How To Search The Criminal History Database
Table of Contents
The CRD Public Site will only find public criminal record information. If you are
not able to find a record that you think should be available on the public site,
or if you find a record with missing or incorrect information, please call (512)
424-7256.
If you need a copy of your own record and it contains information that is not available
on the public website, please call 512-424-2474 for information about other ways
to receive record information.
To perform a
criminal history record search you must create a CRD Public Website Account
and purchase credits for each search you will perform.
Search Credits
One search credit will let you enter one search and view one matching record if
there are any that match your search information. A search credit will still be
used even if there are no matches or if you do not view a matching record.
Additional search credits will be used if you repeat the search with the same or
different search information, or if you view more than one person's record in the
search results list.
Generally you will only need one search credit for each person you are searching
for, but you may need to use more if you know of more than one name the person has
used, you are not sure of the spelling of their name, or there are any other reasons
why you may want to search for more than one combination of information by doing
multiple searches.
Search credits for the Department of Public Safety CRD Public Site are $3 plus a
fee added to the total order depending on the payment method. You can see how the
exact amount will be calculated by logging into the website, clicking on "purchase
credits" under the criminal history section, and selecting a payment method.
Currently, credit card payments will have 2.25% of the order plus $0.25 added.
Search credits purchased by credit card will be available to use immediately. Search
credits purchased by mailing in a check will be available on your account when we
receive your check and enter the check information to be processed.
Search Credits purchased by Credit Card cost $3.00 each, plus a convenience fee
of 2.25% per credit which equals approximately $3.07 per search credit. Each time
you purchase credits with a credit card you are charged a transaction fee of $0.25
for each purchase regardless how many credits you are purchasing. Credits from credit
cards will be available immediately.
Search Credits purchased by Check cost $3.00 each. Credits from mailed checks will be available once payment is received.
It is important that the search parameters you enter into the system are accurate
and complete as possible. The more information you enter the more ways the system
can search the database.
When you submit your search, you are able to enter:
- Last Name and First Name (Required)
- Middle or Maiden name (Optional)
- Complete Birth Date (month, day & year) (Optional)
- Partial Birth Date (month, day or year) (Optional)
- Entering a full date of birth will narrow the search.
The system will first attempt to locate records that match all the information you
enter; these will be the highest ranked hits. The system will then try variations
of the parameters you entered and stop once it is determined that the best matches
have been returned. Because of the way that the system starts with a narrow search
and then widens the search, it is beneficial to enter as much information as possible.
The system will try variations of your search criteria, including:
- Last & First name without the middle name.
- Last & First name with a matching middle initial.
- Name match with a matching birth month & day.
- All names in all three positions will be searched.
When entering your search, there are several things you should keep in mind:
- Do enter as much information as possible (including Middle name and Birth Date)
- Do include a maiden name
- Don't enter nicknames.
- Don't enter initials or partial names.
DPS cannot guarantee the records you obtain through this site relate to the person
about whom you are seeking information. Searches based on names, date of birth and
other alphanumeric identifiers are not always accurate. The only way to positively
link someone to a criminal record is through fingerprint identification.
A search of the Texas Conviction Database will not provide a definitive match or
no-match. Results may or may not be related to the individual that has been searched.
Further review of these records is necessary to determine if a possible match exists.
The only way a positive match can be obtained is through the submission of fingerprints.
Result: No Matching Records
It is possible that the name you search does not return any hits. When doing a Name
Search it is your responsibility to determine if your result of 'No Hit' means there
is no record to locate. There are several reasons you may receive no hits, including:
- The name you entered was misspelled.
- The name in the CCH is misspelled.
- The record you are looking for is not a public record.
- The record is not in CCH.
A Search Credit will be debited from your account for searches resulting in
no matching records.
Result: One or More Possible Matching Records
The system uses a "Soundex" algorithm to match on similar
sounding (but differently spelled) names. (eg. JESSE and JESSIE). Your search results
will indicate how your search matches (Full/Partial Name and Soundex/Exact Match).
When reviewing the list of matching records it is recommended that you preview a
record before opening the complete record. If you open a full record you will use
your search credit. Preview allows you to review detailed descriptive information,
including a photo, before being debited a credit.
Each search allows access to one record. Opening additional records will debit additional
credits from your account.