Searching for Ward County public records is possible once you figure out how to utilize the online search tools and helpful resources offered by local agencies.
Despite being small, there’s plenty of information available in Ward County, Texas. You can look up marriages, divorces, property, warrants, arrests, criminal activity, and court proceedings. Finding prisoner and probation information and performing background checks are also possible.
This resource can help you find multiple sources for tracking down accurate information and provide you with effective tools to uncover public records in Ward County for free.
Since the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) came about, government agencies must make relevant information public and simply accessible to all citizens. The Texas Public Information Act allows the state to take up to 10 days to respond to public records requests.
Whether the information needed is online or must be obtained in person, we can offer reliable and streamlined methods for retrieving Ward County public information quickly.
How To Find Arrest Logs, Mugshots & the Reason for Detainment in Ward County Texas
Ward County is a small county with only a few online resources that rely heavily on state assets to meet its obligations to make public records information available to the public.
Still, it’s always possible to find information when needed. Citizens have options and can choose from a few different resource options to search for detainment information in the area.
Track Down Arrests via the Ward County Sheriff’s Office
The Ward County Sheriff’s Office is available to provide citizens with information about arrests and criminal cases.1
Although they fail to offer an online search tool or any options to find someone’s mugshot, their offices and phones are ready to assist any interested party in searching for public records information or recent jail records.
This department can still prove helpful in gaining insight into an arrest or incarcerated person, as it is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The sheriff’s office contact information can be found below:
Ward County Sheriff’s Office
300 East 4th
Monahans, TX 79756
Phone: (432)-943-6703
Fax: (432)-943-6265
Obtain Arrest Details & Reports From the Municipal Police Department in Ward County
Monahans is the biggest city in Ward County and the only one with a municipal police department. Monahans Police Department has its own records department, which can be contacted about arrests in the city, helping citizens check public records.2
To get in touch with the Monahans police department in person or over the phone about public records in Ward County, individuals should reach out to the following contact information:
Monahans Police Department
114 S Bruce Ave.
Monahans, TX 79756
Phone: (432)-943-3254
When working with the Monahans police to perform a records search, interested parties can choose how to make a request. The department accepts to see people in person or to respond to mail, email, and fax requests.
Incident (or offense) reports cost $2 (or $4 if faxed), and records check cost $10. There are other services available for different fees. The contact information for the records department is the same as the police department, added above.
How To View Ward County Criminal History Details
Many different records about an individual’s criminal past can be discovered with the help of various Ward County public records custodians.
Whether someone is looking for Ward County bookings and charges information or warrants and probation records, everything can be found if searched for using the correct tools.
The Sheriff’s Office and local police departments usually retain some information. However, courts and other tools provided by the state can also be helpful in performing a free criminal record check.
Perform a Criminal Record Check in Ward County Texas
Contacting the Sheriff’s Office should always be the first step to uncovering Ward County criminal records. There are alternatives on the state level to perform a similar search, but it’s always advisable to begin with the county resources, as shown below.
Records checks can be performed both at the county and municipal levels (in some cases). The Ward County Sheriff’s Office is available to the public in person, via mail, phone, or fax, but it needs to be clarified how they assist citizens in obtaining background checks. To reach out to them in person and ask, this is their contact information:
Ward County Sheriff’s Office
300 East 4th
Monahans, TX 79756
Phone: (432)-943-6703
Fax: (432)-943-6265
The District Clerk of Court can also assist interested parties with tracking down criminal history information on someone. Be sure to offer as much information as possible to help narrow the search. Although the clerk may offer their services at no cost, purchasing copies of documents will likely come at a nominal fee.
On the municipal level, the city of Monahans offers services to retrieve local records upon request.3 Similar to the Ward County Sheriff’s Office, these records are available in person, via mail, phone, or fax.
