain the following:
- Names of the bride and groom (including maiden names at the time of the marriage)
- Date of the marriage
- Location of the marriage (county and city)
The written request must also include contact details for the requester and a return mail address for delivering the records. Requests can be mailed or hand-delivered to the Victoria County Clerk's Office at:
Victoria County Courthouse
115 N. Bridge Street Room 103
Victoria, TX 77901
Phone: (361) 575-1478
Fax: (361) 575-6276
Email: vcc@vctc.org
Record seekers may also choose to come into the county clerk's office and pay a search fee for staff to locate the record and make copies. Marriage licenses can also be obtained by calling the county clerk's office at (361) 575-1478 and making the request over the phone.
Certified copies of a marriage license from the Victoria County Clerk cost $7 per copy. If the applicant chooses to make a search at the office, he will be charged $1 per page of the record plus $5 for certification. Payment is accepted in cash, money orders, and cashier's checks.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services also issues a marriage record known as a Marriage Verification Letter. This is a document that verifies that a marriage was granted and registered in Texas. However, it is not considered a legal substitute for a marriage certificate or license. Residents are advised to make sure it is sufficient for their purpose before requesting one. These letters can be requested in-person or by mail from the vital statistics office and cost $20 per copy.
Where and How to Find Victoria Birth Records
Birth records for Victoria city can be obtained from the Victoria City Secretary. According to Texas law, birth records are not initially public records but become so 75 years after the date of birth. Before that time, only certain eligible individuals may access the records after providing primary identification or a combination of secondary identifications. Individuals authorized to access birth records under 75 years old include the following:
- The registrant named on the record
- The parents named on the record
- Current spouse of the registrant(will need to show a valid marriage certificate)
- Siblings of the registrant
- Children of the registrant
- Legal guardians of the registrant or a legal representative such as an attorney
Apart from immediate family, all other requesters must show additional documentation proving their relationships, such as a court order, guardianship documentation, or power of attorney.
Obtaining Copies of Victoria Birth Certificates
Applicants may request birth certificates from the Victoria City Secretary either in person or by mail. Requests can be made in person at the city secretary's office during regular office hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:
Victoria City Secretary
105 W Juan Linn Street
Victoria, TX 77901
Phone: (361) 485-3040
Fax: (361) 485-3045
Requesters may fill out the birth section of the Birth/Death Certificate Application form at the office. In-person requesters will also need to show a valid picture identification or a combination of identification as instructed in the required identification list. To request the birth record by mail, the requester must fill out the application form and mail it to the city secretary's office at:
The city of Victoria, City Secretary's Office
P.O. Box 1758
Victoria, TX 77902-1758
Mailed requests should include a copy of identification as instructed in the required identification list and the correct fees. For any request by mail, the Affidavit of Personal Knowledge part three in the application form must be completed and notarized by a notary public.
Birth records for Victoria city cost $23 per copy. Payment for the birth record is accepted in checks or money orders made payable to the City of Victoria. Applicants who require an expedited service may pay an additional sum of $27.10 to have the record sent to them using USPS express mail. Record seekers with any questions may call the Victoria City Secretary's Office at (361) 485-3040.
Where and How to Find Victoria Death Records
Death records for Victoria City can be obtained by contacting the Victoria City Secretary. However, in Texas, death records are not public records at first. They only become public 25 years after the death occurred. Initially, the records can only be requested by certain authorized individuals, including:
- The parents of the decedent
- The decedent's current spouse
- The decedent's children
- The decedent's siblings
- The decedent's grandparents or grandchildren
- Any individual who can provide documents showing direct and tangible interest in the record.
Applicants will be able to request death records from the city secretary in person or by mail. To make a request by mail, the applicant must fill the death section of the Birth/Death Certificate Application form and submit via mail to:
The city of Victoria, City Secretary's Office
P.O. Box 1758
Victoria, TX 77902-1758
Mailed requests must include the appropriate fees and a copy of valid picture identification or a combination as stated in the required identification list. In the third section of the application, the affidavit of personal knowledge must also be filled and notarized by a notary public for all mailed requests. Death record requests can also be made by contacting the Victoria City Secretary in person at the office located at:
Victoria City Secretary
105 W Juan Linn Street
Victoria, TX 77901
Phone: (361) 485-3040
Fax: (361) 485-3045
In-person requests can be made from Monday to Friday during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 a.m. at the office. Applicants must submit a completed form or provide the staff with information to identify and locate the record. The applicant must show a valid government-issued picture identification during the request and pay the relevant fees.
Death certificates for Victoria City cost $21 for the first copy and $4 each for any additional copies ordered at the same time. A requester who wants expedited service may pay an extra $27.10 for their record to be returned to them via USPS express mail. Payment is accepted in checks or money orders made payable to the City of Victoria.
