Access Fort Worth Public Records
Fort Worth public records are split between the City of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. The city handles municipal court records, police reports, city secretary documents, and other city department files, while Tarrant County courts maintain civil, criminal, and family law case records. Fort Worth is the fifth largest city in Texas and the county seat of Tarrant County, with a population over 920,000. This guide explains how to find city records, request them and navigate both city and county resources.
Fort Worth Overview
Tarrant County Court Records
Tarrant County handles most court-level records for Fort Worth residents. The Tarrant County Clerk manages county court filings, probate records, real property documents, deed records, and misdemeanor cases. The Tarrant County District Clerk handles district court records including felony criminal cases, civil suits, and family law filings such as divorce and custody. For full details on county records and how to search online, visit the Tarrant County public records page.
You can reach the Tarrant County Clerk at (817) 884-1195 and the Tarrant County District Clerk at (817) 884-1111. Both offices are located in the Tarrant County Courthouse area in downtown Fort Worth. Online search portals are available for many case types. You can also search Tarrant County cases through re:SearchTX, the statewide court system. Free basic information is available; full document downloads require a subscription.
Fort Worth City Website and Official Records
The City of Fort Worth maintains records through its city secretary, police department, municipal court, and other departments. Many records are available online or through formal open records requests. The city's main website serves as the entry point for finding department contacts, online tools, and records portals.
The official city website at fortworthtexas.gov provides access to department pages, city council records, ordinances, meeting agendas, permit history, and other city services. Council meeting minutes and agendas are typically posted on the site after each meeting without requiring a formal request.
Below is a screenshot of the City of Fort Worth's official website, which serves as the central resource for city services and public records.
If you're not sure which department holds the records you need, start with the city website or contact the City Secretary's office. They can direct you to the right place or let you know if a formal open records request through the Texas Public Information Act process is required.
Fort Worth Police Department Records
The Fort Worth Police Department maintains incident reports, accident reports, arrest records, and related law enforcement records. FWPD is one of the larger police departments in North Texas. Records are available through the city's open records process, and some reports can be requested directly from the Records Division.
| FWPD Address | 505 W. Felix Street, Fort Worth, TX 76115 |
|---|---|
| Non-Emergency | (817) 392-4222 |
| Records Division | (817) 392-4250 |
| Website | fortworthtexas.gov/police |
Accident reports are often available through the Texas Department of Transportation online portal. Police incident reports typically go through the city's open records process. Active investigation files are exempt from public disclosure. Records involving juveniles are confidential. Some personal information, like home addresses, may be redacted before release. When requesting records, include the incident date, location, report number if you have it, and the names of parties involved.
Below is a screenshot of the Fort Worth Police Department's official page, where you can find records request information and department contacts.
FWPD also publishes crime statistics and data on the city website. If you're looking for general crime trends, department statistics, or area-level information rather than a specific incident report, the public data section of the FWPD site may have what you need without a formal request.
Fort Worth Municipal Court Records
Fort Worth Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor cases, traffic citations, and city ordinance violations. These are city-level cases handled separately from Tarrant County courts. Municipal court records are maintained by the city and are not part of the county court system.
| Municipal Court Address | 1000 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (817) 392-6700 |
| Website | fortworthtexas.gov/municipalcourt |
Contact the court directly to ask about citation status, scheduled hearings, or how to access older case records. Having a citation number or the defendant's name helps staff find the right file quickly. For older cases that are no longer active, a formal open records request may be needed to get copies of court documents.
Below is a screenshot of Fort Worth Municipal Court's official page, which provides information on citation lookup, hearing schedules, and court procedures.
Municipal court in Fort Worth handles a high volume of traffic cases each year. The court also handles city code violations, animal ordinance cases, and other Class C matters. If you received a citation within the City of Fort Worth limits, your case is in municipal court. If you were arrested on a state charge, that case goes to Tarrant County courts.
Fort Worth City Secretary Records
The City Secretary's office maintains official city records including council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and board and commission records. These records are generally open to the public. Many are posted on the city website and available without a formal request. The City Secretary's office is also the main point of contact for open records requests when the appropriate department is unclear.
Below is a screenshot of the Fort Worth City Secretary's page, which provides access to council records, meeting minutes, and records request information.
City council meeting agendas and minutes are typically posted online after each meeting. These records are free to access. Older records and specific contract documents may require a request. The City Secretary can direct you to the right department if your request touches records from multiple offices.
Fort Worth Open Records Requests
The Texas Public Information Act, at Texas Government Code Chapter 552, gives anyone the right to request records from the City of Fort Worth. You don't have to explain why you want them. The city has 10 business days to respond by providing the records, giving a cost estimate for your confirmation, or seeking a ruling from the Texas Attorney General if it believes certain records are exempt from disclosure.
To submit a request, contact the appropriate city department or reach out to the City Secretary's office if you're not sure where to start. Your request should identify the records you need as clearly as possible, including the type of record, relevant dates, and names or subjects involved. The more specific you are, the faster the process goes.
Standard paper copies cost $0.10 per page. Digital copies may be provided at lower or no cost in some situations. If the cost of filling a request will exceed $40, the city must provide a written estimate and wait for your confirmation before proceeding. Audio and video records are charged at actual duplication cost. Many records are available online at no cost, so check there first before filing a formal request.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division at texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government publishes guidance on what cities must release and what they can withhold. If you believe the city is wrongly withholding records, the AG's office handles complaints and open records rulings. This service is free and open to anyone.
Nearby Cities
Other major cities near Fort Worth with public records offices.