Fees vary between $1 and $10, depending on what is being requested, and interested parties may find the department using the following information:
Monahans Police Department
114 S Bruce Ave.
Monahans, TX 79756
Phone: (432)-943-3254
Search Criminal Cases & Charges Through the Texas Department of Public Safety
Citizens should use the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) tool when looking up records in person isn’t preferred or feasible.
The DPS offers a search engine on its page for all convicted individuals in Texas. On their page, citizens can click on the Criminal Records Information section for the search tool and more information about how it works and should be used.4
This search isn’t free, unfortunately. Texas public records often come at a fee. Public records searches in Texas are available, however. To use the Criminal Conviction Name Search, users must create an account and buy credits for $3 each, plus a processing fee.
However, citizens should be aware that it’s not necessarily an anonymous search since an account must be created and personal data added. More information about how this system works is available in the “How To” section of the website.
In situations in which going to them in person is more convenient, this is how a citizen can reach out to the Texas DPS:
Texas Department of Public Safety
5805 N Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78752
Phone: (512)-424-2000
How To Check Who Has a Warrant Out for Their Arrest in Ward County
When someone needs to find out if there are any Ward County warrants against them, the advisable way to do it is over the phone, as explained below.
There aren’t online sources available for outstanding warrants in Texas, so concerned individuals wouldn’t be able to run a simple anonymous search from home. At the same time, it’s not recommended that someone goes in person to law enforcement asking about warrants—simply because it may lead to their arrest on the spot.
For those reasons, the more effective strategy is to make some calls and ask around. Similar to a Ward County case search, uncovering information about warrants can be tedious; thankfully, with our guidance and the contact information below, this undertaking can be streamlined and simplified.
Below is a list of custodians anyone may contact for warrant details:
| Agency | Phone Number |
| Sheriff’s Office | (432)-943-6703 |
| Ward County Court | (432)-943-3209 |
| Clerk of Court | (432)-943-2751 |
Any of those agencies may provide information about outstanding warrants as long as you reach someone who’s willing to help. Feel free to reach out to them with questions or concerns.
However, if someone feels that the only way to obtain information is to go in person, it’s recommended that they find a defense attorney who can go in their place to find this information instead. The fact of the matter is that it’s important to be aware of the risks, as someone with an active warrant could be arrested if they visit any law enforcement agency.
On the other hand, it’s always convenient to remember that victims have access to privileged information. They can rely on platforms such as Vine or try to make direct contact with the Sheriff’s Office or the Ward County Attorney’s Office for information and support.
How To See Who Is on Probation in Ward County Texas
Like Ward County arrest records, finding information about individuals on probation can’t be performed online. Still, there’s a place where interested citizens can go in person and ask questions if they feel so inclined.
Probation in Ward County is managed by the 143rd Community Supervision & Corrections Department, which offers several services to support this population.6 They can be found using the following information:
Ward County CSCD
400 S. Allen – Suite 104
Monahans, TX 79756
Phone: (432)-943-2851
For those who still wish to perform an online search, remember that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offers one that will provide information about parole only, not probation.7 Although individuals on probation are still–for all intents and purposes within the system–considered to be inmates, their information can only be found with the local Probation Department for this county.
This online search only allows for a few specifics, and the search result can sometimes be quite ample, showing more individuals than originally expected. Still, it’s possible to choose a gender and a race, for example, to narrow the search slightly.
With that in mind, searching this list could be quite useful, and concerned citizens should take advantage of that.
How To Execute a Ward County Texas Background Check
For professional purposes, there are two primary types of background checks. However, personal background checks can be performed through third-party providers or by looking up public records through government agencies seen in this resource.
Background checks can be level 1–which means searching using only a full name and some other information–or level 2, which includes fingerprints and is much more accurate due to name-based searches running into the potential for errors, such as duplicate names, aliases, misspellings, etc.
At the same time, background checks can be used for two different purposes.
On one hand, someone may wish to find information on another individual’s past out of curiosity or caution. Persons may even want to pull up a check for themselves and ensure the information is correct.
