Bexar County criminal records are split among the District Clerk, County Clerk, Sheriff’s Office, Central Magistrate Office and Texas Department of Public Safety. Felony cases are maintained by the District Clerk, misdemeanor cases by the County Clerk, recent qualifying arrests appear in the Central Magistrate search, and statewide Texas criminal-history information is maintained by DPS. This guide shows which official system to use for each type of record.
Which Bexar County criminal record do you need?
Texas does not provide one statewide trial-court search for every criminal case. For district and county court cases, the Texas Judicial Branch directs users to the relevant county clerk or district clerk.
Felony criminal case
The Bexar County District Clerk is the official custodian of felony district-court records.
Misdemeanor case
The County Clerk maintains misdemeanor criminal cases and records after disposition.
Recent arrest
Search people processed during the last 24 hours for qualifying Class B or higher offenses.
Warrant / jail record
Use Sheriff’s Office resources for warrant questions, jail activity and custody-related information.
State criminal history
Use TxDPS when you need statewide Texas conviction or deferred-adjudication information.
Federal prosecution
Federal criminal cases use PACER and federal court systems, not the Bexar County portal.
Search Bexar County criminal court records online
Bexar County now uses a consolidated Justice Information Portal for several court and justice-system searches.
The county says the new portal replaced or consolidated older separate applications for:
- criminal court-record searches
- fugitive searches
- bail-bond searches
- County Clerk misdemeanor records
- District Clerk court records
- hearing searches
How to search the Bexar County Justice Information Portal
Open Smart Search
The county’s current user guide directs public users to the Smart Search tool from the portal homepage.
Search by case number when possible
A known criminal case number is usually the cleanest way to identify the exact court file.
Or search a person’s name
The guide instructs users to enter names in Last, First Middle order.
Use a wildcard when spelling is uncertain
An asterisk can replace part of a name. For example, Smith, J* can help when the exact first-name spelling is uncertain.
Filter the results
Check case type, court, filing date and party details rather than assuming the first similar name belongs to the person you are researching.
Read the final disposition
Review later docket events, plea, judgment, dismissal and sentencing information before drawing conclusions from the original charge.
Bexar County felony criminal records
The Bexar County District Clerk is the official custodian of felony criminal district-court records.
Bexar County District Clerk — Criminal Filing
Address: Paul Elizondo Tower, 101 W. Nueva Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
Criminal main line: 210-335-2591
The District Clerk also publishes an online criminal-record index and daily criminal court dockets. The county notes that some online District Clerk criminal information is limited, so the official Clerk file remains important when a complete document or certified record is needed.
Bexar County District ClerkBexar County misdemeanor criminal records
The Bexar County Clerk is the record custodian for misdemeanor criminal cases. Misdemeanor records can be searched through the Justice Information Portal.
County Clerk Criminal Central Filing
Address: 100 Dolorosa, San Antonio, TX 78205
Department: Criminal Central Filing
Bexar County currently lists misdemeanor criminal-record services including ordinary copies, certified copies and local background searches.
Bexar County criminal court dockets and hearing schedules
The District Clerk publishes online criminal and civil court dockets, while the Justice Information Portal also provides hearing-search functionality.
A docket can help locate:
- assigned criminal court
- scheduled hearings
- case number
- defendant name
- court activity
- case-status information
Bexar County recent arrest search
Bexar County operates a separate Central Magistrate Search for recent qualifying arrests.
The county states that the search includes individuals who:
- were arrested for an offense of Class B or higher
- were processed through the Central Magistrate Office
- were processed within approximately the last 24 hours
Results can include information such as:
- name
- age or date-of-birth information
- SID number
- booking number
- charges
- magistrate-related information
Bexar County jail and custody records
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office provides jail activity and custody-related information separately from the court-record search.
County jail information can help answer whether a person is currently detained, recently booked or released. It does not replace the court docket when the question is how the criminal case was resolved.
