Moore County

Moore County is located in the northern Texas Panhandle, bordered by Hutchinson County to the east, Potter County to the south, and the state of Oklahoma to the north. Moore County Seat is Dumas, which is the economic and governmental center of Moore County. Established in 1892 and organized in 1892, Moore County was named after Commodore Edwin Ward Moore, commander of the Texas Navy during the Republic of Texas era. Moore County includes approximately 909 square miles of predominantly flat terrain characteristic of the High Plains.

• Moore County is known for its significant agricultural production, particularly wheat, corn, and cattle ranching, as well as its industrial presence through petroleum refining and natural gas processing.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Moore County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Moore County. The office oversees Moore County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community policing efforts and offers various programs meant to crime prevention and public safety. The office has divisions dedicated to patrol, investigations, and community outreach, making sure of full law enforcement coverage throughout Moore County.

Police Departments

In addition to Moore County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement services are provided by municipal police departments within Moore County. The Dumas Police Department serves the city of Dumas, handling local law enforcement duties and coordinating with the Sheriff's Office on broader issues. These agencies work together to address major crimes and ensure public safety across Moore County, sharing resources and information as needed to effectively manage law enforcement challenges.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Law enforcement in Moore County is primarily provided by Moore County Sheriff's Office, located at 715 Dumas Avenue, Dumas, TX 79029. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and maintains jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of Moore County as well as providing support to municipal departments. The agency operates Moore County Jail, which houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanor offenders. Inmate information and jail rosters can be accessed by contacting the jail directly at or by visiting the facility in person during business hours.

• Written requests should include the subject's name, date of birth if known, and approximate date of arrest.
• Booking photos and mugshots are generally available through the jail or by formal public information request, though some records may be restricted if they involve ongoing investigations or juvenile offenders.
• Processing fees may apply for copies of reports and records.
• Response times and record availability may vary depending on staff availability and the complexity of the request.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Moore County include felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and entries in the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by Moore County Sheriff's Office and the local courts. To run a background check, residents can request information from the Sheriff's Office or use state resources such as the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Texas Bureau of Investigation provides additional support for background checks, offering a summary of an individual's criminal history within the state.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Moore County are maintained by Moore County Sheriff's Office. These records include details about the arrest, charges, and personal information of the individual. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The records are subject to the Texas Public Information Act, which governs the accessibility of public records. Arrest records typically contain the date of arrest, charges filed, and any court proceedings related to the case.

Jail & Inmate Records

Moore County Detention Center is the primary facility for housing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. Inmate lookup services are available to the public, allowing individuals to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and regulations to ensure security. The bond and bail process follows Texas state guidelines, allowing for the release of detainees under certain conditions.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Moore County are taken and retained by Moore County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or through specific online portals that provide public access to such records. Texas does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances, such as expungement of the arrest record.

Moore County's judicial system is served by the 69th Judicial District Court, which has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases with damages exceeding $200, divorce and family law matters, and juvenile cases. Moore County Court is located in Moore County Courthouse at 715 Dumas Avenue, Dumas, TX 79029, and can be reached for Moore County and District Clerk's office maintains all district court records and provides public access to case files.

• Moore County also operates County Court at Law, which handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters between $200 and $250,000, probate matters, and appeals from Justice and Municipal Courts.
• Justice of the Peace Courts in Moore County handle small claims cases up to $20,000, Class C misdemeanors including traffic violations, magistrate functions including warrant issuance, and civil matters.
• Fees for copies typically include $1.00 per page for standard documents and additional charges for certified copies.
• Online case access may be limited, with most records requiring in-person or written requests to the appropriate clerk's office.

Property and land records for Moore County are maintained by Moore County Clerk's office, which serves as Moore County's official recorder of deeds. The office is located at 715 Dumas Avenue, Room 105, Dumas, TX 79029, and can be contacted for Moore County Clerk records and indexes all documents affecting real property including warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgage assignments, releases of liens, oil and gas leases, easements, right-of-way agreements, and plat maps for subdivisions.

• Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the County Clerk's office for a fee of $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus an additional $5.00 for certification.

Vital records for Moore County are managed through multiple offices depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates occurring in Moore County can be requested from Moore County Clerk's office at 715 Dumas Avenue, Room 105, Dumas, TX 79029, phone, for informational copies of recent records. However, certified copies required for legal purposes must be obtained through the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit, located at P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040, or by calling.

• Birth certificate fees are $23.00 for the first copy and $22.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
• Death certificates cost $21.00 per copy.
• Processing times typically range from 6-8 weeks for mail orders, though expedited service is available for additional fees.
• The fee is $81.00, reduced to $21.00 if applicants complete a premarital education course.
• Divorce records (decrees) are maintained by the District Clerk's office in Moore County Courthouse and can be accessed by parties to the divorce or through proper legal channels.

Business and licensing records in Moore County are maintained by several offices depending on the business type and registration level. Moore County Clerk's office at 715 Dumas Avenue, Room 105, Dumas, TX 79029, phone, handles assumed name certificates (DBA - Doing Business As) and fictitious name registrations for businesses operating under names different from the owner's legal name. The filing fee is typically $17.00 per assumed name certificate. These records are public and can be searched at the County Clerk's office during regular business hours.

• For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and professional associations, businesses must register with the Texas Secretary of State.

Election administration in Moore County is managed by Moore County Elections Administrator and Moore County Clerk, with offices located at 715 Dumas Avenue, Dumas, TX 79029. Moore County Clerk's office can be reached for voter registration questions, polling location information, and election records. Voter registration in Moore County follows Texas Election Code requirements, with applications available online through the Texas Secretary of State website at https://www.sos.texas.gov/elections/voter/reqvr.shtml.

• Citizen requests for election records should be submitted in writing to the County Clerk.
• In the 2024 general election, Texas counties averaged approximately 51-62% turnout of registered voters, with Moore County's turnout falling within typical ranges for rural Panhandle counties.
• Mail ballot applications must be submitted to Moore County Early Voting Clerk and can be requested by phone at or downloaded from the Texas Secretary of State website.
• Moore County provides reasonable transparency in election administration, with records available upon request though online access to detailed election data may be limited compared to larger urban counties.

Moore County's economy is heavily anchored in energy, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. Moore County is home to several major industrial facilities that drive employment and economic activity. Atmos Energy operates natural gas processing and distribution facilities in Moore County. The Dumas area hosts significant petroleum refining operations and petrochemical production.

• Moore County's location in the Texas Panhandle provides strategic access to major transportation corridors for agricultural and industrial products.
• According to recent economic data, Moore County's median household income is estimated at approximately $62,000, slightly above the Texas statewide median.
• Natural gas and petroleum extraction, processing, and related services continue to provide high-wage employment opportunities.

Court Records: Limited: In-Person/Phone | Property: Yes: Online Search (Appraisal) | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Limited: State Office Required | Business: Yes: Online (State Level) | Elections: Limited: Online | Overall Score: 5/10, Moore County provides moderate access to public records with property searches available online through the Appraisal District, but most court, jail, and vital records require in-person visits or phone contact, reflecting typical rural county digital infrastructure.

Explore public records for 5 cities and communities in Moore County, Texas.