Tarrant County Court Records

Tarrant County, located in the heart of Texas, makes many types of court records accessible to the public in accordance with Texas law and local rules. Whether you're searching for civil, criminal, probate, or family case records, Tarrant County provides multiple ways to access these records through its official websites and services. In this article, we will guide you through the process of obtaining Tarrant County TX court records, including where to search, what types of records are available, and the departments responsible for managing them.

This page is an independent informational guide and not an official Tarrant County or Texas court website. It does not provide legal advice or case-specific guidance. Always follow the instructions on your court paperwork and rely on the official Tarrant County websites and qualified legal professionals for decisions about a particular case.

Overview of Tarrant County Court Records

Court records are an essential part of the judicial process and contain information on various legal proceedings, judgments, and filings. Tarrant County is home to several types of courts, including district courts, county courts, probate courts, and justice of the peace courts, each handling different case types. The information from these courts is made available to the public, provided they follow the correct procedures for accessing the records.

In Tarrant County, court records include details about civil cases (like breaches of contract or debt collections), criminal cases (such as misdemeanors and felonies), family cases (including divorces and child custody), and probate cases (dealing with estates and wills). These records are accessible online and in person, depending on the type of record and the court involved.

Types of Court Records Available in Tarrant County

Civil Court Records

Tarrant County’s civil courts handle cases such as personal injury claims, divorce proceedings, breach of contract cases, and disputes between individuals or businesses. The County Courts at Law and District Courts are primarily responsible for civil cases. These records are essential for individuals involved in civil litigation, offering valuable insight into the legal processes and outcomes.

How to Access Civil Court Records

You can access most civil court records through Tarrant County’s Public Access portal (Odyssey), which provides online case summaries, party lists, and basic scheduling information. You can usually search by case number, party name, or attorney.

Civil case records: Available through the Tarrant County Public Access portal (Odyssey).

If you are still figuring out which court your case belongs in or what the different courts do, see our general Tarrant County Courts guide for a plain-language overview of the civil and criminal court structure.

Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records in Tarrant County involve cases such as misdemeanors, felonies, and traffic offenses. The Criminal District Court and Justice of the Peace Courts are the primary courts handling criminal cases. These records provide details on criminal charges, court appearances, and sentencing. Whether you're a defendant, attorney, or interested party, these records are important for understanding the progress of a criminal case.

Pro tip: Official dockets may not show arrests or cases from neighboring counties or other states. If you need a broader Nationwide Criminal Scan, a private lookup tool like BeenVerified can help you search across jurisdictions (when available).

How to Access Criminal Court Records

To access criminal case records in Tarrant County, use the Tarrant County Public Access portal (Odyssey) for case summaries and basic information, or contact the District Clerk's Office for record-specific help. For daily and future criminal settings (who is on the criminal docket and when), use the Criminal Courts Docket.

Criminal Docket: Check case updates and details through the Tarrant County Criminal Docket.

District Clerk for Criminal Records: Reach out to the District Clerk’s Office at 817-884-1574 for specific inquiries.

Probate Court Records

Probate court records are related to the administration of estates, guardianships, and wills. These cases involve legal matters such as the distribution of a deceased person's estate, the appointment of guardians for minors or incapacitated persons, and the validation of wills. Tarrant County’s Probate Courts maintain these records and ensure proper legal processes are followed.

How to Access Probate Court Records

Probate case records are available online through the Odyssey Portal, where users can search by case type, party name, or case number. Additionally, individuals may visit the County Clerk's Office for in-person record retrieval.

Probate Case Records: Accessible through Tarrant County Probate Court Records.

Probate Case Inquiry: Visit the County Clerk’s Office for more detailed probate case information.

Family Court Records

Family court cases in Tarrant County cover matters like child custody, child support, adoption, and divorce proceedings. These cases are typically handled by the Family District Courts and County Courts at Law. Family court records are crucial for understanding legal decisions that affect family relationships and responsibilities.

How to Access Family Court Records

Family court records are accessible via the Tarrant County Odyssey Portal. Users can search by case number, party name, or attorney to find the relevant family court case information.

Family Court Case Information: Available through the Tarrant County Odyssey Portal.
Family Court Records Inquiry: Direct inquiries to the County Clerk’s Office.

Justice of the Peace Court Records

The Justice of the Peace Courts in Tarrant County manage smaller cases such as traffic violations, evictions, and small claims. These courts also oversee minor criminal offenses and civil disputes. These records are vital for individuals dealing with these types of cases, whether as defendants, plaintiffs, or interested parties.

How to Access Justice of the Peace Records

To access records from the Justice of the Peace Courts, you can visit the Tarrant County Odyssey Portal or contact the respective precinct’s court directly. Each Justice of the Peace Court has its own contact details for more specific inquiries.

Justice of the Peace Case Records: Search online through Tarrant County Odyssey Portal.

Justice of the Peace Court Contact: Call the Justice of the Peace Court directly at their listed number for assistance.

Searching and Requesting Tarrant County Court Records

Step-by-step: How to look up a Tarrant County case online

1. Find the right portal for your case type. Most civil, family, probate, and Justice of the Peace cases are available through the county’s Public Access portal (Odyssey). Criminal settings and dockets are primarily accessed through the District Clerk’s criminal systems.

