Departments
This page helps residents, property owners, court users, motorists, voters, and families identify the appropriate Harris County office for a specific public service. Harris County 311 is listed first as a general point of contact, followed by a directory of county offices, courts, law enforcement agencies, health programs, transportation services, property offices, and public service organizations. Each entry includes a summary of the services handled by the office and a public telephone number or contact guidance, which may reduce unnecessary calls and help users reach the appropriate office more efficiently.
Finding the Right County Office
County responsibilities are divided among elected officials, administrative departments, courts, public safety agencies, and specialized service organizations. A general office number may be appropriate for routine questions, but many offices maintain separate lines for records, payments, permits, court filings, victim assistance, appointments, and program eligibility. Reviewing the service description before calling can reduce delays and help residents identify the office that handles the requested issue.
Property-related matters may involve the Harris Central Appraisal District, Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office, County Clerk’s Office, or Office of the County Engineer. The correct office depends on whether the request concerns property valuation, tax payments, recorded deeds and real property documents, building permits, platting, drainage review, or regulatory compliance. Property disputes that become court cases may instead involve a court and the District Clerk’s Office.
Court users should distinguish among civil courts at law, criminal courts at law, probate courts, justice courts, and the clerk offices that maintain court records and accept filings. A clerk’s office can usually assist with records, filings, fees, and procedural information, but it cannot provide legal advice or decide how a judge will handle a case.
Public Safety, Health, and Community Services
Law enforcement services are provided through the Sheriff’s Office and eight constable precincts. These agencies may maintain separate numbers for dispatch, administration, investigations, warrants, records, civil process, victim services, and community programs. The numbers in this directory are generally public information or non-emergency contacts. Call 911 when immediate police, fire, or emergency medical assistance is required.
Health, behavioral health, animal, youth, and family support services are distributed among Public Health, Harris Health System, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, the Children’s Assessment Center, Pets and Veterinary Public Health, Juvenile Probation, and Resources for Children and Adults. Residents should review the service description before calling about appointments, eligibility, crisis assistance, environmental health concerns, animal services, youth programs, or family support.
Harris County Departments and Public Agencies
| Name | Services | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Harris County 311 | Provides county government information and accepts non-emergency service requests involving potholes, county roads, traffic obstructions, illegal dumping, road closures, and other issues handled by participating departments. Service availability may depend on whether the location is within Harris County or the City of Houston. | 311 or (713) 755-5000 |
| County Attorney’s Office | Represents county government in civil legal matters, enforces certain consumer protection and environmental laws, accepts reports involving price gouging or consumer fraud, and handles public information requests related to the office. It does not generally provide private legal representation to residents. | (713) 274-5101 |
| Harris Central Appraisal District | Maintains property appraisal records, determines taxable property values, provides property account information, supports appraisal review proceedings, and assists property owners with appraisal-related questions. | (713) 957-7800 |
| Children’s Assessment Center | Coordinates forensic interviews, medical assessments, behavioral health services, family advocacy, and case support for children affected by suspected abuse or exploitation. | (713) 986-3300 |
| Civil Courts at Law | Handles county-level civil cases involving contracts, property, damages, appeals, eminent domain, and other eligible disputes. The listed number provides general assistance with civil court filings and records. | (713) 274-1330 |
| County Clerk’s Office | Maintains county records and provides services involving real property filings, personal records, probate documents, public records, archives, and clerk annex locations. | (713) 274-8600 |
| Commissioner Precinct 1 Office | Assists Precinct 1 residents with roads, parks, community programs, neighborhood projects, constituent concerns, public infrastructure, and other precinct-related services. | (713) 274-1000 |
| Commissioner Precinct 2 Office | Assists Precinct 2 residents with roads, parks, community programs, infrastructure projects, constituent concerns, and other precinct-related services. | (713) 274-2222 |
