Comal County public records can be accessed or obtained for free using online search tools offered by local agencies and record custodians. Other helpful resources are available for making in-person, phone, email, and mail inquiries as well.
From looking up someone’s criminal records–including warrants, arrests, probation, prisoner information, and background checks–to locating other public records such as marriage, divorce, birth, death, court, and property information can all be viewed by members of the public with the right knowhow.
Texas has a state-level version of the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); Texas Government Code, Chapter 552–otherwise referred to as the Texas Public Information Act–requires all governmental agencies in TX to make public information available as long as it’s not deemed legally confidential.
No matter what’s being searched for, this resources details how to find the most common types of public records in Comal County, Texas, quickly and efficiently.
How To Look Up Free Arrest Records & Mugshots in Comal County Texas
To obtain Comal County arrest records and find someone’s mugshot, an online search on the Comal County free public records search tool can be conducted.
Users should enter the defendant’s first and last name to conduct a jail records search, along with other optional search criteria to narrow down the results.
The search will result in a jail record with a mug shot to further verify the identity of the person being searched.
For Comal County public records that are not found on the online database, an Open Record Request form must be filled out and submitted in writing, online, in person, email or fax.2 The first 40 pages of the request are provided free. Thereafter, a fee of 10 cents per page is charged.
The Comal County Sheriff’s Office contact and location information for initiating written record requests is as follows:
Comal County Criminal Records Division
3000 IH 35 South,
New Braunfels, Texas, 78130
Phone:830.620.3412
Fax: 830.608.0147
Email: [email protected]
Sheriff’s Admin Office
3005 W. San Antonio St.
New Braunfels, Texas, 78130
Phone: 830.620.3400
The sheriff’s office is also in charge of operating the Comal County Jail. While the online search tool is most convenient, interested parties can also contact the jail to inquire about Comal County bookings in person or by phone at:
Comal County Jail
3000 IH 35 South
New Braunfels, Texas, 78130
Phone: 830.620.3450
There may be records that are redacted (blacked out) to protect some information that is considered exempt. This information includes–but is not limited to–Social Security numbers, driver license numbers, and birth dates.
Obtain Police Reports & Arrest Details via Law Enforcement Agencies in Comal County Texas
Recent arrests are usually found on the county level, but since local police departments within Comal County make most arrests, they may be able to provide information on arrests when a county search doesn’t yield results.
Furthermore, police reports or a detailed summary of the arrest can be obtained for formal complaints, legal matters, insurance claims and more. In order to obtain this information, the requester should direct their inquiry to the appropriate police department where the record or document is located, specifically to the agency that made the arrest.
Contact information for local police departments within Comal County and the highway patrol office is listed below:
| District Station | Address | Phone Number |
| New Braunfels Police Department | City of New Braunfels 550 Landa Street New Braunfels, Texas, 78130 |
830.221.4000 |
| Schertz Police Department | City of Schertz 1400 Schertz Parkway Schertz, Texas, 78154 |
210.619.1200 |
| Cibolo Police Department | 200 S. Main St. Cibolo, Texas, 78108 |
210.658.9900 |
| Garden Ridge Police Department | 9400 Municipal Parkway Garden Ridge, Texas, 78266 |
210.651.6441 210.651.6632 |
| Fair Oaks Police Department | 7286 Dietz Elkhorn Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, 78015 |
210.698.0900 210.698.0983 |
| New Braunfels DPS Highway Patrol Office | 3003 Interstate 35 South New Braunfels, Texas, 78130 |
803.625.8331 |
How To Run a Comal County Criminal Record Search
Criminal records may take various forms, depending on the status of the crime committed, and are updated throughout the process of arraignment, prosecution, trial, conviction, sentencing, incarceration, parole, and probation. Along each step in the process, various agencies may update existing records, or generate new records associated with the case.
A free criminal record check for Comal County can also be done using the same search tool as for arrests. To look up someone’s criminal record, the Criminal Case Records search feature can be accessed and the following search criteria can be entered:
- Last Name (Required)
- First Name
- Middle Name
- Date of Birth
- Case Status
- Date Filed
A Comal County case search delivers a list of records, with each case number linking to a detailed overview of the criminal case.