Usually, this information can be found using the resources already mentioned in this article. For anyone who wishes to uncover information about their records or someone else’s, the advice is to use the tools shared here in this resource.
On the other hand, a background check may be used to make important decisions, such as extending an offer of employment or giving someone a license.
In Ward County, to look up someone’s criminal record for official purposes may require making calls or even visiting a custodian in person. It will also likely require consent from the individual that will be searched by law.
The District Clerk’s office states on their website that they perform services that benefit the public, but they aren’t clear about what those services are, how much they cost, or how to obtain them.9 With that in mind, the suggestion is to call them at (432)-943-2751 before doing anything else to find out if your specific request or need can be met.
In a broader sense, though, citizens can also take advantage of tools provided by the State of Texas and the FBI.
The Department of Public Safety in Texas has a Criminal History search tool that anyone can use. It requires creating an account and paying fees as the user moves along and makes requests. It is quite an efficient tool.
The FBI allows citizens to request criminal record checks about themselves. This way, individuals can uncover information about their history and check it for accuracy, for example.
Individuals should know that any details uncovered using this tool cannot be used for employment or business decisions—for those kinds of background checks, some rules must be followed. For instance, persons wishing to attempt to obtain employment or a license should find out what kind of check is accepted by the agency they’re attempting to work with and get it.
How To View Criminal Records in All of Texas Using State & Federal Resources
When searching statewide Texas criminal and inmate information, including the reason for detainment and sentence, a good tool is the Texas Department of Justice Inmate Search public index.
The TDCJ platform won’t show information about recent arrests; however, it offers detailed information about those serving time already.
The TDCJ search system provides information about inmates all over the state, with considerable detail. It allows citizens to search just by inputting the last name and the first letter of the inmate’s first name. However, the more information is added, the more efficient the results will be.
For that reason, if the birth gender and race of the inmate are known, or even their full name is available, adding those can significantly narrow down the search and provide results that will be more relevant – in many cases, including even court dates.
Individuals can perform searches about themselves online using the Criminal History Conviction Name Search provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The system requires that this person creates an account, and although they could search other names too, those results wouldn’t be considered official background checks.
In particular, when searching for sex offenders (including their history and location), the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry has a thorough list that can be consulted. It includes the offender’s details, with their address and mugshot—it’ll even disclose where they’re incarcerated (if that’s the case) or if they live out of state.
Still, when it comes to sex offenders (and the fact that they often don’t properly report), people should remember that the Department of Justice offers a nationwide sex offender search that also provides a lot of information. Those sources are free for all.
Regarding criminal records and inmate information go, the Federal Bureau of Prisons BOP) has a tool that allows citizens to search for current and prior federal inmates in all 50 states. It’s called the BOP inmate locator and can be used to search individuals using their BOP register number (when available) or name, and other information (such as age and gender). It’s also free of charge, which is very convenient.
How To Search Ward County Court Records
Ward County court records can be retrieved with the help of the District Clerk.
As a repository of Ward County public records, the clerk has an online search service available to members of the public on their website. With the help of a third-party vendor, the District Clerk offers the people something that can be a helpful tool for obtaining more detailed information about Ward County judicial records.
This online records search requires creating an account with the user’s personal information. It’s important to be aware of that before sharing personal information with the platform—and, in case someone chooses to do so, make sure they’re fully aware of who’s getting their information.
It also requires payment for the records it provides. The amount may vary, but anyone who purchases more than five records needs to commit to a subscription service.
Although there’s no free online search option for court records, the District Clerk is available to assist interested citizens in getting the Ward County judicial records they need–including criminal, civil, and probate case documents. This is the contact information for the District Clerk:
Ward County District Clerk
400 South Allen
Monahans, TX 79756
Phone: (432)-943-2751
Fax: (432)-943-3810
For mail correspondence and requests, it’s recommended to use the following address:
Ward County District Clerk
P.O. Box 440
Monahans, TX 79756
How To Obtain Vital Records About Marriages, Divorces, Births & Deaths in Ward County
When in need of vital records in Ward County, citizens can rely on a variety of tools and choose what makes more sense for the search they wish to perform.
