About Jim Wells County
Jim Wells County is located in South Texas, approximately 60 miles west of Corpus Christi in the Coastal Bend region. Established in 1911 and named after cattle rancher James B. Wells Jr, a prominent Democratic political leader in South Texas, Jim Wells County spans 868 square miles of semi-arid ranchland and agricultural territory. Jim Wells County Seat is Alice, which is the primary commercial and governmental hub for Jim Wells County. According to recent census estimates, Jim Wells County has a population of approximately 38,000 residents.
Jim Wells County is part of the Alice micropolitan statistical area and features a predominantly Hispanic population with deep cultural ties to ranching and agriculture. Major landmarks include Lake Alice, a popular recreational area, and the historic downtown Alice district. Jim Wells County economy has traditionally centered on ranching, oil and gas production, and agriculture.
Jim Wells County Courthouse is located at 200 North Almond Street in Alice, Texas 78332, where residents can access the County Clerk, District Clerk, and County Judge offices. Jim Wells County Tax Assessor-Collector maintains offices at the same courthouse complex. Jim Wells County Clerk is the custodian of vital records, land records, and court documents, while the District Clerk handles district court filings and criminal case records.
Jim Wells County is known for its role in the controversial 1948 Democratic primary election for U.S. Senate, which became famous for allegations of voter fraud in what became known as the 'Box 13 scandal' involving Lyndon B. Johnson's 87-vote victory.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Jim Wells County, particularly in the unincorporated areas. It oversees Jim Wells County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing and crime prevention programs.
Police Departments
In addition to Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Jim Wells County, including the Alice Police Department, Orange Grove Police Department, and Premont Police Department. Each city department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective jurisdiction, handling local crime, traffic enforcement, and community policing. These agencies coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and investigations that cross jurisdictional boundaries, making sure of full law enforcement coverage throughout Jim Wells County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 122 West 3rd Street in Alice, Texas 78332, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Jim Wells County. Jim Wells County Jail, located adjacent to the Sheriff's Office, houses pretrial detainees and sentenced misdemeanor offenders.
- Most agencies charge copying fees as permitted by statute.
- Mugshots and booking photographs are generally available through direct request to the Sheriff's Office, though online mugshot databases are not consistently maintained by Jim Wells County.
- Texas Government Code Section 552.108 provides that arrest records and booking photographs are public unless specifically exempted.
- Processing times for public information requests typically range from 10 to 30 business days depending on the volume and complexity of the request.
Inmate information can be obtained by calling the jail directly at or visiting the facility in person during business hours; online inmate search capabilities are limited and phone inquiries are the most reliable method for current custody status. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Alice Police Department, which serves Jim Wells County Seat and largest city, located at 402 East Main Street, Alice, Texas 78332 Additional municipal police services exist in the smaller cities of Orange Grove, Premont, and San Diego within Jim Wells County.
Arrest records and incident reports are considered public information under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), and requests can be submitted in writing to the respective law enforcement agency.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Jim Wells County includes a variety of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safety's online portal, which provides access to criminal history records for a fee.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Jim Wells County are maintained by Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office. These records document the details of arrests made within Jim Wells County, including the charges and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, either in person or through written requests. Arrest records typically include the date of arrest, charges, and booking information.
Jail & Inmate Records
Jim Wells County Jail, located in Alice, is the primary detention facility for Jim Wells County. It handles the booking and processing of individuals arrested within Jim Wells County. The jail provides an inmate lookup service, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled visiting hours and regulations that must be adhered to by visitors. The bond and bail process follows Texas state law, allowing for the release of inmates pending trial under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Jim Wells County are taken and retained by Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking process. These booking photos are typically included in the arrest records and can be accessed by the public through the Sheriff's Office. Mugshots may also be available through third-party websites that aggregate public records. Texas does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may request corrections or updates to their records if inaccuracies are found.
