Search Free Hays County Public Records (Criminal, Marital, Property, Court & More)

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Free Hays County Public Records Search

Access Hays County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

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There are many types of Hays County public records that you can access for free, both online and in person.

If you’re looking for criminal information, this resource will show you how to find data on warrants, probation, arrests and other prisoner information. You can also access family court records (marriage, divorce, birth, and death), property records and more. You’ll be equipped with the best methods for requesting background check reports and explanations of when and how they are used.

Whether you live in Hays County, Texas or elsewhere, you have a right to these records thanks to the federal Freedom of Information Act and the Texas Public Information Act. However, it’s important to understand the different ways to search for these records, which types of records you can access and whether or not there are restrictions on who can request them.

Continue reading to learn how to do a free public records search online and in person, along with helpful custodian addresses, links to search tools, and other relevant details.

This resource was written by Attorney Robert Bailey Jr, who holds a Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law.

How To Execute a Free Arrest Record Search & View Mugshots in Hays County Texas

There are two primary options when searching for Hays County arrest records. Depending on what information you have and what you are specifically looking for, you can check public records at the county or city level.

At the county level, you may search for records with the Hays County Jail or Sheriff’s Office for jail records or police reports. The advantage of searching at the county level is it covers several cities and towns. If you are unsure what agency arrested the individual you are searching for, or other details are sparse, a good starting point is searching with these county custodians.

There are also valuable reasons for searching with local city police departments as well. A local search is helpful, for instance, if you want to search for recent arrest reports from someone who was just arrested. Alternatively, it may be that you were unable to find what you were looking for at the county level, so you are trying to track down which agency has a particular individual’s arrest record.

Another good reason for conducting a search with a local police department is if you are looking for detailed information. While a county jail may be able to provide you with basic arrest information, the arresting agency can often provide you with the most detailed information about an individual’s recent arrest.

Whether you want to find out if someone is in jail or you’re seeking a detailed arrest record, below are your options in Hays County.

Utilize the Hays County Jail’s Arrest Log & Mugshot Search

If you want to search for Hays County bookings, you can use their jail roster search tool.¹ You can use this tool to search their arrest log by name and date of birth. You can also narrow down your search parameters by setting a date range for either when the individual was booked or when they were released.

Once you enter your search information, the online directory will provide you with a list of results. If there are multiple results, there are several different types of identifying information to help you find the person you are looking for. Identifying information includes the person’s name, booking number and date of birth.

You can also see when they were booked and released (if applicable) and the name of the arresting agency. Finally, the search results will provide you with an abbreviated description of the charges.

Once you click on a particular booking number, you can find someone’s mugshot. In addition, you can get information about what facility they are incarcerated in, as well as additional descriptive information about the person (sex, race, height and weight). Lastly, you can get a brief summary of charges, including any information on warrants, bonds and fines.

Hays County also provides a jail bond records search tool. This search tool is specifically designed to provide detailed bond information. This includes the bond number, amount and current status. It also includes the address of the person on the bond as well as the bondsman.

If you need additional assistance regarding Hays County Jail arrest logs, you can contact them by phone at 512-393-7832. This number is specifically related to jail logs. Otherwise, you can go in person to the address below:

Hays County Jail
1307 Uhland Rd. 
San Marcos, TX 78666

Another option for arrest information is to contact the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, which can be reached by phone at 512-393-7800 or visited in person at the address provided below:

Hays County Sheriff’s Office
810 South Stagecoach Trail
San Marcos, TX 78666

You can also go in person to any of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office substations.³

Track Down Arrests & Obtain Reports From Local Police Departments in Hays County

If someone was arrested recently or you know the arresting agency, you can conduct a search with local police departments in Hays County. Through local police departments, you can get arrest reports or additional information to assist you with your search for further arrest records and inmate information.

Below you’ll find contact information for obtaining reports or arrest information from municipal police departments in Hays County:

Police Department	Address	Phone Number
Kyle Police Department4	1700 Kohler’s Crossing Kyle, Texas 78640	512-268-0859
Buda Police Department5	405 East Loop St. Bldg. 200 Buda, Texas 78610	512-312-1001
San Marcos Police Department6	2300 IH 35 South San Marcos, Texas 78666	512-753-2108

If you cannot find a police department for a particular city, then they are likely policed solely by the Hays County Sheriff’s Department.