2. Gather what you know. A case number is best. If you don’t have one, use full party names and, if possible, an approximate filing or hearing date range.

3. Run your search. Enter the case number or party name, then refine with date filters or court type if the portal offers those options. Be careful with spelling—small differences can return no results.

4. Review the case summary. Confirm you have the correct case by checking names, the court, and key dates. Use the events or docket entries to see when hearings occurred or are scheduled.

5. Request copies if needed. For certified copies or documents that are not available online, contact the appropriate clerk’s office and be ready to provide the case number, document type, and whether you need certified or non-certified copies.

If your next question is about hearing dates and calendars, see our Tarrant County Court Docket guide for a step-by-step walkthrough of docket searches.

Online Search Portal

The Tarrant County Odyssey Portal is the primary method for searching court records in Tarrant County. Through this portal, individuals can search case records for all types of cases, including civil, criminal, probate, family, and justice of the peace court records. The portal provides access to case details, party names, hearing schedules, and court judgments. This online service is available 24/7 and is a convenient tool for those who cannot visit the courts in person.

Search Tarrant County Court Records: Visit Odyssey Tarrant County Public Access Portal for all case records.

In-Person Requests

If you prefer to obtain court records in person, you may visit the relevant department, such as the County Clerk’s Office or the District Clerk’s Office, to make your request. The clerks can assist in locating the files you need and can provide certified copies if necessary. Fees may apply depending on the type of document you are requesting.

Online record limits and certified copies

Online court records are provided as a convenience and may not show every document or event in a case. Certain information – including sealed records, some juvenile matters, and sensitive family filings – is restricted by law and will not appear in public portals.

Note: Government portals focus on official filings and may not include related signals from outside the county. In some situations, private tools like BeenVerified aggregate multi-source data (such as address history, possible social profiles, and other public-record references) to help you expand your research beyond a single local portal (when available).

Remember that online displays are not the same as certified copies. If you need a certified copy for legal use, you must request it directly from the appropriate clerk’s office (County Clerk, District Clerk, or Justice of the Peace court). Be prepared to provide the case number, the specific document you need, and whether you require certification. Fees vary based on the number of pages and certification needs.

For more detail on how the County Clerk handles certified copies and payments, see our Tarrant County Clerk guide.

Court Records Departments and Contact Information

The following offices and contacts are provided for general reference based on publicly available information and may change over time; always verify current locations, phone numbers, and online services on the official Tarrant County website before you visit or call.

Tarrant County Clerk

Address: 100 E. Weatherford, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: 817-884-1111
Website: Tarrant County Clerk

Tarrant County District Clerk

Address: 100 E. Weatherford, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: 817-884-1574
Website: Tarrant County District Clerk

Justice of the Peace Court 1

Phone: 817-884-1395
Email: JP1Court@tarrantcountytx.gov

Justice of the Peace Court 2

Phone: 817-548-3925
Email: jp2desk@tarrantcountytx.gov

Justice of the Peace Court 3

Phone: 682-732-6589 / 817-581-3625
Email: JP3@tarrantcountytx.gov

Justice of the Peace Court 4

Phone: 817-238-4435
Email: jp4court@tarrantcountytx.gov

Justice of the Peace Court 5

Phone: 817-884-1438
Email: jp5court.info@tarrantcountytx.gov

Justice of the Peace Court 6

Phone: 817-340-4525
Email: jp6clerk@tarrantcountytx.gov

Justice of the Peace Court 7

Phone: 817-473-5101
Email: jp7desk@tarrantcountytx.gov

Justice of the Peace Court 8

Phone: 817-531-5625
Email: jp8clerks@tarrantcountytx.gov

Tarrant County Court Records FAQs

Where Can I Find Criminal Court Records in Tarrant County?

Criminal court records, including misdemeanor and felony cases, are available for public access through the Criminal Courts Docket. This online resource offers access to case status and updates. Users can also check case details through the Tarrant County Odyssey Portal for records related to criminal proceedings.

How Do I Obtain Probate Court Records in Tarrant County?

Probate records, such as those concerning estates, wills, and guardianships, can be accessed via the Tarrant County Probate Court Records Portal. The portal provides case details, party names, and case outcomes. Additionally, individuals may visit the County Clerk's office for in-person requests or additional assistance.

Can I Access Family Court Records in Tarrant County?

Family court records, covering cases such as divorce, child custody, and support, are available through the Tarrant County Odyssey Portal. This platform allows searches by case number, party name, or attorney, making it easy to find relevant family court records. Further inquiries can be made at the County Clerk’s office for specific records.

Are Justice of the Peace Court Records Available Online?

Yes, records from the Justice of the Peace courts, which handle small claims, evictions, and minor criminal offenses, are available through the Tarrant County Odyssey Portal. This online resource provides easy access to case statuses and other relevant information.

How can I find court records for other counties in Texas or other states?

Official Tarrant County portals and dockets primarily cover cases filed in Tarrant County. If you need to research records across multiple Texas counties or other states, you may need to search each jurisdiction separately. For a faster multi-jurisdiction approach, a private search tool like BeenVerified can help you run a broader 50-state search for related records (when available).