Courts
Tarrant County TX Courts provide residents with access to multiple court divisions handling civil matters, criminal cases, family proceedings, juvenile cases, probate matters, child support cases, and Justice of the Peace services. This article explains how the court system is organized, which court handles different types of cases, where court offices are located, how to use official court information systems, and what details can help users avoid common mistakes when searching for court services.
Court System Overview
The Tarrant County court system includes several court divisions that serve different legal functions. The main court categories include Civil Courts, Criminal Courts, Family Courts, Juvenile Court, IV-D Courts, Probate Courts, Justice of the Peace Courts, Magistrate Courts, and other specialized court services. The official Tarrant County Courts page provides access to court divisions, court listings, and related information.
Court operations are located across several county facilities, including the Tarrant County Courthouse, Tim Curry Justice Center, Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, and Family Courts Center. Selecting the correct court location depends on the type of case and the court assigned to the matter.
Civil Court Services
Civil Courts handle non-criminal legal matters that are filed through the county court system. These courts include Civil District Courts and Civil County Courts. The Civil Courts information page provides access to civil court divisions and related court information.
Civil cases may be assigned to County Courts at Law or District Courts depending on the case type and court jurisdiction. Civil District Courts are located in the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, while County Courts at Law are located in the Tarrant County Courthouse.
The Court Listing page helps users identify individual courts and their locations. Before contacting a court, users should know the court name, case information, and any available filing details to help direct their request to the appropriate office.
Criminal Court Services
Criminal Courts handle criminal matters within Tarrant County. These courts include County Criminal Courts and Criminal District Courts. County Criminal Courts handle misdemeanor-level criminal matters, while Criminal District Courts handle felony-level criminal matters.
The Criminal Courts page provides information about criminal court divisions, court programs, records requests, court appointments, and other criminal court services.
Criminal cases are assigned to specific courts, so users should confirm the assigned court before requesting information or appearing for a proceeding. The criminal court system includes multiple County Criminal Courts and District Courts located at the Tim Curry Justice Center.
Criminal Records And Payments
Users looking for criminal court information should distinguish between searching court records, requesting copies of records, and making payments for fines or fees. These services may involve different systems depending on the type of request.
The official criminal court information includes options for finding court dates, requesting copies of criminal records, updating contact information, paying fines and fees, and accessing information about court programs.
Family Court Matters
Family Courts handle cases involving family-related legal matters. The Family Law Center houses family court services and courtrooms located at 200 East Weatherford Street in Fort Worth.
The Family Courts information page provides court locations, schedules, and contact information for family court divisions.
Family Courts include several District Courts assigned to family law matters. These courts handle proceedings through the Family Law Center, and each court has its own assigned judge and office information.
Child Support Courts
IV-D Courts handle Title IV-D child support cases within Tarrant County. These cases involve child support services related to establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support or medical support obligations.
IV-D Courts are located at the Family Law Center. These courts also handle certain paternity and child support enforcement matters through the Title IV-D court process.
Juvenile Court Services
Juvenile Court handles cases involving youth. Juvenile court hearings are formal court proceedings, and the county advises that arriving ahead of the scheduled hearing time allows time to confer with the child’s attorney.
The 323rd Family District Court handles juvenile court matters at the Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center located at 2701 Kimbo Road in Fort Worth.
The Juvenile Courts page provides information about juvenile court proceedings and location details.
Probate Court Functions
Probate Courts handle matters involving estates, guardianships, wills, trusts, and certain civil proceedings connected to probate matters. Tarrant County has two Probate Courts located at the Tarrant County Courthouse.
The Probate Courts page provides information about Probate Court locations, judges, and court responsibilities.
Probate Court users should identify the specific probate matter involved before contacting the court. Different filings and proceedings may require information from the appropriate Probate Court division.
Justice Of The Peace Courts
Justice of the Peace Courts serve as trial courts for civil cases within their jurisdiction and many misdemeanor criminal cases. Tarrant County has eight Justice Courts serving different precincts.
The Justice of the Peace Courts page provides precinct locations, judges, contact information, and court service details.
