Denton County Court Records
Denton County court records encompass a broad range of materials, including documents, maps, tape, letters, paper, film, recordings, photographs, and books. These are all materials created or maintained by or for a court in connection with its official business. The records are generated and updated throughout the legal process, from the initial filing of cases through the proceedings.
The official custodians of all civil and criminal court records in Denton County are the clerks of court, including the County Clerk and the District Clerk. The creation and maintenance of these documents are governed by the relevant Texas statutes and court rules.
Notably, Denton County court records may sometimes reference other public records, such as vital records, arrest reports, and jail records.
Are Denton County Court Records Public?
Yes. In Denton County, court records are generally accessible to the public, as outlined by the Texas Judiciary’s Open Records Policy. Anyone may request to view or copy records held by the Denton County court clerks or courts. However, access is not unfettered. Certain court records are confidential by law or may be sealed by judicial order. These restricted records are typically limited to the involved parties and include juvenile court records, expunged criminal records, and certain family cases, such as adoption proceedings.
What Information is Available in Denton County Court Records?
Denton County court records may contain the following details:
- Case Details: The case number, title, type, filing date, court location, judicial officer’s name, and legacy CVCM track number.
- Parties and Representation: Names and addresses of case parties, along with the lead attorney’s name, address, phone number, and fax number.
- Charge Details: Information on charges, count, relevant statute, level, and date.
- Case Filings: Petitions, affidavits, orders, notices, agreements, and motions.
- Financial Records: Total financial assessment, total payments and credits, balance due date, and transaction assessment.
Denton County Court Records Search
Denton County residents can find court records through the following means:
- Online Access: The Denton County Records Inquiry portal is the best place to view court records for free. Users should select a case, party, attorney, or filing date and provide the appropriate information to search. The downside to online searches is that they do not reveal confidential court records.
- In-Person Access: Record seekers can visit the court where a case was heard to find a court record. All visitations should be done during business hours, and a fee applies for copies.
- Mail and Phone Requests: The availability of mail requests for court records can be verified through the respective court or clerk’s office.
Fees for Court Records in Denton County.
Denton County District Clerk Fees for Court Records:
Copy Type | Fee Structure |
|---|---|
Plain Paper Copies | $1 per page. |
Electronic Copies | 10 cents per page, with a $1.00 minimum charge (minimum of 10 pages). |
Certified Copies (Paper or Electronic) | $5 each, plus the applicable copy fees. |
Exemplified Copies | $5 each, plus the cost of the certified paper copy. |
Denton County Clerk Fees for Court Records and Vital Records:
The County Clerk’s fees for court record copies are generally similar to the District Clerk’s, with one key difference for electronic copies:
- Electronic Copies of Court Records:
- $1 per page for up to 10 pages.
- 10 cents per page for more than 10 pages.
The County Clerk also provides copies of vital records:
- Certified Birth Certificate: $23.00 per copy.
- Certified Death Certificate: $21.00 for the first copy, and $4.00 for each additional copy.
Denton County Courthouse Locations
The Denton County court system is structured into county courts at law, district courts, justice of the peace precincts, and municipal courts, as well as a statutory probate court and a constitutional court.
All the district courts in Denton County, Texas, are situated within the same building, and they include the 16th, 158th, 211th, 362nd, 367th, 393rd, 431st, 442nd, 462nd, 467th, 477th, and 481st District Courts.
The courts’ jurisdictions are specified on the Texas Judiciary’s About Courts page.
