Access Arlington Civil Court Records
Arlington civil court records are filed with and maintained by the Tarrant County District Clerk in Fort Worth, which handles all civil cases from the district courts and county courts at law that serve Arlington. Because Arlington is a city within Tarrant County, civil lawsuits, judgments, and other civil case filings go through the Tarrant County courthouse, not a separate Arlington court. Arlington is one of the largest cities in Texas with a population of about 400,000, making it a significant contributor to Tarrant County's civil court caseload. This page explains which courts handle Arlington civil cases, how to search and obtain those records, and where to find legal help in the area.
Arlington Court Overview
Where Arlington Civil Cases Are Filed
Arlington civil court records are held by the Tarrant County District Clerk. The courthouse handling Arlington civil cases is in Fort Worth at 200 Taylor Street, Suite 400, Fort Worth, TX 76196. Phone: (817) 884-1574. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The online portal is at tarrantcountytx.gov/district-clerk.
Arlington does not have its own county courthouse. All district court and county court civil matters go to Fort Worth. This is standard for Texas -- cities file civil cases in the county courthouse where the county seat is located. Tarrant County has more than 30 district courts, several dedicated to civil litigation. County Courts at Law handle civil cases up to $200,000. Small claims under $20,000 go to the Justice of the Peace courts, and there are JP court precincts that serve the Arlington area.
| Office | Tarrant County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Taylor Street, Suite 400, Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Phone | (817) 884-1574 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | tarrantcountytx.gov/en/district-clerk |
Search Arlington Civil Court Records Online
Civil court records for Arlington cases are searchable through the Tarrant County District Clerk's online portal. You can search by party name, cause number, or case type. The system returns party names, case status, filing dates, and docket entries. Access it at tarrantcountytx.gov/district-clerk. The portal covers district court and county court civil cases and is available around the clock.
The statewide re:SearchTX system also indexes Tarrant County civil courts. Run by the Office of Court Administration, this free tool lets you search across Texas courts. For electronically filed cases, eFileTexas is the mandatory e-filing platform, and cases filed there appear in both search systems.
Arlington has its own Municipal Court, but that office handles different records. The Arlington Municipal Court is at 101 S. Mesquite Street, Arlington, TX 76010, phone (817) 459-6771, website arlingtontx.gov/departments/municipal-court. Municipal court covers traffic citations, Class C misdemeanors, and city code violations. For civil lawsuits and judgments involving Arlington parties, use the Tarrant County District Clerk's portal.
The Tarrant County District Clerk maintains all civil court records for Arlington cases filed in the district courts and county courts at law.
Civil Case Types for Arlington Residents
Arlington residents who file civil lawsuits do so in Tarrant County. The district courts handle all major civil matters: personal injury, auto accidents, commercial disputes, contract claims, medical malpractice, and real property litigation. Family law cases -- divorce, child custody, adoption, and protective orders -- go to the family district courts in Tarrant County.
Probate matters go to the Tarrant County Probate Courts. County Courts at Law take mid-range civil disputes up to $200,000. Small claims cases and many landlord-tenant disputes under $20,000 go to Justice of the Peace courts. There are JP court precincts that specifically serve the Arlington area, so for small claims you may have a closer option than driving to Fort Worth.
Federal civil cases involving Arlington parties go to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, at 501 W. 10th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Federal records are searchable through PACER.
Copies of Arlington Civil Court Documents
Copies of Arlington civil court records can be obtained from the Tarrant County District Clerk in Fort Worth. Options include in-person visits, mail requests, and online downloads from the portal. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and cost more than plain file copies. Many documents filed in recent years are available digitally through the online portal.
For older case files that haven't been digitized, plan to visit in person or call (817) 884-1574 to check availability and turnaround time. Staff can locate the file and tell you what copies will cost. The clerk accepts mail requests with a check or money order for the applicable fees.
Note: Arlington residents filing for small claims can check with the Tarrant County Justice of the Peace courts to find the precinct that serves their address.
Legal Help for Arlington Residents
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) serves Arlington and Tarrant County. They assist income-eligible clients with civil matters including housing, family law, consumer protection, and benefits. Visit lanwt.org or call their intake line to apply. LANWT handles a high volume of cases in the Tarrant County area.
The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is at (800) 252-9690. You can search for attorneys licensed in the Arlington area through the online directory at texasbar.com. TexasLawHelp.org offers free guides and official court forms for common civil matters. The Tarrant County Law Library in Fort Worth provides public research access for those working on their own cases.
Tarrant County Civil Court Records
Arlington is located in Tarrant County, and all civil court filings for the city go through the Tarrant County court system in Fort Worth. For full details on the courts, fees, and filing procedures, visit the Tarrant County civil court records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Arlington with civil court record pages: