The Texas Department of Public Safety Access (DPS) maintains both public criminal records, accessible to any interested party, and a secure criminal records website, accessible only to legally authorized entities, government agencies, and law enforcement agencies. Members of the public may access the public criminal records by creating a public user account. The motto of Texas Department of Public Safety is “Courtesy.  Service.  Protection.”

The Texas Department of Public Safety advises that the information available through a name based search is not as comprehensive as the data retrieved from a fingerprint based search. A name based search has a greater potential to match multiple candidates though, as the search relies on a comparison of similar sounding names or, if requested, names spelled exactly alike. With a name based search it is possible to match against records that do not relate to the person in whom you are interested, and it is possible to miss the record that does relate to the person in whom you are interested. A fingerprint based search is the most accurate method available returning records based on matching fingerprints.

Searches cost $3 each plus 2.25 percent processing fee per credit and a $.50 transaction fee for using a credit card.  Individuals who request personal records must be fingerprinted and complete a request form. The fee is $15 for mailed requests or, if fingerprints are taken electronically, an additional $9.95.

The fee for a name based record check is $10.00, if done off-line through the DPS. Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) charges $9.95 and law enforcement agencies may charge up to $10.00.

The Texas Department of Public Safety Access and Dissemination Bureau maintains criminal records throughout the record subject’s lifetime. Records are retained according to departmental requirements.

The DPS manages the Crime Records Service (CRS) and the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system which acts as the central repository for all Texas criminal records as reported by local law enforcement.

The Conviction Database is public record information extracted from the DPS Computerized Criminal History System. Under Texas law, deferred adjudication and conviction records are considered public information and may be made available to the general public.  Police Departments, Sheriff’s Offices or any other criminal justice agency in Texas that arrests a person for a Class B misdemeanor or higher violation of a Texas statute is required to report that event to DPS within seven days.

All criminal history background checks include a search of the National Sex Offender registry database. State of Texas criminal history records must be checked for all new employers who reside in Texas.

Arrest rate in Texas is 43 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 41 per 1,000 people. There have been 5,550,372 arrests in Texas in the past 5 years including 30,462 violent crimes, 640 murders and 1,708 forcible rapes.

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