Calhoun County

Calhoun County is located on the central Gulf Coast of Texas, bordered by Matagorda Bay to the north and San Antonio Bay to the south. Calhoun County Seat is Port Lavaca, situated approximately 130 miles southwest of Houston. Established in 1846 and named after South Carolina statesman John C. Calhoun, Calhoun County includes approximately 512 square miles of land and 540 square miles of water. As of recent census estimates, Calhoun County has a population of approximately 20,000 residents.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Calhoun County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Calhoun County. It operates Calhoun County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing initiatives and works closely with local schools and organizations to promote safety. The Sheriff's Office has specialized divisions, such as the Criminal Investigations Division, which focuses on solving crimes and supporting victims.

Police Departments

Law enforcement in Calhoun County is provided by Calhoun County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, including the Port Lavaca Police Department and the Seadrift Police Department. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas, while city police departments manage their respective jurisdictions. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response throughout Calhoun County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, located at 202 South Ann Street in Port Lavaca, Texas 77979, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Calhoun County. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and operates Calhoun County Jail, which houses inmates awaiting trial or serving short-term sentences.

• Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office or the appropriate municipal police department.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the Sheriff's Office, either in person or through their online inmate roster when available.
• Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and related documents.
• The Texas Public Information Act requires agencies to respond to public records requests promptly, typically within ten business days.
• For historical arrest records or sealed cases, requesters should contact the County Clerk's office or the appropriate court that handled the case.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Calhoun County cover felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses, as well as a sex offender registry. Calhoun County Sheriff's Office maintains these records, with additional oversight by the Texas Department of Public Safety for statewide records. Residents can conduct background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safety's online portal, which provides access to statewide criminal history information. The Texas Bureau of Investigation also supports local law enforcement with resources and expertise.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Calhoun County are maintained by Calhoun County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the Texas Public Information Act, these records are accessible to the public, although some information may be redacted for privacy reasons. Arrest records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking details.

Jail & Inmate Records

Calhoun County Jail, located in Port Lavaca, is the primary detention facility for Calhoun County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Calhoun County, where they are fingerprinted and photographed. Inmate information can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office, which provides details on visitation rules and schedules. The bond and bail process follows Texas state guidelines, allowing for the release of inmates pending trial. Recent arrest information is available through the Sheriff's Office If you need to locate an individual.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Calhoun County are taken and retained by Calhoun County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. Mugshots may also be available through third-party websites, although the Sheriff's Office is the official source. Texas does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals can request removal from third-party sites, often requiring legal assistance.

Calhoun County's judicial system includes the 24th District Court, which has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $200 in controversy, family law cases, and juvenile matters. Calhoun County Court is located at Calhoun County Courthouse, 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, Texas 77979, and can be reached for Calhoun County Court at Law handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases, probate matters, and appeals from justice and municipal courts.

• Calhoun County is also served by Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1 through 4), which handle small claims up to $20,000, Class C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and magistrate duties including setting bail.
• Calhoun County Clerk's office, located at the courthouse, maintains felony and civil case records and provides a public access terminal for in-person searches.
• Fees for certified copies of court documents typically range from $1 to $5 per page, with a certified copy fee.
• Requesters must provide case numbers or party names for efficient searching.

Property and land records in Calhoun County are maintained by the County Clerk's office at 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, Texas 77979, phone. Calhoun County Clerk is the official recorder of deeds and maintains an extensive collection of documents including warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgage liens, mechanic's liens, UCC filings, property abstracts, easements, right-of-way agreements, and plat maps. These records date back to Calhoun County's founding in 1846 and are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description.

• To obtain certified copies of recorded documents, requesters must visit the County Clerk's office in person or submit a written request with the document's recording information.
• Fees for certified copies are typically $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, as established by Texas Local Government Code Section 118.011.
• Many recent property records may be searchable through Calhoun County's online portal, though certified copies still require official request.

Vital records for Calhoun County, Texas are managed through multiple offices depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Calhoun County can be requested from Calhoun County Clerk's office at 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, Texas 77979, phone, for events that occurred locally. However, the primary repository for certified vital records in Texas is the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section, located at 1100 West 49th Street in Austin, Texas 78756.

• Birth certificates cost $23 for a certified copy, and death certificates cost $21, with additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time available at reduced rates.
• Processing time for mail requests typically ranges from four to six weeks, while in-person requests at local offices may be processed more quickly if records are available locally.
• Marriage licenses are issued by Calhoun County Clerk's office, with the fee currently set at approximately $81, or $21 if both parties complete a premarital education course.
• Online ordering of vital records is available through the Texas.gov website or VitChek, the state's authorized vendor, with additional service fees applied.
• Eligible requesters typically include the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct tangible interest.

Business and licensing records in Calhoun County are accessible through several governmental offices depending on the type of business activity. Calhoun County Clerk, located at 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, Texas 77979, phone, maintains assumed name certificates (DBA filings) for businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name, as required by Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 71. These filings are public record and can be searched in person at the County Clerk's office.

• Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, serving Port Lavaca and the surrounding area, provides business development resources and can be reached through their website at calhouncountychamber.org.
• The chamber maintains a directory of local businesses and provides networking and advocacy services for the business community.

Elections in Calhoun County, Texas are administered by Calhoun County Elections Administrator, whose office is located at 211 South Ann Street, Suite 201, Port Lavaca, Texas 77979. The office can be reached, and information is available through Calhoun County website. Voter registration in Texas is handled through a combination of county tax assessor-collector offices and the Secretary of State.

• To find your polling place in Calhoun County, registered voters can visit the Texas Secretary of State's voter portal or contact the Elections Administrator's office directly.
• In the November 2024 general election, Calhoun County recorded a turnout of approximately 52-58% of registered voters, consistent with typical rural Texas county participation in presidential election years.

Calhoun County's economy is heavily influenced by its coastal location and industrial base, with petrochemical manufacturing, aluminum production, and commercial fishing serving as primary economic drivers. The largest employer in Calhoun County is Formosa Plastics Corporation's Point Comfort facility, which operates one of the largest polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturing complexes in North America and employs over 1,000 workers. Alcoa Corporation operates an aluminum production facility in Point Comfort that has been a key part of the local economy for decades.

• Commercial fishing and seafood processing remain important industries, particularly in Seadrift and Port O'Connor, where shrimp boats and fishing vessels provide both employment and supply to processing facilities.
• According to recent estimates, Calhoun County's median household income is approximately $64,000, slightly above the Texas average for rural coastal counties.

Court Records: Yes: Available In-Person, Limited Online | Property: Yes: Free Search via Appraisal District | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Available by Request | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or State Office Required | Business: Yes: Online via State Portal | Elections: Yes: Records Available on Request | Overall Score: 7/10, Calhoun County provides reasonable access to public records with in-person services strong and some online tools available through state and county systems.

Explore public records for 5 cities and communities in Calhoun County, Texas.