Smith County

Smith County is located in the northeastern region of Texas, acting as a major economic and cultural hub for the East Texas area. Smith County seat is Tyler, a city known as the 'Rose Capital of America' due to its extensive rose-growing industry and the annual Texas Rose Festival. Smith County includes approximately 949 square miles and has a population of over 233,000 residents according to recent census estimates, making it one of the most populous counties in East Texas. Smith County was established in 1846 and named after James Smith, a general in the Texas Revolution. Major landmarks include the Tyler Rose Garden, the largest rose garden in the United States, Caldwell Zoo, Lake Tyler, and historic downtown Tyler with its significant 19th-century architecture. Smith County Courthouse, located at 100 North Broadway Avenue in Tyler, is a prominent architectural landmark built in 1955. Smith County is served by several key public agencies: Smith County Clerk's office at 100 North Broadway Avenue, Suite 106, Tyler, TX 75702, handles court records, marriage licenses, and certain business filings; Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector's office at 200 East Ferguson Street, Suite 500, Tyler, TX 75702, manages property tax assessments and vehicle registration; and Smith County District Clerk at 100 North Broadway, Suite 202, Tyler, TX 75702, maintains district court records. What makes Smith County unique is its combination of traditional East Texas culture, strong agricultural heritage particularly in rose cultivation, modern healthcare facilities including UT Health Tyler and Christus Trinity Mother Frances, and a growing technology sector that has attracted manufacturing and distribution centers from major corporations.

Smith County Texas Court is located at 100 N Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75702. It is a district court that handles civil and criminal cases. It is a part of the 5th Judicial District of Texas.

Smith County courts are located in the city of Tyler, Texas. The courts serve all citizens in Smith County. The courts have jurisdiction over a variety of cases such as civil and criminal cases that are brought before the court.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• For historical arrest records and booking information, requests can be submitted directly to the Sheriff's Office in person or in writing.
• Most agencies require requesters to complete a standardized form and may charge reasonable fees for copies.
• Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through Smith County Jail's online inmate search system for current detainees, while historical mugshots may require a formal public information request.
• Processing times vary but agencies must respond to requests within ten business days under state law.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• These courts are located in Smith County Courthouse at 100 North Broadway Avenue, Tyler, TX 75702, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Smith County District Clerk maintains records for these courts and provides case lookup services.
• Smith County also operates Justice of the Peace Courts in eight precincts handling small claims up to $20,000, Class C misdemeanor criminal cases, evictions, debt claims, and magistrate functions.
• Smith County District Clerk offers online case searches through Smith County website at www.smith-county.com, allowing users to search civil and criminal district court cases by party name, case number, or attorney.
• Fees for certified copies of court documents are established by statute: $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus a $5.00 certification fee.
• Smith County Clerk charges similar statutory fees for county court records.

• Recording fees are established by Texas Local Government Code Section 118.011 and typically include $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page for most documents.
• Certified copies cost $5.00 for certification plus $1.00 per page.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Processing time is typically 10-15 business days for mail requests and immediate for walk-in requests if the record is available locally.
• The Texas Vital Statistics website at www.dshs.texas.gov/vs offers online ordering through VitChek for expedited service with additional convenience fees.
• The marriage license fee is $81, but couples who complete a premarital education course can reduce the fee to $21.
• Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10.
• Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• Formation documents and certificates of good standing can be ordered online with fees ranging from $7 to $50 depending on the document and processing speed.