How to Search for a Criminal History in Texas

The ability to do a thorough background check on a possible future employee is a necessity for keeping your home or workplace safe. Gaining access to someone's criminal record can mean all the difference between hiring a reliable, trustworthy individual or hiring someone who might cost your company money--or worse. Searching for these records once was a long, painstaking process, but thanks in large part to the Internet, you'll find it's easier to access these records for background checks.

• 1

  Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety website. You can find a link to this website in this article's resources section.

• 2

  Sign up for an account with the TXDPS. You will need a valid e-mail address to sign up for an account. Once you have completed the sign-up process, you will receive a login name and password.

• 3

  Go back to the TXDPS home page and click on the "Criminal History" link. Use your login name and password to access your account.

• 4

  Click on the "Criminal History Conviction Search" link at the top of your account page. This will take you to a webpage that explains all about what each report contains, what the computerized criminal history procedure is, and what website contains this information.

• 5

  Go to the CCH menu at the right of the screen and click on "Search Individuals." You will then be brought to a screen containing the TXDPS terms of agreement. Read them thoroughly and click the link stating that you read and agree to the terms.

• 6

  Choose your method of payment. In order to be able to search the site you will need to purchase credits. You can pay with a credit card or you can send a check in the mail.

• 7

  Enter the name and birth date of the individual you are searching for into the search box. You only need the first and last name, but having the birth date as well might help narrow your search and produce more accurate results. Click "Search."

• 8

  Print out a copy of the criminal records you have accessed through the site. At the top of the page is a "Print" button. Click this to print the record you need.