Middle of the night. Phone rings. Someone you love got picked up in New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, or somewhere along the IH-35 corridor between San Antonio and Austin. And you’re staring at a Google search that’s half sponsored ads and half scraped data sites — trying to figure out what’s actually official, who to call, and how fast you can get real answers.
Here’s what nobody tells you up front. Comal County moved its jail in August 2020 to a completely new facility on the south side of IH-35. Half the old addresses floating around the internet still point to the Walter Fellers Law Enforcement Center on West San Antonio Street — which hasn’t held inmates in over five years. Call those numbers and you’ll waste an hour. This guide cuts through it. Every phone number dialed this week. Every link clicked through to confirm it loads. The quiet workflow bail bondsmen and attorneys in Comal County use when a client gets booked after hours — and the parts families usually get wrong.
⚡ Need Answers Right Now
Call the Comal County Jail booking desk at (830) 620-3450 — 24 hours, every day. For documented jail records, submit a request at the Jail Open Records Request portal (processed in 10 business days). For filed criminal cases, search through the County Court at Law Clerk (misdemeanors) or the District Clerk (felonies).
📍 Jump to the Right Resource
Comal County Jail — Quick Reference Card
Official Contact & Location
How to Search Comal County Jail Records — The Actually-Working Method
Unlike Harris or Dallas County, Comal does not publish a real-time web-based inmate roster that you can search from your couch. That’s a surprise to most people Googling around for one. What Comal does provide is a phone booking line that runs 24 hours a day, a Jail Open Records Request portal for documented history, and filed-case search through the clerks of court once charges are actually filed by the DA.
Here’s the sequence that works.
Step-by-Step — Confirming Someone Was Booked
- Call the jail directly. Dial (830) 620-3450. This is the Corrections Division front desk and it’s staffed around the clock. Ask: “Can you confirm if [full legal name, date of birth] has been booked in within the last 24 hours?” Keep your own name and number ready — they sometimes call back rather than hold.
- Have their full legal name — not a nickname. Comal’s booking system runs on legal name matches from the state ID or driver’s license presented at intake. “Mike” won’t pull if the license says “Michael David.” Bring date of birth if you have it.
- Ask for the SPN number. SPN is the System Person Number — the unique ID Comal assigns each inmate. Having this number unlocks everything else: bond posting, commissary deposits, visit scheduling, mailing address. Write it down the moment they give it to you.
- If it’s 1–3 AM, give intake two hours. Bookings processed during the overnight shift sometimes aren’t entered into the system for 2–4 hours. If the booking desk says “no record yet” but you’re certain the person was picked up, call back after a shift change (shifts rotate around 6 AM, 2 PM, and 10 PM).
- If they were arrested by a city PD, confirm the transfer. New Braunfels PD, Schertz PD, Bulverde, Garden Ridge — all book into the county jail for anything above a Class C city hold. But there’s a 1–3 hour window where the person is still at the city lockup and hasn’t been transferred yet. Call the arresting agency first if the county has no record.
Comal County Jail Open Records Request — When You Need It in Writing
The phone gives you live status. For a documented record of a booking — charges on paper, arrest date, booking photo if releasable — you need to file a Jail Open Records Request. This is governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). Processed by the Criminal Records / Jail Division at 3000 IH 35 South.
Step-by-Step — Submitting an Open Records Request
- Go to comalcounty.gov/357/Jail-Open-Records-Request.
- Choose a submission method: online form, in person at 3000 IH 35 South, or by fax to (830) 608-0147. All must be in writing — verbal requests don’t count under the Public Information Act.
- Specify exactly what you want: booking record for a named person, date range, any supporting case numbers. Vague requests get bounced back for clarification and restart the 10-day clock.
- Pay the fee (by money order or exact cash — no personal checks, no cards for records fees). Fees are calculated per Texas Administrative Code Section 70.3 and Local Government Code 118.052.
- Wait up to 10 business days. Some records will be redacted — Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and dates of birth are routinely blacked out.
- If denied, the clerk will cite the specific Public Information Act exception. You can appeal to the Texas Attorney General under Government Code §552.301.
After Booking — Comal County Bail and Bond Process
Within 24 to 48 hours of booking, the person must appear before a magistrate judge. The magistrate reads the charges, advises of constitutional rights, and sets bail. This is the most important window in the entire process — and the one most families miss.
The Four Bond Options
💵 Cash Bond
Full bail amount paid to the court clerk. Refunded when the case closes regardless of outcome. Expensive upfront but you get every dollar back.
🤝 Surety Bond
10% non-refundable premium paid to a licensed Texas bondsman. Bondsman posts the full bail amount. Standard across Comal County.
📝 PR Bond
Personal recognizance — released on a signed promise to appear. $0 cost. Must be granted by the magistrate. Attorney presence at the hearing dramatically improves the odds.
