Comal County Public Records Lookup

Comal County public records are held by offices in New Braunfels, the county seat, and cover property deeds, court filings, marriage licenses, vital records, and more. One of Texas's fastest-growing counties, Comal County sees a high volume of public records activity. Whether you need to search a court case, trace property ownership, or request a certified document, this page explains the right offices, available online tools, standard fees, and how to navigate the Comal County records system.

Comal County Clerk Records

The Comal County Clerk in New Braunfels is the primary recording office for real property and vital records. All deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plat filings, and releases are recorded and indexed here. Comal County's rapid growth means a large and constantly growing volume of property records. Researchers, title companies, and attorneys working in the county rely heavily on the clerk's index to establish chain of title and identify any encumbrances on property. The office handles an above-average transaction volume for a county of its size.

Marriage licenses issued in Comal County are on file at the county clerk's office in New Braunfels. Certified copies of marriage records are available in person or by mail for $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. DBA filings for businesses operating in Comal County and other official county instruments are also public records maintained by this office.

Birth and death certificates for Comal County events are available through Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. Birth certificates cost $23.00 and death certificates cost $21.00. The state processes requests online, by mail, or in person.

District Court and Civil Records

Comal County has multiple district courts reflecting its population growth. It is served by the 22nd Judicial District and related courts. The District Clerk maintains filings for felony criminal cases, civil suits, and family law matters. Given Comal County's size, the volume of civil and family law filings in New Braunfels is substantial. Divorce decrees, civil judgments, custody orders, and protective orders are all part of the district clerk's public index.

The district clerk's office is at the Comal County Courthouse in New Braunfels. You can visit in person, call ahead, or use the online tools described below to search for specific cases. Knowing whether a case is in district court or county court will help you contact the right office. County court records for misdemeanor matters are maintained by the County Clerk.

Note: Sealed records, juvenile case files, and certain family law records are restricted. Access to those records typically requires a court order or an established legal relationship to the case.

Online Court Records Search

The re:SearchTX portal, operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration, provides free statewide court case searching. Comal County courts are among the more active in Central Texas. Search by party name, case number, or attorney to find cases in the system. The portal shows docket entries, case status, and party information. Document access depends on whether the specific court has enabled that feature.

Electronic filings through eFileTexas are visible on the public portal without an account. Comal County civil and family law cases filed electronically appear here shortly after filing. This is a practical way to track pending cases or confirm that a filing went through correctly. For high-volume courts like those in New Braunfels, this is often faster than calling the clerk.

Federal cases involving Comal County parties are in the Western District of Texas, accessible through PACER. The San Antonio federal division serves this area.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds historical state and county records. If you are researching older Comal County documents, particularly pre-digital era records, the state archives may have relevant materials.

Public Information Act Requests

Comal County government offices are subject to the Texas Public Information Act. You can request any non-exempt record by submitting a written request to the office that holds it. The office has 10 business days to respond. If some records may be exempt, they must notify you and seek an AG ruling within that window. You do not need to explain your reason for requesting records.

PIA copies are $0.10 per page for standard paper. For larger requests requiring significant staff labor, additional charges may apply. Comal County's larger government structure means some departments may have dedicated public information officers. The Texas AG Open Government division handles complaints and provides guidance for records access issues.

The Texas courts system overview at txcourts.gov explains the structure of courts at all levels, including how Comal County courts are organized and what types of cases they handle.

Understanding how Comal County courts are structured helps researchers find the right clerk and the right record type when searching for specific case information.

Criminal Records and Local Law Enforcement

The Texas DPS Crime Records Service is the official statewide source for criminal history. Comal County law enforcement agencies, including the Comal County Sheriff's Office and the New Braunfels Police Department, report arrest and disposition data to the DPS statewide database. Name-based background searches are available online through DPS. Fingerprint-based searches provide more reliable results for formal purposes.

The Comal County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas and operates the county jail. New Braunfels Police Department covers the city, which is the largest jurisdiction in the county. For recent local arrest records, booking information, or warrant inquiries, contact the relevant agency directly. Both report data to DPS but maintain their own local records systems.

Comal County Appraisal District maintains property tax and appraisal records for the county. Given the rapid growth of Comal County, the appraisal district handles a growing volume of property transactions and assessments. These public records show current ownership, assessed value, and exemption status.

Cities in Comal County

Comal County includes New Braunfels, one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas and the county seat. New Braunfels has a dedicated public records page.

Other communities in Comal County include Bulverde, Garden Ridge, and Schertz (partial). These areas do not have dedicated records pages. Records for residents and properties in those communities are accessible through Comal County offices in New Braunfels.

Nearby Counties

Comal County is centrally located in the San Antonio-Austin corridor and borders several other counties.