How to Request Copies of Case Records

General Information:

Thank you for your interest in obtaining a copy of DFPS case records. The case records from Adult Protective Services (APS), Child Care Licensing (CCL) and Child Protective Services (CPS) are confidential as per Texas law. DFPS adheres to and complies with all laws and rules about the entitlement, redaction, and release of the confidential case records it maintains.

If the case record you are seeking exists, is closed, and you are entitled to it, then we will review and redact it to ensure its release complies with applicable laws and rules. The review process usually includes redacting specific personal and/or identifying information. However, members of law enforcement agencies and certain other entities may receive our records without review and redaction.

DFPS strives to provide excellent customer support. Due to the large volume of requests received, it may take some time to complete your request.

Requesting Confidential Case Records:

To begin the case records requesting process, please select the category below to which you belong:

• I want a case record in which I was personally involved
  
  
• I represent someone who was personally involved in the case.
  
  
• I need a case record in relation to my professional duties as a law enforcement officer, a county attorney, or a district attorney
  
  
•  I need a case record in relation to my professional duties at the Disability Rights Texas (formerly Advocacy, Inc.)

Additional Information Regarding Confidentiality Laws & Statutes:

As noted above, DFPS Case Records are confidential by law and statute and are only releasable to specific people based on the role someone has in a case.  Generally, to obtain a copy of a DFPS case record, the following applies:

1. The case must be closed
   
2. You must have been directly involved in the case

State laws related to case records:

Adult Protective Services Cases:

• APS records are confidential under the Texas Human Resources Code Section 48.101 and 40 Texas Administrative Code(TAC) Sections 705.7101 - 705.7123.

Child Care Licensing Cases:

• CCL records are confidential under 40 Texas Administrative Code Sections 745.8481 - 745.8493.

Child Protective Services Cases:

• CPS records are confidential under Section 261.201(a) of the Texas Family Code.  and 40 Texas Administrative Code Sections 700.201 - 700.207.