Perform a Free Bexar County Warrant Search: Resource

Conduct a Bexar County warrant search for free in just minutes. Individuals can use the tools and resources outlined in this article to see if they — or someone they know — have any active warrants.

Citizens don’t need a particular reason for looking into warrant records; anyone can search for this information for any reason thanks to the Texas Public Information Act.

Review the steps and utilize the linked databases throughout this resource to find the best methods for tracking down warrant details, types, and resolution options in Bexar County, Texas.

This resource was written by Attorney Robert Bailey Jr, who holds a Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law.

Tracking Down Free Warrant Information in Bexar County (An Overview)

This section will lay the foundation if you want to track down warrant information in Bexar County. Before you follow specific steps on conducting a warrant search, you need to understand what they are, who maintains these records and the type of information you will need to conduct a successful search.

The general rule is that warrant information is considered a public record under Texas’ Public Information Act.¹ However, certain confidential information and other exceptions restrict your access to certain warrant information.²

There are different types of warrants (more on this later), and some are more likely to be restricted than others. Arrest warrants typically are available for the public. However, search warrants are often restricted until after they are fully executed. They fall under an exception for information that, if released, would harm a law enforcement investigation.

While warrant information is generally available, the means to access them can vary. You can find warrant information through formal requests via email, mail or phone.

Another option is to conduct an in-person search with the record custodian. However, the quickest way to obtain warrant information is usually through online databases.

To conduct a warrant search, you need to have certain basic information. As a starter, you will want to have the full name of the person you are searching along with where they live. You will want to know the county where they live; however, having their complete address is even more helpful.

You also want to know what county the warrant was issued so you search with the appropriate government agency.

You may not have a complete name or other difficulties locating a warrant. If you have the date and reason the warrant was issued, this may help locate hard-to-find warrant information. Also, any details on the person, such as their physical characteristics or date of birth, can be helpful as well.

Different counties may maintain warrant information with various record custodians. In Bexar County, you can search warrant information with the Sheriff’s office and the County Clerk & District Clerk.³

Some of the larger cities in Bexar County also provide the option to look up warrant information. For example, the San Antonio Municipal Court maintains a database of warrants issued within the city.⁴

In the next section, you will learn how to search for warrant information with the above-mentioned government agencies.

How To See if You or Someone Else is Wanted via a Bexar County Warrant Search

If you want to look up warrant information, a quick way to get started is by searching criminal cases with the Clerk’s online case search tool.⁵ You can use this search tool to access warrant information (via criminal records) by either a person’s name or case number.

Once you enter the information, you will be taken to the results page. The results page will provide you with all matching individuals, their case numbers, filing dates, status, and court. If you click on the “+” icon, you can also view a description of the criminal charges that were brought against the person.

To view warrant information, you will need to view the complete online criminal record by clicking on the “view details” button. Once you navigate to the complete online criminal record, you can scroll down to the “Events” section.

The “Events” section will provide you with everything that happened in a particular criminal case from start to finish. It’s in this section you will see when a warrant was issued and other related information.

You can take this limited warrant information to perform an in-person search or make a records request with the Bexar County Clerk.^{6, 7} To submit a records request, you will need to provide your contact information and a description of the type of warrant information you are seeking. Make sure that you include any information that will help the Clerk identify this information.

A records request can be submitted by mail or in-person to the address below:

Bexar County Clerk
100 Dolorosa St.
San Antonio, Texas 78205

For additional information, you can contact the Bexar County Clerk by phone at 210-335-2216. They are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

If you have not found what you are looking for, you can seek out warrant information with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.⁹ You can contact them at 210-335-6030 or 210-335-6050 to specifically ask for information about both criminal and civil warrants. They are available for calls Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

If you want to talk to someone in person, you can go to the address below:

Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
200 N. Comal St.
San Antonio, Texas 78207

In certain larger cities, they issue their own warrants through their municipal courts. An example of that in Bexar County is the San Antonio Municipal Court.¹⁰ You can search for active warrants online with the San Antonio Municipal Court.¹¹ You can use this tool to search by name, citation number or driver’s license.

If you are conducting a name-based search, you will also be required to enter the person’s date of birth. If you do not have this specific information, you will not be able to conduct an online search. If that’s the case, you can contact their warrants section by phone at 210-207-7532 or go in person to the address below:

San Antonio Municipal Court
401 S. Frio St.
San Antonio, Texas 78207

Some jurisdictions maintain warrant information with a statewide government agency. However, in Texas, you will have to look up warrant information in individual counties and municipalities. They do not have a statewide agency or search tool for accessing warrant information.

Types of Warrants & Their Definitions

If you are not sure what you need to search for, it will be helpful to know the different types of warrants you may encounter in Bexar County. Each warrant has specific requirements for its issuance and serves a particular purpose.

Many people looking to conduct a search want to find out information on an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant is issued by the judge to authorize law enforcement to take a person in custody for the likely commission of a criminal violation. A judge will issue a warrant if law enforcement is able to provide the judge with sufficient evidence to establish probable cause that the person committed a specific crime.

Another type that requires law enforcement to submit evidence of probable cause to a judge is a search warrant. The search warrant is used by law enforcement to investigate a place otherwise off limits for evidence of specific criminal activity. Like one for an arrest, the search warrant will be issued by a judge once law enforcement establishes probable cause.

A bench warrant allows law enforcement to bring someone into custody, but it does not require the production of evidence to establish probable cause. Rather, a bench warrant is issued when a person fails to follow an explicit court order. An example of this is when a person does not show up for a mandatory hearing date.

A blue warrant is issued when a person has failed to comply with a specific term of their probation or parole. At this point, your probation or parole may be revoked, and you may be required to spend the rest of your sentence in custody or face other consequences.

A child support warrant can be issued if a parent is delinquent in making their court-ordered payments for their minor children.

A capias pro-fine warrant is issued when an individual is found guilty (civilly or criminally), has a judgment entered against them and fails to satisfy that judgment.

Note: The term “active warrant” is not a different type. Any of these warrants may be considered active. Basically, an active warrant is one that has not been fully executed yet.

How To Get a Warrant Dropped or Resolved in Bexar County Texas

At this point, you now have an understanding of the different warrants, who maintains them, and how to find these records. During one of your searches, you discovered that you or someone you know has an outstanding warrant. It’s important that you know what to do with this important information.

If the warrant is for someone else, consider the severity of the warrant and your relationship with the person. If it’s for a minor matter, there is no harm in letting the person know, so they hopefully can resolve it quickly. Or, if you do not feel comfortable telling the person, you could let a mutual friend know.

If the warrant involves something severe like a felony, your best option is to inform law enforcement about anything you know regarding this person’s whereabouts. One option is to report this information to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.¹²

If you find out that you have an outstanding warrant, reach out to an attorney in Bexar County who specializes in these types of criminal matters. They may be able to help you have the warrant quashed by paying a fine or setting a new hearing date.

If the matter is serious and you must turn yourself in, an attorney will walk you through the process and your rights. You will likely want to contact a bail bondsman in preparation for turning yourself in. They can make sure you are able to post bail quickly if that is an option.

Before you turn yourself in, don’t forget to let your family members or close friends know they may wonder where you are. You do not want to cause any unnecessary worry for them.

You should now be well prepared to conduct a thorough Bexar County warrant search; you should also have an idea as to what you should do if you find any active warrants for you or someone you know.