Searching Howard County: what to expect
Howard County keeps a modest online footprint — just one of the 12 sources below is the county's own; the rest is statewide coverage. Texas courts search county by county, and Howard County has no public online docket listed — case records mean the clerk's office, or the statewide options on the Texas court records page. The standout local source is co.howard.tx.us, covering deeds and recorded documents. For criminal records there's no county-level source online — the statewide routes on the Texas criminal records page cover that piece.
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by SearchSystems Editorial Team — verified against official government sources. About our editorial process.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Howard County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Texas state publishers on the review date. 3 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Howard County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Howard County, Texas — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
30,833
Population
Census estimate
12,010
Households
Census estimate
$67,243
Median income
Annual household
$132,900
Median home value
Census ACS
Big Spring
County seat
In Texas
Criminal records
1 source
Court records
2 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
3 sources
Vital records
1 source
Voter records
see state portal
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Howard County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Howard County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | City of Big Spring Municipal Court Criminal History Name Search | TxDPS Crime Records Division |
| Criminal records | Texas DPS — Crime Records |
| Wants & warrants | |
| Property records | Help Howard County Appraisal District |
| Voter records | Texas SOS – My Voter Portal |
| Professional licenses | TDLR Active License Search |
| Recorded documents | County Clerks Howard County, Texas |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Howard County. Sources reviewed June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Howard County Records
2026
Howard County court records portal verified
State court system links for Howard County verified against the Texas judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Howard County criminal records access
State criminal records repository for Howard County (statewide system, not county-specific) confirmed active in 2026.
2026
Howard County property records online
Howard County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside Texas, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements all county-level state records.
The 4-Step Howard County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Howard County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Howard County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Texas statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Texas state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Howard County Records
MYTH"Howard County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for Howard County are held by the Texas state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in Howard County are gone everywhere."
FACTSealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
MYTH"Free 'instant background' sites have Howard County data."
FACTOnly the official Texas state repository has verified, current Howard County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The Howard County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe Howard County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
MYTH"All county records older than 50 years are public."
FACTPartially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.txcourts.gov — Court records — official source
- www.dps.texas.gov — Criminal records — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Howard County & Texas Records
For records not specific to Howard County, use Texas's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Texas statewide record systems:
- Texas Court Records →
- Texas Criminal Records →
- Texas Property Records →
- Texas Vital Records →
- Texas Voter Records →
- Texas Wants & Warrants →
- Texas Licenses →
- Texas Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Texas statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
The searches people actually run in Howard County:
About Howard County, Texas
Howard County is located in the West Texas Region of Texas. The county seat is Big Spring.
- Population: 30,833
- Households: 12,010
- Median household income: $67,243
- Median home value: $132,900
- Below poverty line: 14.5%
- Land area: 900.8 sq mi
- Population density: 34.2 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 1
- NCES schools indexed: 13
Howard County Appraisal District
Official Free
Property assessment records for Howard County, Texas. Values follow the reassessment cycle, so a recent sale may not show immediately. Appeals go to this office on the schedule printed with each valuation notice.
Texas Land Records | Multi-County Deed Search
Official Free
Shared search portal used by dozens of Texas county clerks for recorded land documents — deeds, mortgages, and liens in one interface. Pick the county first; index coverage and image years differ from clerk to clerk.
City of Big Spring Municipal Court
Official Free
The Texas Judiciary prides itself on being efficient and transparent. Texas has one of the largest judicial systems in the country, with over 450 District Courts, 14 Intermediate Courts of Appeals, and two High Courts with statewide jurisdiction.
Criminal History Name Search | TxDPS Crime Records Division
Official Free
The Texas DPS public conviction database. Anyone can run a name-based search of Texas convictions and deferred adjudications for a small per-search fee — the state's official public criminal check.
Texas DPS — Crime Records
Official Free
The Crime Records Division of the Texas DPS — home of the state's conviction database, fingerprint services, and criminal history review. Start here for any official Texas background check question.
PublicSite Sor Public SORNA
Official Free
Under Art. 62.403(b), a person with a single reportable adjudication or conviction may apply to the Council on Sex Offender Treatment for an individual risk assessment.
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
Official Free
The Texas Department of State Health Services — custodian of birth and death records statewide and the agency behind Texas vital statistics. Certificate orders and eligibility rules start here.
Texas SOS – My Voter Portal
Official Free
Voter and election business for Howard County is managed here. Searching the official side is free.
TDLR Active License Search
Official Free
TDLR License Data Search (Active Licenses only) Search Help | Download License files | Download Other | Questions/Comments
Texas | County Voter Registrar Directory
Official Free
The Secretary of State's directory of county voter registrars — the office to contact about registration records in each of Texas's 254 counties. Addresses and phone numbers are kept current by the state.
Howard County, Texas
Business, Voter & Other
Property assessment records for Howard County, Texas. Tax amounts and payment status typically link from the same record. Pair it with the recorder's index — values here, the deeds themselves there.
Texas Comptroller Business Search
Business, Voter & Other
The Texas Comptroller's taxable-entity search. Confirms a company's franchise-tax status, registered agent, and right to do business in Texas — often more current than the corporate filing itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Howard County?
Howard County court cases are searchable through the City of Big Spring Municipal Court portal: https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1450495/howard-county.pdf. Texas also operates a state-level case lookup through the re:SearchTX system. For federal matters, see PACER.
How long does an arrest stay on my record in Texas if I wasn't convicted?
In Texas, an arrest stays on your record indefinitely unless you petition the court to seal or expunge it, even if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. Texas's rules for clearing non-conviction records are stricter than for convictions — start with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Can my employer see a sealed record in Texas?
Generally, most private employers running a standard name-based check cannot see a sealed Texas record. However, government employers, law enforcement, schools, healthcare facilities, and any role requiring a fingerprint-based check can see sealed records under specific statutory exemptions. Confirm specifics with the sealing court.
How do I run a Texas background check?
Texas background checks are handled by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Name-based searches are available through the official state portal (per-search fee applies). Fingerprint-based checks — required for licensing, foster care, and many employers — must be submitted through an approved vendor.