About Texas Public Records

Texas public records are governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552), which establishes a presumption that information collected by Texas governmental bodies belongs to the people. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains the statewide Computerized Criminal History under Government Code § 411.082, county Clerks hold land records under Local Government Code Chapter 191, and the Office of Court Administration runs re:SearchTX.

Texas Public Records

Court Records

Criminal Records
Official Free
Search Systems Premium combined criminal record database statewide in Texas that includes: Department of Public Safety felony & misdemeanor conviction records; Department of Criminal Justice inmate records; felony and misdemeanor convictions in county courts; and Texas registered sex offenders. $9.95 per search. Immediate results.
🌐 searchsystems.net
Insurance Fraud
Official Free
Browse these Texas Department of Insurance lists of monthy insurance fraud indictments and case dispositions.
🌐 tdi.texas.gov
Legal Resources
Official Free
Database provided by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association (TDCAA). The Legal Resource Database includes the following: seminar papers, appellate briefs, forms, selected articles from our publications, and other prosecutorial aids.
🌐 tdcaa.com

Criminal Records

Inmates | Offenders No Longer on Death Row
Official Free
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) list of Offenders who are no longer on Death Row. Reasons include reversed convictions, suicides, reduced sentences, deaths from natural causes, murders, dismissed and acquitted sentences.
🌐 tdcj.texas.gov
Sex Offenders
Official Free
Texas Department of Public Safety sex offender registry, searchable by name, address, zip code, county, college, or university.
🌐 sor.dps.texas.gov

Property Records

Companies | Taxable Entity Search
Official Free
This is a great free alternative to the Texas Secretary of State SOSDirect service to find information on corporations, LLCs, LLPs, and assumed business names. It doesn't give you as many search options though and the information is more limited, but it's a valuable service if you're looking for registration information on a Texas business. Find records by Tax ID, business name, or Secretary of State file number.
🌐 comptroller.texas.gov
Comptroller MegaData
Official Free
Texas Office of the Comptroller "Texas Transparency" records. Huge list of data sets including tax receipts, tax permits, unclaimed property, highway fines, agency expenditures, motor vehicle sales, and much much more.
🌐 comptroller.texas.gov
Environment | Waste Management
Official Free
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality online industrial, hazardous, solid, and medical waste registry, scrap tire handlers, and solid waste applications.
🌐 tceq.texas.gov
Property Tax Rates
Official Free
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts posting of downloadable spreadsheets of county, city, school district, and special district tax rates.
🌐 comptroller.texas.gov
Texas Business Registry Search
Official Free
Secretary of State SOSDirect Business Registry. Use the temporary login form or sign up for an SOSDirect account to search for registry information on corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, limited partnerships, trademarks, and assumed business names. There's a large number of search options, including name availability, business name searches, FEIN, TID, document number, agent, manager, and director queries.
🌐 direct.sos.state.tx.us
Unclaimed Property
Official Free
Search for Texas unclaimed property by name of owner (individual or business). Gives address, city, and type of property, as well as amount and how to claim property or money.
🌐 claimittexas.gov
Uniform Commercial Code
Official Free
Search the Texas Secretary of State "SOSDirect" Business Registry for Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. $1 fee per search. Use the "temporary login form" if you don't need to become a Texas SOSDirect subscriber.
🌐 direct.sos.state.tx.us

Vital Records

Licenses

Business

Companies | Sales Taxpayers
Official Free
Statewide database of Sales Taxpayers, a free service from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, searchable by taxpayer number, EIN, zip code, business legal name, or owner or business name.
🌐 mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us

Civic

Agency Finder
Official Free
This used to be a well done state agency service from Texas. You can still find state agencies, but they make you work harder for it.
🌐 texas.gov
Statutes
Official Free
Browse or download the Texas Statutes, or click on "Search" at the top of the page to search for Texas Statutes by keyword or phrase.
🌐 statutes.capitol.texas.gov

Other

Archives | Texas Military Organizations
Official Free
Texas 1836-1935 archives of military organization, such as the Texas Rangers, Frontier Forces, Minute Men, Army and Navy of the Republic, State Police, Special Rangers, Railroad Rangers, and more.
🌐 tsl.texas.gov
Land Grants
Official Free
Texas General Land Office surname index of persons issued Texas land grants. Includes Spanish and Mexican grants.
🌐 glo.texas.gov
Missing Persons
Official Free
Texas Dept of Public Safety searches for missing persons, abductors, and unidentified persons.
🌐 dps.texas.gov
Oil & Gas Production
Official Free
Search this Railroad Commission of Texas database of Texas Oil & Gas Production by year, district, onshore county, offshore area, lease number, lease name, field number, or field name.
🌐 webapps.rrc.state.tx.us
Workers Compensation - Covered Employers
Official Free
Search this Texas Workers' Compensation Commission database "to determine if a Texas employer has workers' compensation coverage under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act." Search by employer name and optionally by city in Texas.
🌐 ewccv.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What public records are available in Texas?

Texas provides public access to court records, criminal histories, vital records (birth/death/marriage), property records, professional licenses, voter registration, and business filings. Each record type has its own page on SearchSystems.net.

Are Texas public records free?

Most online lookups — court calendars, property assessor portals, license verification, voter status — are free. Certified copies and fingerprint-based criminal-history checks typically carry a state fee.

What law governs public records in Texas?

Texas public records are governed by Government Code Chapter 552 (Texas Public Information Act), which presumes records of every public body are open for inspection unless specifically exempted.

How do I request a record not available online?

File a written records request with the state or local agency that maintains the record. Most Texas agencies must respond within a fixed statutory window (typically 3–15 business days).