Pampa, Texas Public Records

The Gray County Court at Law, presiding at the Gray County Courthouse, 205 North Russell Street, Pampa, TX 79065, handles Class A and B misdemeanor criminal cases, probate matters, mental health proceedings, and civil cases with amounts in controversy between $500 and $250,000. The 31st Judicial District Court and 223rd District Court, both located at 205 North Russell Street, phone (806) 669-8004 for the District Clerk, have jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, divorce and family law matters, civil cases exceeding $200 in controversy, juvenile matters, and appeals from lower courts. Gray County Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims cases up to $20,000, evictions, debt claims, Class C misdemeanors in unincorporated areas, and conduct inquests. Texas court records can be searched online through the Texas Judicial Branch's public access system at publicaccess.courts.texas.gov, though availability varies by court and record type; some Gray County records may require in-person searches at the courthouse. The Gray County District Clerk charges fees for certified copies of court documents, typically $1 per page for plain copies and an additional $5 for certification, with some variation depending on document type. Case filings require payment of filing fees that range from approximately $75 for small claims to over $300 for divorce petitions, as set by state law.

Searchable data includes property location, legal description, appraised values (land and improvements separately), homestead exemptions, property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size), ownership history, and prior year valuations. The online database is updated regularly and provides free access to this information without charge. The Gray County Clerk's Office, located at 205 North Russell Street (County Courthouse), Pampa, TX 79065, phone (806) 669-8004, serves as the official recorder of real property documents for Gray County. The County Clerk records deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, liens (both voluntary and involuntary), easements, rights-of-way, plats, oil and gas leases, and other instruments affecting real property title. Document recording fees are established by state statute and vary based on page count and document type. While indexes of recorded documents may be searchable online through third-party subscription services or limited county portals, official copies typically require payment of fees and may necessitate in-person visits or written requests to the County Clerk. To conduct a property search by address, users can visit graycad.org and enter the street address in the search function; to search by owner name, enter the last name followed by first name. The appraisal district does not provide title search services or guarantee title; for comprehensive title research, users should examine recorded documents at the County Clerk's office or hire a title company. Gray County does not currently maintain a comprehensive public GIS parcel viewer, though basic property location information is available through the appraisal district's online system.

Oil and gas extraction and services remain significant economic drivers, with numerous production companies, drilling contractors, and service providers operating in the area, though employment in this sector fluctuates with commodity prices. Pampa Independent School District is a major public employer, operating multiple campuses serving students throughout the area. Pampa Regional Medical Center, located at One Medical Plaza, provides healthcare services and employs medical professionals, nurses, and support staff. Retail and service businesses concentrated along Highway 60 (Hobart Street) and around the downtown area provide additional employment in sectors including hospitality, food service, automotive services, and general retail. Agriculture, particularly cattle ranching and wheat farming, remains important in the surrounding Gray County area, supporting farm supply businesses, feed stores, and agricultural services in Pampa. The median household income in Pampa is estimated at approximately $45,000-50,000, below both state and national averages, reflecting the community's working-class character and economic challenges. Recent years have seen population decline and business closures as younger residents migrate to larger metropolitan areas for employment opportunities. Pampa's economy is representative of many small Panhandle communities dependent on extractive industries and agriculture, facing headwinds from rural depopulation and limited economic diversification. The city has undertaken revitalization efforts including downtown improvement projects and business recruitment initiatives, though significant economic transformation remains challenging.

Law enforcement services in Pampa are provided by the Pampa Police Department, located at 220 West Foster Avenue, Pampa, TX 79065, phone (806) 669-5700. The department's website at cityofpampa.com provides information on police services, community programs, and public safety initiatives. Citizens can request police reports and incident records by visiting the department in person during business hours or submitting written requests; there is typically a fee for copies of reports, and requesters must provide valid identification and case numbers when available. The Pampa Police Department handles all law enforcement matters within city limits, including patrol operations, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and animal control. The Gray County Sheriff's Office, located at 205 North Russell Street, Pampa, TX 79065, phone (806) 669-8022, provides law enforcement services for unincorporated areas of Gray County and operates the county detention facility. The Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction over the entire county and assists municipal departments when needed. To search for arrests and jail bookings in Gray County, the public can access the Gray County Jail inmate roster, though online availability may be limited and requests often require contacting the Sheriff's Office directly at the above number. Inmate information typically includes booking date, charges filed, bond amount, and mugshots when available. Texas public records law governing access to law enforcement records is the Texas Public Information Act, codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, which establishes that government information is presumed to be available to the public unless specifically exempted. Certain active investigation records, undercover officer identities, and confidential informant information are among the exemptions. Requesters should submit formal written requests citing the Public Information Act when seeking records, and agencies must respond within ten business days either providing the records, seeking an Attorney General opinion on whether information is exempt, or requesting additional clarification.

