Guadalupe County

Guadalupe County is bordered by Comal County to the west, Caldwell County to the north, Gonzales County to the east, and Wilson County to the south. Major incorporated cities include Seguin, Schertz (shared with Bexar and Comal counties), Cibolo, Marion, McQueeney, and New Berlin. Guadalupe County's economy historically centered on agriculture, particularly cattle ranching and pecan production, but has diversified significantly with proximity to major metropolitan areas.

Key landmarks include the Texas Agriculture Education and Heritage Center, the local community River State Park (partially in Guadalupe County), and numerous historic downtown districts. Guadalupe County Courthouse, located at 101 East Court Street in Seguin, is an architectural landmark built in 1935. Public records are maintained by several county offices: Guadalupe County Clerk at 101 East Court Street, Suite 202, Seguin, TX 78155; Guadalupe County Tax Assessor-Collector at 307 West Court Street, Seguin, TX 78155; and the County Clerk also is the County Recorder for land records.

Guadalupe County's strategic location along Interstate 10 and State Highway 46 has contributed to substantial residential and commercial growth in recent decades.

Inmates can be located through the jail roster available on the Sheriff's Office website, which typically includes booking photos (mugshots), charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. The online inmate search is updated regularly and accessible to the public at no charge. Municipal law enforcement is provided by several city police departments within Guadalupe County: the Seguin Police Department (serving Guadalupe County Seat), Schertz Police Department (shared jurisdiction), Cibolo Police Department, and Marion Police Department.

Each municipal agency maintains its own records and booking procedures. Arrest records in Guadalupe County are considered public information under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), which requires governmental bodies to provide access to public records unless specifically exempted. Mugshots and booking photographs are generally considered public records and are often displayed on the jail's online inmate roster.

Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office also participates in regional law enforcement initiatives and collaborates with agencies such as the Texas Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Marshals Service, and neighboring county sheriff's offices on fugitive apprehension and major crime investigations.

Guadalupe County has four Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1 through 4) with jurisdiction over small claims up to $20,000, Class C misdemeanors (including traffic citations), magistrate functions including warrant issuance and bail setting, and eviction cases. Municipal Courts in Seguin, Schertz, Cibolo, and Marion handle Class C misdemeanor violations of city ordinances and state law occurring within city limits. Court records are accessible under Texas Government Code Section 552.002 and Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 76a, which govern public access to court records.

Guadalupe County Clerk maintains records for County Courts at Law. Online access to some case information is free, though remote access to full case files may require registration and payment of subscription fees.

Guadalupe County Clerk records and maintains all documents affecting real property, including warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, mechanic's and materialman's liens, judgment liens, federal tax liens, releases, easements, right-of-way agreements, and plat maps for subdivisions. Documents are indexed by grantor and grantee names and by legal description. Guadalupe County offers online access to recorded land records through a subscription service provided by the County Clerk's website, allowing remote users to search and view recorded documents dating back several decades.

Guadalupe County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office, located at 307 West Court Street, Seguin, TX 78155, phone, maintains property tax records, appraisal values, ownership information, and tax payment history. Guadalupe County Appraisal District (GCAD), an independent entity located at 3000 North Austin Street, Seguin, TX 78155, phone, website www.Seguin area-cad.org, is responsible for appraising all taxable property in Guadalupe County. GCAD provides a free online property search tool on its website where users can search by owner name, property address, or account number to view current appraisals, property characteristics, exemptions, and ownership information.

The appraisal district's GIS mapping system allows users to view parcel boundaries, aerial photography, and property details.

However, the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section, is the official state registrar for all Texas vital records and can provide certified copies of birth and death certificates for events anywhere in Texas. Their office is located at 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756, phone, website www.dshs.texas.gov/vs. Online ordering is available through VitChek at www.texas.gov/birthdeathcertificates with expedited shipping options.

Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Texas Health and Safety Code Section 191.0045 and 191.0046. Marriage licenses must be obtained from Guadalupe County Clerk's Office, with both parties appearing in person with valid identification. Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from issuance and become public records once the ceremony is performed and the license is returned for recording.

Divorce decrees are maintained by the District Clerk's Office at 101 East Court Street, Suite 104, Seguin, TX 78155, phone, as they are issued by the District Court. Texas law requires verification of identity and eligibility before releasing vital records to protect against identity theft and fraud.