🏠 Property Bond
Home equity pledged as collateral. Rare. Used mainly for higher bail amounts. Requires an appraisal and can take several days.
Verifying a Comal County Bondsman
Every bail bondsman operating in Texas must be licensed through the Texas Department of Insurance and approved in the specific county. Verify any bondsman before signing a contract at the Texas Department of Insurance or call 1-800-252-0439. Do not hand over money before verification.
Visitation at Comal County Jail — New Braunfels
Like most Texas county jails post-2020, Comal uses third-party video and visit scheduling. Walk-in visits are not accepted. All visits must be booked in advance, and the visitor must be on the inmate’s approved list.
Before You Drive Out to IH-35
- The inmate must add you to their approved list first. Not the reverse. Processing the addition takes 24 to 48 hours. Call (830) 620-3450 and ask about the current visitor platform and registration process — Comal has used Securus and similar providers depending on contract year.
- Bring valid unexpired government photo ID. Texas driver’s license, state ID, US passport, military ID, or permanent resident card. Expired IDs mean turned away at the door.
- Dress code is enforced. No shorts above mid-thigh, no sleeveless, no see-through, no orange or white tops resembling inmate clothing, no open-toe shoes.
- No phones, cameras, bags, or food in the visitor area. There are lockers at the entrance — bring quarters just in case.
- Check your own warrant status first. Visitor IDs are run at intake. An active warrant in any Texas county means you get arrested at the door. Check through the city’s municipal court or the county where the warrant was issued before driving out.
- Schedule at least 24 hours ahead. Weekend slots fill up fast. Holiday weekends can require 72 hours advance booking.
Sending Money and Setting Up Phone Calls
Inmates at Comal County Jail cannot receive cash directly. Two separate accounts matter per inmate: the commissary account for food, hygiene, and basic purchases, and the phone account for outbound calls. Funding one doesn’t fund the other.
Commissary Deposits
💳 Access Corrections
Primary deposit platform. Online, phone, kiosk at the jail lobby, or CashPayToday walk-in at Walmart, CVS, Dollar General. Credited within 1–4 hours.
accesscorrections.com →💳 Securus Technologies
Handles phone account funding, video visits, messaging. Different balance than commissary — fund it separately for calls to work.
securustech.net →Understanding Jail Phone Calls
- Jail phones are outbound only. The inmate calls you — you cannot call them.
- If your Securus account has no balance when they dial, the call drops instantly with no notification.
- Start with a $10 test deposit. Different housing units within the same jail can use different phone providers — better to confirm the rate before loading $50+.
- Every call is recorded and reviewed by the District Attorney’s office. Never discuss the case, evidence, witnesses, or “what happened.” Only logistics — lawyer, bills, childcare, bail. Nothing else.
Comal County Court System — Where Cases Actually Get Resolved
Booking gets someone into the jail. It’s the courts that decide what happens next. Comal County has a tiered court structure that handles different case types, and knowing which clerk to call for which document saves serious time.
Court Level | What It Handles | Clerk Office | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
District Courts (22nd, 207th, 274th, 433rd) | Felonies, family law, juvenile, civil over $250,000 | District Clerk 150 N Seguin Ave Ste 3009 | |
County Courts at Law (#1, #2, #3) | Misdemeanors (Class A, B), civil $20,000–$250,000, probate, mental health | County Court at Law Clerk 199 Main Plaza Ste 1013 | |
County Clerk | Records, real property, vital statistics, marriage | County Clerk 150 N Seguin Ave Ste 101 | |
Justice of the Peace (Precincts 1–4) | Class C misdemeanors, traffic, small claims up to $20,000 | JP Courts (4 precincts) | Precinct 1: (830) 221-1295 |
Municipal Courts | City ordinance violations, Class C within city limits | New Braunfels, Garden Ridge, Bulverde | NB: (830) 221-4180 |
Searching Comal County Criminal Case Records
Once the District Attorney’s office files charges (the DA has up to 2 years for Class A or B misdemeanors), the case becomes searchable through the appropriate clerk. For misdemeanors, use the “Search Criminal, Civil, Jail, and Bond Records” link on the County Court at Law Clerk site. For felonies, search through the District Clerk.
Statewide court searches — useful when you’re not sure which court the case landed in — are available for free through re:SearchTX, the Texas Office of Court Administration portal covering all 254 counties.
Comal County vs the Walter Fellers Center — Clearing Up the Address Confusion
Every week, people show up at 3005 W San Antonio Street in New Braunfels — the old Walter Fellers Law Enforcement Center — looking for an inmate who isn’t there anymore. The Walter Fellers LEC operated as the Comal County Jail from 1985 until August 2020. It’s still there, still has “Sheriff’s Office” signage, and it still houses some Sheriff’s Office functions. But the jail is no longer at that address.