For most records, taking a look at the county’s available tools is the most practical way to go.
Track Down Vital Records via the Ward County Clerk’s Office
Vital records, just like most public records in Ward County, can be obtained with the County Clerk’s office. They must be contacted in person since they don’t offer an online option for retrieving those documents.
In order to contact them in person, visit the address below:
Ward County Courthouse
400 South Allen
Monahans, TX 79765
Phone: (432)-943-3294
Citizens can reach out to the County Clerk’s office for a birth certificate, a certificate of death, and marriage records. That is so because, as a general rule, those records are customarily found at the Clerk of the Superior Court where the event occurred. They don’t assist people in obtaining divorce records, though, as clearly stated on their website.
Therefore, to check if someone is married, the Ward County Clerk’s Office would be the place to go since they are the public records repository in that area. However, there are additional options that allow citizens to get what they need in the most convenient way possible.
Acquire Ward County Marriage & Divorce Records or Certificates Through the Texas Department of State Health Services
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) can help citizens find out if someone is married in cases where the event took place on or after 1966. Likewise, they can verify Ward County divorce records if the decree happened in 1968 or after. The DSHS can also provide verification by giving citizens a letter.
Letters of verification for marriages and divorces can be ordered online just by following some steps on their website.
In order to obtain the letter, however, it’s imperative that the individuals requesting those records have information about when the event took place (dates, parties involved, etc.). As long as the correct information is available, the letters are very simple to obtain. Applicants should review vital record fees for each document type before purchasing.
For actual Ward County marriage records or divorce decrees, in cases where a simple verification letter isn’t sufficient, the best idea is to reach out to the Clerk’s Office directly.
Request Birth & Death Records in Ward County via the Texas Department of State Health Services
The Texas Department of State Health Services allows citizens to order birth and death certificates, as well as verification letters. Those letters don’t substitute a marriage license or a divorce decree, but they serve to prove the event took place and that two people were married or divorced.
All interested citizens need to do is go to the website and choose the option for the record they wish to uncover. For a birth certificate, for example, the individual must click on that option and follow all four steps until the order is completed.
The same goes for a certificate of death. There are so many steps, and so much information needs to be verified because not everyone is allowed to have access to any birth or death certificate; whoever makes the request must be connected to the individual somehow.
TDSHS fees are non-refundable, even if the desired record is not found.
For information about an older certificate of death (or birth), the Texas Vital Statistics indexes can be very helpful.14 They have information about births and deaths to 2010, including records from before 1903.
Although they don’t provide the actual certificate of birth or death, they have plenty of information on their indexes. This index can be particularly helpful for those looking to uncover genealogy and ancestry information by looking at their family tree.
According to their website, everyone is welcome to visit (and search for details) at the following address:
Texas State Library & Archives
1201 Brazos St.
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512)-463-5474
How To Find Free Ward County TX Property Records
To look up Ward County public records pertaining to property and land ownership, the Property Appraiser is a great source.15 They provide a comprehensive online directory about property in the area, offering tools to search and find relevant information.
Right on the homepage, citizens can find a search bar that allows for queries to be made using information about the owner or the property. It also allows for searches using the address, for example. The more information is added, the more specific the results will be.
Whenever the online tool fails to provide adequate information, it’s possible to go to the Appraiser’s Office directly:
Ward County Central Appraisal District
808 S. Betty, P.O. Box 905
Monahans, TX 79756
Phone: (432)-943-3224
Email: [email protected]
Utilizing Ward County Public Records Ethically & Understanding Your Rights
Free public records search tools are crucial to keep the population informed and safe. Being able to access records allows for transparency and clarity, providing those who seek them with valuable information. There are, however, rules that we all must abide by.
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that no individual needs a reason to look up or search public records, but information obtained through those avenues should not be used for stalking, harassing, intimidating, or any other criminal activity.