How To View Hays County Texas Criminal Cases

Public criminal records can provide a variety of helpful information if you’re trying to learn more about a person or find out specific information about a person’s conviction and sentence.

When you look up someone’s criminal record, you can view the charges brought against them, how they were sentenced (e.g., incarceration or probation) and whether or not there are any warrants out for their arrest.

Because these records are often held by multiple custodians, there are different ways to access them. Some government agencies provide online access to search their public records repository. Some criminal cases and related records can be found by searching in person. Finally, you can gain criminal record information by performing or requesting a background check.

The following sections will detail the various ways you can access criminal cases and records in Hays County.

Look Up Criminal Case Information Using the Hays County Courts Records Inquiry Search Tool

To perform a free criminal record check in Hays County, you can search online using their Criminal Court Records Inquiry Search Tool. You can use this tool to find out if someone has a criminal record by searching for their name. You can filter any criminal case records by case status (open or closed) along with a date range for when the case was filed.

Cases can be sorted by–among other options–filing date, case number or the defendant’s name. The search results will provide the defendant’s name and citation number, along with where the criminal case was filed and its current status. In addition, the search results will provide the case number, which you can click on for additional information.

Once you click on the case number, you can view more information about the defendant, including descriptive information (e.g., height, weight, etc.) and their complete address. A searcher can also view specific charge information, including the type of charge, level of offense and the date the individual was charged.

There is a final section that details any orders of the court and case events. Here, you can view what occurred on various court dates and the final disposition of the case.

If you want to check records in person, you can go to the Hays County District Court.⁸ The District Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases. You can contact them by phone at 512-393-7866 or go in person to:

Hays County District Court
Hays County Government Center
712 South Stagecoach Trail
Suite 3240
San Marcos, TX 78666

If you visit in person, three are search terminals available for use. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

You can also visit a Justice of Peace if you have questions about criminal records under their jurisdiction. The Hays County Justice of Peace handles misdemeanor criminal cases. Contact them by phone or in person at any of the following Justice of Peace locations:

Precinct	Address	Phone Number
Precinct 1-1 Precinct 1-2	712 South Stagecoach Trail Suite 2235 San Marcos, Texas 78666	512-393-7871 512-393-7636
Precinct 2	5458 FM 2770 Crystal Meadow Dr. Kyle, Texas 78640	512-268-3151
Precinct 3	200 Stillwater Rd. Wimberley, Texas 78676	512-847-2000
Precinct 4	195 Roger Hanks Pkwy. Ste. 2 Dripping Springs, Texas 78620	512-858-7446
Precinct 5	500 Jack C. Hays Trail Buda, Texas 78610	512-295-2700

How To Run a Hays County Texas Warrant Search

Perform a warrant search by using the Hays County record search tool.

Once you perform a jail record search, you can view any warrant information on the individual. Specifically, it will let you know if a person has any Hays County warrants, along with the specific warrant number. You can view who issued the warrant and other related information as well.

Another option to find out if someone has a warrant is by searching Hays County criminal records using the Criminal Court Records Inquiry Search Tool. To begin, perform a general criminal record search by entering whatever information you have available (e.g., name, case number, etc.).

Once you click on the individual you’re searching for, you can scroll down to the “Events & Orders of the Court” section. Here, you’ll see a list of every event or hearing that occurred for a particular criminal record. If a person had a warrant issued for their arrest, that information should be listed in this section.

A final option is to check with particular local police departments about any active warrants for an individual. Some police departments have specific contact information for warrant information. For instance, the San Marcos Police Department instructs people to call them at 512-393-8190 for warrant inquiries.

How To Perform a Probationer Search in Hays County Texas

If you want to execute a probation search in Hays County, perform a criminal record search using the Criminal Court Records Inquiry Search Tool. When you find the individual whose probation status you want to check, click on their record.

One way to find probation information is to look in the “Events & Orders of the Court” section. Here, you can view all court events, including the disposition of the case. Search to see if there is any indication that a person was placed on probation as a result of being found guilty of a crime.

If there is no direct information, you may be able to determine a person is on probation by using indirect information. For instance, if a person was found guilty of a crime within the last couple of years, there is a greater likelihood that the person is on probation.

