New Braunfels Public Records
Public records in New Braunfels, Texas are maintained by both the City of New Braunfels and Comal County. The city handles municipal court filings, police records, building permits, and city council documents through the City Secretary's Office, while Comal County courts hold civil, criminal, and family law cases for most residents. New Braunfels spans portions of both Comal and Guadalupe Counties. This page covers where to find records, how to submit requests, and what online resources are available.
New Braunfels Overview
Comal County Court Records
Most court records for New Braunfels residents are filed in Comal County, not with the city. The Comal County District Clerk handles civil, criminal, and family law cases in district courts. The County Clerk manages probate filings, misdemeanor cases, and county court records. For details on fees, search options, and copy requests, visit the Comal County public records page.
New Braunfels is the county seat of Comal County, so the main courthouse sits within the city. Cases for both city and non-city residents from the county are handled there. If you need a certified copy of a court record such as a divorce decree or judgment, the district clerk or county clerk can help with fees and procedures.
The statewide court tool, re:SearchTX, covers many Texas courts and offers free basic case lookups. Full document access requires a paid subscription. This is a useful tool when you don't know exactly which court handled a case or when searching for older filings that may not be listed on a local website.
New Braunfels City Records and Official Website
The City of New Braunfels runs its own records systems separate from the county. City records include municipal court filings, police incident reports, building permits, code enforcement cases, ordinances, and city council minutes. The City Secretary's Office handles open records requests at the city level.
The official city website at nbtexas.org links to department pages and provides contact information for city offices. Many requests can be made online, by mail, or by email. Some records can be found directly on the site without a formal request, such as meeting agendas and approved ordinances.
The City Secretary's Office is located at 550 Landa Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Phone: (830) 221-4010. Email: citysecretary@nbtexas.org. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
New Braunfels has grown rapidly in recent years, which means demand for records and permit documentation has increased. The city's online portal and records systems have expanded to handle this growth, but some requests may still require in-person visits or formal written requests.
New Braunfels Police Department Records
The New Braunfels Police Department keeps records of incident reports, accident reports, arrest records, and law enforcement files. These are city records, separate from county records. Getting them requires a written open records request sent to the city secretary or police records division.
Active investigation records are exempt from release. Personal details may be redacted before records are provided. Processing typically takes 5 to 7 business days for simple requests and up to 10 to 15 business days for more complex ones.
Accident reports can often be requested through the Texas Department of Transportation's online system. If you need a police report for insurance purposes or legal proceedings, contact the New Braunfels Police Department directly to confirm the quickest way to request the record.
New Braunfels Municipal Court Records
The New Braunfels Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and city ordinance violations. These records belong to the city, not the county. If you received a citation within the New Braunfels city limits, the municipal court manages your case.
The municipal court is at (830) 221-4120. Court information is available through the city's website at nbtexas.org/departments/municipal-court. Certified copies of court documents require a formal request. The court also handles deferred disposition agreements and community service options for eligible cases.
For case dockets and citation lookups, contact the court directly. If records are needed for an expunction or other legal matter, plan to allow extra time for processing. Some records may only be accessible in person at the courthouse.
Open Records Requests and the Texas PIA
Texas gives the public the right to request government records under the Texas Public Information Act. This law applies to both city and county agencies. The City of New Braunfels and Comal County must respond to written requests within 10 business days. If an agency believes a record is exempt, it must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General before withholding it.
Standard paper copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. Digital copies are charged at the cost of the media used to deliver them. The agency must provide a cost estimate if fees will exceed $40.00. You can request a fee waiver if disclosure is in the public interest.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division provides resources for disputes about records access. If an agency denies your request without an AG ruling, you can file a complaint. The AG issues opinions that agencies must follow.
Some records are exempt. These include active police investigations, personnel files, and attorney-client privileged documents. If only part of a document is exempt, the agency must still release the non-exempt portions rather than withhold the entire record.
Online Access and Other Search Tools
Several online tools let you search New Braunfels records without visiting a government office. The statewide re:SearchTX portal is free for basic case lookups. Comal County may have its own online search options through the clerk's website.
For vital records, the Texas Department of State Health Services handles birth and death certificates statewide. Marriage and divorce records are filed with the county clerk where the event occurred. Property records for New Braunfels are in Comal County and are searchable through the county appraisal district.
Building permits, inspections, and code enforcement records for New Braunfels are maintained by city departments. Request them through the city secretary or access them through the city's online portal.