What are Ellis County Public Records?
According to the TRPA, Ellis County public records consist of any document created, stored, cataloged, or updated by government officials. The definition of the term "public records" covers paper documents, audiotapes, statistical tables and graphs, photographs, and documents in electronic formats, such as SMS and emails. Nevertheless, Ellis County public records do not include documents redacted or restricted from public view. Documents excluded from public disclosure include:
- Drafts and preliminary notes of policymaking documents
- Personal information that violates the privacy of individuals, such as medical records.
- Personal identifying information, such as social security number and driver's license.
- Attorney-client communication.
- Audit working papers.
- Data and information on pending litigation.
- Confidential vital records, such as death and birth records.
- Data about competition or bidding.
- Security protocol and strategy for a public building.
- Information about student records.
Crime Statistics
The Texas Department of Public Safety compiles and publishes a yearly crime statistics report for the state cities and counties. The annual report provides information on the rate and occurrence of index crimes reported by Ellis County law enforcement agencies. According to the 2019 Crime Statistics Report, Ellis County reported a total of 445 index crimes, a 16.1 percent decrease from the previous year. The listed index crimes include one murder, 19 rapes, four robberies, 59 assaults, 85 burglaries, 238 larcenies-thefts, and 38 auto thefts. Compared with 2015 Crime Statistics, the crime rate in Ellis County fell by 84 percent. Incidences of larceny-theft dropped by 87 percent, while the rate of motor vehicle thefts and burglaries both decreased by 81 percent, while assaults decreased by 57 percent.
Are Ellis County Criminal Records Public?
Per Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, not all Ellis County criminal records are accessible to the public. For instance, criminal records subject to an order of non-disclosure are not open to the public's members. However, only authorized non-criminal or criminal justice agencies and the record subject can view the restricted records. Juvenile records are sealed records according to the Family Code Section 58.253s. The Texas Department of Public Safety, via a Computerized Criminal History System (CCH), enables requesters to search for state residents’ criminal records. To search for criminal records, requesters must create an account (individual or company) or login into an existing account on the CCH.
On the CCH platform, payment for criminal records is via search credits. Search credits on the CCH cost $3 plus an additional fee, depending on the payment method. Search credit purchased via credit card attracts a charge of $0.07 as a convenience fee. Requesters can immediately use search credits purchased via credit card. Whereas search credits purchased via mailed checks will be accessible once the payment is received. To obtain Ellis County criminal records on the CCH, requesters will need to provide the record subject's first and last name, maiden or middle name (optional), and the full birth date (if known).
How to Obtain Ellis County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Ellis County arrest records and police reports fall under the purview of the Ellis County Sheriff's Office. Under the Texas Freedom of Information Act, any interested person can request and obtain copies of Ellis County police reports and arrest records via mail orders, in-person requests, and faxes. Irrespective of the request method, requesters must download and fill out the Open Request Form. To submit the request form in-person, residents must visit the Ellis County Sheriff's Office at:
Ellis County Sheriff's Office
300 South Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825.4901
Fax: (972) 825.4941
To obtain Ellis County police reports and arrest records via mail, submit the request form to the:
Ellis County Sheriff's Office
300 South Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165
ATTN: Open Records Clerk
To obtain police reports and arrest records via fax, send the request to (972) 825-4941.
The Ellis County Sheriff's office delivers the request form to the Ellis County District Attorney's Office - this office determines the information released to the requester. It takes an average of ten working days for the District Attorney's Office to notify requesters of the date when the record will be available.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Ellis County
The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) maintains and updates all information on registered sex offenders living in Ellis County and other parts of the state. Members of the public can search for sex offenders in Ellis County via the TxDPS's public sex offender registry search. The online platform enables requesters to search using the sex offender's location, first and last name, and High Education Institute. Additional search options such as the sex offender's Street address, county, zip code, and city are also available on the platform. Furthermore, the TxDPS provides the public's members with a digital sex offender registry updated twice weekly.
