About Highlands — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
Downtown Houston houses the Harris County Jail, one of the country's largest detention facilities. When someone is booked here, they're fingerprinted, photographed, and their personal information is recorded into the system. Visitation requires advance scheduling and follows strict rules about visitor numbers and time limits.
Arrest Records
The Harris County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain arrest records for incidents throughout Harris County. Residents and attorneys can request these records through formal applications, which typically require identification and a processing fee. Each arrest record contains the individual's personal information, details about the offense, and the name of the arresting agency. The Texas Public Information Act generally makes these records available to the public, though courts can seal certain records through specific orders.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Harris County covers felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Harris County District Clerk's Office maintains these records, which are accessible to the public under the Texas Public Information Act. Background checks can be conducted through the Texas Department of Public Safety, which provides criminal history information. The Texas Department of Public Safety also offers resources for residents seeking detailed criminal records.
Vital Records
Residents of Highlands, Texas can obtain vital records, such as birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses, through the Harris County Clerk's Office. This office is the central repository for all vital records within Harris County, including the 77562 ZIP code area that covers Highlands. Whether individuals need to verify personal information, obtain certified copies, or research their family history, the Harris County Clerk's Office is the primary resource for accessing these important documents.
Business & Licensing Records
As an unincorporated community, Highlands has no city hall or municipal business licensing office. Businesses operating in the area must comply with Harris County regulations and obtain any necessary county permits. State-level licensing requirements vary by business type and are handled through appropriate Texas state agencies. For zoning questions and construction permits in unincorporated areas, Harris County departments oversee compliance and permitting.
Economy & Demographics
The local economy of Highlands, Texas is driven by a diverse mix of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and public services. Key employers in the area include the Highlands Independent School District, which is a major contributor to the workforce, as well as several manufacturing and industrial facilities located along the San Jacinto River. The city's proximity to Houston also allows residents to commute to the nearby metropolitan area for employment opportunities, further strengthening the economy of Highlands.
Elections & Voter Records
The Harris County Elections Office serves Highlands voters from its location at 1001 Preston Street, Houston, TX 77002, phone (713) 755-6965, website www.harrisvotes.com. This office runs all federal, state, county, and local elections for Harris County residents, handling voter registration, early voting, election day operations, and official results certification. Harris County ranks as the third-most populous county in the United States, with over 2.4 million registered voters as of 2024, making it one of the nation's most critical electoral battlegrounds.
Residents can register to vote online through the Texas Secretary of State website at www.votetexas.gov, or by submitting a paper application available at libraries, county offices, and the elections office. Texas requires registration at least 30 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old, and residents of the county where they register. While Texas doesn't allow online registration submission, applications can be completed online and printed for mailing or in-person delivery. Acceptable identification for voting includes a Texas driver's license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal identification card, U.S. Passport, military ID card, or citizenship certificate with photo. Voters without acceptable photo ID may execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and present supporting documentation. Because Highlands is unincorporated with no municipal government, there are no city council or mayoral elections for the community. Instead, residents participate in Harris County elections for county judge, commissioners court members (with Highlands falling in Commissioner Precinct 3), county clerk, district clerk, sheriff, tax assessor-collector, district attorney, and constable for their precinct. State legislative races include Texas House District 127 and Texas Senate District 4 (district numbers subject to redistricting). School board elections for Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District also appear on local ballots. Finding your assigned polling location is straightforward through the Harris County Elections website at www.harrisvotes.com/VoterSearch or by calling (713) 755-6965. The county assigns voters to specific election day polling places based on residence address, while early voting is available at numerous locations countywide for voter convenience. Harris County has dramatically expanded early voting locations and hours in recent elections, with multiple sites in eastern Harris County within reach of residents here. Texas public records law makes certain election documents publicly accessible. Voter registration lists are available for purchase for political purposes through the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Voter Registration Division. Campaign finance reports for county and local candidates are filed with the Harris County Clerk and available for public inspection at 201 Caroline Street or online. State-level campaign finance reports go to the Texas Ethics Commission at www.ethics.state.tx.us. Candidate applications and ballot measure filings are public records available through the Elections Office. Precinct-level results are published on the Harris County Elections website following certification, showing vote totals by contest and geographic area. The county has trended increasingly Democratic in recent presidential contests despite Texas's overall Republican lean, voting for Democratic presidential candidates in 2016, 2020, and 2024. At the federal level, all U.S.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Highlands voters are published by the Texas Secretary of State Elections Division (https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/). Goose Creek CISD board positions may also appear depending on the district's election schedule. Texas offers limited mail-in (absentee) voting, restricted to voters 65 years or older, those outside the county during the entire early voting period and election day, those confined in jail but eligible to vote, or those with a disability or illness preventing in-person voting. Annual mail ballot applications can be submitted to the Harris County Elections Office at 1001 Preston Street, Houston, TX 77002, with applications available at www.harrisvotes.com. Texas does not offer no-excuse mail voting available to all registered voters.
Public Records Resources for Highlands, Texas
Official government websites for Highlands, 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 Highlands, Texas?
To register to vote in Highlands, Texas, residents can register online through the Texas Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Harris 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 county and state elections (Highlands is an unincorporated community in Harris County and does not hold municipal elections), contact the Harris County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Highlands, Texas?
Property records for Highlands, Texas are maintained by the Harris Tax Assessor-Collector's Office and the Harris County Clerk. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Harris County, including parcels in Highlands. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Harris County Clerk maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Texas counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Highlands, Texas?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Highlands, 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 Harris County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Harris 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.