Comal County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Comal County?

Public records in Comal County are official documents and information created, received, or maintained by county government agencies in the course of their official business. According to the Texas Public Information Act, codified under Texas Government Code § 552, public records include "information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business."

Comal County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Comal County District Courts and County Courts
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments maintained by the County Clerk's Office
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees (maintained by the County Clerk)
Business Records: Assumed name certificates (DBA), alcohol permits, and other business licenses
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax rolls maintained by the Comal Appraisal District
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Commissioners Court meetings and other county boards and commissions
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs, incident reports, and jail records (with statutory limitations)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Development permits, zoning applications, and environmental records

The Comal County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, while specialized departments maintain others according to their functions.

Is Comal County an Open Records County?

Comal County fully complies with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), which establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body."

The TPIA specifically states that "it is the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees." This fundamental principle guides Comal County's approach to records management and public access.

Comal County has established procedures for handling public information requests in accordance with state law. The county maintains an Open Records Request process that allows members of the public to submit requests to the appropriate county departments.

Additionally, Comal County complies with the Texas Open Meetings Act (Texas Government Code § 551), which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, with proper notice given, and that minutes of these meetings be recorded and made available.

The county has implemented policies to ensure transparency while protecting confidential information as required by law. Each county department that maintains records follows both state statutes and any applicable county policies regarding public access.

How to Find Public Records in Comal County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Comal County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. The Comal County Clerk's Records Search provides access to property records, marriage licenses, and other documents. Court records can be accessed through the Texas Courts online system.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records:
- For property records, vital statistics, and general county records, visit the County Clerk's Office
- For court records, contact the District Clerk or County Clerk depending on the court
- For tax and property appraisal records, visit the Comal Appraisal District
Written Requests: Submit a written public information request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Clear description of the records sought
- Preferred format for receiving the records (electronic or paper)
- Date range of records (if applicable)
Public Information Request Form: Complete the county's standard Public Information Request Form, available on the Comal County website or in person at county offices.
Electronic Submission: Email requests to the appropriate department or use the county's online request portal if available.

Under the Texas Public Information Act, county officials must respond promptly to requests, typically within 10 business days. If records cannot be produced within this timeframe, the county must notify the requestor and establish a reasonable date for production.

For specialized records such as law enforcement reports or environmental documents, contact the specific department directly:

Comal County Sheriff's Office
3005 W. San Antonio St.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-620-3400
Comal County Sheriff's Office

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Comal County?

Comal County charges fees for public records in accordance with the guidelines established by the Texas Public Information Act and the Office of the Attorney General. Current standard fees include:

Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size copies
Oversized Copies (e.g., maps, plats): $0.50 per page
Digital Copies: $1.00 per CD/DVD for electronic records
Labor Charges: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive programming/manipulation
Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 per document

Specific record types have statutorily set fees:

Birth Certificates: $23.00 per copy
Death Certificates: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
Marriage Licenses: $82.00 to issue; $8.00 per certified copy
Property Records: Recording fees vary by document type and page count

According to Texas Government Code § 552.261, "The charge for providing a copy of public information shall be an amount that reasonably includes all costs related to reproducing the public information, including costs of materials, labor, and overhead."

Accepted payment methods include:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
Electronic payment for certain online services

Fee waivers or reductions may be available if the county determines that providing the information primarily benefits the general public. Additionally, the first $40.00 of labor charges may be waived for requests from educational institutions or non-profit organizations.

Does Comal County Have Free Public Records?

Comal County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost:

In-Person Inspection: Under Texas Government Code § 552.221, members of the public may inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The county must provide a suitable space for examination of the records.
Online Resources: The county maintains several free online databases:
- Commissioners Court Agendas and Minutes
- Property Tax Information through the Comal Appraisal District
- Basic Court Case Information through the Texas Courts website
- Election Results and Voter Information
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the County Clerk's Office and the Law Library for searching certain records without charge.
County Budget and Financial Reports: Annual budgets, audit reports, and financial statements are available for review on the county website at no cost.
Meeting Notices: Public meeting notices, agendas, and minutes for the Commissioners Court and other county boards are freely available online.