How To Access Warrant Details in Comal County Texas
While the Comal County District Court search tool mentioned above does not allow users to search for Comal County warrants directly, those who have an existing criminal record and a warrant out for their arrest will have “Warrant Issues” underneath the “Type/Status” field.
An in-person or phone inquiry can be made directly to the Comal County Sheriff’s office Warrants/Civil Section at the location or phone number listed below:4
Comal County Sheriff’s office Warrants/Civil Section
3005 W. San Antonio St.
New Braunfels, Texas 78130
Phone: 830.620.3411
Office Hours: 8am – 4pm
A written records request may be required to obtain the desired information regarding warrants.
How To Find Probation Information in Comal County Texas
The Comal County search tool does not provide search capabilities for searching a person’s probation status directly. However, the Caldwell, Comal and Hays Community Supervision & Corrections Department (CSCD) administers probation services for Comal County.5
An in-person or phone inquiry can be made directly to the Comal County Probation Office at the two locations listed below:
Caldwell, Comal, and Hays Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD)
160 East Bridge Street
New Braunfels, Texas 78130
Phone: 830.221.1160
Canyon Lake Office
Phone: 830.221.1160
How To Conduct a Background Check Report in Comal County Texas
Comal County provides background checks for both personal and professional purposes. The need for a professional background check is often a requirement by state or federal law in the hiring procedures of many agencies. Acquiring a firearms license, applying for housing, or working with certain protected groups of people such as children or the elderly are just a few of many instances when a professional background check may be required.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires explicit written consent from the person for whom a professional background check is requested. If a background check is obtained without consent, a charge of fraud can be filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FCRA also restricts all parties from using any information obtained from a background check in a malicious or discriminatory manner.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) provides victims of discriminatory employment practices the means with which to file an employment discrimination charge.6
For background checks provided to military and law enforcement agencies, Comal County assists the military and state departments by performing local background checks. In these background checks, criminal history information will not be provided.
If local charges are discovered, the requester is referred to the appropriate court to seek further information from the appropriate agency.
The Comal County Criminal Records & Jail Division only provides background checks for Comal County residents and the reports only divulge public criminal records originating in Comal County.
This type of background check will not search or disclose records from other counties, federal records, Justice of the Peace, or any other municipalities.
Requests for background checks must be made in writing electronically, in person, by email, or fax, and a request form for a background check is required. The first 40 pages of the request are provided free. Thereafter, a fee of 10 cents per page is charged.
The contact information to initiate a written request is as follows:
Comal County Criminal Records Division
3000 IH 35 South
New Braunfels, Texas 78130
Phone: (830)-620-3412
Fax: 830.608.0147
Email: [email protected]
The background checks provided by the Comal County public records repository are based on a search of records using a person’s name. These background checks are referred to as level 1 and are limited in terms of records that are searched and the purposes that they can be used for.
The State of Texas provides level 2 fingerprint-based background checks for which the records search is more expansive to include national criminal databases. Level 2 fingerprinting background checks are utilized in consideration for purposes that involve higher sensitivity and positions of responsibility.
To initiate a Level 2 fingerprinting background check, an in-person appointment is required with the Texas Department of Public Safety Fingerprinting Services (DPS). Those who need to set an appointment can do so via Texas Scheduling, which leads to the IdentGO webportal on which an appointment can be scheduled. Entering the generic code “11FT12” allows access to the scheduling page. An appointment can also be made by phone at +1.888.467.2080.
Once all of the necessary information is entered, an appointment is set, but be sure to bring proper identification to the appointment. The following documents are acceptable proof of identity:
- Driver’s License
- Commercial Driver’s License
- Driver’s License PERMIT
- Commercial Driver’s License
- State ID Card
- Federal ID Card
- Passport Book
- Permanent Resident Card / Green Card (I-551)
- Tribal ID Card
- Foreign Passports
- Texas Temporary Paper Licenses
- Texas Temporary Paper ID
- Texas Photo ID Waiver (For Minors)
The only exception to this rule will be for Hazardous Material applicants, where only the following are accepted:
- Commercial Driver’s License issued by Texas
- Temporary Paper CDL Issued by Texas
A fee of $25 is charged for the fingerprinting service, but this cost can be as much as $41.95 if conducted outside the state of Texas.
