Law Library

The Library is open to the public Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30pm.

George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce St. Suite#B40 (Basement), Dallas Texas 75202.

Yes, our telephone number is (214) 653-7481. Library staff is available to answer your call during regular library hours depending on the patron volume we are experiencing in the library. Please note, Law Library staff will respond to questions from patrons appearing at the Law Library in person first and telephone inquiries second. Library Staff may provide short, factual answers to reference questions that do not require extensive research.

There is on-street parking at meters, surface lots, and the County parking garage located under the Kennedy Memorial. There is an entrance to the County parking garage on Commerce St. immediately after crossing Houston St. on your left across from the George Allen Building. The parking garage accepts cash and credit; THERE IS NO FREE PARKING.

Yes, everyone is required to pass through security upon entering the building.

A list of prohibited items can be found on the Marshal Service/Building Security site of the County website under the "Security Checkpoints" tab of their menu.

Yes, the ATM is located on the first floor of the building.

Yes, on the basement level of the courthouse.

Please see the library’s webpage concerning the Library Rules of Conduct under the Policies tab of the menu.

The books located in the Library cannot be borrowed because the collection is non-circulating. However, the eBook collection can be borrowed.

Yes, the Library has a LexisNexis eBook collection that can be accessed via any internet-connected device. Click here for more information.

The Library has practice guides, topical titles and formbooks for Texas and Federal practice.

Yes, the Law Library sells form packets for divorce as well as forms for various other legal matters. Dallas County charges $.25 cents a page for forms, copies, and printouts. The divorce forms and other frequently used simple forms are available for free download at www.texaslawhelp.org.

Yes, some form sets are available in Spanish at www.texaslawhelp.org/es.

Yes, we have Westlaw and LexisNexis subscriptions available for use by the public on Library PCs; however, it is an on-site resource only. We do not offer remote access to Westlaw or LexisNexis. 

Yes, the Law Library accepts Discover, Mastercard, and Visa. There is a $2.95 convenience fee added to the total charge.

Yes, the Library has two public self-service copy machines available for $.25 cents per page. The vending kiosks accept nickels, quarters, dimes, $1 and $5 bills, and copy cards. A copy card can be purchased at the reference desk for $.50 cents. No credit, debit cards or pennies are accepted.

The copy machines located in the library are patron self-service only. Library staff cannot issue refund on behalf of the copy machines as a result of user operator error. Instructions on how to correctly utilize the copy machines are posted at each copy station. Please review instructions before using the machines.

Unfortunately, color printing is not currently available. A scanner is available for use by members of the State Bar in the Attorney Work Area.

No, the Library has no public telephones. The Library has two telephones available for use by members of the State Bar located in the Attorney Work Area.

Yes, the Library has a fax machine available for use. Library’s fax number is (214) 653-6103.

• Outgoing local fax fee: $1.00 per page
• Outgoing long distance fax fee: $2.00 per page
• Incoming fax fee: $.25 cents per page

No, Dallas County records are held either by the District or County Clerk. Family Court Records can also be obtained on the basement level of the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building.

Yes, on the home page of the Dallas County website under "SERVICES", by clicking the “ Online Record Search” link.

For information not available using the Dallas County online record search or for a certified copy, you may contact the District Clerk’s Records Department in the basement of the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building. Their telephone number is (214) 653-6853.

If you are a Dallas County resident, you may file in person at the District Clerk’s office on the first floor of the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building. A Uncontested Divorce Without Children can be filed electronically. Fees are listed on the District Clerk’s web page or you can call the Clerk’s office at (214) 653-7787. E-file Support: Technical Support: Tyler Technologies. 800-297-5377 or efiling.support@tylertech.com.

All forms including original petitions and answers are usually filed at the County or District Clerks’ office at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building. Criminal matters are filed in the Frank Crowley Courthouse.

You would file at one of the Dallas County Justice of the Peace Courts. The monetary value you’ll be suing the other party for must amount to less than ten thousand dollars.

The court number is listed on the first page upper right corner of any document you have filed, it may also be found on any of the directories found mounted to the wall on each floor of the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building. The courts’ phone numbers and locations are listed on the County’s website or by calling the County’s information number at (214) 653-7011.

Please remember that librarians are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice. The laws against unauthorized practice of law in Texas prohibit Library staff from telling you what to do in your case, choosing the forms you need, or otherwise performing the duties of an attorney. Law Library staff may not interpret legal materials for patrons, advise them as to how the law might apply to their particular situation, or draft legal forms or documents of any kind. The Dallas Bar has a list of legal services organizations at www.dallasbar.org. Law Library staff may assist patrons in finding the materials they need to do their own legal research. Library Staff may show you the reference materials, forms, and databases available for public use.

No, we are not attorneys and may not assist in drafting legal documents. If you need an attorney to draft your legal documents, please contact a legal services organization at www.dallasbar.org or visit the Legal Assistance and Services in Dallas on the Law Library’s website.

By law, no member of the Law Library staff may give legal advice. Accordingly, staff may not interpret legal materials for patrons, advise them as to how the law might apply to their particular situation, or assist them in preparing and filling out legal forms of any kind. The Staff is able to provide assistance by directing patrons to topical print materials, sections, and subject headings that might be helpful in answering a particular legal question.

The library has a Westlaw subscription available for use to search by State. More information can be found on the internet, States’ websites, or www.findlaw.com.

Yes, some form sets are available for download at www.texaslawhelp.org.

Please contact your local County Law Library or Public Library for assistance. The Library does not fax or email forms.