Search Ellis County Booking Reports
Ellis County booking reports are handled by the Ellis County Sheriff's Office, which maintains the county jail in Waxahachie, Texas. You can look up current inmate records, request arrest reports, and get booking details through the sheriff's office website or by contacting the Records Division directly. The Ellis County Sheriff's Office is the main agency for arrest and detention records in this county, which sits south of Dallas along Interstate 35.
Ellis County Overview
Ellis County Sheriff's Office
The Ellis County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. It handles all bookings, jail operations, and public records requests related to arrests made in Ellis County. All booking records are created at the time of arrest and maintained by the department.
The sheriff's office serves the entire county, including the unincorporated areas outside of Waxahachie. Ellis County has grown significantly as part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, and the sheriff's office has expanded its operations accordingly. The department operates the county's only narcotics unit and has worked to increase patrol coverage on county roads and highways. The jail has also expanded bed capacity to meet growing detention needs. You can reach the main office at 972-825-4901.
Booking records created by the Ellis County Sheriff's Office are separate from records kept by city police departments operating in the county. Cities like Waxahachie, Ennis, and Midlothian have their own police departments. Arrests by those agencies may result in records held by both the city agency and the county jail if the person was transferred for detention.
| Office | Ellis County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Website | elliscountysheriff.com/ecso |
| Phone | 972-825-4901 |
| County Seat | Waxahachie, TX |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, business hours |
Finding Ellis County Arrest Records
The Ellis County Sheriff's Office website provides access to jail and inmate information. The system shows basic inmate data for individuals currently in custody. Visit elliscountysheriff.com/ecso and look for the jail or inmate section to check on someone currently held in the county jail. For verbal confirmation of current custody status, call the main number at 972-825-4901.
For written records requests, send your request to the Sheriff's Office by mail or deliver it in person during business hours. Under the Texas Public Information Act, most arrest and booking records are available to the public. Your request should include the full name of the person you are looking for and the approximate arrest date if you know it. Include your contact information so the office can reach you if they need more details or to let you know about any fees. The agency has 10 business days to respond.
If the person you are looking for has moved from county custody to a state prison facility, use the TDCJ Offender Search to find their current location and status. VINELink is also available as a free alert service for tracking changes in an inmate's custody status in Ellis County facilities.
Note: Booking records and full criminal history records are two different things. Full background checks must go through the Texas DPS Crime Records Division.
What Ellis County Booking Records Include
Each time someone is booked into the Ellis County Jail, a booking record is created. These records document the details of the arrest and the person's processing through the jail. They are public records under Texas law.
Ellis County booking reports typically include the full name and date of birth of the person arrested, along with the date, time, and place of the arrest. The charges filed at booking are listed, as is any bond amount set by the court. The record shows the arresting agency, whether that is the sheriff's office, a city police department, or another law enforcement body. A booking number is assigned by the jail, and a physical description is recorded. Bond information, including bond type and bondsman name, is part of the standard record. Disposition information may be included if the case has moved forward in the court system.
Not every field may be released in all cases. Records connected to open investigations may have certain parts held back. Juvenile records are not public. If you need certified copies for a court case or legal matter, the sheriff's office can provide them for a fee per page.
Ellis County Sheriff Resources
The Ellis County Sheriff's Office website provides public access to inmate data, jail information, and contact details for the county's detention facility in Waxahachie.
This is the official county resource for booking report searches, current inmate information, and records requests for arrests made in Ellis County, Texas.
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards sets the rules all Texas county jails must follow, including the Ellis County Jail in Waxahachie.
This state agency inspects every county jail in Texas at least once a year, publishes population reports, and oversees standards for inmate care and facility operations.
Public Records Requests in Ellis County
The Texas Public Information Act, codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, gives every person the right to request public records from government agencies, including the Ellis County Sheriff's Office. You do not need to explain why you want the records.
To make a request, put it in writing and include the name of the person whose records you are looking for, the approximate date of arrest if known, and your contact information. Send the request to the Ellis County Sheriff's Office by mail or hand it to staff in person during business hours. The office has 10 business days to respond. They will either send the records, ask for more time, or explain why they cannot provide certain information. Any denial must cite a specific legal exception under state law.
Standard copy fees apply and are set by the state. If you believe a records denial was wrong, you can contact the Texas DPS or the Texas Office of the Attorney General. The OAG handles complaints and disputes over public information access in Texas.
Cities in Ellis County
Ellis County includes Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian, Red Oak, and several smaller communities. Waxahachie is the county seat and largest city. Midlothian has grown quickly as a suburb of Dallas. All county-level booking records are processed through the Ellis County Sheriff's Office in Waxahachie, regardless of which city or area the arrest occurred in.
No cities in Ellis County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
If you are not sure whether an arrest falls under Ellis County or a neighboring jurisdiction, check which agency made the arrest. Each nearby county has its own sheriff and jail system.