| Commissioner Precinct 3 Office | Provides constituent assistance involving roads, infrastructure, community outreach, parks and reservations, senior transportation programs, and neighborhood initiatives within Precinct 3. | (713) 274-3000 |
| Commissioner Precinct 4 Office | Assists Precinct 4 residents with parks, community centers, senior activities, transportation programs, roads, public projects, and constituent concerns. | (832) 927-4444 |
| Community Supervision and Corrections Department | Provides adult probation and community supervision services, collects court-ordered payments, operates regional offices and treatment programs, and supports rehabilitation and compliance requirements. | (832) 927-8500 |
| Constable Precinct 1 | Provides law enforcement, civil process, warrant service, courthouse security, patrol assistance, dispatch services, illegal dumping enforcement, and community safety programs within Precinct 1. | (713) 755-5200 |
| Constable Precinct 2 | Provides patrol services, non-emergency law enforcement response, civil process, dispatch, investigations, and public safety support within Precinct 2. | (713) 477-2766 |
| Constable Precinct 3 | Provides law enforcement, patrol, civil process, warrant service, court security, crime prevention, community outreach, and public safety services within Precinct 3. | (713) 274-2500 |
| Constable Precinct 4 | Provides 24-hour dispatch and non-emergency law enforcement assistance, patrol operations, civil process, records services, fingerprinting, investigations, and community safety programs. | (281) 376-3472 |
| Constable Precinct 5 | Provides patrol, dispatch, criminal investigations, warrant and writ service, civil process, community relations, and assistance for crime victims. | (832) 927-6700 |
| Constable Precinct 6 | Provides 24-hour dispatch, non-emergency law enforcement assistance, patrol services, civil process, warrant enforcement, court security, and community outreach within Precinct 6. | (713) 274-3400 |
| Constable Precinct 7 | Provides law enforcement and dispatch services, civil process, warrant enforcement, patrol assistance, senior safety resources, victim assistance, and community outreach. | (713) 643-6118 |
| Constable Precinct 8 | Provides patrol services, criminal warrant enforcement, 24-hour dispatch, civil process, crime prevention, and community law enforcement services within Precinct 8. | (281) 488-4040 |
| Criminal Courts at Law | Handles misdemeanor criminal cases and related hearings, trials, pleas, bonds, and court settings. The listed number provides general criminal case and records assistance. | (832) 927-5900 |
| Department of Education | Provides educational programs involving adult education, Head Start, specialized schools, school safety, records management, cooperative purchasing, professional development, and school support services. | (713) 694-6300 |
| District Attorney’s Office | Prosecutes criminal cases, reviews evidence submitted by law enforcement agencies, assists crime victims, handles family violence and protective order matters, and provides information about criminal proceedings. | (713) 274-5800 |
| District Clerk’s Office | Maintains records for district courts and provides assistance involving civil, criminal, family, juvenile, appellate, child support, passport, jury, bond, court registry, and post-trial services. | (832) 927-5800 |
| Dispute Resolution Center | Provides mediation and alternative dispute resolution services intended to help individuals, families, businesses, and organizations resolve eligible conflicts without extended court proceedings. | (713) 274-7100 |
| Domestic Relations Office | Supports family court matters involving child support, parenting arrangements, mediation, visitation, possession and access, parent education, family court evaluations, and self-represented services. | (713) 274-7300 |
| County Clerk’s Elections Department | Provides information about upcoming elections, vote centers, voting by mail, sample ballots, election results, accessibility, election workers, and other voting-related services. | (713) 755-6965 |
| Fire Marshal’s Office | Provides fire investigations, fire prevention, inspections, code enforcement, hazardous materials support, public safety education, emergency planning, and professional training. | (713) 274-1700 |
| Flood Control District | Plans, builds, operates, and maintains flood damage reduction projects, drainage channels, detention basins, and related infrastructure while providing flooding and voluntary home-buyout information. | (346) 286-4000 |
| The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD | Provides crisis intervention, behavioral health services, intellectual and developmental disability support, assessments, treatment referrals, and community-based programs. | (713) 970-7000 |
| Harris Health System | Operates hospitals, clinics, and community health facilities and provides patient appointments, nursing guidance, eligibility assistance, billing support, patient relations, and other health care services. | (713) 634-1000 |
