Access Shelby County Background Check Records

Shelby County background check records are available through the County Clerk, District Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Center, Texas. The county courthouse in Center holds misdemeanor criminal case files, felony records from district court, civil filings, and property documents. You can search Shelby County background check records in person at the courthouse, by submitting a written mail request, or through statewide online tools. This page has the office details and search resources to help you get started.

Shelby County Clerk Criminal and Civil Records

The Shelby County Clerk maintains misdemeanor criminal records, civil court filings, probate cases, real property records, marriage licenses, and vital records for the county. The office is at the Shelby County Courthouse in Center. Call (936) 598-4361 to reach the clerk. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Shelby County was formed in 1837 and the county seat of Center has been the hub of court activity in this Deep East Texas county ever since. Records here go back over 180 years. Misdemeanor criminal records from Class A and Class B cases in the county court are kept by this office. Civil filings, deed and property records, marriage licenses, DBA filings, and commissioners court records are also maintained here. Some older records may only be in physical form.

Copy fees are $1 per page. Certified copies require a $5 certification fee. Recording fees are $26 for the first page and $4 per additional page. Mail requests must include a written description of what you need, correct payment by check or money order, and a return envelope. E-filing is available through efile.txcourts.gov.

Shelby County District Clerk Felony Records

The Shelby County District Clerk handles felony criminal records, civil district court filings, and family law cases under the 273rd Judicial District. The 273rd District Court serves Shelby and Sabine counties in Deep East Texas. The district judge holds sessions in Center and Hemphill on a rotating basis.

Felony background check records, divorce cases, child custody matters, and large civil lawsuits are all handled by the District Clerk. The office is at the courthouse in Center. Phone is (936) 598-4361. For online case searches, the re:SearchTX portal includes district court data from Shelby County. Copies cost $1 per page; certified copies add a $5 fee.

The District Clerk also handles expunctions and orders of nondisclosure in Shelby County. When a court grants an expunction, records are removed from public access. Nondisclosures seal certain records but do not affect law enforcement access. Either proceeding can change what shows up in a Shelby County background check.

Shelby County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office manages arrest records, incident reports, and jail operations. The main office is in Center. Call (936) 598-5601 for non-emergency matters. For emergencies, dial 911.

Arrest records from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office are public records under the Texas Public Information Act. Written requests are required and the office has 10 business days to respond. Copy fees may apply. The Sheriff's Office also handles sex offender registration for Shelby County. All registered offenders are listed in the Texas DPS Sex Offender Registry. State prison inmate records are at tdcj.texas.gov.

Shelby County Court System

Shelby County is covered by the 273rd Judicial District Court, which also serves Sabine County. The district court handles felony criminal cases, civil suits over $200, and family law matters. Court sessions are scheduled in Center and in Hemphill (Sabine County). The district judge rotates between both county seats on a set calendar.

The county court handles Class A and B misdemeanors and probate cases. The Justice of the Peace court covers Class C misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and small claims under $20,000. Shelby County is a rural East Texas county with timber and agriculture, and the court dockets reflect a mostly rural case load. For online case data, use the re:SearchTX portal which covers district court records from participating Texas counties.

Note: Shelby County borders Louisiana. For people with records in both Texas and Louisiana, you will need to search each state's system separately.

Online Resources for Shelby County Background Checks

Shelby County does not have a dedicated county-run online records portal. The re:SearchTX portal is the best free statewide tool for finding district court records tied to Shelby County cases.

re:SearchTX covers district court filings from across Texas and allows searches by party name or case number. Shelby County 273rd District Court records are included.

The Texas DPS FACT Clearinghouse handles official statewide criminal history checks for $3 per search, covering Shelby County along with all other Texas counties.

FACT results reflect convictions and deferred adjudications on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety and are updated as courts report case dispositions.

Search Resources for Shelby County Records

For Shelby County background check records online, use re:SearchTX for court records. Visit the Texas DPS Criminal History Records page for DPS search options. Sex offender data is at records.txdps.state.tx.us. TDCJ prison records are at tdcj.texas.gov.

For public records guidance, the Texas AG Open Government page explains your rights under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. E-filing for court cases is done through eFileTexas.gov. For direct requests, call the Shelby County Courthouse at (936) 598-4361.

• re:SearchTX - Statewide court records
• Texas DPS FACT Clearinghouse - Criminal history search
• TDCJ Offender Search - State prison database
• Texas Sex Offender Registry - DPS registry by location
• eFileTexas.gov - Electronic court filing

Nearby Counties

Shelby County is in Deep East Texas near the Louisiana border. These neighboring counties have separate court systems and clerk offices.