Bexar County jail activity resourcesBexar County criminal warrant information
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Judicial Services Division handles criminal warrant information.
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office — Warrants
Phone:
210-335-6030
or
210-335-6050
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., excluding holidays
For San Antonio Police Department traffic tickets, the Sheriff’s Office directs users to the appropriate municipal court rather than the county warrant section.
How to get Bexar County criminal court copies
Felony copies
Bexar County District Clerk’s Criminal Section handles copies for felony matters. The District Clerk states that plain and certified felony copies cost $1 per page.
Felony copies can currently be requested:
- in person
- by mail
- by fax where permitted
Mailed payments are accepted by cashier’s check or money order under the District Clerk’s current instructions.
District Clerk Criminal Filing
Paul Elizondo Tower101 W. Nueva Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-335-2591
Misdemeanor copies
County Clerk misdemeanor records currently use the following fee structure:
| Service | Published fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain misdemeanor copy | $1 per page | Ordinary record copy. |
| Certified misdemeanor copy | $1 per page + $5 certification | Certification is charged per case/document service. |
| Misdemeanor background search | $5 | County Clerk local record search. |
Other Bexar County criminal-record fees
| Service | Current published amount | Office |
|---|---|---|
| District Clerk search fee | $5 | District Clerk |
| District Clerk copies | $1 per page | District Clerk |
| District Clerk certification | $5 after copy fee | District Clerk |
| Petition for nondisclosure | $350 | District Clerk current fee schedule |
| Order of nondisclosure under listed provision | $28 | District Clerk |
Fees can change and may differ depending on the court or filing. Verify the current schedule before sending payment.
Texas DPS criminal-history search
For a statewide Texas criminal-history search rather than one Bexar County court case, use the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division.
Texas DPS states that deferred-adjudication and conviction information is public and may be searched through its public criminal-history system.
Texas DPS criminal-history searchCurrent online search cost
DPS currently charges one search credit ($1) for an online name-based criminal-history search. Credit-card purchases can include additional processing charges.
Search fields
- first and last name
- middle or maiden name
- full date of birth
- partial date of birth
How to review your own Texas criminal history
A person who wants the most accurate review of their own Texas criminal history can use DPS’s fingerprint-based personal-review process.
DPS states that fingerprint-based checking is more accurate than name-based searching and directs applicants to FAST fingerprint locations.
Current DPS guidance lists:
- $15 for the fingerprint-based criminal-history record check
- an additional fingerprinting charge when FAST is used
- valid identification requirements
- fingerprint-based identity verification
How to request a Bexar County mugshot
Bexar County’s official public-records guidance provides a specific process for mugshot requests.
The county asks requesters to provide identifying details such as:
- full name
- date of birth
- SID number when known
Mugshot requests are handled separately from the Clerk’s criminal court-record search.
Bexar County public-record request guidanceBexar County open-records requests
Judicial court records are generally requested from the County Clerk or District Clerk rather than through the county’s general open-record portal.
Bexar County specifically directs:
County Clerk
Contact the County Clerk for county-court criminal case records and associated documents.
District Clerk
Contact the District Clerk for felony district-court records and judicial information.
For other county records, Bexar County provides an online Public Information Request Center.
Open-record request instructionsBexar County nondisclosure and expunction
Texas has two different concepts that are often confused: expunction and an order of nondisclosure.
Eligible record removal
Texas law allows certain qualifying arrest and criminal records to be expunged when statutory requirements are met.
Restricted public access
An order of nondisclosure generally limits public disclosure of qualifying criminal-history information while certain government and authorized entities can retain access.
Bexar County’s current District Clerk fee schedule lists a $350 filing fee for a petition for nondisclosure.
How to find older Bexar County criminal records
Older cases or documents may have less information online than newer records. The county’s own District Clerk criminal-record page says the separate online criminal index provides limited information.
Search the Justice Information Portal
Start with the current county-wide public case-search system.
