Carrollton, Texas Public Records

The bond process in Texas allows for the posting of bail to secure the release of an inmate, and information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained through the Sheriff's Office or the jail's online system.

Misdemeanor criminal cases are heard in the Dallas County Criminal Courts. Civil matters are handled by Dallas County District Courts (general civil jurisdiction) and County Courts at Law (civil disputes under $250,000), also located at the George Allen Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202. Family law matters including divorce, custody, and protective orders are heard in Dallas County Family District Courts. Justice of the Peace Courts serve smaller civil claims (up to $20,000) and evictions; Carrollton is served by Precinct 5 Justice Court at 2403 N. Josey Lane, Carrollton, TX 75006. Court records can be searched online through the Dallas County District Clerk's e-filing portal at www.dallascounty.org/government/district-clerk and the County Clerk's website. Certified copies of court documents typically cost $1 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus a $2 certification fee.

The Interactive Property Tax Map provides a GIS viewer showing parcel boundaries and ownership. For recorded land documents including deeds, mortgages, deed of trust records, mechanic's liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property, the Dallas County Clerk's Office serves as the official Recorder of Deeds. The main office is at 500 Main Street, Suite 020, Dallas, TX 75202 (phone: 214-653-7056, website: dallascounty.org/government/county-clerk). The County Clerk maintains an Official Public Records Search portal at www.dallascounty.org/government/county-clerk/property-records.php where users can search and view recorded documents online free of charge; images can be printed for a fee. Recording fees vary by document type but typically start at $32 for the first page and $4 for each additional page. The online system provides access to deeds and official records dating back several decades, making title research convenient for property buyers, real estate professionals, and homeowners in Carrollton.

The Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District is a major employer with over 5,000 staff serving approximately 27,000 students. Retail and hospitality thrive along the I-35E corridor and in the historic downtown district. According to recent census estimates, Carrollton's median household income is approximately $77,000, above the state average. The city has pursued aggressive economic development, creating the Carrollton Business Council and offering incentives to attract corporate relocations. Major recent developments include mixed-use projects like The District at Trinity Mills and expansion of the Carrollton business district. Carrollton benefits from its position in one of the nation's fastest-growing metro areas, with easy access to DFW Airport and a highly educated workforce. The local economy reflects the broader Dallas County trends of technology, logistics, healthcare, and professional services growth, while maintaining a strong base of retail, education, and small businesses that serve the residential community.

The Carrollton Police Department, located at 1945 E. Jackson Road, Carrollton, TX 75006 (phone: 972-466-3215, website: cityofcarrollton.com/departments/departments-g-p/police-department), serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the city. Residents can request police reports, crash reports, and incident records by visiting the Records Division in person or submitting a Texas Public Information Act request. Copies of accident reports cost approximately $6, and requests can be submitted online through the department's public records portal. The Dallas County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Suite 1100, Dallas, TX 75207 (phone: 214-749-8641, website: dallascounty.org/departments/sheriff), provides countywide law enforcement services including operating the county jail system and serving civil process. For arrests and jail bookings in Dallas County, the public can search the Dallas County Jail Inmate Search at sheriffalerts.com/cap_main.php?office=55439, which displays current detainees with information including full name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and mugshots. The Dallas County Detention Center and related facilities house inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences. All public records requests for law enforcement records in Texas are governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), which requires agencies to respond to requests within ten business days and provide records unless a specific exemption applies. Fees for copies are limited to actual costs of reproduction.

Applicants must provide valid photo identification and proof of eligibility—only immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a legal interest can obtain certified copies. Local vital records offices can also process requests; the Dallas County Clerk's Office at 500 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75202 maintains historical birth and death records and can provide certified copies. Marriage licenses in Texas are issued by any County Clerk's office; Carrollton residents typically obtain licenses from the Dallas County Clerk at 500 Main Street (214-653-7874). The marriage license fee is $60 if both parties attend a premarital education course, or $30 with the course certificate. Licenses are valid for 90 days and there is a 72-hour waiting period unless waived. Marriage records dating back to the county's founding are maintained by the County Clerk. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Dallas County District Clerk at the George Allen Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202 (214-653-7240), as divorces are granted through the district courts. Texas law restricts access to vital records to protect privacy, with specific eligibility requirements for each record type.

Assumed name certificates (Doing Business As or DBA filings) are filed with the Dallas County Clerk's Office at 500 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75202 (214-653-7236). The filing fee is $27 and registrations must be renewed every ten years. Existing assumed name records can be searched at the County Clerk's office or online. For state-level business entity registration, the Texas Secretary of State maintains the official registry of corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations. The SOSDirect online portal at direct.sos.state.tx.us allows free searches of all registered business entities in Texas, showing entity status, registered agent information, filing history, and officer names. New entity formation can be completed online with fees ranging from $300 for corporations to $300 for LLCs. UCC financing statements (secured transactions and lien records) are filed with and searchable through the Texas Secretary of State's UCC database. Business personal property is assessed by the Dallas Central Appraisal District, and commercial real estate values can be searched online at dallascad.org for tax planning and verification purposes.

Carrollton voters are served by the Dallas County Elections Department, located at 1520 Round Table Drive, Dallas, TX 75247 (phone: 469-627-8683, website: dallascounty.org/departments/elections). This office administers all federal, state, county, and local elections for residents within Dallas County, including voter registration, early voting, and Election Day operations. Texas residents can register to vote online at the Texas Secretary of State website (vote.texas.gov) or submit a paper application available at libraries, post offices, and county offices. The registration deadline is 30 days before any election. Voters must provide a valid Texas driver's license or identification card number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Carrollton holds municipal elections for mayor and city council seats in May of odd-numbered years (nonpartisan elections). The next Carrollton city election is scheduled for May 2025, with candidates filing typically beginning in January. Information about local candidates, propositions, and sample ballots is available at cityofcarrollton.com and through the Dallas County Elections website. Carrollton residents can locate their specific polling place by entering their address at the Texas Secretary of State's polling place locator at teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do. Early voting is available at multiple locations across Dallas County for approximately two weeks before Election Day. In the November 2024 presidential election, Dallas County reported approximately 66% voter turnout among registered voters, with over 800,000 ballots cast countywide. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Carrollton and Dallas County voters will decide several important races: the Texas gubernatorial election (Governor Greg Abbott's term expires in 2027), all 38 U.S. House seats in Texas including District 26 which covers Carrollton, all 150 Texas House seats and half of the 31 Texas Senate seats, and various Dallas County positions including County Judge, Commissioners Court, District Attorney, Sheriff, County Clerk, and District Clerk. Texas does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026 (next in 2024 and 2028). Absentee voting (called mail-in voting in Texas) is restricted to voters 65 and older, those who will be out of the county during the election period, those confined in jail but eligible to vote, or those with a disability or illness. Applications for mail ballots must be submitted to the Dallas County Elections Administrator and received by the 11th day before Election Day. Public election records in Texas include voter registration lists (available to registered voters, candidates, and political parties upon request), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and PACs (searchable at ethics.state.tx.us), candidate applications, and precinct-level election results which are posted online after each election at the county and state level.