Wichita Falls Background Check Records
Wichita Falls background check records are held by the Wichita Falls Police Department and Wichita County courts. You can search for incident reports, arrest records, criminal history, and warrant information through official city and county portals. Texas DPS also maintains a statewide criminal history database that covers Wichita Falls arrests and convictions alongside records from across the state.
Wichita Falls Quick Facts
Wichita Falls Police Department Records
The Wichita Falls Police Department Records Division is at 610 Holiday St, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. You can call 940-720-5000 for records inquiries. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Wichita Falls PD allows records requests in person, through the online portal, and by mail. Incident reports, accident reports, and other public information can all be requested through the department. The Wichita Falls Police Department website has current contact information and guidance on how to submit a public information request under the Texas Public Information Act.
Incident reports from WFPD document police responses to crimes and other calls. Arrest records show when someone was taken into custody by Wichita Falls officers. An arrest is not the same as a conviction, but it can still show up in background check results. People who believe an old arrest is affecting them may want to look into the Texas expunction process to clear eligible records from the system.
Fees apply for some types of records. Standard copy costs are modest. Large or complex public information requests may carry additional charges. You can ask for a cost estimate before submitting a large request to the records division.
Texas DPS compiles criminal history data from Wichita Falls PD and all other Texas law enforcement agencies into the statewide repository accessible through the FACT system.
Wichita Falls Municipal Court Records
Wichita Falls Municipal Court is located at 611 Bluff St, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. The court can be reached at 940-761-7880. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The municipal court handles Class C misdemeanor cases such as traffic violations, minor violations, and city ordinance offenses.
Active warrants from Wichita Falls Municipal Court show up in background checks. If you have an open warrant, the court can tell you the status and what options are available. The court may offer payment plans, deferred disposition, or community service for eligible defendants. Taking action on a warrant early is better than waiting for it to be enforced.
Wichita Falls Municipal Court records are public. You can call the court directly to check the status of a case or to request records. Municipal court cases are separate from the Wichita County court system, so county-level online search tools won't show Class C cases from the city court.
Note: Felony cases and Class A or B misdemeanor charges are handled by Wichita County courts, not the city municipal court.
Wichita County Criminal Records
Wichita Falls is the county seat of Wichita County. Felony and higher-level misdemeanor cases from Wichita Falls go through Wichita County courts. The Wichita County District Clerk maintains district court records for felony cases. County court cases involving Class A and B misdemeanors are handled by the county clerk.
Wichita County court records are accessible through the Wichita County District Clerk. You can search by name or cause number to find case status, party information, and court dates. Certified copies and full case files require a formal request to the clerk or an in-person visit to the Wichita County courthouse.
For more on how to access Wichita County criminal records, court locations, and county-level search options, visit the Wichita County background check records page.
Texas State Background Check Resources
Texas DPS manages the FACT Clearinghouse for statewide criminal history searches. The DPS FACT system allows name-based and fingerprint-based searches. This covers Wichita Falls arrests and convictions alongside records from all Texas law enforcement agencies.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry is searchable through the DPS Sex Offender Registration Program. The registry is public and can be searched by name, address, or zip code for registered offenders in Wichita Falls and Wichita County.
TDCJ's inmate search at tdcj.texas.gov covers current and former state inmates. The re:SearchTX system provides broader court record access across many Texas counties, including Wichita County, making it useful for finding case history tied to Wichita Falls residents in the county system.
The re:SearchTX platform covers court filings across many Texas counties including Wichita County, giving researchers access to case history from Wichita Falls courts.
Open Records Requests in Wichita Falls
The Texas Public Information Act applies to records held by the City of Wichita Falls. Most city records are available to the public unless a specific exemption applies under Texas law. The Texas AG's office publishes guidance and handles disputes at texasattorneygeneral.gov.
To request records from Wichita Falls, submit a written request to the appropriate city department. Police records go to the police department. Court records come from the municipal court. The city has 10 business days to respond. If they need more time or believe records are exempt, they must notify you and may request an AG ruling before releasing or withholding documents.
Fees may apply for large or complex requests. Standard copies are generally low cost. Digital formats can reduce or eliminate copy fees. You can ask for a fee estimate or a public interest waiver when submitting a large request.
Texas AG's open government page explains your rights when requesting public records from Wichita Falls and all other Texas government bodies under state law.
Nearby Texas Cities
Looking for background check records in other North Texas cities near Wichita Falls? These cities also maintain public records through their police departments and county courts.