For formal business entity formation and registration (corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, etc.), businesses must file with the Texas Secretary of State, Corporations Section. The Secretary of State maintains a free online searchable database at www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda where users can search for registered business entities, view formation documents, registered agents, and filing history. Professional and occupational licenses are generally issued by state boards and agencies rather than county offices; these can be verified through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (www.tdlr.texas.gov) or specific professional boards.

Sales tax permits are issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and can be verified through their website. Building permits, certificates of occupancy, and zoning information for unincorporated areas of Guadalupe County are handled by Guadalupe County Development Services Department, phone. Individual cities within Guadalupe County maintain their own building inspection and permitting departments: the City of Seguin Development Services can be reached, and other municipalities have similar offices.

The Greater Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 427 North Austin Street, Seguin, TX 78155, phone, website www.seguinchamber.com, provides business resources, economic development information, and networking opportunities for local businesses. The Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Chamber of Commerce serves businesses in the northern part of Guadalupe County. Health permits for food establishments and other regulated businesses are issued by Guadalupe County Health Department or individual city health departments depending on location.

Texas residents may register to vote by completing a voter registration application and submitting it to Guadalupe County voter registrar or by registering online through the Texas Secretary of State at www.votetexas.gov. Applications must be submitted or postmarked at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Applicants must be U.S.

Citizens, residents of Guadalupe County, and at least 17 years and 10 months old (though they cannot vote until age 18). Voters can find their assigned polling place by visiting Guadalupe County elections website or the Texas Secretary of State's voter portal at www.votetexas.gov, which allows voters to enter their address and receive polling location information, sample ballots, and registration status. During early voting periods, Guadalupe County operates multiple early voting locations throughout Guadalupe County, typically including Guadalupe County annex buildings in Seguin, Schertz, and Cibolo, as well as other convenient locations.

Election Day voting requires voters to cast ballots at their assigned precinct polling place. Election records that are public in Guadalupe County include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes as specified in Texas Election Code Section 18.066), candidate filing information, campaign finance reports (filed with Guadalupe County clerk for county-level candidates), precinct-by-precinct election results, and early voting statistics. In the November 2024 general election, Guadalupe County experienced approximately 62% voter turnout among registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement typical of presidential election years in Texas suburban counties.

The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and will include races for U.S. House of Representatives (Texas's 15th and 27th Congressional Districts cover portions of Guadalupe County), statewide offices including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and other constitutional offices, Texas State Senate, Texas State House of Representatives, and county-level positions. Absentee voting by mail in Texas is limited to specific categories: voters 65 years or older, voters with disabilities or illnesses preventing in-person voting, voters confined in jail but otherwise eligible, and voters who will be absent from Guadalupe County during the entire early voting period and on Election Day.

Applications for mail-in ballots must be submitted to Guadalupe County Elections Office and received (not postmarked) by the 11th day before Election Day. Applications are available on Guadalupe County elections website. Texas has implemented election transparency measures including public testing of voting equipment before elections, the ability to observe vote counting, and prompt publication of detailed election results on Guadalupe County website.

Agriculture remains important, particularly cattle ranching, hay production, and pecan cultivation, with Guadalupe County being one of Texas's leading pecan-producing counties. Major employers include Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, the Seguin Independent School District, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center (a 127-bed facility serving Guadalupe County), Alamo Group (manufacturer of agricultural equipment and infrastructure maintenance products with headquarters in Seguin), and various manufacturing operations. The northern portion of Guadalupe County, particularly Schertz and Cibolo, has experienced explosive residential and commercial growth due to proximity to Randolph Air Force Base and San Antonio.

Guadalupe County has attracted significant retail development and distribution center investment. Continental Automotive has a major manufacturing presence in Guadalupe County. The defense and military sector contributes substantially through Randolph Air Force Base personnel residing in county communities.

The unemployment rate in Guadalupe County typically tracks slightly below the state average, hovering around 3.5-4.5% in recent years. Tourism contributes to the local economy through river recreation on Guadalupe County Seat area River, historic downtown Seguin attractions, and agritourism operations. Guadalupe County has invested in infrastructure improvements including water and wastewater capacity expansion, road improvements, and broadband expansion to support continued economic growth.

Guadalupe County Economic Development Corporation works to recruit new businesses and support expansion of existing enterprises. Real estate development, particularly residential construction, has been strong in response to population growth from families relocating from higher-cost metropolitan areas while maintaining commuting access to San Antonio and Austin employment centers.