Alternatively, you can cross-reference the information with the Hays County record search tool to see when they were booked and released from jail. If they are released, this will confirm that–if they are still serving any sentence–it is likely on probation.

For additional information about individuals on probation, you can contact the Adult Probation Department. You can call them at 512-353-5892 or in person at:

Adult Probation Department
Hays Government Center
712 South Stagecoach Trail
Suite 1326
San Marcos, TX 78666

How To Conduct a Background Check in Hays County Texas

You can perform a background check on yourself or on someone else by using the various search tools and contact information to track down the Hays County public records that have been provided and explained throughout this resource.

A personal background check is appropriate if you are doing it for your own safety, curiosity or other personal reasons.

If you want information quickly and for free, your best option is to perform a personal background check. However, there are many situations in which a certain type of background check must be conducted since these checks are used to make–among other things–insurance, licensing, hiring, and housing decisions.

Professional background checks are beneficial, if not required, in many situations. If you need a background check for a security clearance or to finalize an adoption, you will need to make a more formal request.

Depending on what you need, the background check for these can vary from a county or statewide name search (commonly referred to as Level 1) to a fingerprint-based search that gathers criminal records throughout the United States (a Level 2 background check).

The Texas Department of Public Safety provides a self-service criminal history conviction background check. This online background check tool allows you to obtain information on any convictions or deferred adjudications reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety for a particular individual. This includes the following type of information:

• Arrests
• Prosecutions
• Dispositions of cases (for class B misdemeanors or greater)

It’s important to provide as much information as possible when using this tool — including providing a complete name (middle name and maiden name are optional) as well as the person’s date of birth. Each criminal record search costs $3.00.

If you have specific questions about performing a criminal record check, you can view the DPS’ FAQ page or contact them at 855-481-7070.⁹ If you believe a criminal record is missing from their system, contact them at 512-424-2474. You can also opt to visit in person at the following address:

Texas Department of Public Safety
Criminal Investigations Division
6100 Guadalupe, Building E
Austin, Texas 78752

Individuals can obtain fingerprinting services from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Reach out to [email protected] if you are in need of fingerprinting services or have any questions related to this process.

You can request a state-level background check through the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS).¹⁰ The Texas DFPS can conduct background checks as well as an investigation into whether a person has a history of abuse or neglect.

If you want to request a background check, fill out their Request for Texas Child Abuse Neglect Central Registry. While this type of background check is focused on neglect and child abuse, it does also include a criminal history check.

The DFPS provides a list of contacts if you need this specific type of background check service.

How To Access State & Federal Resources To Find Criminal Cases in Texas

In addition to searching Hays County judicial records, you can also search Texas public records for criminal information. Using these tools, you can find information from Hays County and throughout the state of Texas. In addition, there are a couple of federal resources to cover all types of criminal records you may want to search for.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice – You can use this tool to conduct an inmate information search and access detailed criminal record information about a person.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Conviction Name Search – The Texas DPS’s Crime Records Division provides an online tool to conduct a name-based search for individuals who have been convicted of a crime in Texas.¹²

Texas Appeals Management & eFiling System – A searcher can use this tool if they specifically want to access any criminal cases that have been appealed.¹³

Texas Public Sex Offender Registry Search – This tool allows you to search by address or name for individuals who are registered as sex offenders in Texas.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) – This search tool can be used by people who want to find individuals incarcerated in the federal prison system, by entering the subject’s name or assigned BOP register number.

National Sex Offender Registry – If you want to expand your scope or search outside the state of Texas for registered sex offenders, this tool is a great option.¹⁶ You can use this tool to perform a nationwide search for sex offenders, either by location or the offender’s name.

How To See Hays County Texas Public Court Cases & Documents

You can search Hays County public records to view criminal, civil, family and estate cases using their Court Records Inquiry Search tool. This online search tool can be used to search Hays County court records by a person or business’s name, case number or attorney.

Another option for performing a Hays County case search is to go in person to the courthouse. To do so, you can use the court contact information below:

Hays County Government Center
712 South Stagecoach Trail
San Marcos, Texas 78666

This address is the location for the Hays County District Court (Suite 3240) as well as the Hays County Courts-at-Law (Suite 2292). Here, you ask for information on a variety of records, including the following types of cases:

• Criminal
• Civil
• Family
• Estates

How To Find Vital Records (Marriage, Divorce, Birth & Death) in Hays County

Public records in Hays County include certain types of vital records documents. While some of these can be accessed by the general public (marriage and divorce records), some of them are confidential or have only limited access (birth certificates and death certificates).