It is important to note that while inspection of records is free, charges may apply if copies are requested. Additionally, some specialized databases may require subscription fees for remote access, though these same records remain available for free inspection in person.

Who Can Request Public Records in Comal County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, any person may request public records from Comal County regardless of citizenship or residency status. According to Texas Government Code § 552.223, "A governmental body may not inquire into the purpose for which information will be used."

Key points regarding eligibility to request records:

No Residency Requirement: Non-residents of Comal County and Texas have the same rights to access public records as residents.
Identification Requirements: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when:
- Requesting one's own confidential records
- Seeking vital records (birth, death certificates)
- Requesting criminal history information
Purpose Disclosure: Requestors generally do not need to state their purpose for requesting records. The county cannot deny a request based on the intended use of the information, with limited exceptions for certain commercial uses of bulk data.
Authorized Representatives: Attorneys, family members, or other authorized representatives may request records on behalf of another person with proper documentation.
Special Provisions for Certain Records:
- Vital Records: Immediate family members, legal representatives, or persons with direct interest may request birth certificates less than 75 years old or death certificates less than 25 years old
- Medical Records: Only the individual or their legal representative may access personal medical information
- Juvenile Records: Access is restricted to the juvenile, parents/guardians, or authorized legal representatives
Commercial Use: While commercial entities may request public information, certain bulk data requests may be subject to additional restrictions or licensing agreements.

The county processes all legitimate requests without discrimination based on the requestor's identity, though verification procedures may apply for protected records.

What Records Are Confidential in Comal County?

While Comal County strives for transparency, certain records are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure. Under Texas Government Code § 552.101, information is excepted from disclosure if it is "confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision."

Records that are generally confidential in Comal County include:

Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account information, and credit card numbers are protected under Texas Government Code § 552.147 and § 552.136
Medical and Mental Health Records: Protected under HIPAA and Texas Health and Safety Code § 611.002
Juvenile Records: Most juvenile court and law enforcement records are confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.007
Child Welfare Records: CPS investigations and reports are confidential under Texas Family Code § 261.201
Certain Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigations
- Information that would interfere with prosecution
- Victim information in certain cases
- Confidential informant identities
Personnel Records: Certain employee information including home addresses, phone numbers, family information, and emergency contacts of public employees
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product
Certain Economic Development Information: Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
Critical Infrastructure Information: Details about security systems, emergency response plans, and infrastructure vulnerabilities
Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain divorce, adoption, and expunged criminal records
Certain Election Records: Individual voted ballots and information revealing how a specific person voted
Educational Records: Student records protected under FERPA

When receiving requests for potentially confidential information, Comal County may seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office as required by Texas Government Code § 552.301.

The county applies the "public information" balancing test when appropriate, weighing privacy interests against the public's right to information, particularly in cases where statutes do not explicitly address confidentiality.

Comal County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Comal County Clerk's Office
150 N. Seguin Ave., Suite 101
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-221-1230
Comal County Clerk

Regular Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and property records
Marriage licenses
Birth and death certificates
Assumed name certificates (DBA)
Commissioners Court records
Probate records
County civil court records

Additional County Records Offices:

Comal County District Clerk
150 N. Seguin Ave., Suite 304
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-221-1270
Comal County District Clerk

Comal Appraisal District
900 S. Seguin Ave.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-625-8597
Comal Appraisal District

Comal County Tax Office
205 N. Seguin Ave.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-221-1353
Comal County Tax Office

Lookup Public Records in Comal County

Comal County Official Website

County Clerk Records Information

Comal Appraisal District Property Records

Texas Courts Judicial Records

Texas State Law Library Court Records Guide