FAQs

Where is Harris County?

Harris County is located in southeast Texas. It is one of the most populous counties in the United States. Some of the cities within the county borders are Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, La Porte, Deer Park, Humble, Galena Park, Bellaire, and Jersey Village.

Some of the landmarks within its borders are the Houston Intercontinental Airport, Lake Houston, the Ship Channel, the NASA Space Center, and Clear Lake. The southeast border of the county extends to Galveston Bay.

Surrounding counties are Montgomery to the north, Liberty and Chambers to the east, Galveston to the southeast, Brazoria to the south, Fort Bend to the southwest and Waller to the west.

Harris County is governed by a Commissioners’ Court consisting of four commissioners and a county judge. The county is divided into four precincts, and the citizens of each precinct elect a commissioner. The county judge is chosen in a countywide election.

The Commissioners’ Court oversees departments such as Central Technology, Community and Social Services, Health, Public Infrastructure and the Toll Road Authority.

The following Harris County departments are overseen by officials who are chosen in countywide elections: 

In addition, the judges in the justice of the peace courts, the county courts and the state district courts are also elected by Harris County citizens.

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J.I.M.S. Information

How does a law enforcement agency proceed in obtaining access to JIMS systems?

Contact the JIMS Training Supervisor at (713) 755-6933. If the agency needs full access, the chief executive of the agency will be asked to sign three standard agreement forms:

1. the Request for Access,

2. the Non-Disclosure Agreement, and

3. the Transaction Security Request.

These forms are presented to the JIMS Management Committee for approval. The Management Committee meets twice a month. After approval, JIMS notifies the agency that its personnel may be scheduled for training.

If the agency only needs access to the public records on the Subscriber Access web site, the chief executive of the agency will be asked to sign a one-page form.

Government agencies are not charged for the access or for the training; however they are responsible for providing the necessary computer equipment to connect with the Harris County mainframe. Agencies that access information through the Web, are billed by their Internet service provider (ISP).

How does a law enforcement agency obtain access to SETCIC and GRITS systems?

Please contact Lupe Trevino by e-mail or at (713) 755-7918 for application forms and instructions.

How do I change my password?

Every sixty days you will receive the message PASSWORD EXPIRED-PLEASE RE-ENTER ALL DATA TO CHANGE PASSWORD. You must then follow the four steps below to select a new password.

1. Reenter your Log-on ID and current (expired) password.
2. In the field labeled New Password, type any code you choose using 4 to 8 letters and/or numbers.
3. In the field labeled Re-Enter New Password, type your new password again.
4. Press the Sign-on button.

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Subscriber Access Information

The Subscriber Access Program allows citizens and agencies that have signed a contract with Harris County to access public records online. The Harris County justice community implemented the program in 1990.

Note: This system is an online service available to those who wish to subscribe. To obtain records at no charge, visit the District Clerk's Public Service Section during business hours. (See below for more information.)

In 1999 the Criminal System was made available to subscribers via the Internet.

In 2000 the Civil System was made available to subscribers via the Internet.

Deposit

Subscribers pay an initial deposit of $150 per contract. If an agency’s usage exceeds $150 a month, the county will request an increase in the amount deposited. The deposit is refunded when the account is closed, after any outstanding balance is deducted.

Web Services Fees

Training

The subscriber contract includes a training class and a sign-on code for one person.

Subscriber agencies may obtain access for additional personnel by paying $10 per sign-on code and $40 per training class per person. Currently all users are required to attend training. The sign-on code is issued at the conclusion of the course. The classes are taught at least once a month. The Criminal System class is taught on the 4th Tuesday each month.

How can I access Harris County Civil System records?

The Civil System contains millions of public records about cases filed in the Harris County civil and family district courts. Citizens who wish to use the Civil System must execute a contract with Harris County. The contract allows a citizen to "dial in" to the system using a PC, a modem, communications software and a phone line or via the Internet at http://www.co.harris.tx.us/subscriber.

How do I contact the District Clerk’s Subscriber Access Program?

