Hays County Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records
Hays County, Texas · Official criminal court and public records guide
Hays County Criminal Records Search: Find Court Cases, Charges, Dockets and Arrest Records
The fastest way to search Hays County criminal records is through the county’s official Court Records Inquiry portal. It allows public users to look up available criminal case information, court calendars, jail records and jail bond records.
For felony cases, Hays County’s District Clerk maintains the court records. For Class A and Class B misdemeanors, contact the County Clerk’s Courts Division. To check jail bookings, use the county’s jail records search. For a statewide Texas criminal-history report, use the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Independent publication: CriminalCourtRecord.org is not affiliated with the Hays County District Clerk, County Clerk, Sheriff’s Office, Texas DPS or any government agency. We explain public record access; we do not issue court documents or conduct criminal background checks.
Where to Search Hays County Criminal Records Online
Hays County operates several related records services. Selecting the correct one saves time because a court docket, an arrest booking and a statewide criminal-history report answer different questions.
Court proceedings
Criminal Case Records
Find publicly accessible Hays County criminal case details by defendant name or cause number.
Best for: Charges, filing dates, case summaries and dispositions.
Hearings and dates
Hays County Court Calendar
Look up available scheduled court hearings and settings using the county’s Court Calendar search.
Best for: Checking a known case’s hearing or docket setting.
Sheriff and jail
Jail Records and Bonds
Search available Hays County jail records and jail bond information separately from the criminal case docket.
Best for: Booking and custody-related information.
Felony documents
District Clerk
Request certified felony dispositions, judgments, sentencing records and other district court documents.
Misdemeanor documents
County Clerk Courts Division
Obtain available Class A or Class B misdemeanor court documents and information from the County Clerk.
Statewide history
Texas DPS Criminal History
Search available statewide Texas conviction and deferred-adjudication history under DPS public-access rules.
How to Search Hays County Criminal Court Records by Name or Case Number
The Hays County Clerk’s published instructions describe the Tyler court portal’s search methods. A complete cause number is the most precise option, but public name searches are available when the case number is unknown.
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Open the official Hays County court portal
Visit Hays County Court Records Inquiry, or follow the Court Case Search link from the official County Clerk website.
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Select Criminal Case Records
Choose the Criminal Case Records category. The portal also has separate categories for civil, family, probate, court calendar, jail and jail bond records.
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Choose defendant or case-number search
The County Clerk explains that the search option near the top of the form can be changed from Defendant to Case Number. Use the case-number option if the complete cause number is available.
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Enter the available information
For a defendant search, enter the name and date of birth where the portal requires or permits it. For a cause-number search, enter the number as shown on the official court notice or prior docket.
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Review the matching results
Compare the defendant name, case type, cause number and filing date. Do not assume a similarly named person is the person you intended to research.
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Open the relevant criminal case
Review available parties, case summary, bond-related information, disposition date and other public docket details. Not every case displays the same information.
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Identify whether the case is felony or misdemeanor
Felony files generally belong with the District Clerk. Class A and Class B misdemeanor files are handled through the County Courts at Law and County Clerk Courts Division.
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Check the final disposition
Read the entire available case history. A criminal charge may end with a conviction, dismissal, acquittal, deferred adjudication or another outcome.
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Request documents if you need proof
If an official judgment, dismissal order or certified disposition is needed, use the appropriate Clerk’s records-request procedure rather than treating the public search screen as a certified record.
Hays County Felony, Misdemeanor and Class C Criminal Records
Texas criminal cases are divided among different trial courts based on the offense and other jurisdictional rules. In Hays County, this determines which clerk maintains the record and whom you should contact.
| Case type | Where it is handled | Record custodian |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Hays County District Courts | District Clerk — (512) 393-7660 |
| Class A misdemeanor | County Courts at Law | County Clerk Courts Division — (512) 393-7330 |
| Class B misdemeanor | County Courts at Law | County Clerk Courts Division — (512) 393-7330 |
| Fine-only Class C misdemeanor | Justice of the Peace or municipal court, depending on jurisdiction | The JP or municipal clerk who handled the citation |
| Federal criminal offense | U.S. federal court | Federal clerk / PACER |
Hays County District Court Felony Cases
Hays County’s district courts include the 22nd, 207th, 274th, 428th, 453rd and 483rd judicial district courts. Felony prosecutions may be assigned to the appropriate district court under local procedures.
