Perform a free Texas warrant search today to find current information about anyone wanted. Texas guarantees the freedom to access warrant details and obtain copies of it for personal use.
Obtaining this information can be useful for various reasons, like for ensuring public safety or even to satisfy one’s curiosity.
This resource enables citizens to find the records they need by listing all record custodians and walking you through how to conduct a warrant search in Texas, efficiently and effectively.
Are TX Warrant Records Publicly Available?
Under Texas Code, Chapter 552, all government records are accessible to the public, and officers for public information can’t ask for the reason behind a request.1 Texas Government Code, TITLE 5, Sec. 552.001, defines the freedoms granted to American citizens and adopted by the state.
The Texas Public Information Act (PIA) dictates that citizens, and any individual, can make and receive requests for public records and information.2 The laws and statutes include the details and mandates of an open government.
Requesters’ rights include:
- Fair and equal treatment
- Prompt access to the records
- Itemized statements of any charges
- A reduction of costs if the information requested benefits the general public
- The right to lodge a complaint with the office of the Attorney General for overcharges
Texas warrants are issued by government entities, entitling citizens to access without questions about their reason for the request. All records must be promptly released and presented in a usable format, including digital files. There are several types of warrants in Texas, including arrest, search, and bench.
While most of these warrants are considered public records, there are certain limitations or exceptions to their availability to the public. Law enforcement agencies may restrict access to these records, like for example, if it can interfere with an ongoing investigation or operation.
Some of this information can be accessed online, although some agencies require a phone inquiry to provide specific warrant details.
Information Needed To Check for Warrants in Texas
Several agencies in the state may have information about warrants. County courts, sheriff departments, juvenile centers, and even online databases may offer information and resources pertinent to warrant searches.
When running a Texas warrant search, specific details about the individual suspected of having an arrest can help narrow the search and provide quicker results. For instance, knowing the court information where the warrant originated can be helpful when choosing search options.
Similarly, information about the type of suspected crime or court offense that led to the warrant can also help narrow down the agency and search options. Taking the right direction and accessing all the relevant information will offer the best accuracy when searching for a warrant in Texas.
Having more specific information, such as inmate or criminal identification numbers and the individual’s Social Security number, will likely lead to an exact search the first time.
How To Verify Whether You or Someone Else Has a Warrant (TX)
Texas residents who desire to check for warrants imposed on them or others can explore several methods to search for pertinent information.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Inmate Information Search is a no-cost search that returns all records on inmates in the state.3 Input fields include the individual’s name, TDCJ number, SID number (State Identification number), gender and race.
The search form requires only the first and last name fields be completed, and users can put a minimum of the first letter in the first name field. The more information that’s entered, the narrower the results will be. The results page offers a table with the inmate’s:
- Name
- TDCJ Number (Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
- Race
- Gender
- Projected Release Date
- Unit of Assignment
- Age
Obtaining more in-depth information through this resource makes running a Texas warrant search more accessible and efficient.
The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division offers the state’s most comprehensive criminal record search.4
However, users must register and pay a $4 fee for each search entered. The cost adds up when more than one search is needed.
For more information, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety at:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Tom C. Clark Building
205 West 14th Street
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512)424-2000
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division Warrant Information offers a webpage with information about the department’s warrant section.5 For more information, contact the warrants department:
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division
8610 Shoal Creek Boulevard
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512)406-539
Fax: (512)406-5355
Look Up Warrants in Texas at the County Level
Texas warrants are typically maintained at the county level. Most counties in the state have their own system that can be used when searching for this information.
Thus, to determine if someone has a warrant, an interested individual must know where the alleged offense occurred or where the person resides. Having information such as the subject’s name, date of birth and address can help for an accurate search.
For instance, here is the list of counties, with the ways on how to obtain warrant information in their respective locations.
Dallas County: All are welcome to look up warrant details in Dallas County. The county offers an Online Wanted Search Tool that allows residents to be aware of their community. This search tool requires the individual’s name, zip code, case number or citation number to search.
Searchers can also call the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office at 214.761.9026 or 214.653.2700 to inquire about the warrant.
Additionally, warrant information may be available through the Dallas County Clerk’s Office. Searchers can contact them at the below address:
Dallas County Clerk’s Office
Criminal Court Division
133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, 2nd Fl., Rm A-1
Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: (214)653-7099
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Monday through Friday
Tarrant County: Criminal warrants in Tarrant County are managed by the sheriff’s office. The tutorial on finding information on anyone wanted in Tarrant County is your go-to resource, but you can also call or visit the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office using the details below for further insight.
Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
Criminal Warrants Division
200 Taylor St., 6th Fl.
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: 817.884.1289
Bexar County: The county does not have an online database for warrant search. To obtain information on Bexar County warrants, searchers need to contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office at Criminal Bureau: 210.335.6030 and Civil Division: 210.335.6050.
Travis County: Searchers can utilize the Travis County Sheriff’s Office Online Warrant Search Tool to verify if they or someone they know have an active warrant under their name.7
The Travis County warrant lookup steps provide clear guidance on searching anyone wanted locally. Alternatively, searcher can also visit the office directly to inquire about warrant at the address below.
Travis County Sheriff’s Office
P.O. 1748
Austin, TX 78767
Phone: 512.854.9770
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Monday through Friday
Collin County: To search for warrants in Collin County, citizens can use the Active Warrant Lookup which requires the subject’s first and last name to search. For a more comprehensive search, they can also use the Judicial Online Search.
It is important to note that not all warrants are accessible to the general public. The search tool may not display all active warrants, thus to ensure citizens have the most accurate information regarding it, they may contact the Collin County Sheriff’s Office or Constable Precinct:
Collin County Sheriff’s Office
4300 Community Ave.
McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: 972.547.5537
To search for outstanding warrants in Texas Counties that were not specifically mentioned here, searchers can type the name of the county, followed by the words “warrant search”. Then, look for websites in the search results related to the specific county. These may include the county sheriff’s office or county clerk’s office website.
Find Details of Warrants via Municipal Agencies in TX
Many cities in Texas allow the public to search for outstanding warrants through their municipal court and police department.
The chart below provides ways on how to search warrant and contact information for some of the more prominent Texas municipalities:
| Municipal Agency | Address | Phone |
| Houston City | 1200 Travis, 10th Floor Houston, TX 77002 |
(713)308-9178 |
| City of San Antonio | 100 Military Plaza San Antonio, TX 78205 |
(210)207-6000 |
| Dallas City | 2014 Main Street Dallas, TX 75201 |
(214)670-0109 |
| Austin City | 301 West Second Street Austin, TX 78701 |
(512)974-2000 |
| Fort Worth City | 200 Texas Street, Suite 3614 Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
(817)392-8184 |
| El Paso City | 300 North Campbell El Paso, TX 79901 |
(915)212-0000 |
| Arlington City | 101 West. Abram Street Arlington, TX 76010 |
(817)459-6777 |
| City of Corpus Christi | 1201 Leopard Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401 |
(361)826-2489 |
| Plano City | 1520 K Avenue Plano, TX 75074 |
(972)941-7000 |
Check for Federal Warrants Issued in Texas & All Other U.S. States
The United States provides several ways to search for federal warrants and information on wanted individuals. Below are the available options:
Texas upholds the objectives of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) through its Public Information Act (PIA), ensuring citizens have the right to access and interact with government records in timely and responsible manner.2
Administered by the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), ensures U.S. citizens can find public records generated by federal courts. This resource requires users to register but provides convenient options to search.
The Court CM/ECF Lookup Tool enable users to search for records based on the location of federal court.9 For those who find the cost to be a prohibitive barrier, payment exemptions and fee schedules are posted on the Electronic Public Access Fee Schedule.10
For assistance, users can contact PACER Service Center by phone at (+1-800-676-6856) or send an email to pacer@psc.uscourts.gov.
The U.S. Department of Justice boasts a Federal Inmate Locator allows users to search for information on federal inmates.11 Users can enter a litigant’s Bureau of Prisons, BOP, District of Columbia Department of Corrections, DCDC, FBI or Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) number.
Before 1982, older public records were stored at the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA).12 The records research page offers numerous variables for searching its catalog.
In addition, the options below may not provide a focused search but do offer information on wanted individuals, including names and photos to assist in finding a person’s federal warrant.
These fugitive sites offer basic personal information, arrest details, and last known whereabouts:
- FBI’s Top Ten Wanted List
- Drug Enforcement Agency’s fugitive list
- U.S. Marshals Service’s most wanted list
Main Warrant Types in Texas & Why They’re Issued
The most common Texas warrant search includes arrest, bench and search warrants.
If a warrant has been issued, it’s important to take immediate action. The sooner it’s acted on, the better the chances of avoiding arrest.
Arrest warrants are issued when someone fails to appear after receiving a citation, is suspected of committing a crime and evidence exists for probable cause or was caught in the act of committing a crime.
Bench warrants instruct law enforcement officers to detain the person and return them to face the judge when they’ve failed to appear at a hearing, stopped paying child support or not shown up for jury duty. Search warrants make it legal for police officers or detectives to enter a specified location to search for evidence of a crime and possibly arrest the suspected criminal.
The lesser-known warrants issued in Texas include:
- Capias Warrant: Served when a defendant is found guilty, fails to pay court fees or fines and refuses to comply with the conditions imposed by the verdict.
- Capias Pro Fine: Issued when an individual doesn’t pay their court-ordered fines.
- Alias Warrant: Given when a litigant refuses to enter a plea or fails to appear in court.
- Motion To Revoke (MTR) Probation Warrant: Served when a parolee violates their conditions. It’s usually forwarded to the address listed on the ticket.
- Blue Warrants: Warrants for the return of an out-of-state suspect who fled the jurisdiction.
What To Do if You Realize That You or Someone Else Has a Warrant in Texas
It’s important to note that in Texas, law enforcement isn’t legally obligated to inform people when the court issues a warrant for their arrest. This means an arrest warrant can catch people off-guard. However, there are some situations in which people may suspect that they could be facing legal troubles.
Reasons a warrant would be issued in Texas include unpaid traffic fines, probation violations, failing to pay child support, being suspected of participating in a crime and being caught in a crime. If there’s a warrant in the system for any resident of Texas, it’s searchable as a public record. Even if someone is unaware they have a warrant out for their arrest, they’ll be arrested if they encounter a law enforcement officer.
Texas made provisions for citizens to obtain records about themselves or others through its Public Information Act (PIA) initiative.2
A warrant in Texas doesn’t expire unless it’s expunged, the individual is apprehended or the person turns themselves in. Federal warrants work much like any local governmental agency in Texas, except a federal judge issues them. Citizens concerned they may have an outstanding federal warrant in Texas or want to check on someone else can perform a search in one of the many agencies provided in this guide.
An online warrant search provides peace of mind if none are found. If the search returns an active warrant for the inquirer or someone they know and they want to make it right, there are several options.
Contacting a specialized warrant attorney familiar with the procedures in the locality where it was issued provides the person with some protection and support. However, this option can quickly rack up high costs.
Citizens who discover a warrant for themselves or another person they know may want to proceed with caution when addressing the situation. For themselves, they can contact the issuing court and inquire how to come in and correct the conditions that caused the warrant. Or they can visit their local law enforcement agency and turn themselves in at the local county court or sheriff’s office, facing the consequences.
Someone who thinks they are wanted in the state needs to run a Texas warrant search to confirm its existence and use the information in this resource to resolve the situation and avoid further consequences.
Delve deeper into your information search using the Texas free public information access instructions and the overview of obtaining all TX criminal and arrest records.
References
1Texas Constitution and Statutes. (n.d.). Government Code Chapter 552 – Public Information. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/GV/htm/GV.552.htm>
2Texas Attorney General. (n.d.). Overview of the Public Information Act. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government/members-public/overview-public-information-act>
3Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Inmate Information Search. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/start.action>
4Texas Department of Public Safety. (n.d.). Crime Records. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records>
5Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Parole Division – Warrants. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/pd/warrants.html>
6Dallas County Online. (2024). Dallas County Wanted. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://www.dallascounty.org/dcwantedsearch/searchByName>
7Travis County Sheriff’s Office. (n.d.). Warrant Search. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://www.tcsheriff.org/services/public-resources/warrant-search#/wows>
8Collin County, Texas. (2024). Active Warrant List. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://apps2.collincountytx.gov/JudicialRecords/Warrant/Search>
9Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. (n.d.). Court CM/ECF Lookup. Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://pacer.uscourts.gov/file-case/court-cmecf-lookup>
10Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. (2019, December 31). Electronic Public Access Fee Schedule. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/fees/electronic-public-access-fee-schedule>
11Federal Bureau of Prisons. (n.d.). Find an inmate. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/>
12U.S. House of Representatives. (n.d.). National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from <https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained/legislative-branch-partners/national-archives#:~:text=The%20National%20Archives%20and%20Records,research%20an%20interesting%20historical%20topic.>