The main courthouse is located at 100 Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76196 (downtown Fort Worth). The Criminal Courts Building is at 401 West Belknap, one street north and west of the courthouse. The Civil Courts building, to the immediate west of the courthouse, is attached by a ground level passage. There are a number of parking lots and street parking available. [The latter are usually full by 8:00 a.m.] Be prepared to pay up to $15 for parking lots/garages nearest the courthouse. By choosing a lot a few blocks away, that maximum can be reduced to just a few dollars. If you have handicap plates or a placard, parking is free at any metered space.

Do not plan to visit on the first Tuesday of the month since that day is reserved for trustee sales. Any other time, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for holidays, the staff will be able to assist you. If you wish to see older records, it is necessary to call 2 or 3 days in advance and ask that they be brought up from storage.

County offices may be contacted by mail. You will need to be specific in your requests for information or for copies of documents and send payment with your request. Most copies are $1.00 per page, plus $5.00 if you want certification. Currently Birth certificates are $11.00 and Death certificates are $9.00. Prices are subject to change. Payment may be made by personal check or money order. Be sure to include your phone number with your request.

The Office of the County Clerk (817) 884-1195) located in Basement Room 30 in the old courthouse. Staff can help you and direct you to other offices if necessary. Records found there:

Birth and Death Certificates - 1903 to present
Marriage Applications and Licenses - 1876 to present
Deed Records and Plats - 1876 to present
Military Discharges for World War II
Naturalization Records

The following Tarrant County records have recently been placed on-line by the County Clerk: Marriage Records - 1948 to Present Official Public Records (deeds, probate, etc.) - 1970's to Present Assumed Names Records - 1977 to present UCC Records - 1983 to Present The images of some of these records will also be available to view and/or download.

 
All early records for Tarrant County were destroyed when the courthouse burned in 1876. Some deeds were re-recorded, and a few estate settlements were saved. The latter can be seen on microfiche at the courthouse or copies may be seen in the Genealogy/Local History Department of the Fort Worth Public Library.

All records are indexed and may be viewed with the exception of birth and death certificates. Several microfilm readers are available for public use. Indexes for about the past 15+ years have been computerized. Terminals are available with a 30 minute time limit. If searching for birth and death certificates, you must fill out an application providing date, full name, relationship to individual and reason for wanting it. Under the Texas Open Records Act, these records are not for public viewing if less than fifty years old. Records at the courthouse are only for county residents. Individuals who lived in Fort Worth or any county community with a population of 2400 or greater may be found at the Department of Public Health, 1800 University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 (817) 871-7399. [Note: Charge for copy of a death certificate here is $12 for the first copy, and $3.00 for each additional copy.]

There is a charge for a search even if the document is not located. The County Clerk's office has a computer link with the Texas Department of Health and can obtain certificates statewide, but the Open Records Act is still applicable.

The District Clerk's office is in the Criminal Courts Building. There you will find records for adoption and divorce. A court order is required to examine adoption records which are sealed. If interested in divorce records (which are open to the public) you will need to know the year papers were filed and the last name of both parties. Indexes are computerized after 1983. It requires considerable staff time to locate older filings. Copies are $0.50 a page uncertified and $1.00 per page for certified.

The Probate Office is located in Room 233 of the old Courthouse. More recent records are on microfilm or in book form and are indexed. You will need to furnish an approximate date of death and full name of the deceased for staff to retrieve the information. Copies are $1.00 per page with an additional $1.00 for certification.

Tarrant County Courthouse
100 E. Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
(817) 884-1111

Homepage for
Tarrant County Government