Garland Public Records

Public records in Garland, Texas are split between two levels of government: the City of Garland and Dallas County. The city holds municipal court filings, police incident reports, building permits, and city council documents, while Dallas County courts manage civil, criminal, and family law cases for Garland residents. This guide covers how to find records at both levels, how to submit a written request, and what online tools are available to search from home without visiting a courthouse.

County Public Records for Garland

Garland falls within Dallas County, which means most court cases involving Garland residents are filed in Dallas County courts. The Dallas County District Clerk handles civil, criminal, and family cases tried in district courts. The County Clerk manages probate, misdemeanor, and county court at law records. For a full breakdown of fees, search tools, and how to request certified copies, see the Dallas County public records page.

Property records for Garland are also held by Dallas County. The Dallas Central Appraisal District maintains property data online, and the County Clerk's office holds deed records and other property instruments. If you need a deed, lien, or easement record, the county clerk is the right office to contact. Most deed records are searchable online through the county clerk's website.

The statewide court search tool, re:SearchTX, covers many Texas courts including Dallas County. Basic case lookups are free, and you can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Full document access requires a paid subscription. It is a useful first step when you are not sure which court handled a particular case.

Dallas County courts handle a large volume of cases from Garland and nearby cities. If you need a certified copy of a court order, divorce decree, or judgment, contact the district clerk or county clerk directly. Staff can confirm which court handled the case and what the copy fees are before you make the trip.

Garland City Secretary and Open Records

The City Secretary's Office is the central point for open records requests made to the City of Garland. City records include municipal court documents, police incident reports, building permits, code enforcement files, city council minutes, and budget documents. Most records can be requested in person, by mail, by fax, or by email.

Below is a screenshot of the City of Garland's official website, which links to department pages, online services, and contact information for submitting open records requests.

The City Secretary's Office is located at 200 N Fifth Street, Garland, TX 75040. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can reach the office by phone at (972) 205-2401 or by fax at (972) 205-2402. Email requests go to citysecretary@garlandtx.gov.

Under the Texas Public Information Act, the city must respond to written requests within 10 business days. If the agency believes a record is confidential, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General before withholding anything. You do not need a reason to request records, and you do not need to be a Texas resident to make a request.

City council agendas and meeting minutes are typically posted on the city's website and are available without a formal request. Many routine city records, including permits and zoning decisions, may also be accessible through online city portals. When in doubt, contacting the City Secretary's Office directly is the fastest way to confirm what is available and how to get it.

Garland Police Department Records

The Garland Police Department maintains records of incident reports, accident reports, arrest logs, and other law enforcement documents. These are city-level records. Getting them requires a written request directed to the city secretary or the police department's records division.

Below is a screenshot of the Garland Police Department's page on the city website, where you can find contact details and links to records-related services.

Accident reports for crashes that occurred in Garland can be requested through the Texas Department of Transportation's online CR-3 report system or by contacting the Garland PD records division directly. Incident reports typically require a written open records request. Active investigation files are exempt from disclosure under state law, and some personal details may be redacted before release.

Most police records requests are fulfilled within 10 business days. Simple requests, such as a copy of an accident report you were a party to, can sometimes be processed more quickly. If the department cannot release all records within 10 days, it must notify you in writing and give an estimated completion date.

Garland Municipal Court Records

The Garland Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanors, traffic citations, and city ordinance violations. These court records are separate from anything filed in Dallas County courts. If you received a ticket or citation within Garland city limits, the municipal court manages your case and holds the records.

The municipal court is located at 1791 W Avenue B, Garland, TX 75042, and can be reached at (972) 205-2402. The court handles a large volume of traffic cases each year, along with minor criminal matters such as public intoxication, petty theft, and disorderly conduct. Records from the municipal court can be requested through the court clerk or through the City Secretary's Office using a standard open records request.

If you need to confirm whether a citation has been paid or dismissed, contacting the court directly by phone is usually the fastest option. For certified copies of court documents needed for legal purposes, written requests are required. The court can confirm fees and turnaround times when you contact them.

Deferred disposition agreements and community service assignments for eligible cases are also managed through the municipal court. If you had a case resolved through deferred disposition and need documentation showing the outcome, the court clerk can assist with that request.

Fees and Processing Times

City of Garland records cost $0.10 per page for standard paper copies. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. Digital copies may have different fees depending on the format. If the city estimates your request will cost more than $40.00 to fill, staff must give you a written cost estimate before proceeding. You can ask for a fee waiver if you believe disclosure serves the public interest.

Dallas County fees differ from city fees. Plain paper copies from county clerk offices are typically $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost more. The county clerk's office can provide a fee schedule if you call ahead. Court filing fees and copy fees are set by the state and can vary by document type.

Processing time for both city and county requests is up to 10 business days under the Texas Public Information Act. Some requests that require a large search or review of many documents may take longer. The agency must notify you in writing if it cannot complete the response in 10 days and must give an estimated completion date. If an agency asks for more than 10 days without notice, you can file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division.

For records that are routinely available online, such as property appraisal data or court case lookups through re:SearchTX, there is often no fee. Paying for copies is only required when you need a physical or certified document rather than just reviewing information.

Texas Public Information Act

The Texas Public Information Act gives any person the right to request records held by Texas government bodies. You can request records from the City of Garland, the Garland Police Department, Dallas County, or any other public agency covered by the law. You do not need to explain why you want the records. The request just needs to be in writing.

Some records are exempt. These include active criminal investigation files, certain personnel records, attorney-client communications, and information that could compromise public safety. Even when part of a record is exempt, the agency must release the non-exempt portions. Withholding an entire document because one section is confidential is not permitted under the law.

The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division handles complaints and issues rulings when agencies claim exemptions. If a city or county denies your request or claims records are confidential, they must get a ruling from the AG before withholding them. The AG's office also provides a free open records hotline for questions about how the law applies to specific requests.

Nearby Cities

Garland borders several large cities in the Dallas metro area, each with its own public records systems.