Find Civil Court Records in Garland
Garland civil court records are managed by the Dallas County District Clerk, which maintains records for all district-level civil cases involving Garland residents and businesses. You can search Garland civil court records online through the Dallas County public case search portal at no cost, or use the statewide re:SearchTX database to look up cases across Texas courts. Both tools give you access to party names, case status, docket entries, and hearing information without needing to make a trip to the courthouse.
Garland Overview
Garland Civil Records at Dallas County
Garland sits in Dallas County, so the Dallas County court system handles civil cases for Garland. The Dallas County District Clerk is the main office for district court civil records. This includes large civil lawsuits, family law cases, felony matters, and other cases under district court jurisdiction. For smaller civil disputes, the Dallas County Courts at Law handle cases in a lower dollar range, and those records run through the Dallas County Clerk.
The District Clerk's main office is at 600 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can call (214) 653-7422 for questions about civil records or to ask about a specific case. Staff can look up cases by name or number and process copy requests on the spot.
| Office | Dallas County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Phone | (214) 653-7422 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | dallascounty.org |
The Dallas County Clerk at 500 Elm Street, (214) 653-7148, handles county court civil records, probate filings, real property records, and marriage licenses. Both offices are close to each other in the downtown Dallas courthouse district.
Search Garland Civil Court Records
The Dallas County public case search portal is free and requires no login. Go to dallascounty.org and use the record search tool to look up civil district court records, family court records, and county court records. You can search by party name, cause number, or date range. The portal also has a video tutorial to help first-time users.
For a broader search that covers multiple courts and counties, re:SearchTX is a good tool. It pulls case information from district courts, county courts at law, and appellate courts across the state. If a Garland civil case was appealed to the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas, you can find those records there too.
When you search by name, results may include civil, family, criminal, and probate cases. You can filter results by case type to narrow down what you are looking for. If you have the cause number, use that for the most precise results.
Note: Some older records may not be in the online system. For cases filed before the digital era, you may need to visit the courthouse or submit a written request.
Civil Cases Filed by Garland Residents
Garland residents and businesses bring many types of civil cases in Dallas County courts. Contract disputes, debt collection suits, personal injury claims, and property-related cases are among the most common. Businesses headquartered in or operating in Garland that get sued or need to sue another party will typically file in Dallas County District Court if the amount at stake is over $200,000.
Family law cases for Garland residents also go through Dallas County. Divorce filings, custody disputes, and child support enforcement actions are all part of the civil court record system. These records are maintained by the Dallas County District Clerk along with other civil and criminal case files. If you need records for a divorce or custody case involving a Garland address, start your search at the Dallas County District Clerk portal.
Get Copies of Garland Civil Records
Certified copies of civil court documents cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee at the Dallas County District Clerk. Non-certified copies are $1 per page. You can request records in person at 600 Commerce Street or by mail. For mail requests, include the case number or party names, the specific documents you need, and payment by check or money order made out to the Dallas County District Clerk.
Attorneys must file civil cases in Dallas County through eFileTexas, the state's mandatory e-filing system. Self-represented parties may also use this portal. Once documents are filed electronically, they typically become available in the online search system within a day or two. This means recent civil filings are usually searchable online faster than older paper records.
Garland Municipal Court
Garland has a Municipal Court that handles Class C misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and city ordinance violations only. It does not hear civil lawsuits. If you have a traffic citation or city code violation in Garland, contact the Garland Municipal Court at 1791 W. Ave B, Garland, TX 75042. Phone: (972) 205-2333. They also offer an online payment portal and citation lookup at their website.
Municipal court records are separate from the county civil court records system. Searches at the Dallas County District Clerk portal will not show municipal court cases. Contact the Garland Municipal Court directly if you need records from a traffic or ordinance matter.
Legal Resources for Garland Civil Cases
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas serves Dallas County residents including those in Garland. They provide free civil legal help for income-eligible people in areas like housing, family law, and consumer protection. You can apply for services online at their website or call their intake line to check eligibility.
The State Bar of Texas has a lawyer referral service where you can find civil attorneys licensed to practice in Dallas County. TexasLawHelp.org is another free resource with self-help guides and links to all official Texas court forms. For federal civil cases, use PACER to search U.S. District Court records for the Northern District of Texas.
Dallas County Civil Court Records
Garland is in Dallas County. All district-level civil cases for Garland go through the Dallas County court system. For a full look at the Dallas County courthouse, online search tools, copy fees, and other resources, visit the Dallas County civil court records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Garland with civil court record pages: