The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is the main source for criminal records in the state. Requests for criminal information are done in three ways: online, telephone, and email.
Online requests for information are done through the Offender Information Search service. To run a search, they need last name, first name, TDCJ number, SID number, and sex of the offender. The search service only gives general information such as offense, location, and projected release date of the offender. It is important to note, however, that only the offenders and parolees under the jurisdiction of the TDCJ will appear on the search.
Telephone requests, on the other hand, are limited to only status and location of the offender. To facilitate requests, the name, SID number, and TDCJ number of the offender must be provided. In place of the SID number and TDCJ number, date of birth is required.
For parole status, call:
512-406-5202 - Austin
936-291-2106 - Huntsville
For location and general information, call:
936-295-6371 - Huntsville
800-535-0283 - Huntsville
Requests for an offender's general information can be sent via email. Requested information can be location, incarceration history, present incarceration details, and projected release date. The request should be sent to classify@tdcj.state.tx.us, indicating the offender's complete name and TCDJ number. Date of birth can replace TDCJ number.
Parole inquiries should be directed to:
parole.div@tdcj.state.tx.us - for information on parolee location and conduct
bpp-pio@tdcj.state.tx.us - for information and questions on pardons and paroles
parole.pio@tdcj.state.tx.us - for Parole Division Open Records Requests
Aside from information on criminal records, TDCJ lists names of escapees along with their information on its Fugitive Watch section. There is also a list of the apprehended escapees.
TDCJ also maintains a list of offenders sentenced to death. Information is categorized as:
Offenders on Death Row
Executed Offenders
Scheduled Executions
Executions by Year
Information by County
Women on Death Row
Offenders No Longer on Death Row
Aside from TDCJ, Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) also maintains records on arrests and other criminal information. Searching for criminal records can be done through the Criminal History Search service. This requires an account and the purchase of search credits.
TXDPS also hosts the Texas Sex Offender Registry. The search can be done by name, address, county, school, state, and zip code. On the site, there is also a link to the TEXAS Ten Most Wanted Sex Offenders. The website allows email subscriptions, whereby users are notified if there are changes in the database of Texas sex offenders.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation-Houston and Dallas Divisions also maintain a database of criminal records. FBI-Houston, for one, facilitates criminal background checks, requests for FBI records, and name checks. There is also a link to Sex Offender Registry, and Most Wanted Terrorists and Houston Most Wanted links are available as well.
FBI-Dallas also runs background and name checks. Its website has a list of wanted offenders in Dallas.
Should you desire access to Texas background checks and criminal records, follow the instructions below:
Step 1.
Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety for access to CCH.
Step 2.
Click "Search Individuals" on the CCH menu on the right of the welcome screen.
Step 3.
Follow the instructions for setting up an account, or if you already have one, enter your log-on information. Purchase credits at this point if you don't already have any, and then you can begin your search.
For additional information, the Texas Department of Public Safety can be reached through the following contact details:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
CJIS Field Representatives
PO Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
(512) 424-2478
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice provides information on Texas arrest records. Texas arrest records can be accessed online, by phone, or by email.
To access the records, you will need to do the following:
Step 1.
Go online to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and access the Texas Offender Online Search. Fill in the fields with the required information and hit Search for results.
Step 2.
You can also send an email request to classify@tdcj.state.tx.us. Your request should include the offender's full name and either the TDCJ number or birth date or approximate age and county convicted, as well as the type of information you are looking for.
Step 3.
You can also call (936) 295-6371 or (800) 535-0283 for more information. You will need the offender's TDCJ or SID number or their exact date of birth when making a phone request.
If you need additional assistance accessing Texas arrest records, you can contact the Department of Criminal Justice at:
Texas Department of Corrections
TDCJ – Executive Services
P.O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342
(936) 295-6371
How to Locate Texas Criminal Records
The Texas Department of Public Safety operates CCH (Computerized Criminal History), which is the central repository for the state's criminal records and also acts as an online database. You must set up an account with CCH in order to access even the public site. In order to perform a search, the user must purchase "credits" that equal one per search. A credit costs $3, but there is a credit card convenience fee of 2.25 percent plus a $.50 use fee. You may also request credits by mail by sending a check for $3 per credit plus a $1.25 convenience fee.
Are You Allowed to Access Texas Criminal Records?
Only authorized agencies and law enforcement have access to non-public and complete Texas criminal records, but the public may access the public use section of CCH and perform searches for public criminal records.
How to Rectify Mistakes on a Criminal Record
If your search on CCH returns a criminal record with inaccurate or missing information, call (512) 424-7256, and they will direct you on how to proceed.
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