Try the District Clerk index for felony cases
Use the defendant’s last name and available case identifiers.
Collect identifying details
Full legal name, approximate filing year, date of birth, SID and case number can make an office search easier.
Contact the correct clerk
District Clerk for felony records; County Clerk for misdemeanor records.
Federal criminal cases in San Antonio and Bexar County
Federal prosecutions are separate from Bexar County criminal courts. Use PACER for U.S. District Court and federal appellate case records.
Search federal cases with PACERA person seeking their own nationwide FBI Identity History Summary should use the FBI’s fingerprint-based process rather than a county or Texas-only case search.
Where to request Bexar County felony criminal records
The District Clerk’s Criminal Filing section is located in the Paul Elizondo Tower in downtown San Antonio.
Paul Elizondo Tower
101 W. Nueva StreetSan Antonio, TX 78205
District Clerk Criminal Filing: 210-335-2591
Bexar County criminal-record search tips
Know felony vs. misdemeanor
Felony records belong with the District Clerk; misdemeanor records belong with the County Clerk.
Use Last, First Middle
Bexar’s Odyssey guide specifically instructs users to enter names in this order.
Try wildcard searching
Use an asterisk when part of a first or last name is uncertain.
Use the recent-arrest search quickly
Central Magistrate results are designed for approximately the last 24 hours, not historical arrest research.
Save the SID number
A State Identification Number can help distinguish similarly named people across county justice records.
Check the final disposition
Initial charges can differ substantially from the final judgment.
Use DPS for statewide history
The Bexar portal is a county court system, not a complete Texas criminal-history repository.
Fingerprint when identity matters
Texas DPS warns that names and DOBs alone cannot positively identify the subject of a criminal record.
Call the correct clerk for old records
Older felony and misdemeanor records follow different custodians.
Using Bexar criminal records for employment or housing
Public court and Texas DPS information should not automatically be treated as a legally compliant consumer background report.
Bexar County criminal records FAQs
1. Where can I search Bexar County criminal cases online?
Use the official Bexar County Justice Information Portal, which consolidates criminal court, misdemeanor, felony, fugitive and related justice-system searches.
2. Who keeps felony criminal records in Bexar County?
The Bexar County District Clerk is the official custodian of felony district-court criminal records.
3. Who keeps misdemeanor criminal records?
The Bexar County Clerk maintains misdemeanor criminal cases and associated records.
4. Can I search recent Bexar County arrests online?
Yes. The Central Magistrate Search covers qualifying Class B or higher arrests processed by the Central Magistrate Office within approximately the last 24 hours.
5. How can I check Bexar County warrants?
Contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Section at 210-335-6030 or 210-335-6050 and use the Sheriff’s official warrant guidance.
6. How much are felony court copies?
The District Clerk currently lists plain and certified felony-copy services at $1 per page, subject to applicable certification rules.
7. How much is a misdemeanor background search?
The Bexar County Clerk currently lists a local misdemeanor background search at $5.
8. Is the Bexar County court search the same as a Texas DPS criminal-history check?
No. Bexar County provides county court case information, while Texas DPS maintains the statewide Texas criminal-history repository.
9. Can Bexar County criminal records be sealed from public view?
Some qualifying records may be eligible for expunction or an order of nondisclosure under Texas law. Eligibility depends on the case and statutory requirements.
10. Why can’t I find an older Bexar County case online?
Older records may contain limited online information or require an office search. Contact the District Clerk for felony files and the County Clerk for misdemeanor files.
Official sources used for this Bexar County guide
- Bexar County — Records
- Bexar County — Justice Information Portal
- Bexar County Justice Information Portal
- Bexar County District Clerk
- Bexar County District Clerk Criminal Division
- Bexar County Clerk Criminal Division
- Bexar County Central Magistrate Search
- Bexar County Sheriff’s Office — Warrants
- Bexar County Public Records Requests
- Texas DPS Crime Records Division
- Texas Judicial Branch — Court Records FAQ