Find Criminal History Records in Fort Worth
Fort Worth criminal history records are maintained by the Fort Worth Police Department, Tarrant County courts, and the Texas DPS statewide criminal history database. This guide explains how each system works and where to search for arrest records, felony cases, misdemeanor filings, and other criminal history information tied to Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Overview
Tarrant County Court Records
Fort Worth is the county seat of Tarrant County, and criminal cases from the city move through Tarrant County courts. Felony charges go to the Tarrant County District Courts. Class A and B misdemeanors go to the County Courts at Law. Both sets of courts maintain public records available online and in person.
The Tarrant County District Clerk maintains felony criminal records for Fort Worth cases. The office provides an online case search tool where you can search by name or case number. Felony records include indictments, judgments, court dockets, and other filings. The District Clerk's office is at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196.
The Tarrant County Clerk holds misdemeanor criminal records from the county courts at law. These include Class A and B offenses such as simple assault, DWI first offense, and theft. Records include complaints, pleas, judgments, and dispositions. Certified copies of court records are available for a fee.
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Tarrant County District Clerk | 401 W Belknap St, Fort Worth, TX 76196 | (817) 884-1574 |
| Tarrant County Clerk | 200 Taylor St, Fort Worth, TX 76196 | (817) 884-1069 |
| Tarrant County Sheriff | 100 N Lamar St, Fort Worth, TX 76196 | (817) 884-3099 |
The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail and maintains arrest and booking records. The Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search for current detainees. Booking photographs, charges, and bond information are generally visible for active inmates. Arrest data is reported to the Texas DPS criminal history system.
How to Search Fort Worth Criminal Records
Online searches for Fort Worth criminal records can begin at several places. The statewide re:SearchTX system covers cases from Tarrant County courts and is free to use. Search by name or case number. Results show basic case information, charges, and current status. Full documents typically require a separate request.
The Tarrant County District Clerk's online portal allows name-based searches for felony cases filed in Tarrant County. This includes all Fort Worth felony cases. You can view case numbers, offense types, and case status through this system at no charge. Certified copies of records cost extra and must be requested from the clerk's office directly.
Fort Worth Police Department records can be requested under the Texas Public Information Act. Submit a request through the Fort Worth city website to the Records Division. You can request offense reports, arrest reports, and incident records. Some records may be withheld if they relate to an active investigation or involve juveniles.
For the most complete background search, use the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. The DPS Computerized Criminal History system pulls records from all law enforcement agencies across Texas, not just Fort Worth. Name-based and fingerprint-based searches are both available through DPS. Fees apply for formal requests.
Types of Criminal Records in Fort Worth
Criminal records in Fort Worth come from different agencies depending on the offense level. Knowing where each type of record is held saves time.
Felony records are with the Tarrant County District Clerk. Felonies in Texas range from state jail felonies up through first-degree and capital felonies. The District Clerk holds indictments, judgments, and full case files. Search the District Clerk portal or re:SearchTX to find felony cases.
Class A and B misdemeanor records are with the Tarrant County Clerk. These cover offenses handled in the county courts at law. You can request copies of misdemeanor judgments and complaints from this office. In-person access is available at the courthouse during regular business hours.
Class C misdemeanor records are with the Fort Worth Municipal Court. These cover traffic offenses, city ordinance violations, and minor criminal matters. The municipal court maintains its own records system. You can search citations and check warrant status online through the Fort Worth Municipal Court website.
Arrest records are generated by the Fort Worth Police Department and Tarrant County Sheriff. All arrests flow into the Texas DPS CCH system. An arrest record exists regardless of how the case resolved. If a case was dismissed or resulted in acquittal, the arrest still appears in some databases unless expunged.
The City of Fort Worth official website provides access to the Fort Worth Police Department, Municipal Courts portal, and public information request system for criminal records and incident reports.
Fort Worth criminal records are generated by FWPD and processed through Tarrant County courts, with all conviction data reported to the Texas DPS statewide criminal history system.
Texas DPS and the Statewide CCH System
The Texas DPS maintains the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system under Texas Government Code Chapter 411. Every arrest by Fort Worth Police and every conviction in Tarrant County courts is reported to this system. The CCH is the authoritative source for criminal history in Texas.
Public access to CCH records is name-based and available through the DPS website for a fee. You search by name and date of birth. Results show convictions, deferred adjudications, and arrests. If you need a certified copy of someone's criminal history for official purposes, the DPS provides that service as well.
Individuals can request their own criminal history from DPS for free or at low cost. This is useful if you need to verify what is on file before applying for a job, license, or housing. If the record contains errors, the DPS has a challenge process to correct them. The DPS website has forms and instructions for initiating a challenge.
Fort Worth Police also participate in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the federal criminal justice database. Arrests and warrants from Fort Worth may appear in NCIC searches conducted by law enforcement agencies in other states. This means Fort Worth criminal records can surface in national background checks as well as Texas-specific searches.
TDCJ Offender Search for Fort Worth Cases
People convicted of felonies in Tarrant County who receive state prison sentences are housed in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system. The TDCJ offender search is free and public. You can look up current or former TDCJ inmates by name or TDCJ number.
TDCJ results show the sentence, current facility, and projected release or parole dates. This does not replace the full court record. For complete case details from a Fort Worth felony conviction, contact the Tarrant County District Clerk. If someone served county jail time rather than a state sentence, records are with the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office.
The Tarrant County official website links to the District Clerk case search, County Clerk records, and Sheriff's inmate lookup, making it the central hub for Fort Worth area criminal records research.
Tarrant County courts and the Sheriff's Office handle all felony and misdemeanor criminal cases originating in Fort Worth, with records available through county portals and the statewide re:SearchTX system.
Tarrant County Criminal History Records
Fort Worth is the county seat of Tarrant County. All criminal filings for the city of Fort Worth go through the Tarrant County court system, including the District Clerk for felonies and the County Clerk for misdemeanors.