Loving County Background Check Records

Loving County background check records are maintained at the County Clerk and District Clerk offices in Mentone, Texas. Loving County is the least populous county in the United States, with fewer than 100 residents, and sits in far west Texas near the New Mexico border. Public court records and background check records exist for the county just as they do for any Texas county. You can request records in person at the courthouse, by mail, or search the Texas state court system online.

Loving County Clerk Background Check Records

The Loving County Clerk maintains misdemeanor criminal records, civil filings, probate cases, and real property documents for the county. The office is at the Loving County Courthouse in Mentone. Because the county has such a small population, activity in the clerk's office is limited compared to most Texas counties. Still, all public records are kept and accessible under Texas open records law.

To request records from the Loving County Clerk, submit a written request in person or by mail. Include the subject's full legal name, the years to search, and payment. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies require a $5.00 certification fee plus $1.00 per page. The clerk does not accept phone requests. Because the county seat is remote and staff is limited, calling ahead to confirm hours and availability is a good idea before visiting in person.

Real property records in Loving County are tied mainly to oil and gas operations in the Permian Basin region. Mineral rights records and lease documents may be a part of a property background check for individuals with interests in west Texas. Recording fees are $26 for the first page and $4 for each additional page.

Note: Loving County is extremely remote and has one of the smallest courthouse operations in the state. Call before visiting, as hours may vary and staff availability can be limited.

Loving County District Clerk Criminal Records

The Loving County District Clerk holds felony criminal records, family law cases, and civil district court filings for the county. The 143rd Judicial District Court serves Loving County. Given the county's tiny population, this court handles very few cases compared to district courts in larger Texas counties. Still, felony charges and family law matters filed in Loving County go through the District Clerk's office in Mentone.

Loving County district court records can be searched online for free through the re:SearchTX portal. Search by party name or cause number. Given the very limited case volume in Loving County, the online portal is the most practical way to check records without driving to Mentone. For a formal written search, mail a request with $5.00 per name per year as the search fee.

Loving County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Loving County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the county. Arrest records are public records in Texas. Request them in writing under the Texas Public Information Act. The office has 10 business days to respond. Given the small size of the operation, a phone call ahead of time to discuss your request is recommended.

Loving County has no municipal police departments. All law enforcement falls under the Sheriff's Office. Registered sex offenders in Loving County, if any, appear on the free Texas DPS Sex Offender Registry. The statewide TDCJ Offender Search is also available at no cost for state prison records.

Loving County Court System

Loving County has a district court and a county judge who serves as the court for misdemeanor criminal cases, probate, and civil matters. The 143rd Judicial District Court handles felony criminal cases, family law, and larger civil matters. Records from the county judge's court go to the County Clerk. There are no separate county courts at law or multiple JP precincts given the small population.

All court records in Loving County are public. Attorneys file cases electronically through eFileTexas.gov. Filed cases appear in the re:SearchTX portal once the clerk processes them. For Loving County, online access is by far the most practical way to check for court activity. Driving to Mentone for a minor background check search is not practical for most people given the location.

Note: Loving County is the least populous county in the entire United States. Case volumes are extremely low. If someone lived or worked in the Permian Basin area straddling Loving, Ward, or Winkler counties, check all three counties for records since people often cross county lines in this region.

The re:SearchTX court system gives free online access to Loving County court records, including any felony criminal cases filed in the 143rd Judicial District.

Online access is the most practical way to check Loving County court records given the county's remote location in far west Texas.

The Texas DPS Crime Records Service maintains the statewide criminal history database covering Loving County and all other Texas counties.

A name-based DPS search costs $3.00 and will return any Loving County convictions or deferred adjudications on file statewide.

Online Background Check Search Tools for Loving County

Because Loving County is extremely remote, online tools are the main practical option for running a background check. These state resources are the best place to start.

The re:SearchTX portal covers Loving County district and county court records. It is searchable by name or cause number at no cost. This is the most efficient way to check for court-level background check records without traveling to Mentone.

The Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search is $3.00 and provides a statewide view that includes Loving County. The Sex Offender Registry and the TDCJ Offender Search are both free. For a certified result, the Texas DPS fingerprint-based FACT Clearinghouse is the most thorough option.

Note: Given the very low population and case volume in Loving County, a statewide DPS search may be more informative than searching only county court records. People in the Permian Basin region often have connections to multiple nearby counties.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Loving County in the Permian Basin. Each has its own courthouse and clerk offices for background check records.