Municipal Archives


Where Do I Find . . . .

The Dallas Municipal Archives contains hundreds of aspects of the city's governmental history.  You can search for them via the Collections, Online Exhibits, Resources, and other options via the sidebar on the left side this this webpage.  

The Archives does not contain information on individual citizens, non-city-owned buildings, or private residences.  The following two tables shows where to obtain the information for frequently sought topics from both the City of Dallas and Dallas County.

City of Dallas

For
See
​​•
birth or death certificates.  Located in the downtown Dallas Public Library.
Vital Statistics 
​​•
​​​​blueprints and/or building plans.  The department contains central files for both commercial and residential building plans and blueprints. Building Inspection 
​•
the current City of Dallas code.

For codes from 1993 and before, see 
Dallas City Code, 1889-1993.
City Code
​​​•
Dallas City Council agendas, minutes, and digital audio recordings from 1997 and after
City Secretary's Office online Council Meeting information
​•
Dallas City Council minutes and audio recordings before 1997
Open Records
​•
police records
Open Records
​•
documentation of a payoff or release of paving lien.  The Dallas County Clerk handles property liens.
Special Collections department
​•
Murphy and Bolenz block and addition books for Dallas County 1880-1920
Murphy and Bolenz maps
​•
Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of Dallas for 1885, 1888. 1892, 1899, 1905, 1921, 1922, and 1927
Sanborn maps of Dallas
​•
​property boundaries for a residence or building
Survey office of the Department of Public Works

warrants, bonds, or citations issued by the City of Dallas Municipal Court
City of Dallas Municipal Court


Dallas County

For
See
​•
probate records for a deceased family member.  The city does not handle probate records.
​​​County Records Division of the Dallas County Clerk

​property liens, transfers, and deeds
​Recording Division of the Dallas County Clerk


Contact the Municipal Archives if you have a question or if you are unsure of whom to contact.  If we do not have the information in our collections, we will do our best to point you in the right direction.  We are here to support your research.