Address | What’s There | What’s Not |
|---|---|---|
3000 IH 35 South (current) | Comal County Jail (582 beds), Corrections Division, jail records division | — |
3005 W San Antonio St (old) | Walter Fellers LEC — some Sheriff admin | Inmates — none, since Aug 2020 |
199 Main Plaza | County Court at Law, County Court at Law Clerk | Not a jail |
150 N Seguin Ave | District Courts, District Clerk, County Clerk, County Courthouse | Not a jail |
Comal County Mailing Address for Inmates
Mail to a Comal County inmate must be addressed with the inmate’s full legal name and SPN number (Booking Number). Get the SPN by calling (830) 620-3450 before sending anything.
Inmate Mailing Format
Expungement and Record Removal — Clearing a Comal County Record
If charges were dismissed, if there was an acquittal at trial, or if a pretrial diversion was completed, the arrest record may qualify for expungement under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01. Expungement destroys the record — legally as if the arrest never happened. For completed deferred adjudications, a Nondisclosure Order under Government Code §411.0725 seals the record from public view.
Filing an Expunction Petition in Comal County
- Confirm eligibility. Read CCP Art. 55.01 at statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Free legal guides at TexasLawHelp.
- Get a certified case disposition from the appropriate clerk — District Clerk for felonies (830-221-1250) or County Court at Law Clerk for misdemeanors (830-221-1240).
- File a Petition for Expunction in Comal County District Court at 150 N Seguin Ave Ste 3086. Filing fee runs around $300 depending on court.
- Attend the hearing — typically 30 to 90 days after filing. Uncontested petitions are usually granted in under 10 minutes.
- Serve the signed expunction order on every named agency: DPS, arresting department, District Clerk, Sheriff’s Office. Each has up to 180 days to destroy the record.
- Use the signed order to demand free mugshot removal from any aggregator site under Texas Business & Commerce Code §109.002. They cannot legally charge for the removal.
Insider Tips — What Actually Helps in Comal County
- The 10 PM shift change is the bottleneck. If someone is booked between 9 PM and midnight, the paperwork often gets handed to the oncoming shift rather than completed by the outgoing shift. Magistrate hearings scheduled “first thing in the morning” can slip to midday. Plan accordingly if you’re coordinating a bondsman.
- Call the Magistrate’s Office for pre-filing status. (830) 620-3400 — this is the direct line for charges that haven’t been filed yet. The clerks of court can’t help you with anything pre-filing. The Magistrate’s Office can.
- Friday night bookings and the Monday magistrate backlog. Anyone arrested Friday evening waits through the weekend for the magistrate docket on Monday morning. Plan bond strategy Saturday afternoon — not Monday at 8 AM when everyone else is calling at the same time.
- New Braunfels downtown is free parking if you arrive before 9 AM. The clerks’ offices at 150 N Seguin see the most foot traffic starting at 9 AM. Arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 and you’ll find a spot. After that, paid parking only — see the county’s parking map linked on the District Clerk page.
- The jail accepts in-person property drop only during specific windows. If the inmate needs prescription medication or essential personal items, call ahead — the drop-off hours are not 24/7 even though the booking desk is.
- Comal County holds federal inmates too. The jail has agreements with US Marshals and other counties to hold inmates when space allows. If someone disappears from one jurisdiction’s roster, they may have been transferred to Comal on a federal hold.
- Canyon Lake arrests go through the county, not a city. Canyon Lake is an unincorporated community. Any arrest in the Canyon Lake area is a Comal County Sheriff’s Office case and gets booked at 3000 IH 35 South.
- Use re:SearchTX before paying the clerk for a certified copy. Free online access through research.txcourts.gov shows you if the document even exists before you drive out to the clerk’s office or pay $5–15 per page for certified copies.
Frequently Asked Questions — Comal County Jail & Records
How do I find out if someone is in the Comal County Jail right now?
Where is the Comal County Jail located?
How much does bail cost in Comal County?
Can I visit someone at the Comal County Jail without an appointment?
How do I send money to an inmate at Comal County Jail?
How do I submit a Jail Open Records Request in Comal County?
What courts handle Comal County criminal cases?
Can I get a Comal County background check?
How do I expunge a Comal County arrest record?
Who is the current Comal County Sheriff?
Related Verified Texas Resources
- Comal County Sheriff’s Office (Official)
- Corrections Division
- Jail Open Records Request Portal
- Comal County District Clerk
- County Court at Law Clerk
- Comal County Clerk
- District Court
- Comal County Court Information
- Texas DPS Conviction Database
- re:SearchTX — Statewide Court Search
- TDCJ Offender Search
- VINELink — Free Custody Alerts
- Texas Law Help — Free Legal Forms
- Texas State Bar Lawyer Referral