About Comal County
Comal County is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, approximately 30 miles northeast of San Antonio. Established in 1846, it is one of the oldest counties in Texas and was named after the Comal Springs and New Braunfels area River, with 'Comal County' being the Spanish word for a flat griddle used for cooking. Comal County Seat is New Braunfels, a city founded by German immigrants in 1845 and known for its rich German heritage, historic architecture, and popular water recreation destinations.
Comal County includes approximately 575 square miles and has experienced remarkable population growth, with current estimates exceeding 161,000 residents, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. Major landmarks include the Guadalupe River, Canyon Lake, Natural Bridge Caverns, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, and the historic Gruene district. Comal County is characterized by rolling hills, clear springs, and limestone formations typical of the Edwards Plateau region.
Key government offices include Comal County Clerk located at 150 N. Seguin Avenue, New Braunfels, TX 78130; Comal County Tax Assessor-Collector at 100 N. Seguin Avenue, Suite 101; and Comal County District Clerk at 150 N.
Seguin Avenue. Comal County's unique blend of German heritage, natural beauty, proximity to San Antonio and Austin, and quality of life continues to attract new residents and businesses.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Comal County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Comal County. It oversees Comal County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing and crime prevention programs. Notable divisions within the Sheriff's Office include the Criminal Investigations Division and the Patrol Division, which work together to ensure public safety and respond to emergencies throughout Comal County.
Police Departments
Comal County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Comal County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the New Braunfels Police Department and the Bulverde Police Department. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, sharing resources and information to enhance community safety and crime prevention efforts.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Comal County Sheriff's Office, located at 2713 S. Common Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Comal County. Comal County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates and provides an online inmate search tool accessible through Comal County website, allowing the public to search current inmates by name, booking number, or booking date.
- Under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), arrest records are generally considered public information and can be requested from the arresting agency or the Sheriff's Office.
- Written requests should specify the type of records sought and include identifying information such as the subject's name and date of birth.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the Sheriff's Office online jail roster or by submitting a public information request.
- Processing times for record requests vary but agencies must respond within 10 business days under state law.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Comal County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can perform background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safety, which provides full criminal history information. The Texas Department of Public Safety does not exist; instead, the Texas Department of Public Safety is the primary state agency for criminal records.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Comal County are maintained by Comal 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, certain information is made available to the public, although some details may be restricted to protect privacy or ongoing investigations. A Comal County arrest record typically includes the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and bond information.
Jail & Inmate Records
Comal County Jail, also known as Comal County Detention Center, is the primary facility for housing inmates in Comal County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrested individuals. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance.
- The bond and bail process in Texas allows for the release of inmates under certain conditions, and information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained through the Sheriff's Office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
In Comal County, mugshots are taken and retained by Comal 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 website or by request. Texas does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may seek legal avenues for removal if the information is inaccurate or outdated. Mugshots are often used with arrest records for identification purposes.
Courts & Case Records
Comal County operates several courts with varying jurisdictions. The 22nd, 207th, and 433rd District Courts handle felony criminal cases, divorces, civil matters over $200, and appeals from lower courts, with courtrooms located at Comal County Courthouse, 150 N. Seguin Avenue, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Comal County Court at Law has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases between $200 and $250,000, probate matters, and appeals from Justice and Municipal Courts.
- Comal County has four Justice of the Peace courts (Precincts 1-4) handling small claims up to $20,000, evictions, traffic violations, and serving as magistrate courts for initial appearances.
- Seguin Avenue, Suite 106, maintains records for the District Courts and can be contacted through the office’s website. Court records can be searched online through the Texas Public Access system and locally at comalcountytx.gov/district-clerk.
- Document retrieval fees are typically $1.00 per page for copies, with certified copies costing an additional fee.
Property & Public Records
Comal County Clerk's Office, located at 150 N. Seguin Avenue, New Braunfels, TX 78130, is the official recorder of deeds and maintains land records for Comal County. The office can be contacted at and operates a website at comalcountytx.gov/county-clerk. Available records include warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, assignments, mechanic's liens, tax liens, judgment liens, lis pendens, easements, right-of-way agreements, plat maps, subdivision records, and oil and gas leases.
- Comal County Clerk provides an online Official Public Records Search at comalcountytx.gov allowing free public access to indexed land records, though downloading or printing documents may require a fee.
- Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Records can be searched by grantor, grantee, document type, book and page, or instrument number. Property tax information is managed by Comal County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office at 100 N. Seguin Avenue, Suite 101, New Braunfels, TX 78130
The Tax Assessor provides a free online property tax database and appraisal district search through the Comal Appraisal District (comalad.org) where citizens can view property valuations, ownership information, exemptions, tax history, and parcel maps. Comal County also offers a GIS mapping system providing aerial photography, parcel boundaries, flood zones, and zoning information. All recording services are governed by Texas Property Code and Texas Local Government Code provisions.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Comal County can be requested through Comal County Clerk's Office at 150 N. Seguin Avenue, New Braunfels, TX 78130, or by calling. However, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit in Austin is the primary repository for all Texas vital records and can be reached at or through their website at dshs.texas.gov/vs.
- Death certificates cost $21.00 per copy with similar processing timeframes.