Visit the District Clerk's Public Service section during business hours, 8 to 5 Monday through Friday. Criminal Public Service is located in the Harris County Criminal Justice Center at 1201 Franklin on the third floor. Civil Public Service is located on the first floor of the Civil Courthouse at 301 Fannin in room 105B.

Service is also available over the phone for a fee. Call 1-888-545-5577.

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Criminal Records Information

The Harris County Criminal System is used to track cases filed in Harris County Criminal District Courts and Harris County Criminal Courts at Law.   These cases are:

Felonies such as robbery, auto theft, kidnapping, aggravated assault, murder, arson, third DWI, theft over $750, credit/debit card abuse, and insurance fraud over $1500.

Class A misdemeanors such as assault, attempted robbery, attempted arson, resisting arrest and perjury.

Class B misdemeanors such as first or second DWI, trespassing, harassment, and driving while license suspended.

The system also includes bond forfeiture cases arising from these cases.

The system is not used to track class C misdemeanors such as issuing a bad check, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, driving without a license, driving without insurance, speeding, running a red light and other traffic-related offenses. Class C misdemeanors are filed in municipal courts and justice of the peace courts, jurisdictions that are not part of this automated system.

The system contains records about people connected to Harris County criminal cases, no matter what the connection. This includes defendants, defense attorneys, judges, bond sureties, witnesses and others. To find out what role someone has in a particular case, check the field labeled CON (CONNECTION). Remember, non-defendants such as judges and attorneys are listed in this system, and a person can have different roles in different cases. For example, a person can be a defendant in one case and a witness in another.

Why is a person's name in the system, but no cases are listed?

When a name record displays, along with the message "No Related Case Records Found," this means that the person has been connected with the Harris County justice system, but does not have any public records in this system. The most common reasons for this are:

1. The person is connected to one or more class C misdemeanor cases filed in a justice of the peace court. This system does not contain details about those cases.
2. The person was held in a county jail for a non-county agency. This system does not contain details about cases filed in other jurisdictions.

The Harris County Criminal System contains records from 1976 to the present. Records are immediately retrievable. This means that as soon as a record is entered or updated by Harris County personnel, that record is available to any authorized user.

In Harris County, criminal cases are filed 24-hours a day through the Central Intake Divisions of the District Attorney and the District Clerk's Office. During case initiation, law enforcement agencies and county personnel enter all pertinent data about the defendant and the criminal case into the automated system.

Once a case reaches the courts, it can take many different paths through the judicial system. The online record is continually updated to reflect the activities occurring in the case.

A number of agencies file class B misdemeanors, class A misdemeanors and felonies with Harris County. Some of these agencies are:

Periodically, Harris County moves records to an inactive file. The summary of the person’s cases and pertinent details about those cases is still available online. You do not need to know whether a person’s SPN is active or inactive. The appropriate response will display automatically.

In a criminal case, the sentencing or final settlement of the case is called the disposition. When you are looking at records for a case, you will see a field labeled DISPOSITION. Also, if the case is complete, the judgment will display on the screen called Case Transactions (QDOC). Generally the original judgment is at or near the bottom of the list. Disposition of appealed cases appear at or near the top of the list. Modifications to original judgment will appear in the body of the QDOC text.

When anything is changed in a name record, such as the defendant’s height or weight, a new record is created. Also, some people use alias names and dates of birth.

When different names and/or dates of birth are listed under one SPN, Harris County has determined that all the records belong to the same person.

Compare all identifiers in a record to see if you have found a good possible match. To make a positive identification, law-enforcement agencies rely on fingerprints.

No. If you inquire using one of these numbers and receive a "no record" response, try a name inquiry.

You cannot get that information from this system. This system only contains records for Harris County. To obtain information from another jurisdiction, contact an agency in that jurisdiction.

For example, to obtain incarceration information from the Houston Police Department, call 713-731-5300. (A defendant is only transferred to a Harris County if his or her case is filed with Harris County.)