How to Find Ellis County Inmate Records
The Ellis County Sheriff's Office provides a regularly updated database of all inmates incarcerated within the county's correctional facilities. The online database lists the names of all inmates in alphabetical order. It also features inmates' photographs and other information such as the inmates' names, race, charge(offense), booking number, S.O. Number, and sex. Similarly, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is an alternative option for accessing Ellis County inmate information. Via the TDCJ's online inmate database, requesters can obtain inmate information by filling these search fields - the inmate's last name, first name, SID number, age, race, and TDCJ number.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Ellis County
Visitors must present their authorized identification card to the Visitation Officer to visit an inmate in the Ellis County Jail, Waxahachie. The Ellis County Jail is located at:
300 South Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-4931
Phone: (972) 937-6060
Visitation at the facility is on a first-come-first-served basis, and visitors are only allowed one visit per day. Also, the County Jail only allows two adult visitors per visit. Whereas only one adult visitor must accompany a juvenile when visiting the county jail.
Visitation at the County Jail is from Tuesday to Saturday: 2:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Court Records
A part of the Texas Northern District, Dallas Division, Ellis County courts generate and provide access to different court records, such as criminal court records, traffic records, and civil court records. The location and contact details of Ellis County courts are listed below:
Ellis County District Courts
Ellis County 4th District Court
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
2nd Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5091
Fax: (972) 825-5092
Ellis County 378th District Court
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
2nd Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5091
Fax: (972) 825-5092
Ellis County Constitutional Court
Ellis County Constitutional Court
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
2nd Floor
P.O. Box 250
Waxahachie, TX 75168
Phone: (972) 825-5070
Fax: (972) 825-5075
Ellis County Court at Law
Ellis County Court at Law No. 1
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
2nd Floor
P.O. Box 250
Waxahachie, TX 75168
Phone: (972) 825-5070
Fax: (972) 825-5075
Ellis County Court at Law No. 2
Ellis County Courts and Administration Building
109 South Jackson Street
2nd Floor
P.O. Box 250
Waxahachie, TX 75168
Phone: (972) 825-5070
Fax: (972) 825-5075
Ellis County Justice Courts
Ellis County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
207 South Sonoma Trail
Ennis, TX 75119
Phone: (972) 825-5319
Fax: (972) 875-6819
Ellis County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
701 South I-35 East
#1
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5022
Fax: (972) 825-5025
Ellis County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Ellis County Courthouse
101 West Main Street
#106
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5030
Fax: (972) 825-5033
Ellis County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
301 North 8th Street
Midlothian, TX 76065
Phone: (972) 825-5310
Fax: (972) 723-8629
Ellis County Municipal Courts
Bardwell Municipal Court
P.O. Box 271
Bardwell, TX 75101
Phone: (972) 646-5332
Ennis Municipal Court
119 West Brown Street
P.O. Box 220
Ennis, TX 75120
Phone: (972) 875-4457
Fax: (972) 875-9738
Ferris Municipal Court
104 South Central Street
Ferris, TX 75125
Phone: (972) 842-2028
Garrett Municipal Court
208 North Ferris Street
Garrett, TX 75119
Phone: (972) 875-1136
Italy Municipal Court
161 West Main Street
P.O. Box 840
Italy, TX 76651
Phone: (972) 483-7329 ext. 106
Fax: (972) 483-2800
Maypearl Municipal Court
104 East 2nd Street
P.O. Box 400
Maypearl, TX 76064
Phone: (972) 435-2380
Fax: (972) 435-2082
Midlothian Municipal Court
1150 North Highway 67
#200
Midlothian, TX 76065
Phone: (972) 775-8932
Milford Municipal Court
P.O. Box 26
Milford, TX 76670
Phone: (972) 493-4193
Fax: (972) 493-5981
Oak Leaf Municipal Court
301 Locust Drive
Oak Leaf, TX 75154
Phone: (972) 617-2660
Ovilla Municipal Court
105 South Cockrell Hill Road
Ovilla, TX 75154
Phone: (972) 617-7262
Palmer Municipal Court
113 West Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 489
Palmer, TX 75152
Phone: (972) 449-3272
Fax: (972) 449-3274
Pecan Hill Municipal Court
1094 South Lowrance Road
Pecan Hill, TX 75154
Phone: (972) 617-6274
Red Oak Municipal Court
101 Live Oak
Red Oak, TX 75154
Phone: (469) 218-7700
Fax: (469) 218-1216
Waxahachie Municipal Court
401 South Rogers Street
P.O. Box 757
Waxahachie, TX 75168
Phone: (469) 309-4070
Are Ellis County County Court Records Public?