When accessing public records information–such as we just learned how to find in Ward County, for example–it’s important to keep those limits in mind.
Also, as someone who may be eventually searched, every citizen should know their rights. For instance, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), no information obtained can be used for credit-worthiness assessment or to influence an employment decision.18 Everyone is protected from it and should know how their information can be used.
In other words, even if searching public records doesn’t require the individual’s consent, their privacy must be respected. Therefore, if someone ever feels that their personal information isn’t being used fairly, it’s their right to submit a FOIA request to any federal government agency.
On the professional side, it may occur that someone will ask to have an individual’s background checked. Throughout life, this is expected in some situations.
People should know that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protects individuals from discrimination when a background check is necessary.19 If an individual ever feels that they’ve been discriminated against (for whatever reason), it’s possible to file a charge of employment discrimination with the EEOC and have them investigate the claim.
On the same token, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) protects citizens against background check fraud. For example, if someone becomes aware that a background check was run without consent, for example, for employment or a loan, they have the right to report it. Background checks that may affect the outcome of a situation in a person’s life require consent because they have the right to be aware of it.
Information is readily accessible and can be extremely helpful, but always act ethically and responsibly when searching Ward County public records.
References
1Ward County Texas Government. (n.d.). County Sheriff. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://www.co.ward.tx.us/page/ward.Sheriff>
2City of Monahans. (n.d.). Police Department. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://www.cityofmonahans.org/index.asp?SEC=A701D1E1-84D8-4EFF-9262-66B7C0A2021C&Type=B_BASIC>
3City of Monahans. (n.d.). Records. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://www.cityofmonahans.org/index.asp?SEC=A03501CF-C9D2-4520-8EC6-34A9D91146A2&Type=B_BASIC>
4Texas Department of Public Safety. (n.d.). Criminal History Conviction Name Search Login. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/ConvictionNameSearch/Profile/Security/Login/?ReturnUrl=%2FConvictionNameSearch%2FProfile>
5Texas Department of Public Safety. (n.d.). Criminal History Conviction Name Search. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/ConvictionNameSearch/>
6143rd Community Supervision and Corrections Department. (n.d.). Community Service. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <http://www.143cscd.com/services.html>
7Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Inmate Information. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/ks_offender.html>
8Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (2024). Inmate Information Search. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from <https://inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/start.action>
9Ward County Texas Government. (n.d.). District Clerk. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://www.co.ward.tx.us/page/ward.District.Clerk>
10Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Inmate Information Details. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/viewDetail.action?sid=18187678>
11Texas Department of Public Safety. (n.d.). Public Sex Offender Registry Search. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/SexOffenderRegistry/Search>
12Ward County Clerk. (n.d.). Criminal Case Search. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://public.lgsonlinesolutions.com/ors.html>
13Texas Department of State Health Services. (n.d.). Verify your identity. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from <https://ovra.txapps.texas.gov/ovra/order-birth-certificate/verify-identity-in-state>
14Texas State Library and Archives Commission. (n.d.). Texas Vital Statistics Indexes. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://www.tsl.texas.gov/arc/vitalfaq.html>
15Ward County Appraisal District. (n.d.). Contact Us. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://www.wardcad.org/home/getintouch>
16Ward County Appraisal District. (n.d.). Property Search – By Owner. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://www.wardcad.org/>
17Ward County Appraisal District. (n.d.). Search Results. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://www.wardcad.org/Home/Search?searchObj=%7B%22keyword%22%3A%22OnlyShowNonZero%3Afalse%3BCustomFieldsSearch%3Afalse%3BCategorySearch%3Afalse%3BAcreSearch%3Afalse%3BValueSearch%3Afalse%22%2C%22searchOption%22%3A%22basic%22%2C%22sortBy%22%3A%22Parcel%20>
18Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Fair Credit Reporting Act. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act>
19U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). Public Portal. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from <https://publicportal.eeoc.gov/Portal/Login.aspx>