About Wilson County
Wilson County, Texas, is located in the south-central region of the state, approximately 30 miles southeast of San Antonio. Established in 1860 and named after James Charles Wilson, a member of the Congress of the Republic of Texas, Wilson County includes approximately 809 square miles of predominantly agricultural land. Wilson County Seat is Floresville, situated along U.S. Highway 181, which is the primary commercial and governmental hub for Wilson County's approximately 50,000 residents.
Wilson County is characterized by its rich agricultural heritage, particularly peanut farming and cattle ranching, earning Floresville the nickname 'Peanut Capital of Texas.' Wilson County is bordered by Bexar County to the west, Karnes County to the south, Guadalupe County to the north, and Atascosa County to the southwest. Major communities include Floresville, La Vernia, Poth, and Stockdale. Wilson County Courthouse, a historic structure located at 1420 Third Street in Floresville, houses the County Clerk's office, District Clerk, County Judge, and Commissioners Court.
Wilson County Tax Assessor-Collector is located at 1420 Third Street, Suite 105, and handles property tax assessments and collections. Wilson County Clerk maintains vital records, real property records, and court documents. Notable landmarks include the Floresville Peanut Festival grounds and the Connally Memorial Medical Center.
Wilson County's proximity to San Antonio has contributed to gradual suburban growth while maintaining its agricultural character.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Wilson County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Wilson County. It oversees patrol operations, criminal investigations, and community policing efforts. The office also manages Wilson County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records for Wilson County. The Sheriff's Office is known for its community outreach programs and initiatives meant to enhancing public safety and building positive relationships with residents.
Police Departments
In addition to Wilson County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Wilson County. These include the Floresville Police Department, La Vernia Police Department, and Stockdale Police Department. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective city limits, handling local crimes and traffic enforcement. The agencies often collaborate on major investigations and emergencies to ensure full coverage and public safety across Wilson County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Wilson County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 216 Live Oak Street in Floresville, Texas 78114, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Wilson County. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and maintains a website at wilsoncountysheriff.net. The agency is responsible for operating Wilson County Jail, located at the same address, which houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanor offenders.
- Inmate information can be obtained by calling the jail directly at or by visiting the Sheriff's Office website, which provides an online inmate roster with booking information, charges, and bond amounts.
- Written requests should specify the individual's name and date of birth when requesting arrest records.
- Booking photographs (mugshots) are typically available through the jail's online inmate search system or by submitting a public information request directly to Wilson County Sheriff's Office.
- Processing times for record requests vary but must comply with statutory deadlines outlined in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code.
Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Floresville Police Department serving Wilson County Seat, the La Vernia Police Department, the Poth Police Department, and the Stockdale Police Department, each with jurisdiction within their respective city limits. Arrest records in Wilson County are considered public information under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), and requests can be submitted to the Sheriff's Office or individual police departments. The Sheriff's Office also maintains sex offender registry information as required by Texas law, accessible through the Texas Department of Public Safety's public database.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Wilson County's criminal records cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. The Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Texas Department of Public Safety provides broader access to criminal history information. Residents can run background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safety's online portal, which offers a full view of an individual's criminal history in the state.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Wilson County are maintained by Wilson County Sheriff's Office. These records document the details of arrests made within Wilson County, including the charges, arresting officer, and date of arrest. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the Texas Public Information Act, these records are generally accessible to the public, although certain restrictions may apply to protect privacy or ongoing investigations.
Jail & Inmate Records
Wilson County Jail, located in Floresville, is the primary detention facility for Wilson County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and documenting personal information of the arrestees. Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing the public to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are strictly enforced, with specific hours and guidelines that must be followed.
- The bond and bail process in Texas allows for the release of inmates under certain conditions, and information on recently arrested individuals can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Wilson County are taken and retained by Wilson 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 or online databases that compile such information. While Texas does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, individuals may seek removal through legal channels if the mugshot is deemed inaccurate or if charges are dropped.
Courts & Case Records
Wilson County's judicial system operates through the 218th District Court, which has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $200 in controversy, family law cases, and juvenile matters. Wilson County Court is located in Wilson County Courthouse at 1420 Third Street, Floresville, Texas 78114, and can be reached for Wilson County Clerk maintains case records and filings for the District Court.
- Wilson County also has four Justice of the Peace precincts (Precincts 1-4) handling Class C misdemeanors, small claims up to $20,000, evictions, and serving as magistrates for arraignments.
- Wilson County Court at Law hears misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases between $200 and $250,000, appeals from Justice Court and municipal courts, and probate matters.
- Wilson County District Clerk's office at provides access to civil and criminal case records, with fees established by Texas Local Government Code Section 118.011.
- Some court records may be searched online through the Texas Judicial Branch's re:SearchTX portal or local case management systems.
- Certified copies of court documents cost $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus the certification fee.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Wilson County are maintained by Wilson County Clerk at 1420 Third Street, Suite 107, Floresville, Texas 78114, phone. Wilson County Clerk is the official recorder of deeds, maintaining official records of real property transactions including warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, mechanic's and materialmen's liens, federal and state tax liens, releases, assignments, easements, right-of-way agreements, and subdivision plats.
- Wilson County offers online access to Official Public Records through a third-party vendor, which can be accessed via Wilson County's website.
- Basic searches are available at no cost, though there may be fees for downloading or printing documents.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
- Wilson County also provides a GIS mapping system for viewing parcel boundaries, ownership, and basic property information.
