Howard County Background Check Records

Howard County background check records are held by the County Clerk and District Clerk in Big Spring, the county seat. The County Clerk stores misdemeanor criminal cases, civil filings, probate matters, and property records. The District Clerk manages felony criminal cases and other district court filings. Howard County has a population of about 34,860 and sits in West Texas. Records can be searched in person at the Big Spring courthouse or through statewide online tools.

Howard County Clerk Background Check Records

The Howard County Clerk in Big Spring maintains official records for misdemeanor criminal cases, civil court filings, probate documents, real property records, and vital records. The courthouse is located in Big Spring, Texas. Contact the County Clerk directly for current phone numbers, staff information, and office hours. The office is generally open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Misdemeanor criminal records at the County Clerk cover Class A and Class B cases filed in the county court. These records go back many years and are public under Texas law. When running a Howard County background check, these records are a key source for misdemeanor history. Property records filed here, including deeds, liens, and court judgments, can also be relevant in a full public records review.

In-person requests require a valid photo ID. Mail requests are accepted with a written request letter, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Typical copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $5.00 certification fee. Confirm current fees with the office before mailing anything.

The re:SearchTX portal covers Howard County court records at no cost. Search by name or cause number to find county and district court case information online.

Howard County District Clerk Felony Records

The Howard County District Clerk in Big Spring manages felony criminal records, civil district court cases, and family law matters. The 118th District Court serves Howard County and handles felony criminal cases along with civil and family law filings above the county court threshold. Howard County is also part of the Permian Basin region, which has seen increased court activity in recent years tied to population and workforce changes.

Felony records from the District Clerk are public records in Texas. You can search them through the re:SearchTX portal at no cost, or visit the courthouse in person. Mail requests are another option. When submitting by mail, include the full name, case type, and approximate year of filing. Standard fees apply: $1.00 per page for copies and $5.00 for certification. E-filing for civil and family cases goes through eFileTexas.gov.

The District Clerk also processes expunctions and orders of nondisclosure. Expunctions remove records from public view entirely. Orders of nondisclosure seal records from the public but not from law enforcement. Both types of orders affect what appears in a Howard County background check going forward.

Howard County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Howard County Sheriff's Office in Big Spring handles arrest records, incident reports, and jail bookings for the county. The Sheriff oversees law enforcement in unincorporated Howard County and manages the county detention facility. Arrest records are public records in Texas and are available by written request.

Submit a written public information request to the Sheriff's Office. Include the subject's full name and any known date or case details. The office must respond within 10 business days under the Texas Public Information Act. Fees may apply for copies and staff time. Registered sex offenders in Howard County are listed in the Texas DPS Sex Offender Registry, which is free and searchable online.

Howard County Court System

Howard County is served by the 118th District Court for felony criminal and civil matters. The county court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, probate, and lower civil disputes. Justice of the Peace courts handle Class C misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and small claims cases. Each court type sends its records to either the County Clerk or District Clerk based on jurisdiction.

The re:SearchTX portal indexes e-filed cases from Howard County starting in 2016. E-filing for new civil, family, and probate cases goes through eFileTexas.gov and is required under current Texas court rules. The Texas DPS also maintains a statewide conviction database through the Criminal History Name Search that covers Howard County along with all other Texas counties.

Note: Confirm current courthouse hours and filing deadlines by contacting the Howard County courthouse directly before visiting or submitting a records request.

Online Search Tools for Howard County

The re:SearchTX portal is the main free online tool for Howard County background check records. It covers court cases from 2016 onward and is open to the public without an account or fee. Search by name or cause number to find case type, filing date, and current status.

The Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search costs $3.00 per name and covers conviction data from all Texas counties including Howard. It only shows convictions and deferred adjudications, not arrests that did not lead to a conviction. For a certified result, the FACT Clearinghouse at Texas DPS provides fingerprint-based certified criminal history reports.

The Texas Sex Offender Registry is free and covers Howard County registrants. The Texas DPS Criminal History FAQ answers questions about what records contain, how to search, and how to dispute inaccurate information.

The FACT Clearinghouse at Texas DPS provides certified fingerprint-based criminal history results for Howard County and all other Texas counties.

Note: Name-based searches are not a guaranteed match. Fingerprint-based searches through the FACT Clearinghouse are the only reliable way to positively identify a record with a specific person.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Howard County. Each has its own courthouse and records offices for background check searches in West Texas.