Dallas Probate Records Search
Dallas probate court records are kept by Dallas County, not by the city. When someone in Dallas dies, their estate goes through one of the three Dallas County Probate Courts. The county maintains all wills, estate administration files, guardianship orders, and heirship determinations. You can search for probate cases online through the Dallas County court portal or contact the Central Records Division for older cases. The George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building in downtown Dallas houses the probate courts. Dallas County has probate records going back to 1846, making it one of the most complete collections in the state.
Dallas Overview
Where Dallas Probate Cases Are Filed
Dallas residents file probate cases at the Dallas County Probate Courts. There are three probate courts in Dallas County, and each handles a full range of estate matters. Under Texas Estates Code Chapter 51, probate must be filed in the county where the person who died last lived.
The Dallas County Clerk maintains all probate records. Open cases can be searched through the county's online portal. For closed records, contact the Central Records Division at (214) 653-7099 or email DCClosedProbateRec@dallascounty.org. The Dallas County Record Search page also has tools for looking up filed documents.
| Office | Dallas County Probate Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building 600 Commerce St. Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Phone | (214) 653-7099 (Central Records) |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| DCClosedProbateRec@dallascounty.org |
Dallas County also has a Small Estates Help Desk for qualifying residents. If the estate is small enough, you might be able to use a small estate affidavit under Texas Estates Code Section 205 instead of going through full probate. The Dallas Bar Association can also point you to probate attorneys if you need one.
Search Dallas Probate Court Records
There are several ways to search for Dallas probate court records. The county has an online portal for open cases that lets you look up parties, case numbers, and docket entries. The statewide re:SearchTX system also covers Dallas County probate filings.
For closed cases, the Central Records Division is your best bet. They can pull old files going back to 1846. Email them at DCClosedProbateRec@dallascounty.org with the name and approximate date. Or call (214) 653-7099. Allow a few days for them to find and copy older records.
To find a Dallas probate case, you need one of these:
- Name of the person who died
- Name of the executor or administrator
- Case number or cause number
- Approximate year the case was filed
Note: Online results may not include every document in the case file, so an in-person visit can give you more complete information.
Dallas Probate Records Overview
The eFileTexas portal is the main way attorneys file new probate cases in Dallas County. Self-represented parties can file in person at the clerk's office instead.
The e-filing system covers all document types except original wills, which must be delivered to the clerk by hand or by mail within three business days of the electronic filing.
Dallas probate court records include wills probated under Chapter 256 as muniment of title, independent administration cases under Chapter 257, dependent administration files, guardianship applications, heirship proceedings under Chapter 304, and small estate affidavits. The application to probate a will must be filed within four years of the death date.
Dallas Probate Fees
Filing fees in Dallas County run about $360 for a new probate case. That covers the initial application whether it is a will probate, administration, guardianship, or small estate. Certified copies cost $5 per document plus $1 for each page. Plain copies are $1 per page. A search fee of $5 applies if the clerk needs to look up records for you.
If you use eFileTexas, the state adds a $30 fee for new cases and $2 per filing envelope. Your EFSP may charge its own service fee on top. If you can't afford the fees, you can ask for a waiver. Forms are at txcourts.gov.
Legal Help for Dallas Probate
Dallas has a good range of legal aid options for probate matters. The Dallas Bar Association keeps a referral list, and the State Bar of Texas at (800) 252-9690 can help match you with a probate attorney. The Texas State Law Library has free research guides on probate law.
TexasLawHelp offers step-by-step instructions for filing probate without a lawyer. All official court forms are posted at txcourts.gov. The court staff can point you to the right forms, but they cannot give you legal advice on your case. If you need a death certificate to get started, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office handles those statewide.
Nearby Cities
Several cities near Dallas also have their own probate court records pages:
Irving • Garland • Plano • Arlington • Grand Prairie • Mesquite • Richardson • Frisco • McKinney
Dallas County Probate Court Records
Dallas is in Dallas County. All probate filings for the city go through the county probate courts. Visit the full county page for complete details on the court system, fees, and how to get copies of records.