How to Search Comal County Jail Records 2026

⚠️ Texas-Arrests.org is a private informational resource — not affiliated with the Comal County Sheriff’s Office or any government body. The presence of booking information does not imply guilt. For the most current data, contact the Sheriff’s Office directly using the phone numbers below.

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).

582Jail Beds
2020Facility Opened
24/7Booking Desk
10dRecords Turnaround
4District Courts
3County Courts at Law

Comal County Jail — Quick Reference Card

Official Contact & Location

FacilityComal County Jail (Corrections Division)
Address3000 IH 35 South, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Jail Phone(830) 620-3450 — 24/7
Records / Jail Division(830) 620-3412 · Fax (830) 608-0147
Sheriff’s Main Office(830) 620-3400
Capacity582 beds (infrastructure for 900–1,000 buildout)
Year OpenedAugust 2020
Cities ServedNew Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Bulverde, Garden Ridge, Schertz (Comal portion), Spring Branch, Fair Oaks Ranch, Cibolo (Comal portion)

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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).
  5. 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.
Insider reality check: There is no public real-time inmate roster on comalcounty.gov. Third-party sites that claim to host a “Comal County Jail Roster” with live data are scraping outdated court docket info or simulating it. Do not trust those results for anything time-sensitive — the phone line is the only reliable live source in this county.

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

  1. Go to comalcounty.gov/357/Jail-Open-Records-Request.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
Worth knowing: Comal County Jail Records does not perform general criminal history background checks for the public. It handles only Comal County records — local arrests, local bookings. If you need a statewide check, use the Texas DPS Public Conviction Database at $3 per search. For anyone running background checks on Comal County residents specifically, the Jail Records Division is the right door.

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.

What attorneys do differently: A defense attorney present at the magistrate hearing can argue for PR bond or a reduced bond based on ties to the community, employment, lack of flight risk, and the specific facts of the allegation. Most families call a bondsman first, pay the non-refundable 10%, then a week later find out their person could have qualified for a $0 PR bond. Texas State Bar Lawyer Referral: 1-800-504-2092.

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.

Scam alert — read this: Within hours of a Comal County arrest, scammers scrape the public magistrate docket and call family members claiming to be “the jail” or “the court.” They demand bail payment via Zelle, CashApp, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. The Comal County Jail, the magistrate, and the court never demand payment this way. Hang up. Call the jail directly at (830) 620-3450 to verify anything suspicious.

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.
The jail phone warning most families never hear: In Texas, statements made during jail calls have been introduced as evidence in criminal trials. Even casual apologies or vague references to events have cost defendants years. Say less than you think you need to. Let the attorney handle the case — the phone call is for logistics only.

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

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.

A clerk distinction that matters: If you need information about charges that have not been filed yet — the DA is still reviewing — call the Magistrate’s Office at (830) 620-3400. The clerks only handle filed cases. They cannot give you info on anything still under DA review.

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

Line 1Inmate’s Full Legal Name & SPN #
Line 2Comal County Jail
Line 33000 IH 35 South
Line 4New Braunfels, TX 78130
Mail rules most people don’t know: Most Texas county jails, Comal included, have moved toward postcard-only mail to prevent drug-laced paper from entering the facility. Send plain white pre-stamped postcards, blue or black ink only. No stickers, no perfume, no extra stamps inside, no glitter, no markers, no colored paper. Photos may require separate submission through an approved photo service. Call the jail to confirm the current mail policy before sending — the rules get tightened periodically.