How To View All Criminal Records in Texas via State & Federal Agencies
The Texas Department of Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) provides a Criminal History Conviction Name search tool.7 The database contains name-based records of all individuals that have been reported to the TX DPS with a conviction or deferred adjudication.
The public criminal history record information provides arrests, prosecutions, and disposition of cases for individuals arrested for class B misdemeanor or greater. All arresting agencies in the state are required to report all arrests to TX DPS within 7 days.
There is a charge to search records on the database, and setting up an account is required. Once an account is created, search credits may be purchased for $3 each, plus a fee added to the total order depending on the payment method used.
When using a credit card to purchase search credits, they are available for immediate use. When purchasing search credits with a check, the search credits are available when the check is received and processed. Each search credit allows for one search and view of one matching record–if there are any that match your search information.
A search credit will still be used even if there are no matches or if no records are viewed from the matching record list returned. A ‘NO MATCHING RECORDS’ response is a valid search result and refunds will only be made for unused credits.
Search fields for finding records include:
- First & Last Name (Required)
- Middle or Maiden Name (Optional)
- Complete Birth Date (Month, Day & Year) (Optional)
- Partial Birth Date (Month, Day or Year) (Optional) *Full date of birth narrows search
The database search results include detailed records on all arrests, charges, prosecutions, court records, court dates, and custody information pertaining to the subject of the search.
For inmates who are currently incarcerated in a Texas Department of Criminal (TDCJ) facility, a search through the TDCJ inmate database can be used to locate their criminal records. The inmate records do include projected release and parole eligibility dates, where applicable.
Sex offender registries at the state and national levels can also provide a means for locating criminal records. The TX DPS website also contains a separate section of its website on which criminal records specific to sex offenders can be searched. At the national level, the United States Department of Justice provides a nationwide sex offender registry search tool. The information available from searching sex offender registries is limited to information pertaining to the sex offense and will not show other crime or sentencing information.
How To Search Public Court Records in Comal County Texas
Comal County court records are publicly available via the database search tool, where users can specify their searches to probate cases, civil and family cases, or criminal cases.
Upon selecting a section of cases to search, records can be filtered by the following fields:
- Search By
- Last Name (Required)
- First Name
- Middle Name
- Case Status
- Date Filed
- Sort By
The search yields a list of cases meeting the search criteria. From the list, a record can be selected to view a detailed Register of Actions report which shows the case summary information and actions, but does not make online images of records available.
Copies of Comal County judicial records may be obtained by contacting the Comal County Clerk’s office. There is a fee for obtaining copies of court cases, but interested parties should inquire about the fees with the clerk as they vary depending on the record type. A request can be made on the webpage or via the following alternative methods.
In-Person Requests: The Comal County Court at Law Clerk’s office is located at 199 Main Plaza, New Braunfels, TX, 78130.
Requests via Mail: Written requests for copies are accepted by mail; however, a quote for the fees must be made prior to making the request. Requests are not processed until payment is made.
Phone Inquiries: A request for copies may be made by phone by contacting the Clerk’s office directly at 830.221.1149.
Email: Copies may be requested by email at [email protected]. A quote for the fees must be made prior to making the request, and requests are not processed until payment is made.
Information needed to obtain a specific record includes name, date of birth, case number, and what documents are requested. For records that are to be mailed, a delivery address must be provided.
How To View or Retrieve Comal County Vital Records (Marriage, Divorce, Birth & Death)
Vital records fall into the category of neglected, forgotten, and ignored items that most people pay no mind to until the rare situation arises when such records–including certificates of birth, certificates of death, marriage records, and divorce decrees–become necessary and important.
