City of Richardson Frequently Asked Questions
The City of Richardson frequently asked questions (FAQ) page has been provided to answer questions about Richardson and questions related to living in Richardson. We have attempted to make our answers as comprehensive as possible, and we provide links to other information sources that you may find useful.
This list of FAQ's will be growing quite rapidly, therefore, we have opted to keep the graphics content of this page to a minimum. Because we expect the file size to grow quite large, we wanted to ensure that you could quickly access the information you need without waiting for graphics to download. A form is provided to allow you to submit your own question for inclusion in our FAQ. We will attempt to answer it as soon as possible, and send you an e-mail when the answer is posted.
These questions have been compiled from actual inquiries to various departments within the City of Richardson. To use the FAQ page, simply click on the applicable question. The questions are listed in random order at the current time.
- How can I get and/or renew my driver's license?
- Where do I get license plates and tags for my car?
- How can I get my utilities connected?
- How can I contact the post office?
- How and where can I get a marriage license?
- How and where can I obtain a passport?
- How can I contact the Justice of the Peace and Small Claims Court?
- When is special waste pickup?
- How can I get in contact with Animal Services?
- Voting Information
- Where is the Social Security office located?
- How can I contact the school district?
- How can I get a birth certificate?
- How can I get a death certificate?
- Where is the Texas Workforce Commission located? (Formerly Texas Employment Commission)
- What is the number for the hospital?
- What is the number for cable television provider?
- Does Richardson have a local newspaper?
- Is it illegal to posses, make, or set off smoke bombs in the City of Richardson?
- Where can I get information on Richardson schools?
- Where can I get information on housing or apartments in Richardson?
- Where can I find information on Hotels and Dining?
1. How can I get and/or renew my driver's license?
A Texas Driver's license can be acquired by contacting the following agencies:
Texas Department of Public Safety
2109 W. Parker Rd. Suite 224
Plano, Texas
(972) 867-4221
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Texas Department of Public Safety
11411 Northwest Highway
Dallas, Texas
(214) 553-0033
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Texas Department of Public Safety
350 W. I-30
Garland, Texas
(214) 861-2125
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Texas Department of Public Safety
721 Wynnewood Village
Dallas, Texas
(214) 948-7233
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Texas Department of Public Safety
(renewal only)
1500 Manilla
Dallas, Texas
(214) 651-1859
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Texas Department of Public Safety
1003 W. Sixth
Irving, Texas
(214) 253-4171
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2. Where do I get license plates and tags for my car?
Dallas County residents can obtain Texas automobile license plates by contacting:
Dallas County Tax Office
516 Twilight Trail
Richardson, TX
(214)653-7811
(see the map)
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Collin County residents can obtain Texas automobile license plates by contacting:
Collin County Government Center
920 E. Park, Suite 100
Plano, TX
(972) 881-3010
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3. How can I get my utilities connected?
Electric
For new electric service you may contact the Electric Choice Program at 1-866-PWR-4-TEX (1-866-797-4839) or visit the website at www.powertochoose.org for a list of current Retail Electric Providers serving your area.
For existing electric customers with billing questions, or to transfer or discontinue electric service, please contact your Retail Electric Provider.
Outage reporting – Call the number for reporting outages provided on the monthly bill provided by your Retail Electric Provider, or call 1-888-313-4747. Customers reporting outages should have the last 7 digits of the ESI ID, associated with the address that is without power, ready.
Underground Line Locates – 1-800-344-8377 (Dig – TESS)
Streetlight Outage Reporting – 1-888-313-4747 or http://www.oncor.com/community/streetlights/form.aspx
Natural Gas
For new and existing service, billing questions, to transfer or discontinue service, to report an electric outage, special billing programs, underground line locates:
ATMOS Energy
1-800-460-3030
For Gas Emergencies Only
1-800-817-8090
Water
City of Richardson
972-744-4120
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4. How can I contact the post office?
Richardson USPS Locations
Main Number (800) 275-8777
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5. How and where can I get a marriage license?
Marriage license can be obtained by contacting the Collin County Clerks Office at (972) 881-3025 or Dallas County Clerks Office, Marriage License Division at (214) 653-7559 or the Justice of the Peace Office, 1411 W. Beltline Rd., (972) 231-1439.
At the Collin County office, interested parties should bring a driver's license and $30 to obtain a marriage license; individuals under 18 require additional documents. At the Dallas County Clerks Office, Marriage License Division, interested parties should bring identification (driver's license, passport, military I.D., or birth certificate), social security number, and $31 in cash.
You do not have to reside in the county where you obtain the marriage license since the license is valid for all Texas counties.
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6. How and where can I obtain a passport?