To obtain information from the Texas Department of Corrections, call 409-295-6371.

Occasionally a defendant will use someone else’s identity. That person must be fingerprinted by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department will determine whether or not the person’s fingerprints match the defendant’s fingerprints.

How do I change my password?

Every sixty days you will receive the message PASSWORD EXPIRED-PLEASE RE-ENTER ALL DATA TO CHANGE PASSWORD. You must then follow the four steps below to select a new password.

1. Reenter your Log-on ID and current (expired) password.
2. In the field labeled New Password, type any code you choose using 4 to 8 letters and/or numbers.
3. In the field labeled Re-Enter New Password, type your new password again.
4. Press the Sign-on button.

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Civil Records Information

The Civil System contains information about cases filed in the Harris County District Courts and Harris County Family District Courts.

Some examples of civil cases are breach of contract, personal injury and tax suits.

Some examples of family cases are divorces, adoptions and paternity cases.

This system does not contain information about cases filed in Harris County Juvenile District Courts or the Harris County Civil Courts at Law.  Also, it does not contain information about cases filed in any other counties or states, or federal courts.

How old are the records?

Case summary records are available from 1969 to 1980.  More detailed records are available from 1981 to present.
Note:  Information is immediately retrievable.  As soon as a record is entered, you may view that record on your screen.

When are records entered?

Records are entered in the following order:
        1. Information about new suits is entered within 24 hours of the receiving clerk's shift.
        2. Answers and waivers.
        3. Additional pleadings.
        4. Any other documents to be entered.

When a case is filed, the following information is entered:  Case number, file date, instrument initiating action, jury fee (if paid), request for service of process, party names, attorney for movant or filing party, court, type of action.

Court deputies are responsible for entering court activities on a real-time (or immediate) basis.

What is the source of the records?

All data entered into the system is based on physical documents on file in the District Clerk's Office.  Examples of source documents include file-marked pleadings, service request forms, docket sheets and signed judgments.

The District Clerk's Civil Division maintains all court pleadings, instruments and papers that are part of any cause of action in the District Courts of Harris County hearing civil, family and juvenile cases.

The clerk of a district court records the acts and proceedings of the court, enters all judgments of the court under the direction of the judge, and records all executions issued and the returns on the executions.  The District Clerk also maintains an index of the parties to all suits filed in the district courts.

Which documents are entered into the system?

Currently you will only see a notice or summary about a document.  The actual document is not yet available online.

Click here for a complete list of documents that are acknowledged in the online system.

Documents not presently acknowledged online include some pre-trial discovery documents, judgments and temporary orders that are not yet signed, and personal and general correspondence.

How can I look up a person in the system?

If the person is an attorney in a civil or family case, use either the Attorney Name Inquiry screen or the Attorney Bar Number Inquiry screen.

If the person is not an attorney in a case, use the Party Inquiry screen.  The Party Inquiry screen accesses records for defendants, plaintiffs, relators, respondants, etc.  The person's role in a case is specified under the column labeled Connection on the Party Information screen.

How can I look up a company?

Use the Party Inquiry screen.  Type the company's name in the field labeled Last Name/Company Name.  Leave the First Name field blank.

The system will search for the letters you've typed, in the order you've typed them, followed by anything else.  you may inquire on a partial name.  Omit designations such as Inc., LL&P, etc.

If the business name includes "&" use this symbol.  If you do not get a match, try the inquiry again using the word "and" or using only a partial name.

How do I change my password?

Every sixty days you will receive the message PASSWORD EXPIRED-PLEASE RE-ENTER ALL DATA TO CHANGE PASSWORD. You must then follow the four steps below to select a new password.

1. Reenter your Log-on ID and current (expired) password.
2. In the field labeled New Password, type any code you choose using 4 to 8 letters and/or numbers.
3. In the field labeled Re-Enter New Password, type your new password again.
4. Press the Sign-on button.

After you have kept a password for at least two days you may change it if you wish. Follow the steps above to change your password.

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