Search Garland Background Check Records
Garland background check records are available through the Garland Police Department, Dallas County courts, and Texas state databases. Criminal history, police reports, warrants, and court filings can be searched through official city and county portals. The Texas DPS statewide database also covers arrests and convictions from the Garland area.
Garland Quick Facts
Garland Police Department Records
The Garland Police Department Records Division is at 1891 Forest Ln., Garland, TX 75042. You can reach records at 972-205-2000. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
GPD handles requests for incident reports, accident reports, and public information. Incident reports are $10.00 per copy. Accident reports are also $10.00. Photos cost $5.00 each. These fees are current as of the most recent records and may change, so confirm the latest amounts with the Records Division before submitting payment. Requests can be made in person at the records office or submitted through the city's public information process.
The City of Garland website is the main portal for police records and open records requests. It links to the public information submission tool and provides contact details for city departments. The site also explains the Texas Public Information Act process and what to expect after you file a request.
After a records request is filed, the City of Garland has 10 business days to respond. They can release the records, ask for more time, or consult the Texas Attorney General if an exemption may apply. Most standard requests are completed within the initial 10-day window.
The City of Garland website is the entry point for Garland Police Department records access, public information requests, and background check resources in Garland.
Garland Municipal Court Records
Garland Municipal Court is at 1791 W. Ave B., Garland, TX 75042. The court phone is 972-205-2330. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The court handles Class C misdemeanor cases in Garland. These include traffic citations, city ordinance violations, and other minor charges. Warrants from Garland Municipal Court show up in background checks. If you have a warrant, the court is the place to start. The clerk can confirm the status and explain payment options or other ways to resolve the case. Some defendants may qualify for a deferred disposition, which can keep a case from showing as a conviction.
Case lookup and fine payment tools are available online through the city. You can search by citation number or name to check case status without calling in. For more complex matters like contested citations or warrant recalls, a call to the clerk or an in-person visit will give you the best information.
Note: Garland Municipal Court only handles Class C cases. Felonies and more serious misdemeanor charges go through Dallas County courts.
Dallas County Criminal Records
Felony and Class A and B misdemeanor cases involving Garland residents are handled by Dallas County courts. The Dallas County District Clerk holds district court records for felony cases. The Dallas County Clerk manages county court records for higher-level misdemeanors.
Dallas County provides online access to court records through the district clerk's system. You can search by name, cause number, or case type. Results show party names, court dates, case status, and docket entries. Certified copies and full case files require either a courthouse visit in Dallas or a written request to the appropriate clerk's office. Standard fees apply.
For more on Dallas County court records, search tools, and criminal history access, visit the Dallas County background check records page.
Texas State Background Check Resources
Texas DPS manages the FACT system for official criminal history. You can do a name-based search through the DPS FACT Clearinghouse. This covers Garland arrests and convictions along with records from across the state.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry is open to the public at no charge through the DPS Sex Offender Registration Program. You can search by name, address, or zip code and get current registration status for any offender in the state system.
The TDCJ inmate database at tdcj.texas.gov lets you search current and former Texas prison inmates by name or TDCJ number. The re:SearchTX system from the Office of Court Administration gives you access to court records from many Texas counties, including Dallas County.
Open Records Requests in Garland
The Texas Public Information Act gives anyone the right to request records from government bodies, including the City of Garland. Most city records are public by default unless a legal exemption applies. Guidance on the law is available from the Texas Attorney General at texasattorneygeneral.gov.
Records requests to the City of Garland can be submitted through the city website. Requests can cover police reports, city court records, and documents from other departments. After you file, the city has 10 business days to respond. They can release the records, ask for more time, or seek an AG ruling if part of the request may be exempt.
Fees may apply for larger requests. The first 50 pages of paper copies are usually free. Beyond that, a per-page fee applies. Asking for digital formats often cuts or eliminates copy costs. A fee waiver is available for requests with a clear public interest.
Note: GPD records go to the police department, even if your request is submitted through the city portal. The portal routes requests to the correct department automatically in most cases.
Nearby Texas Cities
Background check records for other cities in the Dallas metro are also accessible through local police departments and county courts.