The District Clerk maintains district-level case records. Its published records-search and copy-request instructions are the correct starting point for a certified felony judgment or final disposition.
Hays County District Clerk — Official Office →
Hays County Courts at Law: Class A and B Misdemeanors
Hays County’s three Courts at Law have jurisdiction over Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases. Their records are maintained by the County Clerk’s Courts Division.
The Courts at Law also hear appeals from Justice and Municipal Courts in applicable matters. Therefore, a Class C citation may originate in a JP or municipal court but later produce an appeal in a county court.
Official County Courts at Law and Docket Information →
Class C Cases in San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Wimberley and Dripping Springs
Fine-only misdemeanors and many traffic matters are handled by the appropriate Justice of the Peace or municipal court. Hays County’s JP courts serve locations including San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Wimberley and Dripping Springs.
If a traffic citation, fine-only offense or municipal ordinance case does not appear in the main county criminal search, check the court named on the citation.
How to Find Hays County Criminal Court Dockets and Hearing Dates
If you already know a criminal case number and only need the next hearing, use the Court Calendar category in the official Court Records Inquiry system. The court calendar is different from an arrest booking or jail bond inquiry.
- Open the official Hays County court portal.
- Select Court Calendar.
- Use the available date, court or case criteria.
- Find the matching case and examine the hearing information.
- Check whether the hearing is in a District Court or County Court at Law.
- Confirm the current setting with the appropriate court if attendance is required.
The Hays County Sheriff’s Corrections Bureau specifically states that the jail does not assign or track court dates. Contact the District Clerk about felony court dates and the County Clerk about misdemeanor court dates.
Felony Court Date
Hays County District Clerk
(512) 393-7660
Provide the cause number and assigned district court when known.
Misdemeanor Court Date
Hays County Courts at Law
(512) 393-7625
The County Clerk’s Courts Division can assist with the maintained misdemeanor case record.
Understanding Hays County Criminal Docket Entries
| Docket information | What to understand |
|---|---|
| Cause number | The court’s identifier for the proceeding; useful for all follow-up record requests. |
| Charge or offense | An allegation or count filed in the criminal proceeding, not automatically a conviction. |
| Arraignment | An early criminal proceeding involving formal charges and plea procedures. |
| Bond or bond company | Information associated with pretrial release, where available. |
| Reset or continuance | The court postponed or changed a previously scheduled proceeding. |
| Disposition | The recorded outcome of the case or a particular charge. |
| Judgment or sentence | A court order concerning the outcome or penalty, subject to later modifications. |
Always check later entries. A dismissed count can coexist with another count resolved through a plea or conviction.
Hays County Arrest Records, Jail Roster and Booking Search
The Hays County Sheriff’s Office maintains jail and custody information. Its records should not be confused with the District Clerk’s or County Clerk’s criminal case files.
How to Search Hays County Jail Records
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Open the official jail records portal
Use the Hays County Court and Jail Records Inquiry and choose Jail Records. The current Tyler portal may also provide this category.
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Search using the available booking information
Use the inmate’s legal name or booking identifier where supported. Date filters may help distinguish multiple bookings.
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Review the public booking result
Check the booking date, custody details, recorded charges and other publicly available information. These fields may be updated when a person is released or transferred.
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Check Jail Bond Records separately if needed
The county portal provides a separate category for jail bond records. Bond information is not a determination of guilt and may change.
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Use the correct court for final outcomes
If you need to know whether a criminal prosecution resulted in a conviction, dismissal or another disposition, check the court docket rather than the jail record.
Hays County Jail — Corrections Bureau
1307 Uhland RoadSan Marcos, TX 78666
General jail phone: (512) 393-7800
Jail Records: (512) 393-7832
Bond information: (512) 393-7807 or (512) 393-7690
How to Request an Arrest or Police Incident Report
If you need a law-enforcement incident report rather than a court docket, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office directs public users to its GovQA open-records request system.