| Houston TranStar | Provides information involving roadway conditions, traffic incidents, road construction, traffic signals, transportation emergencies, and regional traffic management operations. | (713) 881-3000 |
| Housing & Community Development | Administers housing and community development programs, disaster recovery assistance, affordable housing initiatives, neighborhood improvement projects, and housing resources. | (832) 927-4955 |
| Institute of Forensic Sciences | Provides medical examiner and crime laboratory services, including death investigations, case status information, family assistance, autopsy reports, unidentified-person information, and forensic evidence analysis. | (832) 927-5000 |
| Juvenile Probation Department | Provides juvenile probation supervision, court support, records services, assessments, rehabilitation programs, residential services, and youth development programs. | (713) 222-4100 |
| METRO | Operates regional bus, light rail, METROLift, vanpool, curb-to-curb, and other public transportation services and assists with routes, schedules, fares, accessibility, trip planning, and customer concerns. | (713) 635-4000 |
| Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management | Coordinates disaster preparedness, emergency response, public warnings, evacuation planning, severe weather operations, recovery efforts, emergency partnerships, and public information. Call 911 for immediate emergencies. | (713) 881-3100 |
| Office of the County Engineer | Oversees engineering, public infrastructure, building permits, development platting, regulatory compliance, construction standards, drainage reviews, and related development services. | (713) 274-3600 |
| Pets and Veterinary Public Health Division | Provides animal sheltering, pet adoption, lost-and-found assistance, veterinary public health programs, animal control services, vaccinations, appointments, and responsible pet ownership resources. | (281) 999-3191 |
| Pollution Control Services Department | Investigates complaints involving air pollution, water pollution, waste, odors, spills, illegal discharges, environmental hazards, regulatory compliance, and pollution prevention. | (713) 920-2831 |
| Pretrial Services | Screens eligible defendants, prepares information for judicial officers, supervises individuals released before trial, and provides court support and pretrial supervision services. | (832) 927-3500 |
| Probate Courts | Handles probate estates, guardianships, wills, mental health proceedings, fiduciary matters, and related filings. The listed number provides general probate filing and records assistance. | (713) 274-8585 |
| Public Defender’s Office | Provides legal representation to qualifying individuals who cannot afford an attorney in eligible criminal, juvenile, mental health, appellate, and other court proceedings. | (713) 274-6700 |
| Public Health | Provides disease prevention, clinical and mobile health services, environmental health programs, mosquito control, lead hazard assistance, health education, and patient appointment support. | (713) 439-6000 |
| Public Library | Operates county library branches and provides books, digital resources, library cards, public computers, research assistance, educational programs, meeting spaces, and literacy services. | (713) 274-6600 |
| Resources for Children and Adults | Provides protective and supportive services for children, adults, seniors, and vulnerable residents, including crisis assistance, youth programs, CPS-related resources, and transition services. | (713) 394-4000 |
| Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library | Provides legal research materials, public access to legal databases, reference assistance, self-help resources, educational programs, and research support for court users. | (713) 755-5183 |
| Sheriff’s Office | Provides law enforcement, jail and inmate information, non-emergency response, criminal investigations, victim assistance, public records guidance, traffic support, and crime prevention services. | (713) 221-6000 |
| Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office | Collects property taxes and provides services involving vehicle titles and registration, voter registration, tax payments, account information, and other duties assigned to the county tax office. | (713) 274-8000 |
| Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service | Provides educational programs involving agriculture, horticulture, gardening, natural resources, nutrition, family and community health, youth development, and the Master Gardener Program. | (713) 274-0950 |
| Toll Road Authority | Operates and maintains county toll roads and assists motorists with toll accounts, payments, roadway information, violations, customer service, incident response, and toll facility operations. | (281) 875-3279 |
| Harris County Transit | Provides fixed-route bus service, ADA paratransit, non-emergency medical transportation, RIDES mobility assistance, and other transportation options, particularly for residents outside the METRO service area. | (832) 927-4953 |
| Veterans Services Department | Assists veterans, service members, and eligible family members with benefit claims, referrals, records, compensation and pension matters, health care resources, and survivor benefits. | (281) 876-6600 |