What are Waco Public Records?
According to the Texas Public Information Act, Waco public records are information written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental bodies of the city. Members of the public may collect the information under the law or in connection with the transaction of official government business. Public records may exist as books, papers, texts, electronic messages, photographs, video recordings, or information held in computer memory. However, some records may be exempt from public view by law and restricted from public access. These types of documents include the following.
- Information in a personnel file, the disclosure of which would be an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
- Records concerning pending litigation or settlements in cases involving the state or a political subdivision
- Records or information concerning appraisals or purchase price of real or personal property for a public purpose prior to the formal award of any contracts for the property.
- Sensitive crime scene information
- Private personal correspondence or communication of an elected officeholder
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
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Waco Crime Statistics
The Waco Police Department has the duty of compiling and maintaining the crime statistics for the city and forwarding them to the FBI. The FBI uses this information for its Uniform Crime Reporting database. According to the city data for 2018 and 2019, murder, robbery, and larceny rose by 233%, 9%, and 4.9%, respectively. In contrast, rape, assault, property crime, burglary, vehicle theft, and arson all decreased by 31.8%, 8.9%, 5.2%, 34.3%, 1.5%, and 55% respectively. Data like this allows law enforcement to spot crime trends in the city and gives decision-makers information necessary to make adjustments to crime-fighting strategies.
Are Waco's Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records for Waco and the whole of Texas are considered public records and so are open to public view. Residents can request a name-based criminal record search or a more accurate search using fingerprinting services from the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS). The name-based search can be performed online on the Criminal Record Service(C.R.S) public site. To perform criminal record searches, users must create an account on the site and purchase search credits to use for each search. Name-based searches in person at the DPS office cost $10 per search while search credits online cost $3. Using the C.R.S site will also incur a small fee depending on the form of payment used. Fingerprint background checks cost $15, not including the fee for the fingerprinting. Fingerprinting will usually cost an extra $10.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Police reports and other records in Texas can usually be obtained by contacting the local police department in the jurisdiction where the crime took place. In Waco, these police reports and other records can be obtained by contacting the Waco Police Department at:
Waco Police Department
721 North 4th Street
Waco, TX 76701
Phone: (254) 750-7500
Requesters can also obtain police reports online by using a valid email to create an account on the Waco Public Records Center.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Waco
Sex offender information for Waco can be accessed online by the public visiting the Texas Public Sex Offender Website. The online registry is operated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and provides a search page to search for sex offender information. The search page allows a user to look up sex offenders using criteria such as names, location, and higher institutions. Members of the public can also create an account on the website to receive updates on sex offender information. Residents with any questions may contact the Sex Offender Bureau by calling (512) 424-2800.
How to Find Waco Inmate Records
Interested parties can find records for inmates in detention in Waco by contacting the staff at the Mclennan County Detention Center or using the online inmate list. Residents may call the county jail at (254) 757-2555 if they inquire about inmates. The Mclennan County Sheriff's Office also compiles an online inmates list that provides information on all inmates currently detained at the county jail. The online inmates' list supplies a lot of information about the inmates, including names, inmate number, booking number, race, gender, offense committed, booking date, and bond amount. The sheriff's office website has a link to the inmate list that is updated once every hour.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Waco City Jail?
Adult inmates incarcerated in Waco are usually housed in the Mclennan County Detention Center located at:
Mclennan County Detention Center
3201 Highway 6
Waco, TX 76701.
Potential visitors may call the detention center at (254) 757-2555 to inquire about how to schedule a visit and the rules and regulations for visitation.
The county sheriff's Office also operates a Juvenile Detention Center. Visits to inmates here occur on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. However, visitors to the juvenile facility are restricted to only parents and legal guardians of the inmates. Any person with inquiries or seeking more information may call the juvenile detention facility at (254) 757-5072.
What are Waco Vital Records?
Waco vital records refer to the official documentation recording all the life events that have happened within the city's jurisdiction. Vital records include records of the births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that have taken place in the city. While marriage records and divorce records are generally considered public information, birth and death records only become public records after some time has elapsed. In Waco, these records are obtained from their respective custodians at the district court, the Mclennan County Clerk, and the Mclennan County Public Health District. On the state level, vital records for Waco can be obtained from the Vital Statistics Division of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
Where and How to Obtain Waco Divorce Records
Eligible persons can obtain divorce records for Waco from the District Clerk for the court in Waco where the divorce case was heard. Residents and non-residents can obtain copies of records from the district clerk by mail, fax, or by coming in-person to the office located at:
McLennan County District Clerk - Civil Division
501 Washington Avenue
Suite 300 Courthouse Annex
Waco, TX 76701.
