Find San Antonio Public Records
San Antonio public records are divided between the City of San Antonio and Bexar County. The city maintains records through its municipal court, police department, and city clerk's office, while most court cases involving civil, criminal, and family law matters go through Bexar County. With a population over 1.4 million, San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas and one of the fastest growing in the country. This guide explains where to find different types of records, how to request them and what each source provides.
San Antonio Overview
Bexar County Court Records
Bexar County handles most court records for San Antonio residents. The Bexar County Clerk manages county court records including misdemeanor criminal cases, probate filings, real property documents, and civil cases filed at the county court level. The Bexar County District Clerk handles district court matters including felony criminal cases, civil suits, and family law filings such as divorces and custody cases. For full details on county court records and online search tools, visit the Bexar County public records page.
You can search Bexar County case records online through the county's public access portal. Searches by party name or cause number show docket entries, case status, and court dates. Getting copies of full documents may require an in-person visit or a written request. Contact the Bexar County Clerk at (210) 335-2225 or the District Clerk at (210) 335-2113 for help with specific requests.
The statewide search tool re:SearchTX also covers Bexar County cases. Basic case information is free. Downloading full documents requires a subscription. It's a good option when you're not sure which specific court handled a case.
San Antonio City Website and Records Portal
The City of San Antonio maintains its own records systems through departments including the city clerk, police department, and municipal courts. Many records are available through open records requests or online tools. The official city site is the first place to look when trying to identify the right department for a specific type of record.
The city's website at sanantonio.gov provides access to department pages, city council records, permit history, code enforcement records, and links to online services. Records like city ordinances and council meeting minutes are often posted directly on the site without needing a formal request.
Below is a screenshot of the City of San Antonio's official website, where you can find city services and public records resources.
Each city department may have its own contact form or dedicated records process. If you're not sure where a record is kept, contact the City Clerk's office first. They can often direct you to the right department or let you know if a formal open records request is needed.
San Antonio Police Department Records
The San Antonio Police Department is one of the largest in Texas. SAPD records include incident reports, accident reports, arrest records, call logs, and body camera footage. Most SAPD records are obtained through a formal open records request submitted to the city. Some reports, like accident reports, may also be available through the Texas Department of Transportation's online system.
| SAPD Headquarters | 315 S. Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX 78207 |
|---|---|
| Non-Emergency | (210) 207-7273 |
| Website | sanantonio.gov/SAPD |
Active investigation records are exempt from disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act. Records involving juveniles are confidential. Some personal information, such as home addresses or Social Security numbers, may be redacted before release. When requesting police records, include the date, location, report number if you have it, and names of parties involved to help staff locate the right file.
Below is a screenshot of the San Antonio Police Department's official page, which provides information about requesting records and reporting options.
SAPD also publishes some crime statistics and data publicly on the city website. If you're looking for general crime trends or area-level data rather than a specific incident report, the public data section of the SAPD site may have what you need without a formal records request.
San Antonio Municipal Court Records
San Antonio Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor cases including traffic citations, city ordinance violations, and minor criminal matters. These cases are handled by the city, not Bexar County. Municipal court records are distinct from state court records and are maintained separately by the city.
| Municipal Court Address | 401 S. Frio, San Antonio, TX 78207 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (210) 207-2300 |
You can contact the court directly to ask about citation status, scheduled hearings, or how to access older case records. The court handles a large volume of cases each year, so having a citation number or the name on the citation helps staff pull the right record quickly. For cases that are several years old, a formal open records request may be needed.
San Antonio Municipal Court also handles magistration for new arrests that come through the city jail. Those records reflect initial charges and bond conditions and are part of the public court record. If you're looking for the disposition of a case, the court clerk can tell you the outcome and any fines or conditions imposed.
San Antonio City Clerk Records
The City Clerk's office maintains official city records including council meeting minutes, city ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and board records. These records are generally available to the public and many are posted online. The City Clerk is also the point of contact for submitting formal open records requests when you're not sure which department has the records you need.
Below is a screenshot of the San Antonio City Clerk's official page, which provides access to council records, meeting agendas, and records request information.
City council meeting agendas and minutes are typically posted online shortly after meetings occur. These records are free to access. Older records, contracts, and specific documents may require a request. The City Clerk can direct you to the right department if your request covers records from multiple offices or departments.
San Antonio Open Records Requests
The Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code Chapter 552, gives anyone the right to request city records. You don't have to explain why you want them or show any connection to the subject. The City of San Antonio has 10 business days to respond by providing the records, asking you to confirm a cost estimate, or seeking a ruling from the Texas Attorney General if it believes certain records are exempt.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division at texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government publishes guidance on what must be released and what may be withheld. If you believe the city is improperly withholding records, the AG's office handles complaints and open records rulings at no cost to the requestor.
To submit a request, contact the appropriate city department directly or go through the city's main open records portal on the City of San Antonio website. Your request should identify the records as clearly as possible, including the type of record, relevant dates, and any names or subjects involved. Being specific helps avoid delays.
Standard paper copies cost $0.10 per page. Digital copies may be provided in some cases at lower or no cost. If a request will cost more than $40 to fill, the city must provide a written cost estimate and wait for you to confirm before proceeding. This rule applies citywide and comes from state law.
Nearby Cities
Other major cities near San Antonio with public records offices.