According to the Texas Freedom of Information Act, Ellis County court records are public records. This means that any person can request, view, or obtain copies of Ellis County court records. However, certain portions or whole court records are restricted and redacted from public disclosure if deemed confidential by the State.
How to Obtain Ellis County Civil Court Case Records
Ellis County civil court records are under the Office of the Ellis County District Court’s supervision. Civil court records are available to the interested party via mail orders or in-person visits to the Clerk's Office.
Requesters must download and print the civil information form. Fill out the requester's contact information (name, email, address telephone, signature, and state bar number) and the petitioners’ and respondents' names. Also, fill out the type of civil case. To submit the civil information form in-person or via mail order, visit or send a mail to the District Clerk's Office at:
109 South Jackson Street
Second Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5091
How to Obtain Ellis County Criminal Court Case Records
The Ellis County District Clerk, via an online search platform, allows anyone to search criminal court cases. To use the online platform, interested persons must sign up or log in to access Ellis County criminal records at a specified fee.
Requesters will be required to provide their contact information (name, address, phone number, and email address), the record subjects' names, the case number, the date range of the court case. In addition to this, interested persons may visit the Clerk's Office in-person at:
109 South Jackson Street
Second Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5091
What are Ellis County Vital Records?
Ellis County vital records are the official documentation of all life events recorded within the county. Government agencies generate and act as custodians of vital records, such as birth records, death records, marriage records, and divorce records. At the state level, the Texas Department of State Health Services (TxDSHS) maintains records of all reported life events. Conversely, the Ellis County Clerk’s Office is responsible for generating and providing access to vital records at the county level.
Where and How to Obtain Ellis County Divorce Records
The Texas Department of State Health Services generates and issues copies of Ellis County divorce verification documents to interested persons. Therefore, requesters can access these documents by visiting the TxDSHS online, in-person, or via mail-order. The TxDSHS issues divorce verification records from 1968 to the present. Note that divorce verification records reveal only the names of the record bearers, place, and date of marriage. To obtain a copy of the divorce verification record in-person, visit the TxDSHS at:
Central Campus Map
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, Texas
Phone: (512) 776-7111
Phone: (888) 963-7111
Applicants can also access divorce verification records online via the TxDSHS online application. Visit the online platform, and select “divorce verification letter” to access the document.
To get Ellis County divorce verification records via mail, complete the divorce verification application, attach a money order for the search fee, and send it to the TxDSHS at:
For regular processing
Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
For Expedited processing
Texas Vital Statistics
MC 2096
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
Divorce verification records cost $20 per copy. Visit the Ellis County Clerk’s Office to obtain copies of divorce certificates at:
109 South Jackson Street
Second Floor / Ground Floor
Waxahachie, TX 7516
Phone: (972) 825-5070
Fax: (972) 825-5075
Where and How to Obtain Public Ellis County Marriage Records
The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains and issues copies of marriage verification documents recorded within the state. Members of the public can obtain copies of marriage verification records for $20 per copy. The public can search for verification of marriage events in Ellis County via the TxDSHS online platform.
Visit the online platform and select the “marriage verification letter” option to access marriage verification documents. Public members can also obtain copies of marriage verification records by visiting the TxDSHS in-person or via a mail request. To obtain Ellis County marriage verification records in-person, requesters must provide a valid government ID alongside the search fee at the TxDSHS:
Central Campus Map
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX
Phone: (512) 776-7111
Phone: (888) 963-7111
The TxDSHS attends in-person requests on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
To get divorce verification records via mail, download and fill out the request form. Send the completed form, a copy of a valid ID, and a money order or check payable to the “Texas Department of State Health Services” to:
For regular processing
Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
For Expedited processing
Texas Vital Statistics
MC 2096
Department of State Health Services
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
Where and How to Obtain Confidential Ellis County Marriage Records
Confidential copies of marriage records are under the purview of Ellis County Clerk’s Office. Only eligible requesters can request and obtain copies of Ellis County marriage certificate. Marriage certificates cost $7 per copy. This means that requesters must provide a valid ID when requesting marriage certificates. To obtain copies of the marriage certificate through mail order, requesters must download and fill out the request form, attach a copy of a valid ID alongside the search fee to the:
109 South Jackson Street
Second Floor / Ground Floor
Waxahachie, TX 7516
Phone: (972) 825-5070
Fax: (972) 825-5075
Where and How to Obtain Copies of Ellis County Birth Records
The Ellis County Clerk’s Office maintains and issues copies of Ellis County birth records to eligible applicants. Birth records are accessible to requesters through the Clerk’s online platform, in-person requests, and mail orders. To request certified copies of birth records online, applicants must fill out the record bearer’s information and the applicant’s contact details. Applicants must upload a valid photo ID and choose the delivery and payment method before submitting the request form.
Birth records via online requests cost $28. This fee covers the original document’s cost, convenience fee, credit card processing fee, and identity verification fee. payment via online request is by credit card. To obtain copies of birth in-person or via mail, submit the completed request form in-person or via mail at the:
109 South Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5070
According to Section 181.1(21) of the Texas Administrative Code, birth records are not public records until 75 years from the date the event occurred. Therefore, persons eligible to obtain birth records include the record subject, legal guardians, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, current spouse, and other immediate family members.
Similarly, the Texas Department of State Health Services issues copies of birth certificates via online, mail, and in-person orders. To obtain birth certificates via the TxDSHS online platform, visit the online platform, and select the “birth verification letter” option to access marriage verification documents.
To obtain Ellis County birth certificate records in-person, provide a valid government ID alongside the search fee at the TxDSHS:
Central Campus Map
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX
Phone: (512) 776-7111
Phone: (888) 963-7111
The TxDSHS attends in-person requests on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Get birth certificates via mail by completing the request form. Send the completed form, a copy of a valid ID, and a money order or check payable to the “Texas Department of State Health Services” to:
For regular processing
Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
For expedited processing
Texas Vital Statistics
MC 2096
Department of State Health Services
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
Where and How to Obtain Ellis County Death Records
At the state level, the TxDSHS maintains and issues copies of death certificates via online, mail, and in-person orders. To obtain death certificates via the TxDSHS online platform, visit the online platform, and select the “death certification” option to access marriage verification documents.
Obtain copies of Ellis County death certificate in-person by providing a valid government ID alongside the search fee at the TxDSHS:
Central Campus Map
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX
Phone: (512) 776-7111
Phone: (888) 963-7111
The TxDSHS attends in-person requests on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
To obtain copies of death certificates via mail, send the completed form, a copy of a valid ID, and a money order or check payable to the “Texas Department of State Health Services” to:
For regular processing
Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
For expedited processing
Texas Vital Statistics
MC 2096
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
The Ellis County Clerk’s Office acts as the primary custodian of all death events recorded within the county. Ellis County death records are available on request from eligible requesters. To request certified copies of death records online, fill out the record bearer’s information and the applicant’s contact details.
Applicants must upload a valid photo ID and choose the delivery and payment method before submitting the request form. Death records via online requests cost $28. This overall fee covers the original document’s cost, convenience fee, credit card processing fee, and identity verification fee. Payment via online request is by credit card.
To obtain copies of death records in-person or via mail, submit the completed request form in-person or via mail at the:
109 South Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 825-5070