The correct agency depends on where the incident occurred. Hays County notes that San Marcos, Kyle, Buda and Uhland have their own police departments. Wimberley and Dripping Springs receive law-enforcement services through the Sheriff’s Office.
Therefore, a San Marcos Police Department report may need to be requested from San Marcos rather than from the Hays County Sheriff’s Records Division.
Sheriff’s Official Records and Incident Report FAQs →
How to Obtain Certified Hays County Criminal Court Records
A certified court document may be required for immigration, licensing, legal proceedings, expunction applications or other official purposes. Hays County’s District Clerk publishes a specific procedure for requesting felony case documents.
District Clerk Certified Copy Request — Felony Cases
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Find the felony case number
Search the Hays County court portal and record the complete cause number, defendant name, court and document needed.
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Email the District Clerk for a price quote
Explain whether you need a plain copy, certified copy or formal records search. The published office contact is distclerk@hayscountytx.gov.
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Wait for the Clerk’s cost response
The District Clerk asks that records-request and copy fees be paid in advance, following its provided quote.
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Pay using the correct payment reference
When instructed to use Certified Payments, the District Clerk publishes Bureau Code 5779509. Do not use the County Clerk’s separate payment code for a District Clerk request.
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Provide your address and preferred response
Include the mailing address for certified copies and indicate whether you want an emailed search result or mailed record-search certificate where applicable.
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Retain the official document
The District Clerk states that copies are mailed within two working days after payment confirmation. Actual mail delivery and more complicated retrievals may take additional time.
Read the Official District Clerk Records and Copy Instructions →
County Clerk Copies — Misdemeanor Cases
For a Class A or B misdemeanor, contact the Hays County Clerk Courts Division. Provide the cause number and request the judgment, dismissal order, disposition or other specific document.
The County Clerk directs users to its Courts Division for document, form and payment inquiries. Fees and the available method of delivery should be confirmed with that office before paying.
I would like a certified copy of a Hays County criminal court record. The defendant’s name is [Name], the cause number is [Cause Number], and the case was filed in [Court, if known]. I need [Final Disposition / Judgment / Sentencing Order / Dismissal Order]. Please confirm the copy and certification fee, payment instructions and available delivery options.
Can You See the Document Online?
The County Clerk’s Courts Division also links to re:SearchTX for available public court documents. Document visibility and any purchase charges depend on the record and access permissions.
re:SearchTX — Public Court Document Access →
Hays County Criminal Records Search Fees
Free online searches, staff-performed records searches, court document copies and statewide background checks have different prices.
| Service | Published fee | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Hays County public case-name search | Free | Search publicly accessible case information online. |
| District Clerk staff-performed search | $5 per name | Covers the past 10 years; allow approximately five business days under published instructions. |
| District Clerk electronic copies | $1 for the first 10 pages, then $0.10 per additional page | Verify the amount and document availability with the Clerk. |
| District Clerk certified copies | $1 per page | The Clerk also lists $5 for an embossed seal. |
| County Clerk misdemeanor documents | Quote from County Clerk | Contact the Courts Division for the applicable document and certification charges. |
| Texas DPS electronic criminal-history inquiry | DPS electronic search-credit pricing applies | DPS publishes a $1 electronic name-based inquiry rate on its criminal-history search service, with payment-processing charges where applicable. |
| Texas DPS mailed public-history request | $10 per search | Under the DPS CR-42 mail-in request form. |
Fees may change. Confirm charges through the responsible Clerk or Texas DPS before submitting payment.
Hays County Criminal Court Locations and Contact Information
The main Hays County criminal court records offices are located at the Government Center on South Stagecoach Trail in San Marcos. The Sheriff’s Office and county jail are at different addresses.
Hays County District Clerk
Hays County Government Center712 S. Stagecoach Trail
Suite 2211
San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: (512) 393-7660
Email: distclerk@hayscountytx.gov
Handles: District court proceedings, felony records, certified felony dispositions and district-level case searches.
Hays County Clerk — Courts Division
Hays County Government Center712 S. Stagecoach Trail
Suite 2008
San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: (512) 393-7330
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM.
Handles: Class A and B misdemeanor case records, county court filings and county-level criminal case documents.
