Howard County

Howard County covers approximately 904 square miles of rolling prairie and mesa terrain characteristic of the Llano Estacado region. As of recent census estimates, Howard County has a population of approximately 35,000 residents. The economy historically centered on agriculture, ranching, and petroleum production, with oil and gas extraction remaining significant economic drivers.

Big Spring is home to the Big Spring State Park, which features scenic mesa views and the historic Civilian Conservation Corps-built structures. Howard County Courthouse, located at 300 South Main Street in Big Spring, is the administrative center. Howard County Clerk's office maintains vital records, court documents, and land records, while the County Tax Assessor-Collector's office at 300 Main Street handles property tax assessments and collections.

Howard County is served by Interstate 20, a major east-west transportation corridor, and is home to the Big Spring Federal Correctional Institution. Howard County also houses portions of the Permian Basin, one of the most productive oil and gas regions in North America.

Municipal law enforcement within Howard County includes the Big Spring Police Department, which serves Howard County Seat and largest county. The Big Spring Police Department is located at 508 East 3rd Street, Big Spring, TX 79720, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Arrest records in Howard County are considered public information under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), which grants citizens the right to request and obtain public records from governmental bodies. Howard County does not have tribal police jurisdictions, and special jurisdiction agencies include the Texas Department of Public Safety, which maintains a regional office serving Howard County and patrols state highways including Interstate 20.

Howard County has two Justice of the Peace Courts (Precinct 1 and Precinct 2) that handle small claims up to $20,000, eviction cases, traffic violations, criminal misdemeanors punishable by fine only, and conduct magistrate duties including setting bail. Justice Court records are maintained by each individual court. Court records in Texas are governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) and Rule 76a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, which presume court records are public unless specifically exempted by law or court order.

To search court records, individuals may visit the District Clerk's office in person during business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

These records date back to Howard County's organization in 1882 and are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description. Howard County Clerk's office provides document research services during regular business hours, and staff can assist with locating specific instruments if provided with adequate identifying information such as names, dates, or legal descriptions. For property tax information, assessment values, and ownership data, Howard County Tax Assessor-Collector's office is, Big Spring, TX 79720

The Tax Assessor-Collector maintains current ownership records, appraisal values, tax payment history, and exemption information. Some Howard County property records may be accessible through online databases provided by Howard County Appraisal District or third-party vendors, though availability varies. Howard County Appraisal District, a separate entity from county government, maintains property characteristic data, ownership information, and certified appraisal rolls.

Marriage licenses are issued by Howard County Clerk's office; couples must apply in person with valid government-issued photo identification, proof of age and identity, and payment of the statutory fee (typically $81.00, reduced to $21.00 for couples who complete a premarital education course). Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from issuance and have no waiting period in Texas unless applicants are under 18. Texas vital records law is codified in the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 191, which establishes confidentiality provisions, eligibility requirements for obtaining certified copies, and penalties for fraudulent requests.

Authorized applicants typically include the registrant (if of legal age), parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, and persons with court orders. Online ordering of birth and death certificates is available through the Texas.gov website and authorized vendor partners, requiring identity verification and payment by credit card.

For full business entity searches including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other formal business organizations, the Texas Secretary of State Business & Public Filings Division maintains the official registry accessible at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml. Professional licenses such as those for physicians, nurses, attorneys, accountants, real estate agents, and contractors are regulated by state licensing boards rather than county offices; verification can be performed through the respective state board websites. Sales tax permits are issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, not at Howard County level.

Building permits, construction permits, certificates of occupancy, and zoning compliance in unincorporated areas are handled by Howard County Development Services or the County Judge's office. Within Big Spring city limits, the City of Big Spring Development Services Department manages permitting and inspections. The Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 215 West 3rd Street, Big Spring, TX 79720, phone, website www.bigspringtx.com, provides business support services, economic development information, and member directories for the local business community.

Voter registration in Howard County is handled through Howard County voter registrar; Texas residents may register to vote by completing a voter registration application available at county offices, public libraries, or downloadable from the Texas Secretary of State website at www.sos.state.tx.us. Online voter registration submission is not currently available in Texas, but completed applications can be printed and mailed to Howard County Voter Registrar. The registration deadline is 30 days before any election in which the applicant wishes to vote.

Registered voters can verify their registration status and find their assigned polling place by using the Texas Secretary of State's online voter lookup tool at www.votetexas.gov or by contacting Howard County Elections office directly. Public election records in Howard County include voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted per state law), candidate filings, campaign finance reports for local candidates, precinct-level election results, and election orders. These records are subject to the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Election Code, which mandate public access while protecting specific confidential information such as social security numbers and full dates of birth.

In the 2024 general election, Howard County participated in federal, state, and local contests with turnout consistent with rural West Texas patterns. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. Senate and House races, all Texas statewide offices including Governor and Lieutenant Governor, all Texas House of Representatives seats, and various local offices and propositions.

Texas voters may request mail-in (absentee) ballots if they meet statutory eligibility requirements: being 65 years of age or older, having a disability, being confined in jail but eligible to vote, or being absent from Howard County during the early voting period and on election day. Applications for ballot by mail must be submitted to Howard County Early Voting Clerk and received (not postmarked) by the 11th day before election day. Howard County offers early voting at designated locations, typically including Howard County courthouse and potentially additional satellite sites, for approximately two weeks before each election.

Election transparency in Howard County allows citizens to request and inspect voter registration lists, poll lists, voted ballot rosters (not the ballots themselves, which are secret), election programs and procedures, training materials, and post-election audit reports under provisions of the Texas Election Code and Public Information Act.

The energy sector experiences cyclical fluctuations based on commodity prices, but ongoing technological advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have extended the economic life of local reserves. Major employers in Howard County include the Big Spring Federal Correctional Institution (a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility), the Big Spring State Hospital (a state psychiatric facility operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission), Howard College (a community college serving Howard County), Scenic Mountain Medical Center (the primary healthcare facility), and the Big Spring Independent School District. Agriculture continues to play an important role, with cattle ranching, cotton production, and grain cultivation representing significant agricultural activities.

Howard County benefits from its location along Interstate 20, a major transcontinental freight corridor, which supports transportation, warehousing, and logistics activities. Wind energy development has emerged as a growing economic sector, with wind farms in Howard County contributing to renewable energy production and property tax base. Retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, accommodation and food services, and construction round out the diverse economic base.

Economic development efforts are coordinated through the Big Spring Economic Development Corporation and the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce, focusing on business retention, expansion, and recruitment, particularly in manufacturing, distribution, and energy-related sectors.