Courts & Case Records
Jim Wells County operates several courts with distinct jurisdictions. The 79th Judicial District Court and 267th Judicial District Court serve Jim Wells County and handle felony criminal cases, divorce proceedings, civil matters over $200, and juvenile matters. Jim Wells County Courts are located in Jim Wells County Courthouse at 200 North Almond Street, Alice, Texas 78332, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Jim Wells County Court at Law has jurisdiction over Class A and Class B misdemeanors, probate matters, mental health commitments, and civil cases between $200 and $250,000.
- Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-4) handle small claims up to $20,000, evictions, traffic violations, and Class C misdemeanors including traffic tickets.
- Online case lookup is available through re-district.com for a fee; in-person searches are available during business hours Monday through Friday.
- Certified copies of court documents cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee.
- Jim Wells County Clerk maintains County Court at Law records and charges similar fees for certified copies.
- Many court records can be accessed without charge for inspection, but copies require payment of statutory fees.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Jim Wells County are maintained by the County Clerk's office, which is the official recorder of deeds, located at 200 North Almond Street, Alice, Texas 78332 Jim Wells County Clerk records and indexes documents including warranty deeds, deeds of trust, mortgage releases, mechanic's liens, mineral leases, easements, right-of-way agreements, and plat maps. Documents are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description to help with public searches.
- The office provides public access terminals for searching recorded documents during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Certified copies of recorded instruments cost $5 for the first page and $4 for each additional page.
Jim Wells County offers online property record access through Jim Wells County website and third-party vendor services, though full historical document images may require in-person research. Property tax records are maintained separately by Jim Wells County Tax Assessor-Collector's office at 200 North Almond Street, Alice, Texas 78332 The Tax Assessor-Collector maintains ownership records, property valuations, tax payment history, and exemption information.
Jim Wells County Appraisal District, an independent entity located at 2100 East Main Street, Alice, Texas 78332, phone, determines property values and maintains detailed property characteristic data. An online GIS mapping system and property search portal is available through the appraisal district website at jimwellscad.org, providing free access to ownership information, assessed values, and basic property characteristics.
Vital Records
Vital records for Jim Wells County are maintained by Jim Wells County Clerk's office at 200 North Almond Street, Alice, Texas 78332 Birth and death certificates occurring in Jim Wells County may be requested from the County Clerk for events recorded locally, but the primary source for certified vital records is the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, Texas 78711-2040, phone 1-888-963-7111. Birth certificates cost $23 for the first copy and $23 for each additional copy ordered at the same time through the state office.
- Death certificates cost $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy.
- Marriage licenses are issued by Jim Wells County Clerk's office; both parties must appear in person with valid identification and pay a fee of $81, or $21 if both parties complete a premarital education course.
- Processing time for vital records is typically 3-4 weeks by mail or 2-3 business days for expedited online orders.
Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest as defined by Texas Health and Safety Code Section 191.0015. The marriage license is valid for 90 days from issuance and has no waiting period in Texas. Divorce records (decrees) are maintained by the District Clerk's office at the same courthouse location.
Online ordering of birth and death certificates is available through the Texas Department of State Health Services at dshs.texas.gov/vs or through authorized third-party vendors such as VitalChek, though expedited service involves additional fees. Walk-in service at the County Clerk's office may provide same-day or next-day service for locally held records.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Jim Wells County involves multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Jim Wells County Clerk's office at 200 North Almond Street, Alice, Texas 78332, phone, records assumed name certificates (Doing Business As or DBA filings) as required by Texas Business and Commerce Code Section 71.002. The filing fee is typically $16 and the assumed name registration must be renewed every ten years.
- The Alice Chamber of Commerce, located at 612 East Main Street, Alice, Texas 78332, phone, website alicetx.org, provides business resources and networking opportunities for Jim Wells County.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and professional associations, filings are made with the Texas Secretary of State at 1019 Brazos Street, Austin, Texas 78701. The Texas Secretary of State provides a full online business entity search tool at sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda which allows free searches of all registered entities, including status, registered agent information, and filing history. Sales tax permits are issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and can be applied for online at comptroller.texas.gov.
