Howard County Sex Offender Registry

The Texas DPS public registry is the main tool for finding registered sex offenders in Howard County. The Howard County Sheriff's Office in Big Spring handles registration for unincorporated parts of the county, while the Big Spring Police Department serves residents within city limits. Anyone can search for registered sex offenders in Howard County at no cost through the DPS registry at sor.dps.texas.gov.

Howard County Sheriff's Office

The Howard County Sheriff's Office is located at 315 S. Main Street, Big Spring, Texas 79720. The Sheriff handles sex offender registration for people in unincorporated Howard County. You can reach the office at (432) 264-2222. Howard County is in the Permian Basin region of West Texas. Big Spring is the county seat and the dominant population center. The county also has some oilfield communities and rural areas that fall under the Sheriff's jurisdiction.

Registrants must appear in person, provide their current home address, and have a photo taken. The Sheriff's Office submits all registration data to the Texas DPS. The seven-day deadline applies from the day you establish a new address in Howard County. Anyone moving here from another Texas county or from another state must register within that window. Call the Sheriff before your visit to confirm current hours and documentation requirements.

Big Spring Police Department

People who live within Big Spring city limits register with the Big Spring Police Department. The Big Spring PD is at 306 W. 3rd Street, Big Spring, TX 79720, phone (432) 264-2530. The registration requirements and deadlines are the same as those enforced by the Sheriff. City residents must appear in person and complete registration within seven days of establishing a new city address.

If you are unsure whether your address is inside or outside Big Spring city limits, call the Sheriff's Office. They can help determine which agency handles your registration. Getting it right matters. Being registered with the wrong agency is a Chapter 62 violation regardless of intent.

Search Howard County Offender Records

Texas DPS provides a free public sex offender search at sor.dps.texas.gov. No fee, no account needed. Search by name, address, or zip code. Results show the offender's registered address, a current photo, the offense, and risk level when assigned. Data from both the Howard County Sheriff and the Big Spring Police Department feeds into this central DPS database.

Howard County is a mid-sized West Texas county. The map view in the DPS portal can help you check specific neighborhoods in Big Spring or the surrounding rural areas. The database is updated regularly as agencies submit new registrations and annual verifications. DPS advises using full names with dates of birth for more accurate name-based search results.

The image below shows the Texas DPS sex offender registry portal, the official source for Howard County data.

This DPS portal is the official database for all Howard County sex offender registrations.

Chapter 62 Registration Rules

Texas sex offender registration is governed by Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The law defines who must register, the deadlines, and the verification schedule. Most registrants must register within seven days of establishing a new Texas address.

Registration is done in person at the local agency. You provide your current address, a photo, and conviction details. Standard-risk offenders verify annually. Higher-risk offenders verify every 90 days. Moving to a new address in Howard County, even within Big Spring, triggers a fresh seven-day registration requirement. Violating Chapter 62 is a criminal offense that can result in felony charges for repeat violations.

• Register within 7 days of any new Texas address
• Appear in person at the correct agency
• Provide photo, address, and conviction details
• Annual verification minimum
• High-risk offenders verify every 90 days
• Notify your agency before moving

Note: Your registration obligations depend on the specific offense and any court-imposed requirements. Speak with a Texas attorney if you have questions.

Court Records and Resources

The Howard County District Clerk maintains court records for criminal cases in the county. The courthouse is at 300 Main Street, Big Spring, TX 79720. Records can be requested in person or by written request. Court records document the legal proceedings behind a conviction and differ from what the DPS registry shows about current registration status.

The Texas Attorney General's office has resources on sex offender law and victim services. The National Sex Offender Public Website supports cross-state searches. To report a registration violation in Howard County, contact the Sheriff's Office at (432) 264-2222 or the Big Spring Police Department at (432) 264-2530.