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

  1. Confirm eligibility. Read CCP Art. 55.01 at statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Free legal guides at TexasLawHelp.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. Attend the hearing — typically 30 to 90 days after filing. Uncontested petitions are usually granted in under 10 minutes.
  5. 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.
  6. 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?
Call the Comal County Jail booking line at (830) 620-3450. The facility is staffed 24/7 and booking personnel can confirm intake within minutes. Have the person’s full legal name and date of birth ready. Comal County does not publish a real-time online inmate roster, so phone is the fastest verified source. For written/documented records, use the Jail Open Records Request portal.
Where is the Comal County Jail located?
The Comal County Jail is at 3000 IH 35 South, New Braunfels, Texas 78130. This is the new facility that opened in August 2020. The old Walter Fellers Law Enforcement Center at 3005 W San Antonio Street no longer houses inmates — do not go there looking for someone. The current jail holds 582 inmates with infrastructure for a 900 to 1,000 bed buildout.
How much does bail cost in Comal County?
Bail amounts in Comal County are set by a magistrate within 24 to 48 hours of arrest, based on the severity of charges, criminal history, and flight risk. Cash bond requires the full amount paid to the court and is refunded at case close. Surety bond through a licensed bondsman costs a non-refundable 10% premium. A PR (personal recognizance) bond is free but must be granted by the magistrate — a defense attorney at that hearing significantly increases the chance of approval.
Can I visit someone at the Comal County Jail without an appointment?
No. Walk-in visits are not accepted. Visits must be scheduled in advance, and the visitor must be on the inmate’s approved list. The inmate has to add you first — not the reverse. Processing additions takes 24 to 48 hours. You’ll need valid unexpired government photo ID, must follow the dress code, and must arrive with enough time for ID verification. Call (830) 620-3450 for the current visit platform and scheduling window.
How do I send money to an inmate at Comal County Jail?
Use Access Corrections for commissary — online, phone, kiosk, or CashPayToday at Walmart, CVS, Dollar General. Use Securus Technologies to fund the inmate’s phone account so they can make calls. You’ll need the inmate’s full legal name and SPN/booking number. Commissary and phone are separate accounts — funding one does not fund the other. Start with a $10 phone test deposit to confirm the unit’s phone provider before loading larger amounts.
How do I submit a Jail Open Records Request in Comal County?
Submit a written request through the Jail Open Records Request portal, in person at 3000 IH 35 South, or by fax to (830) 608-0147. Requests are processed within 10 business days. Fees must be paid by money order or exact cash — no personal checks or card for records fees. Some information will be redacted (Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, dates of birth are standard redactions under Texas Public Information Act rules).
What courts handle Comal County criminal cases?
Felonies go to the District Courts — 22nd, 207th, 274th, and 433rd — through the District Clerk at 150 N Seguin Ave Ste 3009 (phone 830-221-1250). Class A and B misdemeanors go to the three County Courts at Law through the County Court at Law Clerk at 199 Main Plaza Ste 1013 (phone 830-221-1240). Class C misdemeanors and traffic go to the Justice of the Peace Precincts or the city Municipal Courts (New Braunfels, Garden Ridge, Bulverde).
Can I get a Comal County background check?
Comal County Jail Records performs limited local background checks — for Comal County residents only, and only returning Comal County information. It does not provide statewide criminal history. For a statewide check, use the Texas DPS Public Conviction Database at $3 per name. For a full fingerprint-based personal review, go through IdentoGO.
How do I expunge a Comal County arrest record?
If charges were dismissed, there was an acquittal, or a pretrial diversion was completed, file a Petition for Expunction under CCP Art. 55.01 in Comal County District Court at 150 N Seguin Ave Ste 3086. Get a certified disposition from the appropriate clerk first. Filing fees run around $300. Most uncontested petitions are granted in under 10 minutes at the first hearing. After the judge signs, the order must be served on every agency with the record — they have 180 days to destroy it. Free forms and guidance at texaslawhelp.org.
Who is the current Comal County Sheriff?
The Comal County Sheriff’s Office has been served by a long line of sheriffs since Henry Gerwin was appointed the first sheriff in 1846 — 22 individuals have held the office. For the current sheriff’s information, leadership team, and contact details, check the official page at comalcounty.gov/181/Sheriffs-Office. The main Sheriff’s Office line is (830) 620-3400.

Related Verified Texas Resources

Legal Disclaimer: Texas-Arrests.org is an independent informational resource. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Comal County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, any court, or any government agency. All content reflects publicly available information verified against official sources as of the last review date. No warranty is made regarding accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. The presence of an arrest or booking record does not imply guilt — all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. For official record requests, contact the Comal County Sheriff’s Office or the appropriate clerk directly. For legal questions about bail, expungement, or record correction, consult a licensed Texas attorney — free referral through the Texas State Bar at 1-800-504-2092.
Editorial & Verification Notice This guide was manually written and researched by humans, not AI. We personally verify every link to ensure it leads directly to official government databases, keeping you safe from spam and third-party redirects. All screenshots and instructions are based on our actual manual testing of these systems. We frequently update this page to ensure accuracy.

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