Requesters can obtain records in person by visiting the district clerk's office during the office hours of 8 a.m. and 5 a.m. The requester will need to provide the following information to locate the record, the type of record, the full names of the parties, and the case number.
Requests by mail involve mailing the search information to the civil division at 501 Washington Avenue, Suite 300 Annex, Waco, TX 76701. Applicants can also make the request by faxing the information to the district clerk's office at (254) 757-5060. The records will cost $1 per page for certified or uncertified copies. If the case number can not be provided, an extra $5 search fee will be charged to locate the record. Payment for the record is accepted in cash, credit card, or cashier's checks and money orders made payable to Mclennan County District Court Clerk.
Records prior to the year 2000 are stored in the archives and are delivered between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Requests made later than that time will be delivered at the next available time. Requesters who need more information can call the district clerk at (254) 757-5057 or (254) 757-5054.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services issues a divorce record in the form of a letter verifying that a divorce was registered in Texas. This is based on information sent in by local clerks, and the verification letters are not considered legal substitutes for divorce decrees. Each verification letter will cost $20.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Waco
Marriage records for Waco County can be obtained from the Mclennan County Clerk office. The request can be made in person or by mail. The requester must provide the names of the couple including the wife's maiden name and the date of the marriage. If a written request was mailed to the clerk's office, the requester must include a mailing address for the return of the copy of the record. Plain copies of the marriage license will cost $1 per copy, while certified copies will cost $6 each.
All marriage licenses recorded by the Mclennan County Clerk from January 1933 till the present can also be searched online using the Marriage License Search portal. First-time users of the search tool will need to register in order to search for and obtain copies of marriage licenses online. Plain copies of the license can be viewed, printed, or downloaded from the portal and cost the same $1 per copy. However, certified copies can only be obtained as hard copies from the clerk's office.
The vital statistics division of the state department of health services will, on request, issue a marriage verification letter proving that marriage was registered in Texas. These letters depend on information forwarded by local clerks and are not a legal replacement for a marriage license. Requesters are advised to make sure this letter will be sufficient for its intended use before requisition. The letter costs $20 per verification and can be obtained by mail or in person from the vital statistics division.
Where and How to Find Waco Birth Records
Birth records for Waco city can be obtained from the Waco Mclennan Public Health District. Not all birth records are public records as they do not become public until 75 years after the birth. Until that time, a birth record can only be issued to certain individuals who will have to provide acceptable proof of identification. These authorized individuals are:
- The registrant
- Their Parents
- Their current Spouse
- Their Children
- Their siblings
- Grandparents and grandchildren
- Legal representative or guardian
Obtaining Copies of Waco Birth Certificates
Birth records from the district of public health can be obtained in person or by mail. Requests in person take place at the vital statistics office during office hours of 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m from Monday to Friday. There is no need for an appointment, and requests will be processed as they are received. Requesters should fill out the birth section of the birth/death certificate application form and notarize proof of identity. Requesters in person may show any of the identification on the acceptable identification list.
Mailed requesters must complete the application, sign the proof of identity on page two in front of a notary public and then send the application to:
Vital Statistics - Waco-McLennan County Public Health District
225 W. Waco Drive
Waco, Texas 76707
Phone: (254) 750-5462
Fax: (254) 750-5455
Email: Registrar@WacoTx.gov
Mailed requests should also include a copy of valid picture identification or any of the identification on the acceptable identification list. As of 2015, laws state that birth certificates cannot be issued to people who applied by mail, email, or fax if they do not submit a notarized proof of identity. Certified copies of birth certificates cost $23 for each copy. Payments are accepted in money order or check made payable to the City of Waco. Requesters can also pay an additional $10 to expedite requests.
Where and How to Find Waco Death Records
Death records in Texas are restricted and only become public records after 25 years. During the first 25 years, they can only be accessed by specific individuals such as:
- The deceased parents
- Current spouse
- Children
- Siblings of the deceased
- Grandparents and grandchildren of the deceased
Requesters can obtain death records in person or by mail, email. The filled-out birth/death certificate application and the attached proof of identity, which must be notarized, can be submitted via any of the methods mentioned above. In-person requests can be submitted to the office during office hours from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mailed requests must include the fees, a copy of acceptable identification, and the notarized proof of identity attached to the application form. Requesters should send all mailed requests and additional information to:
Vital Statistics - Waco-McLennan County Public Health District
225 W. Waco Drive
Waco, Texas 76707
Certified death certificates cost $21 for the first copy and an extra $4 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. There is an extra $10 to expedite requests. If a requester pays the fee, the request will be processed the day it is received and mailed back through regular mail. In-person requests can be paid in cash but sent in requests should be made in checks or money orders made payable to the city of Waco.