Online ordering is available through VitChek Network at texas.gov, with convenience fees added to state charges. Texas law restricts who may obtain certified copies of birth and death certificates; eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate (if age 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, spouses, adult children, legal representatives, and others with direct and tangible interest as defined by statute. Valid government-issued photo identification is required for all requests. Birth records in Texas are available from 1903 forward, though early records may be incomplete; death records are similarly available from 1903 onward. Marriage licenses are issued by the Gray County Clerk's Office, located at the County Courthouse, 205 North Russell Street, Pampa, TX 79065, phone (806) 669-8004. The marriage license fee is $81, with a 72-hour waiting period between license issuance and ceremony unless applicants complete a premarital education course (which reduces the fee to $21 and waives the waiting period). Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from issuance. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost approximately $10-15 depending on the number of pages. Divorce records are maintained as court records by the Gray County District Clerk at the same courthouse address, phone (806) 669-8004. Divorce decrees are public court records accessible to anyone, though certified copies require payment of fees. Gray County marriage and divorce records are generally available from the county's establishment in 1902, though very early records may have gaps or damage.

Certain business types require additional permits or inspections from city departments including building permits, health permits for food establishments, and sign permits. Gray County does not generally require separate county-level business licenses for operations within incorporated areas like Pampa, though businesses in unincorporated areas or specific regulated industries may have county requirements. Assumed name certificates (DBA - Doing Business As) for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must be filed with the Gray County Clerk's Office, 205 North Russell Street, Pampa, TX 79065, phone (806) 669-8004. The filing fee is approximately $17-25 for assumed name certificates. These filings are public records maintained in the County Clerk's assumed name index. Corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other formal business entities must register with the Texas Secretary of State. The Texas Secretary of State maintains a searchable online database at direct.sos.state.tx.us/help/help-corp.asp where the public can search business entity records by name, registered agent, or file number. The database provides information on entity status (active, inactive, terminated), formation date, registered agent name and address, registered office address, officer and director names for corporations, manager and member information for LLCs (if provided), and filing history. This service is free to the public. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, which create security interests in personal property and business assets, are filed with the Texas Secretary of State for most collateral types; searches can be conducted through the Secretary of State's UCC search portal for a fee. Real property liens are recorded with the Gray County Clerk as described in the property records section. Business personal property is subject to local property taxation; commercial property owners can look up assessed values and tax information through the Gray County Appraisal District at 815 North Sumner Street, phone (806) 665-0666, website graycad.org.

Pampa voters are served by the Gray County Elections Administrator and County Clerk, with the elections office located at the Gray County Courthouse, 205 North Russell Street, Pampa, TX 79065, phone (806) 669-8004. This office administers all federal, state, county, and local elections for Gray County residents, maintains voter registration rolls, processes early voting, and certifies election results. Pampa residents can register to vote online at texas.gov or by submitting a completed voter registration application to the County Clerk; applications are available at the courthouse, public libraries, and various government offices. The registration deadline is 30 days before any election. Texas requires voters to present one of seven approved forms of photo identification when voting, including a Texas driver's license, Texas personal ID card, Texas handgun license, U.S. passport, military ID card, U.S. citizenship certificate with photo, or election identification certificate issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety; voters without acceptable photo ID may execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and present supporting documentation. Pampa conducts municipal elections for Mayor and City Commission seats; the City of Pampa operates under a commission-manager form of government with a five-member commission including the mayor. City elections are typically held in May of odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, etc.), with the next municipal election scheduled for May 2025. Voters can find information on local candidates, ballot measures, and city election schedules at cityofpampa.com or by contacting City Hall at (806) 669-5750. Gray County residents find their assigned polling place by visiting the Texas Secretary of State's polling place search tool at teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do or by contacting the Gray County Elections office. Polling places are assigned based on voter registration address and precinct boundaries. Election records that are public in Texas include voter registration lists (available for purchase by candidates and political organizations, with restrictions on commercial use), campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission (searchable at ethics.state.tx.us), candidate applications and filings maintained by election administrators, and precinct-level election results which are posted by the County Clerk following certification. Individual voter histories (which elections a person voted in, though not how they voted) are also public record. In the November 2024 presidential election, Gray County showed strong Republican voting patterns typical of the Texas Panhandle, with turnout of approximately 60-65% of registered voters; Donald Trump carried the county with over 85% of the vote, reflecting the area's conservative political orientation. On November 3, 2026, Pampa and Gray County voters will participate in the Texas gubernatorial election, with Governor Greg Abbott expected to seek re-election. The 2026 ballot will also include races for Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, other statewide constitutional offices, Texas State Senate District 31, Texas House of Representatives District 88, Gray County constitutional offices including County Judge, Sheriff, County Clerk, District Clerk, County Treasurer, County Commissioners for districts up for election in that cycle, and potentially judicial positions for district and county courts. No U.S. Senate seat from Texas is scheduled for election in 2026 (Senator Ted Cruz was re-elected in 2024 and Senator John Cornyn's term extends to 2026). Texas does not offer universal mail-in voting; absentee voting by mail is restricted to voters who are 65 or older, disabled, confined in jail but eligible to vote, or out of the county during the entire early voting period and on election day. Applications for mail ballots must be submitted to the Gray County Elections office and are available at graycocountyclerk.com or by calling (806) 669-8004.