Public records in Texas: How to look up anyone's court records, property, and business filings

Texas has strong public records laws. Here's how to access information that's legally available to everyone.

Court records:

• Dallas County: dallascounty.org/departments/district-clerk — civil, criminal, family cases
• Tarrant County: tarrantcounty.com/en/district-clerk.html — same
• Collin County: collincountytx.gov — district clerk search
• Denton County: dentoncounty.gov — district clerk
• Federal courts: PACER (pacer.gov) — bankruptcy, federal civil/criminal

Property records:

• DCAD (Dallas Central Appraisal District): dallascad.org — property owner name, assessed value, tax history
• TAD (Tarrant Appraisal District): tad.org — same for Tarrant County
• Collin CAD: collincad.org
• Denton CAD: dentoncad.com

Business filings:

• Texas SOS: sos.state.tx.us — search any LLC, corporation, or partnership. See registered agent, officers, formation date, status.

License verification:

• TDLR: tdlr.texas.gov — contractors, HVAC, electricians, etc.
• Texas Medical Board: tmb.state.tx.us — doctors
• State Bar of Texas: texasbar.com — attorneys

Why this matters for accountability:

• Before hiring someone: verify their business is real
• Before renting: check the landlord's lawsuit history
• Before a dispute: know who you're dealing with legally

Legal note: Under the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552), most government records are public. If an agency refuses access, you can file a complaint with the Texas AG Open Records Division.

RECEIPTS REQUIRED: Public records ARE receipts. Use them. Before posting a callout, search the relevant public databases and include what you find.

Sources:

• Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552)
• Dallas County, Tarrant County, Collin County, Denton County — public record portals
• Texas SOS business search
• DCAD, TAD, CCAD, DCAD — appraisal district searches

Information is power. Texas makes most of it public. Use it.

DFW, what say you?