District Clerk

Address

Street

City

State

Zip

Attention

Physical Address

300 Courthouse Annex

Waco

Texas

76701

Enter at the main courthouse

501 Washington Avenue

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 2451

Waco

Texas

76701

Hours of Operation

Criminal Record Search – Telephone

Name only query

Customers with only a name and date of birth may call (254)757-5054 to obtain a criminal record search for that name and date of birth. A fee of $5.00 is charged for this service. All major credit cards are accepted for this transaction.

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Customer Service

Walk-in assistance

The Customer Service Section is located on the 300 Courthouse Annex Waco, Texas 76701, to assist walk-in customers during regular business hours with criminal record searches, Certificates of Record Search and Disposition, viewing of case files, obtaining copies of documents, and filing documents. A criminal research letter is $5.00.  The fee for a certified criminal research letter is $10.00. The fee to obtain copies of documents is $1.00 per page, whether certified or not.

 
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Criminal Background Checks in Writing

If you want to obtain a criminal research letter (Criminal Background Check), call (254)757-5054 or walk-in to the office. The fee is $5.00 for the letter.  The fee for a certified criminal research letter is $10.00.  You can charge your credit card ( fee is $3.00 + 1.77% of the charge) and we will mail this to you. Please note that any other documents requested from our office for Criminal Felony cases cannot be obtained through our Call Center.

 
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Fax Copy Requests

Copies can now be requested via fax request with credit card pre-payment. Please fax requests to (254)757-5060.  You will be charged $1.00 per page for receiving the fax. You will be charged for the credit card usage fee of $3.00 and 1.77% of the amount charged.  If you request that a document be faxed back, the fee is $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page for local calls and $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for the second page for long distance calls.  If you request that the document be mailed back, the fee is $1.00 per page.  If you request services that require the payment of the fee this will be added to your credit card charge. 

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Written requests

Customers may request record searches or copies of documents by mail. The party's full name, date of birth, and if known, the case number, must be provided. There is a charge of $1.00 per page of copies, plus an additional $5.00 when a record search is required. The fee is $10.00 when the criminal record search is certified. Please include a check (see the checks policy),  U.S. money order or cashier's check for the total amount due, made payable to Karen Matkin, McLennan County District Clerk, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send to the mailing address listed in Location & Hours of Operation to the attention of Criminal Section.

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Appeal/Post Conviction Writ

Appeal Information

The Appeal Section is located at 300 Courthouse Annex Waco, Texas 76701. Personnel in this section will assist customers with questions concerning cases on appeal. This is also the location where attorneys of record checkout and check-in appellate records. The contact number is 254 757 5054. Customers may also file appeal documents (that are to be filed with the District Clerk) or request copies of documents in the clerk’s record from appeal cases in this section.

Post Conviction Writs of Habeas Corpus

This section also processes post conviction writs of habeas corpus. The application for a post conviction writ of habeas corpus must be filed on the proper form, which the applicant may obtain here. 

Bond Information

Cash Bond Refunds

Cash Bond Deposits are refunded to the depositor if the defendant has successfully complied with all conditions of the bond and the criminal case is concluded. The refund order is prepared and signed by the Judge, then forwarded to District Clerk’s Office. You must furnish to this office, your driver’s license or identification card, the receipt received from the jail and the actual bond the defendant received from the jail.  When these items are presented a check will be made to the person who made the bond and that person is required to pick it up at 300 Courthouse Annex Waco, Texas 76701. Any change of address should be completed prior to the conclusion of the criminal case.

The Change of Address form for cash bond refunds is available by clicking the link.

The cash bond contact number is 254-757-5054.

Cash Bond Assignment

Cash Bond assignments may also be filed with the District Clerk on the 300 Courthouse Annex Waco, Texas 76701. The Cash Bond assignment will cause the cash deposit to be refunded to another party named in the assignment form. This form must be filed with the District Clerk prior to the conclusion of the criminal case and it must be notarized, or the depositor must appear in person with proper identification to file the assignment. The Cash Bond Assignment form is available by clicking on the link listed here.

     Check Acceptance Policy     

Out of state checks or temporary checks are not accepted.  Individuals who have previously given worthless checks to the District Clerk's office are not permitted to pay by check.  Third party checks are not accepted.  All other checks will be accepted.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Question:

The court deferred adjudication of my guilt and placed me on probation and my probation has since been terminated. Is this record available to potential employers, etc?

Answer:

    Yes – the District Clerk will always have a record of the action taken on your case, even in instances of deferred adjudication. Article 42.12, section 5 (f), Code of Criminal Procedure specifically states that a record in the custody of the district clerk regarding a case in which a person is granted deferred adjudication is not confidential.

Question:

How can I file for a Petition of Non-Disclosure of my Deferred Adjudication?

Answer:

Unfortunately, our office is unable to provide legal advice regarding Non-Disclosure for Deferred Adjudication.   Since we are unable to provide legal assistance, you should review the Code of Criminal Procedure relating to Non-Disclosure or seek professional counseling from a licensed attorney.

Question:

Someone stole my identity and was arrested and convicted of a criminal offense. Is it possible to have my name removed from these records?

Answer:

Yes – Article 55.01 (d), Code of Criminal Procedure explains your entitlement when an arrested person has falsely used your information during an arrest. Article 55.02, Code of Criminal Procedure explains the procedure for expunction of records. You should not consider this legal advice. You should contact an attorney to advise you of your legal rights.

Question:

Where do I go to file charges against someone who has committed a crime?

Answer:

If you have been a victim of a criminal offense, you should contact the nearest local law enforcement agency to conduct the investigation and file the appropriate criminal charges through the District Attorney Office.

Question:

I was a victim of a criminal offense. Where can I go to get information or assistance concerning the status or outcome of the case?

Answer:

You can get information from the law enforcement agency with whom you filed the complaint or the McLennan County District Attorney's Office.

Question:

How do I expunge my criminal case?

Answer:

Since we are unable to provide legal assistance, you should review the Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 relating to Expunctions or seek professional counseling from a licensed attorney.

Question:

Where can I obtain Sex Offender Information?

Answer:

The Department of Public Safety will be able to provide you more information on this topic. To query sex offender information, please click here.

Question:

How do I resolve check fraud/hot check problems?

Answer:

Please refer to the McLennan County District Attorney's Office for assistance regarding your concern. If you would like more information regarding this topic, please review the information provided by the District Attorney’s Check Fraud Division. You may also contact the Check Fraud Division by calling (254)757-5022.

Question:

How can I obtain information regarding inmates incarcerated in the McLennan County Jail?

Answer:

Please call the McLennan County Sheriff's Office.

Question:

I am a government agency needing copies of criminal records.  What do I do?

Answer:

As a government agency, you may obtain the most efficient service by faxing your request, on your agency’s official letterhead, at (254)752-1146. If not already displayed on your letterhead, please include a return mailing address and contact person to address returned service. Also, please let us know if your needs require a mailed certified copy or whether a faxed copy is sufficient.  This office provides only one free copy of this information. You may also obtain this information through our Criminal Records Division by writing on your official letterhead to the P.O. Box address listed above, to the attention of Criminal Correspondence. In fulfilling all requests, please include the defendant’s name(s), case number(s) and item(s) you are wanting returned. (i.e. Case #1234567 – Certified Copy of Judgment and Sentence)