The process of applying for employment to a job that requires a background check, applying for military service, obtaining a passport, applying for acceptance to a university or student financial aid, making an inheritance claim, or researching paternity, genealogy, or a potential spouse are just a few examples of situations that may call for a need for vital documents.
Fortunately, most counties and states in the U.S. are custodians of such vital records.
Requests for vital records can be made online through the Comal County Clerk’s Office, but some are not available to the public until a specified amount of time has lapsed since the date of origin or specific criteria is met.
Generally speaking, if the records are historical in nature and pertain to a person that is long since deceased, then the vital records are usually public and anyone can access them. If the records are contemporary in nature and pertain to a person that is currently living, then for the sake of protecting the privacy of said person, the vital records are usually not public.
Comal County birth records are closed for 75 years from the date of birth, and death records are closed for 25 years from the date of death.
If the vital records are not yet public information, they can only be accessed by an adult that is one of the following parties:
- Self
- Spouse
- Parents
- Children
- Siblings
- Grandchildren
- Grandparents
- Authorized Agent
- Legal Representative (Proof Required)
Requesting vital records requires that an acceptable identification be provided, such as:
- Driver’s license from a U.S. state
- Federal or state ID card
- Military ID card
- U.S. passport
Acquire Divorce & Marriage Records Through the Comal County Clerk’s Office
Comal County public records regarding marriage are available to anyone, and interested parties can obtain marriage certificates via the county’s vital records office. A series of questions are asked and an electronic form is to be filled out with the necessary information to process the request. Costs for a marriage certificate are $6 for a certified certificate or $1 for a non-certified certificate.
Additionally, for documents that are mailed, there are costs for shipping that range up to $12 depending on the option selected. In-person pickup is also an option. While this type of search is primarily used for obtaining marriage certificates, it cannot be used to check if someone is married.
Finding Comal County divorce records is a different situation. A divorce is a civil court action; therefore, a civil court case record is generated.
Unless there are extenuating circumstances, these records are public and can be searched for free via the Comal County database search tool under the category “Civil, Family Case Records.”
After inputting the appropriate criteria, the search will yield a list of court cases that match. In the list under the “Type/Status” field, divorce cases will be labeled “Divorce.” Each case on the list has a case number that is linked to a Register of Actions report that provides the case summary information and actions in the divorce case.
The State of Texas also provides access to vital records via the Texas Department of Health and Human Services Vital Statistics Section database. Marriage and divorce records can be searched here.
The Texas public records database for marriage and divorce records includes a section referred to as Marriage/Divorce Indexes.
These indexes are compilations of the marriage and divorce records sent to the Vital Statistics Section (VSS) from the county and district clerks where the event originally occurred. Indexes are not considered legal documents and are not comprehensive. They are prepared only as a means for locating the county where the marriage license or divorce decree was originally filed.
Such indexes are available for download from an online directory in the form of spreadsheet files by year. These records can be used to find out if someone is married. However, the available files lag in terms of time as much as four years for marriage indexes, and as much as six years for divorce indexes.
The public indexes contain the following information:
- File number
- Names of both people
- Ages of both people
- Marriage date
- Place of marriage (Marriage index only)
- Number of children under 18 (divorce/annulment indexes only)
- Date marriage was dissolved (divorce/annulment indexes only)
- County name and Code where decree is filed (divorce/annulment indexes only)
Obtain Death & Birth Records Through the Comal County Clerk’s Office
The process for obtaining death and birth records in Comal County is the same as for marriage records. A request is made online on the Comal County requests for vital records webpage by following the appropriate link to get either death certificates or birth certificates. The search criteria, accessibility, and identification requirements are the same as the Comal County marriage records search described above.
The cost for a certified certificate of birth is $23, and the charge for a certified certificate of death is $2, plus shipping charges up to $12 depending on the delivery option selected.
If the search for Comal County vital records does not return the desired results due to non-existent records or uncertainty as to the date or location of the birth or death event, a search at the Texas state level may yield better results. The same search protocols hold true when requesting this information from the Texas Department of Health & Human Services Vital Statistics Section, which enables users to access death records or birth records through a state custodian.12
For Comal County, requests for vital records can also be made in person or via telephone. Below are the Comal County Clerk’s office locations, phone numbers, and hours of operation:
Main Office
150 N. Seguin, Ste. 1037
New Braunfels, Texas, 78130
Phone: 830.221.1230
Office Hours: M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm
Sattler Office
160 Oak Drive
Sattler, Texas, 78133
Phone: 830.387.7704
Office Hours: M-F 8:00am – 4:30pm
Bulverde Office
30470 Cougar Bend
Bulverde, Texas, 78163
Phone: 830.387.7620
Office Hours: Hours: M-F 8:00am – 4:30pm
How To Look Up Free Property Records & Taxes in Comal County Texas
The Comal County Tax Office provides a property search tool on which anyone can search and obtain public property records information.
Once all the appropriate search parameters are entered and a search is run, a list of properties that match the search parameters is returned. Selecting an item on the list returns a comprehensive overview of the five property details including tax account information, the location of the property, information on the owner(s) of the property, property values and assessments.
Also provided are a link to the most recent tax statement and a view map link that uses an online mapping application to see a visual satellite image of the property.
In-person or phone inquiries can be made at the following location or phone number:
Comal County Tax Office
205 N. Seguin Avenue
New Braunfels, Texas, 78130
Property Tax: 830.221.1353
8:00 am -4:30 pm
Monday – Friday
An Overview of Citizens’ Rights & Using Comal County Public Records Responsibly
All citizens and public officials that check public records should do so responsibly and without malice to fellow citizens.
There are two types of situations that prompt someone to conduct a search of public records in Comal County. The first is for personal use. So long as it’s not used for criminal purposes, this type of search is available to anyone for any reason.
Some examples of reasons for conducting such a search may include determining credit worthiness, employment decisions, tenant or rental screenings, or business related transactions.
The second is for professional uses. These types of searches are performed by agencies, corporations and organizations that are considering employment or acceptance of an individual who is the subject of a public records search. Such searches must be done in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).14
If public records have been maliciously utilized to harm someone, there are avenues of recourse via the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Ban-the-Box Laws. These are agencies and statutes that can assist in rectifying any harm done to a person as a result of abuse of public records.
The purpose of this article and the resources provided in it is to assist with searching Comal County public records in the most efficient way possible.
References
1County of Comal, Texas. (n.d.). Jail Records. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <http://public.co.comal.tx.us/JailingSearch.aspx?ID=400>
2Comal County Criminal Records/Jail Division. (2023). Comal County Jail Open Records Request. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <https://www.cognitoforms.com/ComalCounty1/ComalCountyJailOpenRecordsRequest>
3County of Comal, Texas. (2009). Register of Actions. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <http://public.co.comal.tx.us/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=193875>
4Comal County Sheriff’s Office. (2023). Warrants & Civil Section. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <http://www.co.comal.tx.us/so/Warrants_Civil.html>
5Comal County, Texas. (2023). Adult Probation. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <https://www.co.comal.tx.us/AP.htm>
6U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). (n.d.). How to File a Charge of Employment Discrimination. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <https://www.eeoc.gov/how-file-charge-employment-discrimination>
7Texas Department of Public Safety. (2023). Criminal History Conviction Name Search. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/ConvictionNameSearch/>
8County of Comal, Texas. (n.d.). Case Records. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <http://public.co.comal.tx.us/default.aspx>
9Comal County Clerk’s Office. (2023). Online Birth Certificate Request. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <https://comaltxvitals.permitium.com/consumer/bc/application?step=3>
10County of Comal, Texas. (n.d.). Civil, Family Case Records. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <http://public.co.comal.tx.us/Search.aspx?ID=700>
11Comal County Clerk’s Office. (2023). Online Death Birth Certificate Request. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <https://comaltxvitals.permitium.com/consumer/dc/application?step=3>
12Texas Department of State Health Services. (2023). Vital Statistics. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics>
13Comal County Tax Office. (2023). Property Search. Advanced. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <https://esearch.co.comal.tx.us/>
14Federal Trade Commission. (2023). Fair Credit Reporting Act. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from <https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act>