Hays County Courts at Law
712 S. Stagecoach TrailSuite 2292
San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: (512) 393-7625
Handles: County court criminal hearing information, misdemeanor schedules and the Courts at Law docket.
Hays County Sheriff’s Office
810 S. Stagecoach TrailSan Marcos, TX 78666
General phone: (512) 393-7800
Nonemergency dispatch: (512) 393-7896
Handles: Sheriff law-enforcement records, incident reports, custody-related inquiries and public records requests within its authority.
Texas DPS Criminal History Search for Hays County Residents
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the state’s computerized criminal-history repository. Its public criminal-history search covers legally releasable information concerning convictions and grants of deferred adjudication.
This is different from searching one Hays County criminal court case. A person may have reportable history from another Texas county even if no relevant Hays County case appears.
How to Request a Public Texas Criminal-History Search
- Open the official Texas DPS Crime Records website.
- Choose the Criminal History Conviction Name Search option and follow the public-site registration instructions.
- Create the public-site account if required. The DPS Secure Website is reserved for authorized organizations and should not be confused with ordinary public access.
- Purchase the required search credits according to the displayed rates.
- Enter accurate name information and other available identifiers such as date of birth.
- Review possible matches carefully and avoid attributing a record based solely on a common name.
- Save the official result in the format provided by the DPS service.
Request a Public Texas Criminal-History Report by Mail
Texas DPS also provides its CR-42 Request for Public Criminal History Data form. The form published in October 2025 lists a $10 search fee payable by check or money order and provides an option to request a certified copy.
Texas DPS CR-42 Public Criminal History Request Form →
How to Check Your Own Texas Criminal History
If you need to verify or challenge your own Texas criminal-history record, follow the DPS personal-review fingerprint procedure. DPS provides instructions through its Crime Records Division and approved fingerprint-collection services.
Texas DPS Crime Records questions: (512) 424-2474, with the appropriate option for personal-review or public criminal-history requests.
Other Official Hays County and Texas Criminal Records Resources
State prison and supervision
Texas TDCJ Offender Search
Search available Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender information by name, state identification number or TDCJ number.
This system is not a complete record of every Hays County arrest or misdemeanor.
Official registry
Texas Sex Offender Registry
Texas DPS maintains the statewide public sex offender registry. It is separate from the county court docket and statewide conviction-history service.
Federal prosecution
PACER Federal Criminal Records
Federal criminal court proceedings are maintained by the federal judiciary. Use PACER to locate available federal dockets and court documents.
Texas court documents
re:SearchTX
Use the state’s court-document access service for eligible filed documents. Availability and prices depend on the court record and access permissions.
Sealed, Expunged and Nondisclosed Hays County Criminal Records
Not every criminal record is publicly available. Texas law protects certain juvenile records, confidential information, expunged cases and records affected by an order of nondisclosure.
Texas Expunction
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 provides legal procedures for expunction of qualifying criminal records. Eligibility depends on the arrest, case outcome, waiting periods and specific statutory conditions.
An acquittal, qualifying dismissal or other statutory circumstance may support expunction, but there is no universal rule that every dismissed arrest can be erased immediately.
Texas Orders of Nondisclosure
A nondisclosure order restricts public access to certain qualifying criminal-history records. It does not necessarily destroy all records or prevent access by every authorized government agency.
Eligibility differs for various deferred-adjudication dispositions and certain qualifying convictions. Texas Courts publishes separate model forms for applicable Government Code sections.
Why Hays County Criminal Records May Not Appear Online
If the official search returns no result, examine the search path before assuming there is no case.