District Courts in Denton County
Denton County 16th, 158th, 211th, 362nd, 367th, 393rd, 431st, 442nd, 462nd, 467th, 477th, and 481st District Courts
Denton County Courts Building
1450 East McKinney Street
PO Box 2146
Denton, TX 76202
Phone: (940) 349-2200
Fax: (940) 349-2201 (Civil/Family)
Fax: (940) 349-2211 (Criminal)
Constitutional County Courts in Denton County
Denton County Constitutional Court
Denton County Courts Building
1450 East McKinney Street
PO Box 2187
Denton, TX 76202
Phone: (940) 349-2012
Fax: (940) 349-2013
County Courts at Law in Denton County
Denton County Court at Law No. 1
Charlie J. Cole Building
210 South Woodrow Lane
Denton, TX 76205
Phone: (940) 349-2525
Denton County Court at Law No. 2
Denton County Courts Building
1450 East McKinney Street
Suite 4325
Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-2120
Fax: (940) 349-2121
Denton County Criminal Court No. 1
Denton County Courts Building
1450 East McKinney Street
Suite 1419
Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-2160
Fax: (940) 349-2161
Denton County Criminal Court No. 2
Denton County Courts Building
1450 East McKinney Street
Suite 1325
Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-2170
Fax: (940) 349-2171
Denton County Criminal Court No. 3
Denton County Courts Building
1450 East McKinney Street
Suite 4420
Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-2180
Fax: (940) 349-2181
Denton County Criminal Court No. 4
Denton County Courts Building
1450 East McKinney Street
Suite 4332
Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-2380
Fax: (940) 349-2381
Denton County Criminal Court No. 5
Denton County Courts Building
1450 E McKinney Street
Suite 4412
Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-2190
Fax: (940) 349-2181
Statutory Probate Courts in Denton County
Denton County Probate Court 1
3900 Morse Street
Suite 100
Denton, TX 76208
Phone: (940) 349-2140
Fax: (940) 349-2141
Denton County Probate Court 2
3900 Morse Street
Suite 100
Denton, TX 76208
Phone: (940) 349-2260
Justice of the Peace Precincts in Denton County
Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
1 Courthouse Drive
Suite 1100
Denton, TX 76208
Phone: (940) 349-3170
Fax: (940) 349-3171
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
5533 FM 423
Suite 901
Frisco, TX 75036-8975
Phone: (972) 434-7200
Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
400 N Valley Parkway
Suite 2012
Lewisville, TX 75067-3530
Phone: (972) 434-4750
Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
6200 Canyon Falls Drive
Suite 101
Flower Mound, TX 76226
Phone: (972) 434-3910
Fax: (972) 434-3911
Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
1400 FM 424
Suite 124
Cross Roads, TX 76227-7284
Phone: (940) 349-3460
Fax: (940) 349-3461
Justice of the Peace Precinct 6
1029 W Rosemeade Parkway
Carrollton, TX 75007-6251
Phone: (972) 434-7100
Fax: (972) 434-7101
Municipal Courts in Denton County
Argyle Municipal Court
308 Denton Street East
PO Box 609
Argyle, TX 76226
Phone: (940) 464-7255
Fax: (940) 464-7409
Aubrey Municipal Court
107 South Main Street
Aubrey, TX 76227
Phone: (940) 440-9343 ext. 2
Fax: (940) 365-1215
Bartonville Municipal Court
1941 East Jeter Road
Bartonville, TX 76226
Phone: (817) 693-5280
Copper Canyon Municipal Court
Copper Canyon Town Hall
400 Woodland Drive
Copper Canyon, TX 75077
Phone: (940) 241-2677
Fax: (940) 241-2727
Corinth Municipal Court
3300 Corinth Parkway
Corinth, TX 76208
Phone: (940) 498-3201
Denton Municipal Court
City Hall East Building
601 East Hickory Street
Suite D
Denton, TX 76205
Phone: (940) 349-8331
Fax: (940) 349-8325
Dish Municipal Court
5413 Tim Donald Road
Dish, TX 76247
Phone: (940) 479-2396
Fax: (940) 479-2100
Double Oak Municipal Court
320 Waketon Road
Double Oak, TX 75077
Phone: (972) 539-9464
Fax: (972) 539-9613
Flower Mound Municipal Court
4150 Kirkpatrick Lane
Flower Mound, TX 75028
Phone: (972) 874-3370
Fax: (972) 874-3379
Hackberry Municipal Court
119 Maxwell Road
Suite B-7
Frisco, TX 75034
Phone: (972) 292-3223
Hickory Creek Municipal Court
1075 Ronald Reagan Avenue
Hickory Creek, TX 75065
Phone: (940) 497-2564
Highland Village Municipal Court
Highland Village Municipal Complex
1000 Highland Village Road
Highland Village, TX 75077
Phone: (972) 317-3660
Fax: (972) 899-5100
Justin Municipal Court
415 North College Avenue
PO Box 129, Justin, TX 76247
Phone: (940) 648-2541 ext. 112
Fax: (940) 648-8702
Krum Municipal Court
102 West McCart Street
PO Box 217
Krum, TX 76249
Phone: (940) 482-3491
Fax: (940) 482-3020
Lake Dallas Municipal Court
212 Main Street
PO Box 368
Lake Dallas, TX 75065
Phone: (940) 497-2226 ext. 130
Fax: (940) 497-4485
Lakewood Village Municipal Court
Lakewood Village Town Hall
100 Highridge Drive
Lakewood Village, TX 75068
Phone: (972) 294-5555
Fax: (972) 292-0812
Lewisville Municipal Court
1197 West Main Street
PO Box 299002, Lewisville, TX 75029
Phone: (972) 219-3436
Little Elm Municipal Court
100 West Eldorado Parkway
Little Elm, TX 75068
Phone: (214) 731-1453
Northeast Municipal Court
5097 Highway 377 South
Krugerville, TX 76227
Phone: (940) 365-5833
Fax: (940) 365-5834
Northlake Municipal Court
Town Hall
1500 Commons Circle
Suite 300
Northlake, TX 76226
Phone: (940) 648-3473
Fax: (940) 648-5803
Oak Point Municipal Court
City Hall
100 Naylor Road
Oak Point, TX 75068
Phone: (972) 294-2312 ext. 106
Fax: (972) 294-1619
Pilot Point Municipal Court
102 East Main Street
Pilot Point, TX 76258
Phone: (940) 686-4707