Vital records are a great tool for learning more about another person or your own personal family history. For instance, you can use marriage or divorce records to check if someone is married, or you can use birth records to trace your family genealogy.

Vital records are essential for a variety of legal actions and formal processes. For instance, you will typically need certified marriage or birth records when you request to add someone to an insurance policy or to make a claim under an existing policy. Another example is needing a certified certificate of death when administering a decedent’s estate.

Regardless of your reason, below you’ll discover detailed information on how to access these records, who can request certified copies and other important information when searching or requesting vital records.

Locating Marriage & Divorce Records in Hays County

To search Hays County marriage records online, you can use the Clerk’s Marriage Index Search Tool.¹⁷ Use this feature to search both marriage certificates and informal marriage applications.

To perform a search, enter a person’s name; you can narrow your search by setting a date range for the marriage record.

Once you complete your search, you’ll get a list of search results with the party’s names, date of marriage and the recording date. From there, you can click on a marriage record to get additional information, including an image of the marriage certificate.

To request a copy of a marriage record, utilize the clerk’s online vital records request tool. Another option is to complete an Application for a Certified Copy of Marriage License and mail it or drop it off at the address below:

Hays County Clerk
712 S. Stagecoach Trail
Ste. 2008
San Marcos, Texas 78666

Note: The cost for a marriage certificate is $20.00.

For Hays County divorce records, you can search using the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records Search Tool. This search tool does not separate out family cases (e.g., divorce filings), so you will have to search through a variety of cases in this database.

You’ll be able to search by party name and narrow your search results by selecting a date range for when the divorce case was filed. Once you find the record you’re looking for, you can get information on the case, including when the case began and the date the divorce decree was issued.

Additional information, such as any minor children that were parties to the matter (i.e., for purposes of child support, custody, etc.), along with the attorneys that represented each party will be available here as well. Lastly, the search tool also provides some basic financial information and the specific district court in which the case was adjudicated.

Finding Information About Births & Deaths That Occurred in Hays County

You can request a certificate of birth through the Hays County Clerk. However, there are restrictions on who can access these records — birth records are not considered public records until 75 years after they were issued, and death records are not public until after 25 years.

To request a birth or death record that falls within this restricted period, you must be the person named on the record or one of the following people with valid identification and, if necessary, legal documentation establishing your authority:

• Parents
• Children
• Siblings
• Spouse
• Guardian
• Legal Representative

You can also request a birth or death record on behalf of any of the above people. To do so, you must provide the Hays County Clerk with a written (and notarized) statement signed by the person along with a copy of their valid government-issued I.D.

Make a request for a birth or death certificate using their online vital records request tool. Follow the step-by-step process and answer the required questions, and this online tool will guide you through the steps for requesting a birth or death record.

You can also request a certificate of birth or death in person or by mail. There are separate applications depending on how you request the record. For mail-in requests, you must complete the Mail-In Only Application for Certified Copy of Birth or Death Certificate. For In-person requests, you can complete their standard Application for Certified Copy of Birth or Death Certificate.

You can mail or drop off your application, along with a copy of a valid government-issued ID and the applicable fee, to the following address:

Hays County Clerk’s Office
712 S. Stagecoach Trail
Ste. 2008
San Marcos, Texas 78666

The Hays County Clerk’s Office is open from Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. The cost for a birth certificate is $23.00 and $21.00 for a death certificate, plus an additional $4.00 for any additional copies you request.

How To Figure Out Who Owns a Home or Property in Hays County & if There Are Unpaid Taxes

Individuals can search Hays County public records for property information by using the Hays County Central Appraisal District (CAD) Property Search Tool.²⁰ There are many options for how you can conduct your search of their public index of property records. For instance, you can search by owner name or property address.

If you have a copy of a deed or other legal instrument, you can also choose to search by subdivision or neighborhood code, among other options.

