Hays County Sex Offender Registry

Hays County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, and the sex offender registry reflects that growth with registrations from San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Wimberley, and other communities across the county. The Hays County Sheriff's Office handles registration for unincorporated areas, while city police departments serve residents within incorporated cities. Anyone can search for registered sex offenders in Hays County at no cost through the Texas DPS registry at sor.dps.texas.gov.

Hays County Sheriff's Office

The Hays County Sheriff's Office is located at 216 Bart Smith Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666. The Sheriff registers sex offenders who live in unincorporated Hays County. You can reach the Sheriff's Office at (512) 393-7800. Registration takes place during normal business hours. Call first to confirm the current schedule and what documentation to bring before visiting.

Hays County sits between Austin and San Antonio, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in the entire United States. That growth means more residents, more city incorporation, and more agencies involved in sex offender registration. The Sheriff handles those who live in the unincorporated rural and suburban areas that have not yet been annexed by any city.

Registrants must appear in person, provide their current address, and have a photo taken. The Sheriff's Office sends all registration data to the Texas DPS. Anyone moving to Hays County must register within seven days of establishing a new address in the county.

City Agencies in Hays County

San Marcos is the county seat and home to Texas State University. San Marcos Police Department handles registration for residents within the city. The San Marcos PD is at 2300 S. IH-35, San Marcos, TX 78666, phone (512) 753-2108. Kyle and Buda are two of the fastest-growing cities in the state and both have active police departments that handle their own registrations.

Wimberley, Dripping Springs, and other communities in the western part of Hays County also have local law enforcement presence. For each of these cities, residents within city limits must register with the city police, not the Sheriff. If you are moving to Hays County and are not sure which agency applies to your new address, call the Sheriff's Office. With so much new development in the county, city limit lines change frequently.

Search Hays County Offenders Online

The Texas DPS sex offender registry at sor.dps.texas.gov is free and open to any member of the public. Search by name, address, or zip code. Results include the offender's registered address, a current photo, the offense type, and risk level when assigned. All Hays County agencies, from the Sheriff to every city police department, report to this single DPS database.

The DPS map view is especially useful in fast-growing Hays County. You can search by specific zip code or neighborhood, which is helpful when checking areas near schools, parks, or residential communities. Because the county is growing rapidly, the registry may include more registrations each year. The data is updated on a rolling basis as agencies submit new registrations and annual verifications.

The image below shows the Texas DPS public sex offender registry, where all Hays County offender data is available.

The DPS portal provides current, public registration data for all of Hays County.

Chapter 62 Requirements

Texas sex offender registration follows the rules in Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The law defines qualifying offenses, sets the registration timeline, and establishes ongoing verification duties. Most registrants must register within seven days of establishing a new Texas address.

Registration is always in person. You provide your address, a photo, and information about your conviction. Standard-risk offenders verify annually. Higher-risk offenders verify every 90 days. Any move to a new address in Hays County, including between city and unincorporated areas, restarts the seven-day clock. Violating Chapter 62 is a criminal offense. Repeat violations can result in felony charges.

• Register within 7 days of a new Texas address
• Appear in person at the correct agency
• City residents use city police; unincorporated residents use the Sheriff
• Provide photo, address, and conviction details
• Annual verification minimum; 90-day for high-risk offenders
• Notify the registration authority before any move

Note: The specific requirements for your situation depend on your conviction type and any court-imposed conditions. Consult a Texas attorney with questions.

Court Records and Other Resources

The Hays County District Clerk maintains public court records for criminal cases, including sex offense convictions. The office is at 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2078, San Marcos, TX 78666. Records can be requested in person or by written request. Court records give the full legal history of a case, which differs from what the DPS registry displays about current registration status.

The Texas Attorney General has resources on sex offender law and victim support. The National Sex Offender Public Website covers cross-state searches. To report a violation in Hays County, contact the Hays County Sheriff's Office at (512) 393-7800 or the police department in the relevant city.