Fax: (940) 686-4338
Ponder Municipal Court
Vivian Cockburn Municipal Bldg
405 Shaffner Street
Ponder, TX 76259
Phone: (940) 479-2396
Fax: (940) 479-2100
Providence Village Municipal Court
1745 FM 2931
Providence Village, TX 76227
Phone: (940) 365-9333
Roanoke Municipal Court
609 Dallas Drive
Roanoke, TX 76262
Phone: (817) 491-0813
Fax: (817) 490-0923
Sanger Municipal Court
301 Bolivar Street
Sanger, TX 76266
Phone: (940) 458-7131
Fax: (940) 458-3428
Shady Shores Municipal Court
101 South Shady Shores Road
Shady Shores, TX 76208
Phone: (940) 498-0048
Fax: (940) 497-2597
The Colony Municipal Court
5151 North Colony Boulevard
The Colony, TX 75056
Phone: (972) 624-2200
Trophy Club Municipal Court
1 Trophy Wood Drive
Trophy Club, TX 76262
Phone: (682) 237-2900
Criminal Records Access in Denton County
Criminal records are available at both the state and local levels. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) handles official state-level criminal history checks, but not criminal court records. Denton County courts are the keepers of criminal court records.
Misdemeanor Case Records
- Class A and B Misdemeanors: Maintained by the County Courts.
- Class C Misdemeanors: Maintained by the Justice of the Peace precincts.
To search for misdemeanor records, individuals can use the JP & County Court Case Records portal. Searches can be executed using the case number, party citation, attorney name, or date filed. Alternatively, requests can be made in person at the respective County Courts at Law or Justice of the Peace precincts.
Felony Case Records
Felony records are maintained by the District Courts. Record seekers can check felony case records online through the Denton County Records Inquiry portal. One can navigate to the District Court Case Records & Calendar and select the District Clerk Criminal Case Recordslink.
The district clerk accepts requests for felony court records by mail, fax, email, and in person. Once a record is located, the following fees apply:
- Paper Copies: $1 per page
- Electronic Copies: 10 cents per page
- Certified Copies: $5 plus the applicable copying fees.
Denton County Probate Record
Denton County has two probate courts that handle matters involving wills, guardianship for incapacitated persons and minors, declare heirs for deceased persons who die without wills, court-ordered involuntary mental health commitment supervision, and estate lawsuits. Records of these probate cases are public and are officially maintained by the Denton County Clerk.
Members of the public may access Denton County probate records via the JP & County Court Case Records portal at no charge. A search can be conducted by case, party, attorney, or filing date. Interested persons can also visit the clerk’s office during business hours to obtain copies of estate records. The Clerk assesses $1 per page for copies of probate records
Denton County Family Court Records
The Denton County District Clerk maintains family court records for matters such as adoption, divorce, name change, protective orders, child abuse/neglect, and custody cases. Some of these records can be viewed online via the District Clerk Civil & Family Case Records portal, searchable by case number, party attorney, or filing date, though sealed family court records are excluded.
Copies of these records are not available through the online portal and must be requested by completing a Record Request Form and submitting it in person, by mail, by fax to (940) 349-5754, or by email to dcrecords@dentoncounty.gov. Fees for copies are $1 per plain paper page or 10 cents per plain electronic page, with a minimum charge of $1 per document for electronic copies (minimum of 10 pages).
Individuals will need to pay an additional $5 to certify a copy. Payments may be made by money order, cash, or debit/credit card (an extra 2.25% transaction fee applies). The court delivers all paper copies of family court records by mail (excluding in-person requests) and electronic copies by email.
Federal Court Records in Denton County
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas handles all the federal criminal and civil cases in Denton County. The court allows members of the public to submit requests for copies of their records online using the Online Record Request Form. Requesters must be able to provide enough information that will help the clerk’s office fulfill their requests.
For example, anyone requesting a federal document from a case file may provide the case number, document number, case style, and the total number of pages they want copied. The court will retrieve paper copies of older federal court records from the Federal Record Center (FRC) upon request. Anyone who needs records from the FRC must know the number of boxes that contain the file. Those who do not know this should contact the clerk’s office for assistance.
The federal clerk charges 50 cents per page for copies and $12 for certified copies. Name searches cost $34 each, and file retrievals cost $70 for the first box and $43 for each additional box. Payments should be made online using a credit or debit card.
Federal court records for Denton County are also available via the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. To use this service, individuals must first register for an account and log in with a secure username and password. While access to federal case information costs 10 cents per page, the charge for a single document is capped at $3.
