Crime Statistics
The Texas Department of Public Safety, as part of the state’s UCR program, complies and publishes state-wide crime statistics. According to records published in 2017, Smith County recorded a total of 8,358 crimes. Larceny-theft accounted for the most reports of property crimes with 4,601 incidences while assault was the most common violent crime with 2,514 incidents. Compared to 2016, which recorded a total of 9,254 crimes, the county experienced a 10.78% decrease in crime. The number of rape offenses increased by 39.29% while cases of murder and non-negligent homicide inccreased by 39.29% and 28.57% respectively. Conversely, reports of burglary and larceny theft decreased by 22.1% and 11.1%.
Criminal Records
The Smith County, Sheriff’s Office serves as the main law enforcement agency in the county. Residents can request for public records at the police headquarters located at:
227 N Spring Ave,
Tyler, TX 75702
Members of the public can also obtain criminal public records from the Texas Department of Public Safety. It maintains a computerized criminal history section that contains different types of data, including prosecutions, arrests and the status of cases for persons arrested for Class B misdemeanors or greater violation.
How to Find Sex Offender Information
Interested parties can search for sex offender information using the online registry maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Searches can be restricted to a specific map address or set to reveal offenders enrolled or working at institutes of higher education. Searches can also be made by name. In addition, the public registry is available as a downloadable file.
How to Obtain Inmate Information
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office provides an online inmate search tool that members of the public can use to find inmates. It provides general information such as the name and booking status of each inmate. Records of persons currently held in state correctional inmate facilities can be obtained by contacting the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The department maintains a public online search service that interested parties can use to locate inmates. Searches can be conducted using the subject’s name, SID (State Identification) number, or TDCJ number.
Court Records
Smith County is home to multiple district courts, all of which are housed in the same location at the:
Smith County Courthouse
100 N Broadway, #204
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 590-1660
Fax: (903) 590-1661
Members of the public can obtain court records by submitting a request to the District Clerk’s Office at the above address. The office opens between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday. In addition, the county is home to three county courts, six justice courts and seven municipal courts housed at the following locations:
Smith County Court
Smith County Courthouse Annex
200 E Ferguson, #300
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 590-4670
Fax: (903) 590-4689
Smith County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
200 E Ferguson, #501
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 590-2601
Smith County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
15405 Hwy 155 S
Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (903) 590-4830
Fax: (903) 561-3310
Smith County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
313 E Duval St, P.O. Box 573
Troup, TX 75789
Phone: (903) 590-4729
Smith County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
2616 S Main, P.O. Box 1075
Lindale, TX 75771
Phone: (903) 590-4890
Fax: (903) 882-0354
Smith County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
14152 Hwy 155 N, P.O. Box 62
Winona, TX 75792
Phone: (903) 590-4870
Fax: (903) 877-4528
Tyler Municipal Court
813 N Broadway Ave, P.O. Box 895
Tyler, TX 75710
Phone: (903) 531-1266
Fax: (903) 531-1369
Whitehouse Municipal Court
311 E Main, P.O. Box 776
Whitehouse, TX 75791
Phone: (903) 839-4914 ext. 2
Fax: (903) 839-9485
Winona Municipal Court
110 Dallas St
Winona, TX 75792
Phone: (903) 877-3381
Troup Municipal Court
P.O. Box 637
Troup, TX 75789
Phone: (903) 842-3128
Noonday Municipal Court
16662 CR 196
Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (903) 561-3351
Lindale Municipal Court
105 Ballard Dr, P.O. Box 130
Lindale, TX 75771
Phone: (903) 882-6150
Fax: (903) 882-5305
Arp Municipal Court
P.O. Box 68
Arp, TX 75750
Phone: (903) 859-613
Vital Records
Smith County provides public access to vital records at the state and county level. Access to some records may require paying a fee and providing a valid government-issued I.D.
How to Find Divorce Records
Records of divorce decrees and case information related to divorce proceeding can be obtained from the district clerk’s office. Interested parties can submit a request at:
Smith County District Clerk
100 North Broadway, Room 204
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 590-1660
Fax: (903) 590-1661
Records are billed at $1 per page for the first 15 pages and a flat $15 for any document with 16 pages and up.
How to Find Birth/Death Records
The Smith County Clerk maintains records of births in the county dating back to 1926. It also processes requests for certified copies of birth and death records. Interested parties can obtain records by submitting a completed application form along with the applicable fee with an original notarized proof of identification. Submitted requests should be sent to:
Smith County Clerk,
Vitals Department,
200 E Ferguson, Ste. 300,
Tyler, TX 75702
Alternatively, members of the public can obtain records from the Texas Department of State Health Services. It compiles, manages, and processes requests for births and deaths records from 1903 till date. Walk-in requests are processed between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the department's office located at:
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
Monday-Friday
Requestors can also submit their applications via mail to:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
Applications must include a valid copy of a government-issued photo ID as well as a duly completed application form.
How to Find Marriage Certificates
Records can also be obtained from the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit. It maintains records and issues marriage verifications for events in the state. To request marriage records, interested parties must submit a completed application form to the:
Texas Vital Records
Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Smith County?
Smith County property records are considered public under the Texas Information Act. In compliance with the act, all persons who submit requests are authorized to inspect property records or receive copies after paying specified copy fees.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Smith County
The Smith County Clerk is the record keeper for property records and issues copies through its Official Public Records Division. Parties may visit the office and obtain records by providing details such as addresses, names, sales details, value, and other related data. Requestors should contact the division at the following address:
Smith County Clerk's Office
Official Public Records Division
200 E. Ferguson
Basement (Lower Level)
Suite 300
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 590-4688
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:45 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Interested persons may also contact the Smith County Appraisal District (SCAD). The SCAD is responsible for appraising all real, business, and personal property in the county. Appraisals carried out are for at-value tax assessments and contain details of ownership changes, configuration alterations, local and state exemptions, and other related specifics. All information retrieved from appraisal exercises is available to members of the general public. Anyone seeking these records may submit requests to the:
Smith County Appraisal District
245 SSE Loop 323
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 510-8600
Fax: (903) 510-8621
Email: inquiry@scad.org
How to Look Up Smith County Property Records
The Clerk's Office maintains an Official Records Search for online access to Smith County Property Records. Users must select "Property Records" from the drop-down menu before entering search data. Using the quick search or the advanced search, interested persons may find records by entering party names, grantors, grantees, recording and instrument date ranges, and document types. If known, searchers may also enter book, volume, and page information, along with a legal description, lot details, and block information. Users should note that information provided on the Clerk's Office's search may be limited. More information is available by directly contacting the office.
Online property records are also available via the Property Search page provided by the Smith County Appraisal District (SCAD). Users may find real or personal property by conducting an owner, address, business, account number, or pin search. Online records from the SCAD show ownership information, tax and legal details, land and market values, deed information, and the property account number.
A map search is also available on the search page. However, users must note that information obtained from the displayed map should not be used for official measurement estimates as it does not represent an on-the-ground survey.
Location of Smith County Property Assessors
Smith County Appraisal District
245 SSE Loop 323
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 510-8600
Fax: (903) 510-8621
Email: inquiry@scad.org