| Problem | Likely explanation | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler portal does not load | Portal or access restrictions, temporary service issue or browser compatibility | Open the current portal through the official County Clerk Courts Division page; use the older Odyssey entry if needed. |
| No result by defendant name | Name spelling, birth-date mismatch or a case filed elsewhere | Try the exact cause number or ask the correct Clerk for search assistance. |
| Felony case not found | Wrong court level or insufficient case details | Contact the District Clerk at (512) 393-7660. |
| Class A or B misdemeanor not found | Incorrect search criteria or court assignment | Check the County Clerk Courts Division. |
| Traffic or Class C offense missing | The matter may be in a municipal or Justice of the Peace court | Check the court printed on the citation. |
| Arrest appears without a case disposition | Charges may not yet be filed or jail records may not reflect later prosecution outcomes | Use the court docket and contact the appropriate clerk. |
| Documents are not visible | Only the public index is available, or a document is restricted | Ask the court custodian about copies and authorized access. |
| Texas DPS search shows no matching history | Name matching, reporting differences or limits of public criminal-history disclosure | Review the DPS result limitations and use fingerprint-based personal review where appropriate. |
| Federal criminal case missing | Federal prosecutions are maintained outside the Hays County court portal | Search PACER. |
Using Hays County Public Criminal Records Responsibly
Criminal court information should be interpreted carefully. A person’s name appearing in an arrest record or court index does not mean that person was convicted.
A reliable search should identify the correct individual, the proper court, the actual charge, the final disposition and any subsequent orders.
For employment, housing, insurance, credit or other eligibility screening, additional laws may apply, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Texas requirements. A public court database is not automatically an appropriate consumer background-check service.
Hays County Criminal Records Search FAQs
1. How can I search Hays County criminal records online?
Open the official Hays County Court Records Inquiry portal, choose Criminal Case Records and search by defendant or case number. Review the available cause number, case type, filing information and disposition details.
2. Is the Hays County criminal records search free?
Yes. Hays County’s District Clerk confirms that public online case-name searches are free. Staff-performed court searches, copies, certifications and Texas DPS background checks have separate charges.
3. Where do I find Hays County felony records?
Search the county court portal and contact the Hays County District Clerk for official felony court documents. The District Clerk is located at 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2211, San Marcos, and can be reached at (512) 393-7660.
4. Where can I search Hays County misdemeanor criminal cases?
Class A and B misdemeanor cases are handled through Hays County Courts at Law. The County Clerk Courts Division maintains the case files and can be contacted at (512) 393-7330.
5. How do I search Hays County arrests and jail bookings?
Use the Jail Records category in Hays County’s official court and jail records portal. You can also contact the Sheriff’s Corrections Bureau at (512) 393-7800 or its Jail Records office at (512) 393-7832.
6. How much does a Hays County criminal court records search cost?
Online public case searching is free. The District Clerk publishes a $5 per-name staff search fee covering the past 10 years. Its electronic copy fees are $1 for the first 10 pages and $0.10 per additional page, while certified copies cost $1 per page plus the applicable seal charge.
7. How can I obtain a certified Hays County criminal disposition?
Find the cause number and contact the District Clerk for a felony or the County Clerk Courts Division for a Class A or B misdemeanor. Specify the required document, request certification and follow the Clerk’s payment and delivery instructions.
8. Can I search Hays County criminal court dates online?
Yes. Use the Court Calendar category in the official court portal. For felony court dates contact the District Clerk; for misdemeanor hearings contact the County Courts at Law or County Clerk. The jail does not assign court dates.
9. Can I search Texas criminal history beyond Hays County?
Yes. The Texas Department of Public Safety provides a public criminal-history conviction search covering legally releasable statewide Texas information. It uses a separate search and fee process from the Hays County court portal.
10. Why is a Hays County criminal record missing from the search?
The record may be filed in another court, indexed under different information, unavailable through public access, sealed, expunged or maintained by a municipal, Justice of the Peace or federal court. Contact the appropriate records custodian when the online result is incomplete.
Official Hays County and Texas Criminal Records Sources
The following government resources support the court-search instructions, record custodians, document-request procedures, published fees and criminal-history guidance in this article.
Hays County Courts and Clerks
- Hays County Clerk — Courts Division and Court Records Search
- Hays County Official Tyler Court Records Portal
- Hays County Odyssey Court, Jail and Bond Records Entry
- Hays County District Clerk — Record Searches, Copies and Fees
- Hays County District Clerk — Contact Information
- Hays County Clerk — Office Locations and Services
- Hays County Courts at Law — Criminal Jurisdiction and Dockets
- Hays County Justice of the Peace Courts
Arrests, Jail and Public Information
- Hays County Sheriff’s Office
- Hays County Sheriff’s Corrections Bureau
- Hays County Jail Frequently Asked Questions
- Sheriff’s Office Public Records and Incident Report Guidance