- Online ordering of birth and death certificates is available through VitalChek at texasbirthcertificates.com with additional convenience fees.
- Requesters must prove eligibility under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 and 192, which restrict access to immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest.
- Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
Birth certificates cost $23.00 for the first copy and $22.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, with processing times typically 4-6 weeks by mail or immediate if requested in person with proper identification. Marriage licenses are issued by Comal County Clerk's Office and require both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification and social security numbers; the fee is $81.00 or $21.00 if the couple completes a state-approved premarital education course. Marriage records become public information immediately upon recording.
Divorce decrees are maintained by Comal County District Clerk at 150 N. Seguin Avenue, Suite 106 Acceptable identification includes driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
Business & Licensing
Business records in Comal County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of record. Comal County Clerk's Office at 150 N. Seguin Avenue, New Braunfels, TX 78130, maintains Assumed Name (DBA) filings for businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name, with registration costing $16.00 and renewals required every 10 years. These records are searchable through the County Clerk's office in person or by phone.
- Building permits, construction permits, and certificates of occupancy are processed through Comal County Development Services Department at 150 N.
- Seguin Avenue, phone, website nbtexas.org, provides business support, networking opportunities, and economic development resources for the local business community.
For full business entity information including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and professional associations, the Texas Secretary of State Business & Public Filings Division maintains an online searchable database at sos.state.tx.us/corp allowing free searches by entity name, registered agent, or file number. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts handles sales tax permits and franchise tax accountability, accessible at comptroller.texas.gov. Professional licenses for occupations such as real estate agents, cosmetologists, contractors, and healthcare professionals are issued by respective state licensing boards, not at Comal County level.
Seguin Avenue, phone, which also handles zoning compliance, subdivision plat approvals, and septic system permits for unincorporated areas. Cities within Comal County maintain their own permitting departments for properties within city limits. The New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, located at 390 S.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Comal County are administered by Comal County Elections Administrator, located at 150 N. Seguin Avenue, Suite 104, New Braunfels, TX 78130. The office can be reached at and maintains a website at comalcountytx.gov/elections with full voter information. Voter registration in Texas is handled through county voter registrars, and residents can register online at texas.gov or by submitting a paper application available at the Elections Office, public libraries, and various government offices. The registration deadline is 30 days before any election.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status and find their assigned polling location by visiting the Elections Administrator website or the Texas Secretary of State voter portal at teamrv.sos.state.tx.us.
- Comal County provides numerous early voting locations at the County Annex, New Braunfels Public Library, and other sites typically 17 days before election day.
- In the November 2024 general election, Comal County demonstrated strong voter engagement with turnout exceeding 60% of registered voters, consistent with Comal County's historically high participation rates.
- Under the Texas Public Information Act, citizens can request copies of election related documents, though some personal information on voter registration is protected.
- The Elections Office provides transparency through published results, accessible voting equipment, and public observation opportunities during early voting and election day.
On election day, voters must vote at their assigned precinct polling place. Public election records include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes under Texas Election Code Section 18.066), campaign finance reports filed with Comal County or Texas Ethics Commission, candidate applications and declarations, precinct-by-precinct election results, and poll worker records. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
Senate and House races, statewide offices including Governor and Lieutenant Governor, State Legislature seats, and local positions. Texas allows mail-in (absentee) voting only for specific categories: voters 65 and older, voters with disabilities, voters confined in jail but eligible, and voters who will be outside Comal County during the entire early voting period and election day. Applications for mail ballots must be submitted to Comal County Elections Administrator and received by the 11th day before election day.
Economy & Demographics
Comal County has experienced exceptional economic growth, driven by its strategic location between San Antonio and Austin, high quality of life, and business-friendly environment. Comal County's economy is highly diversified across multiple sectors including tourism, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and construction.
- The median household income in Comal County exceeds $74,000, significantly above the state average, reflecting Comal County's prosperity and educated workforce.
- The proximity to San Antonio's military installations and Austin's technology sector provides additional economic spillover benefits.
Tourism represents a major economic driver with attractions like Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort (one of the nation's top-rated water parks), the Guadalupe River for tubing and kayaking, Natural Bridge Caverns, and the historic Gruene district drawing millions of visitors annually. Major employers include Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-New Braunfels, Comal Independent School District, New Braunfels ISD, Rush Enterprises (commercial truck dealerships), Walmart distribution center, and numerous hospitality businesses. Manufacturing has grown significantly with companies in automotive components, building materials, and specialty manufacturing.
The unemployment rate typically runs below state and national averages, often in the 3-4% range. Real estate development and construction remain strong economic sectors as population growth continues at one of the highest rates in Texas. Comal County has invested heavily in infrastructure including the expansion of Loop 337, improvements to Interstate 35, and utilities to support growth.
Agriculture, while diminished from historical levels, still contributes through ranching, hay production, and specialty crops. Retirement communities and healthcare services represent growing sectors as Comal County attracts retirees seeking Hill Country lifestyle.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State) Limited: County DBA In-Person | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 8/10, Comal County provides excellent digital access to court records, property information, and election data, with strong transparency across most public record categories.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Comal County
Explore public records for 9 cities and communities in Comal County, Texas.