Professional and occupational licenses are regulated by various Texas state agencies depending on the profession. Local business permits and health permits within the City of Alice are issued by Alice City Hall at 500 East Main Street, Alice, Texas 78332 Building permits and certificates of occupancy are issued by the City of Alice Development Services Department for construction within city limits; unincorporated county areas typically have minimal building code enforcement.
Zoning and land use information for Alice is available through the City Planning Department.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Jim Wells County are administered by Jim Wells County Elections Administrator, with offices located at 200 North Almond Street, Suite 1, Alice, Texas 78332 Voter registration in Texas is handled through county voter registrars, and applications can be submitted by mail, in person, or when obtaining a driver's license. Online voter registration is not currently available in Texas; however, printable applications can be downloaded from the Texas Secretary of State website at votetexas.gov. The voter registration deadline in Texas is 30 days prior to any election.
- Once registered, voters receive a voter registration certificate by mail indicating their precinct and polling location.
- In the November 2024 general election, Jim Wells County recorded a voter turnout of approximately 48 percent of registered voters, consistent with turnout patterns in rural South Texas counties.
- Citizens may request precinct-level election results, ballot tabulation records, and other election materials under the Texas Public Information Act by submitting written requests to the Elections Administrator.
Polling place locations for Jim Wells County can be found on Jim Wells County elections website or by calling the Elections Administrator's office. Early voting locations and hours are published prior to each election on Jim Wells County website and in local newspapers. Election records considered public information include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), election results by precinct, candidate filing documents, and campaign finance reports for local candidates.
The Texas Election Code Chapter 1.001 et seq. Governs election procedures and public access to election information. The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives races for District 27, as well as statewide elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and other executive offices, plus all 150 Texas House seats. Absentee voting by mail in Texas is restricted to voters 65 and older, voters with disabilities, voters confined in jail but eligible to vote, and voters who will be out of Jim Wells County during the early voting period and on election day. Applications for mail-in ballots must be received by the Early Voting Clerk no later than 11 days before election day.
Texas voters are required to present one of seven approved forms of photo identification when voting, or sign a declaration of reasonable impediment if unable to obtain approved ID.
Economy & Demographics
Jim Wells County's economy is anchored by a diverse mix of agriculture, oil and gas production, government services, and healthcare. Historically a cattle ranching region, Jim Wells County remains a significant producer of beef cattle, with vast ranches dominating the rural scene. Agriculture includes cotton, grain sorghum, hay production, and hunting leases which have become an important supplemental income source for landowners.
- According to recent economic data, the median household income in Jim Wells County is approximately $42,000, below both state and national averages.
The energy sector plays a critical role in the local economy, with oil and gas extraction operations providing high-wage employment and substantial property tax revenue. The Eagle Ford Shale formation extends into portions of Jim Wells County, bringing increased drilling activity and related service industry jobs in recent years. Major employers include the Christus Spohn Hospital Alice, Alice Independent School District, Jim Wells County government, City of Alice, and various oil field service companies.
The retail and service sectors are concentrated in Alice, which is a regional shopping destination for surrounding rural areas. The unemployment rate in Jim Wells County typically runs 1-2 percentage points higher than the Texas state average, reflecting Jim Wells County's rural character and economic challenges. Economic development efforts focus on using Jim Wells County's strategic location along U.S.
Highway 281 and State Highway 44, proximity to the Port of Corpus Christi, and available industrial sites. The South Texas Economic Development Authority and Alice Economic Development Corporation actively recruit new businesses and support expansion of existing employers.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Limited: Online | Property: Yes: Online GIS/Tax Search | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Limited: State Office Primary | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: Standard Access | Overall Score: 6/10, Jim Wells County provides moderate access to public records with property and business searches available online, but many records require in-person visits or phone inquiries.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Jim Wells County
Explore public records for 6 cities and communities in Jim Wells County, Texas.