About Austwell
Total Population in Refugio CCD, Refugio County, Texas is 3,483 Austwell-Tivoli CCD, Refugio County, Texas is a city, town, place equivalent. Official government information is available at test.data.census.gov.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Austwell
Refugio County Sheriff's Office
Refugio County Sheriff Matthew Tuttle PO Box 1022 Refugio, TX 78377-1022 (361) 526-2351 Fax: (361) 526-1668 Email Website
⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Austwell
Texas Court Records - Court Records - Guides at Texas State Law Library
Texas doesn’t have a single database where you can search all court records for the state. Each court is responsible for keeping their own records. Some courts make their records available online, but you may have to contact the court clerk to get access and pay a service fee.
🏠 Property & Public Records in Austwell
Austin County Clerk Official Public Records | TexasFile
Since 2005, TexasFile has been a reliable resource for Austin County Official Public Records, including County Clerk Records and Mineral Appraisal Data. We are dedicated to providing easy access to property and land records for businesses and individuals.
About Austwell — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Refugio County Jail is the primary detention facility where individuals arrested within Refugio County are booked and held. During booking, staff record personal information, take fingerprints, and photograph each detainee. Family members and legal representatives can find information about current detainees through inmate lookup services available at the sheriff's office. Visitation follows facility-specific rules, with scheduled times and regulations that visitors must follow.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Refugio County are maintained by the Refugio County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of each arrest, charges filed, and personal information about the arrested individual. Residents and attorneys can request records through the sheriff's office by following procedures outlined in the Texas Public Information Act. Typical records contain the date of arrest, specific charges, and any court dates or outcomes associated with the case. The process balances transparency and public access with protections for individual privacy rights.
Local specifics: The Refugio County Sheriff's Office, which serves Austwell, is reachable at (361) 526-1698. Inmate lookups for arrests in Refugio County can be conducted at www.co.refugio.tx.us.
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Refugio County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. Residents can conduct background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safety's online portal, which offers access to public criminal records. The Texas Department of Public Safety also helps with supporting local law enforcement with resources and information sharing.
Local specifics: Statewide criminal background checks covering Austwell residents can be requested through www.dps.texas.gov. The standard fee is $15.00 per record request.
Vital Records
Vital records for Austwell, such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses, are kept by the Refugio County Clerk's Office in Refugio. This centralized county office is the primary repository for these important documents. Residents can submit requests and inquiries about vital records either in person at the clerk's office or by mail. The process typically requires completing the appropriate application forms and providing identification, as well as paying any associated fees.
Business & Licensing Records
Businesses operating within the Austwell city limits must obtain proper licensing and permitting from the local government. The Austwell City Hall oversees the issuance of general business licenses, along with permits related to zoning, construction, and other commercial activities. Entrepreneurs and company owners can visit the city offices or access online resources to learn about specific requirements and application processes. The Refugio County Appraisal District also maintains records on the assessed values and tax information for commercial properties in the area and surrounding region.
Economy & Demographics
The economy of Austwell is heavily influenced by the region's natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities. Key industries include agriculture, fishing, and tourism, with many residents employed in occupations that use the area's coastal setting and wetlands. Local small businesses, such as specialty shops, restaurants, and service providers, also play an important role in supporting the Austwell community. Major regional employers include farms, seafood processors, and recreational outfitters catering to visitors drawn to the Texas Gulf Coast.
Elections & Voter Records
Austwell voters are served by the Refugio County Elections Administrator and Refugio County Clerk, located at 808 Commerce Street, Suite 103, Refugio, TX 78377, phone (361) 526-2233. The County Clerk administers voter registration, maintains voter rolls, conducts early voting, and certifies election results for all county, state, and federal elections. Residents register to vote online through the Texas Secretary of State at texas.gov/election, or by completing a voter registration application available at the Refugio County Clerk's office, public libraries, and DPS offices.
The registration deadline is 30 days before any election, and applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Texas residents, and at least 18 years old by election day. Valid photo identification is required to vote in person under Texas election law, including driver's licenses, Texas ID cards, passports, military IDs, or election identification certificates. Because Austwell is an unincorporated community, it does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Voters participate in Refugio County elections for commissioners court (four county commissioner precincts), county judge, sheriff, county clerk, district clerk, tax assessor-collector, and other county offices. Polling place assignments for local residents can be found using the Texas Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do, or by contacting the Refugio County Elections office. County-level races will include county commissioners, county judge, and various countywide offices depending on term schedules. Texas House District 30 and Texas Senate District 18 currently represent Refugio County, verify current districts as redistricting may affect boundaries. Texas offers limited mail-in (absentee) voting, available only to voters 65 and older, voters with disabilities, voters confined in jail but eligible, and voters away from their county during the entire early voting period and election day. Applications for mail ballots must be submitted to the Refugio County Elections office. Public election records in Texas include voter registration lists (available with restrictions), campaign finance reports (searchable at ethics.state.tx.us), candidate filings, and precinct-by-precinct results, all accessible through the Texas Secretary of State and county election offices. Early voting for major elections typically begins 17 days before election day at the Refugio County Courthouse and possibly additional locations announced by the elections office.
Public Records Resources for Austwell, Texas
Official government websites for Austwell, Texas and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov, .us, or .mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or .com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- Texas Inmates and Offender InformationFind the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice.
- Texas Criminal History Background CheckSearch for felony or misdemeanor criminal charges by requesting records from the Texas state repository.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Dallas OfficeCriminal background checks in Texas, bureau records.
- Texas Sex Offenders SearchSearch the TX Dept. of Public Safety database of registered offenders by name or location.
- Texas Most WantedCurrent posting of fugitives and absconders from the Texas Dept. of Public Safety.
- Texas Highway PatrolLaw enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more
- Texas Department of Public SafetyTexas State Troopers general information
- Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentFishing and boating, hunting and wildlife, state parks, land and water
- Attorney General of TexasChild support, consumer protection, news releases, publications
- Texas RangersLaw enforcement, investigations, reports and more
- Texas Business & Corporation SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
- Texas Death RowInformation from the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice about TX death row inmates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Austwell, Texas?
To register to vote in Austwell, Texas, residents can register online through the Texas Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Refugio County elections office. Texas requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Texas Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Austwell, contact the Refugio County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Austwell, Texas?
Property records for Austwell, Texas are maintained by the Refugio Tax Assessor-Collector's Office and the Refugio County Clerk. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Refugio County, including parcels in Austwell. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Refugio County Clerk maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Texas counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Austwell, Texas?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Austwell, Texas residents are available through both county and state offices. The Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics, located in Austin, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Texas. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Refugio County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Refugio County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.