When contacting a Justice Court, users should identify the precinct connected to their case. Each precinct has its own court location and contact information.
District Court Locations
District Courts handle various criminal, civil, family, and juvenile matters. The official District Courts page provides court listings and locations.
Criminal District Courts are located at the Tim Curry Justice Center, while Civil District Courts are located at the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building. Family District Courts are located at the Family Law Center, with juvenile matters handled through the designated juvenile court location.
Court Record Searches
Tarrant County provides an official court records search system for accessing available case information. The court records system separates different types of searches, including case records and court calendar information.
When searching for a case, users should have accurate information such as the case number, party name, or other identifying case details. Entering incorrect information or using the wrong court record system can result in missing search results.
The official court records search system directs users to the updated HTTPS address for accessing public court records.
Preparing For Court Visits
Before visiting a courthouse, users should confirm the correct court location, courtroom assignment, and scheduled appearance information. Court buildings may contain multiple courtrooms and offices serving different case types.
Useful information to prepare includes:
Case number or court information.
Names of parties involved in the case.
Scheduled hearing date and court location.
Documents related to the court matter.
Users should verify information through official court records and court offices because court assignments and proceedings depend on the specific case.
Common Court Search Mistakes
Many court information requests are delayed because users search through the wrong court division or provide incomplete case details. Knowing the difference between court types can help direct requests correctly.
Civil cases should be researched through civil court resources rather than criminal court systems.
Criminal records searches should use criminal court information rather than general court listings.
Family and child support matters should be directed to family-related court divisions.
Justice Court matters should be matched with the correct precinct.
Users should also confirm whether they need case information, copies of records, court dates, payment information, or another court service before selecting a system or contacting an office.
Court Department List
Tarrant County Courts
100 E. Weatherford
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
817-884-1111
County Criminal Court No. 1
Tim Curry Justice Center - 5th Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0256
County Criminal Court No. 2
Tim Curry Justice Center - 6th Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Criminal District Court No. 1
Tim Curry Justice Center - 5th Floor
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0213
17th District Court
Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building - 3rd Floor
100 North Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
231st District Court
Family Law Center - 5th Floor
200 East Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0240
323rd District Court
Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center
2701 Kimbo Road
Fort Worth, TX 76111
Probate Court No. 1
Tarrant County Courthouse - Room 260A
100 West Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0242
817-884-1200
Probate Court No. 2
Tarrant County Courthouse - Room 220A
100 West Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0242
817-884-1415
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1
Tarrant County Courthouse - Room 450
100 W Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0242
817-884-1395
Courts FAQs
How can I find the correct court for my case?
The correct court depends on the type of legal matter and the assigned court division. Users can review the official Tarrant County Court Listing to identify specific courts and locations for criminal, civil, family, juvenile, probate, IV-D, and Justice of the Peace matters. Checking the assigned court before requesting information or preparing for a hearing can help prevent delays caused by contacting the wrong division.
Where can I search for Tarrant County court records?
Public court record searches are available through the official court record system. Users should use accurate case details when searching, such as available case information or party details, because incomplete information may affect search results. The county’s court records system also provides access to case records and court calendar searches through the official Tarrant County Court Records Search.
How do I locate family or child support court information?
Family-related cases are handled through the Family Courts and IV-D Courts. Users looking for family case information can review the official Family Courts information for court listings and related services. IV-D Courts provide information related to Title IV-D child support cases, including child support establishment, modification, enforcement, and certain paternity matters.
What information should I check before going to court?
Before attending a scheduled proceeding, users should confirm the assigned court, hearing details, and location through official county information. Court locations may vary depending on whether a matter is handled through the courthouse, criminal court facilities, civil court facilities, family court facilities, or other designated locations. The official Tarrant County Courts page provides access to court divisions and related court information.
How can I identify Justice of the Peace Court information?
Justice of the Peace matters are organized by precinct. Users should confirm the correct precinct before looking for court information because each precinct has its own court location and services. The official Justice of the Peace Courts page provides precinct-related court details.