What are Pasadena Public Records?
Pasadena public records refer to non-confidential information pertaining to significant state events or official government business. Records may exist in physical or digital form, depending on the agency. Although the Texas public information act permits the inspection of public records, it also provides for some exemptions. Generally, exempted records usually contain classified or sensitive information. Some examples include documents containing:
- Information protected by the attorney-client privilege.
- Investigatory information created by law enforcement agencies, prosecution, and corrections departments (if the release of such information will affect the detection or investigation of a crime).
- Certain commercial or financial information and trade secrets.
- Information identifying peace officers or other officials performing sensitive government work.
- Certain information involving competition and bidding for contracts where the information would give an unfair advantage to a competitor.
- Certain information from individuals’ files the release of which would be an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
In addition to official sources, public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may opt to 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 may vary.
Pasadena Crime Statistics
The Pasadena Police Department serves as the main law enforcement agency for the city. Records released for 2017 reveal that the city recorded a total of 4,484 reported crimes. Larceny-thefts accounted for 61.2% of total crimes with 2,758 incidents, while assaults were the most common crime with 418 reports. Compared to 2016, the total number of crimes decreased by 8%. Violent crimes increased by 13%, while property crimes dipped by 11%. The city recorded an average of 7.98 daily crimes per 100,000 residents, making it safer than 23% of the cities in the United States.
Are Pasadena Criminal Records Public?
Pasadena criminal records fall under the umbrella of public records, which means they can be obtained by residents. Criminal records provide official information about the subject's criminal history. They may contain bio-data such as the registrant's name, sex, height, and date of birth. They may also include arrest details such as the type of offense, charges, date of the arrest, and the arresting agency. In cases where an arrest is followed by a conviction, the associated criminal record will likely carry details of the felony or misdemeanor offense.
How to Obtain Pasadena Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Records Division of the Pasadena Police Department manages and processes requests for public records. Eligible members of the public can obtain records in person at the police department located at:
1201 Davis St,
Pasadena, TX 77506
Request can also be made via mail by sending an application to:
Pasadena Police Department,
Attn: Open Records,
1201 Davis St., Pasadena, TX 77506
Requesters are encouraged to provide as much relevant information as possible to expedite the search. Requests should include the case number (if known), names and details of the parties involved, type of incident, and location/date of incidents.
The Pasadena Police Department also processes requests for clearance letters and verification letters. Members of the public can obtain reports by visiting the Records Division in person between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday. Members of the public can also obtain criminal records by contacting the Texas Department of Public Safety at:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
CJIS Field Auditors
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Pasadena
The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) provides public access to public sex offender information via a searchable online platform. Members of the public can conduct searches by location or name. Inquiries can also be done by zip code or by proximity to any school or institution of higher learning. In addition, the public sex offender registry is provided as a free download.
How to Find Pasadena Inmate Records
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office manages records of persons currently held in county jails within Pasadena or the rest of the county. It provides public access to its records via an online public criminal records inquiry platform. Using the tool, members of the public can search for inmates by social security number, date of birth, or name.
Court Records
The city of Pasadena is home to a municipal court and two justice courts that preside over misdemeanor cases, contract issues, small claims cases, and more. Interested parties may be able to obtain records directly at the courthouse locations.
Pasadena Municipal Court
1001 Shaw Ave, P.O. Box 1575
Pasadena, TX 77501
Phone: (713) 475-5562
Fax: (713) 477-8124
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 - Place 2
101 Richey, #B
Pasadena, TX 77506
Phone: (713) 274-6100
Fax: (713) 437-4346
Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 8 - Place 1
7330 Spencer Hwy
Pasadena, TX 77505
Phone: (281) 479-6900
Fax: (281) 479-1407
Records for cases filed in the justice courts can also be obtained online using the Justices self-help online service. It allows requesters to search for case information and daily dockets. Searches can be made using a case number, name, or business name. The Harris County District Clerk maintains court records for cases filed in the courts located in Pasadena and the rest of Harris County. It also provides public access to case files and other court documents via an online platform. Interested parties will need to create a login to access the online service.
What are Pasadena Vital Records?
Pasadena's vital records contain official documentation of life events within the city, such as divorces, deaths, births, and marriages. Most of these records are maintained by the Texas Department of Public Health. However, certified copies of some records (such as divorce records) can only be obtained from the local district clerk.
Where and How to Obtain Pasadena Divorce Records
Records of divorces issued in Pasadena and the rest of the county are maintained by the Office of the Harris County district clerk. Eligible parties can request records by visiting the courthouse at:
Harris County Family District Court
Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline St, 16th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-4500
In addition, the Texas Department of State Health Services maintains and issues records of divorces issued in the state since 1968. Residents of the city have access to an online divorce index, which contains a compilation of marriage annulments and divorce decrees submitted by the clerk's office. The office doesn’t provide certified copies of divorce decrees. Instead, it issues divorce verification letters on request. Eligible persons may request a divorce verification letter by completing an online application. Divorce verifications can also be obtained via mail by sending a request form to:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3191
Where and How to Get Public Marriage Records in Pasadena
Pasadena marriage records are managed by the Vital Statistics Unit of the Texas Department of State Health Services. The office is also responsible for issuing records to eligible parties. Authorized persons may obtain records by completing a vital records application. Applications must be accompanied by the appropriate payment. If the requested record isn’t found, payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Where and How to Get Public Marriage Records in Pasadena
The Texas Department of Vital Records serves as a conservatory of birth records for events within the state. Members of the public can obtain copies of a birth verification by mail by downloading and completing an application form for birth records. Completed forms should be sent to:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th St.
Austin, TX 78756
Applications should include a photocopy of a valid ID. Although most mail requests typically take an average of six weeks to process, results can be fast-tracked by paying an expedited fee and using an overnight mail service like FedEx. The Texas Department of State Health Services charges $20.00 for death records, $22.00 fee for birth records, and $5.00 for expedited searches. Acceptable forms of payment for mail requests include a check or money order.
Where and How to Get Public Pasadena Death Records
The Texas Department of Vital Records maintains and provides public access to death records for events in Pasadena and other parts of the state from 1903 to the present. However, members of the public can only obtain copies of death records for certificates older than 25 years. Access to death records created within the last 25 years is restricted to immediate family members and persons authorized by law, namely:
- The surviving partner of the person named on the death certificate
- Surviving parents of the registrant
- Grandparents or child
- Funeral director
Residents can obtain copies of a record by submitting a request in person at a local registrar or via mail. An original government-issued I.D must accompany submitted applications. Eligible persons should send mailed requests to the:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