These records are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description and are public records available for inspection during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Wilson County Tax Assessor-Collector, located at 1420 Third Street, Suite 105, Floresville, Texas 78114, phone, maintains property tax records, ownership information, appraised values, and tax payment history. Wilson County's appraisal district, Wilson County Appraisal District (WCAD), located at 916 Coughran Road, Floresville, maintains detailed property characteristics, appraisal records, and exemption information, with online search capabilities at their website.
Vital Records
Vital records for Wilson County, Texas, are maintained and issued by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates occurring in Wilson County can be requested from Wilson County Clerk's office at 1420 Third Street, Suite 107, Floresville, Texas 78114, phone, for records filed locally. However, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit in Austin is the official state registrar and maintains centralized records of all births and deaths in Texas since 1903.
- Birth certificates cost $23.00 for the first copy and $23.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Death certificates cost $21.00 each.
- Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks for mail requests and faster for in-person requests.
- Divorce records (divorce decrees) are maintained by the District Clerk for Online ordering of vital records is available through the Texas.gov VitChek service for an additional convenience fee.
Applicants must complete an application form, provide valid government-issued photo identification, and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. Eligible applicants include the registrant (for birth records), immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a documented legal interest. Marriage licenses are issued by Wilson County Clerk at the same address, requiring both applicants to appear in person with valid identification and social security numbers; the current marriage license fee is $82.00, reduced to $22.00 if applicants complete a state-approved premarital education course.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Wilson County are maintained by several agencies depending on the type of business activity. Wilson County Clerk at 1420 Third Street, Suite 107, Floresville, Texas 78114, phone, handles Assumed Name Certificates (DBA filings) for people and entities conducting business under a name other than their legal name, as required by Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 71. The filing fee for an Assumed Name Certificate is approximately $16.00, and these records are public and searchable at the County Clerk's office.
- This searchable database provides information on entity name, registration number, registered agent, formation date, and status.
- Sales tax permits are issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and can be searched through the Comptroller's online systems.
- The Floresville Chamber of Commerce, located at 907 10th Street, Floresville, provides resources for local businesses and economic development information through their website at floresvilletx.com.
For formal business entity formation and registration (corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and professional associations), the Texas Secretary of State Business and Public Filings Division maintains the official registry through SOSDirect, the online filing system accessible at sos.state.tx.us. Professional and occupational licenses (medical, legal, cosmetology, contractors, etc.) are regulated by respective state licensing boards. Local building permits, certificates of occupancy, and zoning matters are handled by Wilson County Building and Development Department and by individual municipal building departments in incorporated cities like Floresville and La Vernia.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Wilson County, Texas, are administered by Wilson County Elections Administrator, located at 1420 Third Street, Suite 208, Floresville, Texas 78114. The office can be reached at and provides information on voter registration, polling locations, early voting, and election results. Voter registration in Wilson County is handled through the County Voter Registrar, and residents must register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their assigned polling place, and view sample ballots through the Texas Secretary of State's voter portal or by contacting the Elections Administrator.
- Citizens may request copies of election records under the Texas Public Information Act by submitting written requests to the Elections Administrator, with fees for copying as prescribed by law.
Online voter registration is available through the Texas Secretary of State's website at texas.gov, where residents can complete an application that must be printed, signed, and mailed to the County Voter Registrar. Registration forms are also available at public libraries, county offices, and Department of Public Safety offices. Early voting is conducted at designated locations in Wilson County, typically 17 days before Election Day for general elections, with specific locations and hours posted on Wilson County website.
Election records that are public under Texas Election Code include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), campaign finance reports filed with Wilson County, candidate applications and filings, precinct-level election results, and canvass records. In the November 2024 general election, Wilson County experienced voter turnout of approximately 58-62%, consistent with typical rural Texas county participation in presidential election years. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
Senate and House races, Texas statewide offices including Governor, and state legislative seats. Mail-in (absentee) ballots in Texas are available only to voters who are 65 or older, disabled, out of Wilson County during the early voting period and on Election Day, or confined in jail but eligible to vote. Applications for mail-in ballots must be submitted to Wilson County Early Voting Clerk and received no later than 11 days before Election Day.
Economy & Demographics
Wilson County's economy has traditionally been rooted in agriculture, particularly peanut farming, cattle ranching, hay production, and grain cultivation. Floresville's designation as the 'Peanut Capital of Texas' reflects Wilson County's historical prominence in peanut production, celebrated annually at the Floresville Peanut Festival. According to recent economic data, the median household income in Wilson County is approximately $62,000, slightly below the state median.
- Manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution facilities have increased as businesses seek locations with access to San Antonio markets while benefiting from lower operating costs.
Agriculture and agribusiness remain significant economic drivers, though Wilson County has experienced diversification due to its proximity to the San Antonio metropolitan area. The energy sector, particularly oil and gas extraction and related services, contributes substantially to the local economy, with operations in the Eagle Ford Shale formation. Major employers include Connally Memorial Medical Center, Wilson County government, and the Floresville Independent School District, along with various retail and service establishments along the Highway 181 corridor.
The unemployment rate in Wilson County typically tracks close to or slightly above the state average, ranging between 4-6% in recent years. Economic development initiatives focus on controlled growth that preserves agricultural heritage while attracting light industrial and commercial investment. Wilson County Economic Development Corporation works to recruit businesses and support existing enterprises.
Retail and service sectors have expanded in Floresville and La Vernia to serve growing residential populations, and construction trades have seen increased activity due to residential development driven by San Antonio's suburban expansion.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online via re:SearchTX | Property: Yes: Online Search Available | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail/Online State Portal | Business: Yes: Online (State/County) | Elections: Yes: Voter Info Online | Overall Score: 8/10, Wilson County provides good digital access to most public records through county and state portals.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Wilson County
Explore public records for 6 cities and communities in Wilson County, Texas.