Contact the following offices for information on obtaining a passport:
Dallas County Offices (downtown)
(214) 653-6774
North Dallas Passport and Marriage License Office
10056 Marsh Ln. Ste. 137
Dallas, Texas 75229
(214) 904-3031
Individuals interested in obtaining a passport from the North Dallas office should bring their social security card, driver's license, birth certificate, and cash. Please call for the correct amount to bring.
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7. How can I contact the Justice of the Peace and Small Claims Court?
The Justice of the Peace, Sandra Ellis, may be contacted at:
1411 W. Belt Line Rd.
Richardson, TX 75080
(972) 231-1439
Fax 972-699-7147
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8. When is special waste pickup?
For residential customers, special waste pickup is performed one day each week according to the area in which you reside. Special waste pickup is the same day as the recycling day for your area. You must call (972) 744-4111 to request special waste pickup by 12:00 midnight the day before your special collection day. The material that you wish to be collected must be on your curb by 7 a.m. on the special pickup day. Hazardous waste materials such as oil, paint, etc. are not included in special waste pickup. For additional information on hazardous materials disposal, please contact the Health Department at (972) 744-4081.
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9. How can I get in contact with animal services?
Animal Services, a division of the City of Richardson Health department, is located at:
1330 Columbia Dr.
Richardson, Texas
Hours of operation are:
Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
All dogs and cats must have current rabies vaccinations and be registered with the City. Animal Services may be contacted be calling 972-744-4480 during business hours.
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10. Voting Information
Current voting information
Jump to the Elected OfficialPage
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11. Where is the Social Security office located?
The Social Security office is located at:
10824 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75231
Mapsco 26 F
They may be contacted by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Their hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From southbound Central, exit on Royal, go south on access road to Meadow. Make a U-turn, go north on Central access road. Office is on the right. From northbound Central, exit on Walnut Hill, stay on access road through light at Walnut Hill and Meadow. Office is on the right, just north of Troy Aikman Collision Center.
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12. How can I contact the school district?
The Richardson Independent School District may be contacted by calling (469) 593-0000.
The Plano Independent School District may be contacted by calling (972) 881-8100.
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13. How can I get a birth certificate?
Birth certificates may be obtained by contacting:
The County Clerk is the Local Registrar for filing and recording all birth and death certificates in collin county (vital@collincountytx.gov), including Trust Fund Records, Official Bond Records, Military Discharge Records and other miscellaneous records. The County Clerk is responsible for legal instruments which include real and personal property (land@collincountytx.gov), bonds, plats, marks and brands, assume names, deputation records, issuance of bail bond checks, beer and wine hearings, safekeeping of wills, probate and Commissioners Court. The County Clerk's office is comprised of Mental, Probate, Treasury, County Court at Law, Land and Vitals. Collin County Courthouse 200 S. McDonald, Annex A, First Floor (Suite 120) McKinney, Texas 75069
Dallas County Phone# 214-653-7131
Collin County Phone# 972-424-1460
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14. How can I get a death certificate?
Death certificates may be obtained by contacting:
Dallas County Clerks Office
(for suburbs of Dallas County only)
Records Building, 2nd Floor
509 Main Street
Dallas, Texas 75202
(214) 653-7131
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15. Where is the Texas Workforce Commission located?
The Texas Workforce Commission (formerly the Texas Employsment Commission) is located at:
1222 E. Arapaho Rd.
Richardson, Texas 75081
They may be contacted by calling (972) 234-5391.
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16. What is the number for the hospital?
The Methodist Richardson Medical Center, 401 W. Campbell Rd., may be contacted by calling (972) 231-1441.
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17. What is the number for the local cable provider?
Telephone, Internet and Cable Television services:
Time Warner Cable
972-742-5892
www.timewarnercable.com
AT&T
1-888-294-3080
www.att.com
Verizon
(provides service to a small portion of Richardson that is located in Collin County)
1-800-483-4000
www.verizon.com
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18. Does Richardson have a local newspaper?
The Richardson Today produced monthly by the CIS department at the City of Richardson is the primary newspaper for the City of Richardson. The Dallas Morning News also offers some local coverage, including a Richardson Blog.
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19. Is it illegal to posses, make, or set off smoke bombs in the City of Richardson?
Yes, smoke bombs are considered fireworks and may not be possessed or used in any manner within the City of Richardson.
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20. Where can I get information on Richardson schools?
The City of Richardson's education page provides links and contact information to local area education facilities.
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21. Where can I get information on Housing or Apartments in Richardson?
The Chamber of Commerce also provides information on housing to citizens. The Chamber may be contacted directly at: (972) 792-2800. Or, you can visit their website at http://www.telecomcorridor.com. There are other resources available on the Internet for Apartment listings. While these sites are not endorsed by the City of Richardson, they may be useful.
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22. Where can I find information on Hotels and Dining in Richardson?
Information on "Hotels and Restaurants" can be requested from the City of Richardson Convention and Visitors Services by contacting (972) 744-4034. Or you can visit their website at http://www.richardsontexas.org/.
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