After completing your search, the results listed will provide you with a brief snapshot of all related properties. This includes the name of the owner(s), a brief legal description of the property and the current appraised value. The snapshot also provides the Geographic and Quick Reference ID if you need that to request a copy of a particular legal instrument related to the property.

Once you click on a property, you’ll be able to view additional data, including a map and detailed information on both the property and owner. If you’re seeking tax information, view the “property taxing jurisdiction” section. Here, you can view the different types of taxes applicable to this property.

In addition, you can look up information on the construction of the property and a rolling value of the history of the property for the last 12 years. Finally, this search tool also provides a property deed history that details changes in ownership and other legal property rights that were recorded for the property.

For further information, contact the Hays County CAD by phone at 512-268-2522 or email the office at [email protected]. You can also contact them in person at this location:

Hays County Central Appraisal District
21001 North I.H. 35
Kyle, TX 78640

For detailed tax information, you can perform a search using the Hays County Tax Assessor’s Property Search Tool. Begin your search by entering any property information you have, including the owner’s name, property idea or address. If you’re unsure what the exact address for the property is, you can enter an address number range.

The search tool will provide the total taxes due for a particular property as well as an itemized breakdown by the particular tax. You can also use this tool to see what taxes have been paid and which taxes are still due. Tax information for the past five years will be available.

Two other tabs can offer helpful information. The “payment history” tab will provide specific information on when payments were made for the last several years, the amount paid and a link to view the actual tax receipt. Finally, you can click on the tax statement link at the top of the page to view a PDF of the current tax bill.

For more information pertaining to searching for property tax information, contact the Hays County Tax Collector-Assessor by phone at 512-393-5545 or in person at:²²

Hays County Tax Collector-Assessor
712 South Stagecoach Trail
Suite 1120
San Marcos, TX 78666

A third option is to use the Hays County Clerk’s Official Public Record Search Tool. Use this search tool to find liens, deeds and other property-related documents.

An Overview of Citizens’ Rights & Using Hays County Public Records Responsibly

Information is powerful, and it’s important to use the information you find while searching public records in Hays County in a responsible manner. Whether you find out if someone is married or locate an individual’s criminal record, citizens have an ethical and legal obligation to use this information in an appropriate manner.

What a person uses these public records for will dictate what responsibilities they have as a searcher and what rights are provided to the person being investigated. Personal use responsibilities are limited, while the use of public records for professional purposes comes with several restrictions and regulations.

Personal use of public records is broad and generally consists of individuals performing their own search of these records. This may be to learn more about a family member or friend or to check into someone who just moved into your neighborhood. The number of personal reasons for using public records is endless.

For personal use, you also have the right to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records that are not readily accessible via online search tools. For instance, you could submit a FOIA request to get a record of the minutes or a recording of a public government meeting that was held (e.g., a town council meeting).

When using public records for personal use, you have the right to perform any search you want without requesting the consent of the person you are searching. Also, public records can be used for any personal reason you want, as long as it is not illegal. That means, while the use of public records for personal reasons is broad, you cannot use them to blackmail, harass or stalk someone (or commit any other type of criminal violation).

Another restriction can be highlighted by the fact that there is a difference between personal and professional use. A searcher cannot perform their own personal search of records without the subject’s consent to use it for business, employment or other reasons that are considered professional in nature.

Professional use involves the use of public records for business reasons (e.g., employment, property rentals etc.) or to comply with certain state or federal laws (e.g., working with children, applying for a firearm license, adoption). When using records for professional use, a searcher is required to obtain the permission of the individual being searched. Failure to do so can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission, which is tasked with handling these types of violations.²³

In addition to consent, people subject to professional searches (i.e., background checks) also have a right not to be discriminated against. This discrimination can come in the form of protected-class discrimination and discrimination based on criminal or arrest records. If a person is discriminated against, they can file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) using their online portal.²⁴

If your creditworthiness is being checked, you have additional rights provided by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).²⁵ The FCRA provides several rights, such as the right to be informed if information was used against you and to dispute any information that may be incomplete or inaccurate. You can even seek damages if it has been determined that someone has violated your rights under the FCRA.

Through the tools provided in this resource, anyone is capable of performing a free Hays County public records search for a variety of reasons; however, always be sure to use this information responsibly by respecting the rights and privacy of the person you are searching and abiding by all laws and regulations.