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Privacy Policy

This policy describes information collected during a visit to Harris County Criminal History, the purposes for which it is used, and the limited circumstances in which another party may receive it. By continuing to use the website, you acknowledge these practices.

Data You Give Us Directly

Search Queries

A name or place entered in a search tool is sent directly to the outside company operating that tool. The provider processes the query and supplies its results. We do not retain or log those search terms on our own systems.

Messages and Contact Submissions

We retain an email or other message long enough to respond and administer the communication. It remains within our organization unless disclosure is required by law.

Data We Gather Automatically

When a page loads, the server may automatically receive basic technical and usage details:

  • Page-view dates, times, and visit duration
  • The browser name and version
  • A referring website, when one supplied the visit
  • The device's IP address
  • Device category and operating system
  • Pages opened during the session

Cookies and Analytics

Cookies are small files saved on a device. They help measure aggregate traffic, including popular pages and common exit points. Analytics vendors assist with that measurement. A browser can block cookies, although disabling them may alter how some website features work.

What We Do With This Data

  • Diagnosing faults and correcting technical problems
  • Routing a submitted search to the selected provider
  • Operating the website and maintaining reliable performance
  • Measuring which resources visitors use
  • Displaying advertising that may reflect visitor interests

No Criminal-Record Data on File

We do not host, assemble, or sell a database of personal criminal records. Harris County guidance identifies official channels at HCSO, the District Clerk and criminal courts, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry. Visitor information is not turned into a third-party criminal file or a consumer report. This website is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Third-Party Search Partners

Independent companies operate the search boxes. Information entered there is governed by that company's privacy policy, retention terms, and sharing practices. Those choices are outside our control. Review the provider's policy before sending a query.

Links to Other Websites

Links may lead to HCSO, Harris County courts, Texas agencies, legal resources, or outside search services. Once a visitor leaves this website, the destination's own policy controls. Read it before giving that site personal information.

Advertising companies may use their own systems to observe activity across websites and select targeted ads. We do not operate that cross-site tracking.

Who Might See Your Data

Personal data is not sold by us. Limited information may be available to:

  • Analytics vendors that measure website use and function
  • Advertising networks placing ads on these pages
  • Search companies receiving a query submitted through their tool
  • A government or law-enforcement body acting under a valid legal demand

How We Protect Your Data

Reasonable, commonly used safeguards protect the data we handle. No online system is completely secure, however, so we cannot guarantee that an unauthorized access event will never occur.

Users Under 18

This website is intended for adults, and we do not knowingly collect a minor's personal information. If such data is identified, a request may be made for its deletion.

Your Data Rights

Subject to its definitions, exemptions, and scope, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, Business & Commerce Code Chapter 541, may provide rights concerning personal data. Texas Government Code Chapter 411 separately governs dissemination of state criminal-history information, while the Texas Public Information Act governs many records held by public agencies. Depending on which law applies, rights may include the ability to:

  • Confirm processing and obtain access to covered personal data
  • Request correction of inaccurate covered data
  • Seek deletion where the governing law permits it
  • Opt out of specified processing covered by the statute

Updates to This Policy

This policy may be revised. A new version becomes visible here with its current effective date, allowing visitors to review changes in how information is handled.

Effective date: August 9, 2026