About Scurry County
Scurry County is located in the northwest central portion of Texas, approximately 230 miles west of Dallas-Fort Worth. Scurry County was created in 1876 from Bexar County and organized in 1884, named after Confederate General William Read Scurry. Scurry County Seat is Snyder, which is the primary population and commercial center. Scurry County includes approximately 908 square miles of rolling plains terrain and has a population of roughly 16,500 residents according to recent estimates.
- Thomas, constructed in 1952, provides water supply and recreational opportunities for Scurry County and neighboring communities.
Scurry County is characterized by its agricultural heritage, oil and gas production, and the scenic beauty of the Caprock Escarpment. Notable landmarks include the White Buffalo statue in Snyder, Scurry County Museum, and the surrounding ranch lands that have defined Scurry County's character for generations. Scurry County is home to Western Texas College, a community college serving Scurry County since 1969.
Major governmental offices include Scurry County Clerk located at 1806 25th Street in Snyder, the County Tax Assessor-Collector at the same address, and the District Clerk's Office handling court records. The economy has historically been driven by agriculture, ranching, and petroleum extraction, with cotton farming and cattle ranching remaining significant contributors. Lake J.B.
Scurry County experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters typical of the West Texas region.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Scurry County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Scurry County. The office is tasked with patrolling rural areas, responding to emergencies, and conducting criminal investigations. It also manages Scurry County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is involved in community outreach programs and collaborates with local law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Scurry County is provided by both Scurry County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The Snyder Police Department serves the city of Snyder, handling law enforcement within city limits, including traffic enforcement, crime prevention, and investigations. The Sheriff's Office covers the unincorporated areas of Scurry County, focusing on rural patrols and county-wide law enforcement. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response throughout Scurry County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Scurry County Sheriff's Office, located at 1806 25th Street in Snyder, Texas 79549, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Scurry County. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and maintains a website at scurrycounty.texas.gov where citizens can access information about law enforcement services. Scurry County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates and provides an online inmate roster that can be accessed through Scurry County website or by calling the jail directly.
- Written requests should specify the individual's name and approximate date of arrest.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the jail's inmate search system or by submitting a formal public information request.
- Processing fees may apply for extensive record searches or certified copies.
- For historical arrest records or detailed criminal history information, requesters may need to contact the Texas Department of Public Safety or submit fingerprint-based background checks through authorized channels.
The Snyder Police Department serves the city of Snyder and can be contacted, located at 1801 25th Street. Smaller municipalities such as Hermleigh and Fluvanna have limited or volunteer law enforcement presence with primary coverage from the Sheriff's Office. Under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), arrest records are generally considered public information, and citizens can request these records from the Sheriff's Office or municipal police departments.
The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests, warrants, incident reports, and accident reports under Texas retention schedules. Most recent booking information, including mugshots, can be viewed online through Scurry County's inmate information system.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Scurry County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Scurry County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Texas Department of Public Safety provides statewide criminal history information. Residents can request background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safety's online portal, which provides access to criminal records for employment, licensing, and personal purposes.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Scurry County are maintained by Scurry County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and personal information of the arrested individual. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by submitting a formal request to the Sheriff's Office, adhering to the guidelines set by the Texas Public Information Act. Scurry County arrest records typically contain the date of arrest, charges, and the arresting officer's details.
Jail & Inmate Records
Scurry County Jail, located in Snyder, is the primary detention facility for people arrested within Scurry County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing the public to access information about current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled visiting hours and guidelines that must be adhered to by visitors.
- The bond and bail process follows Texas state laws, allowing detainees to post bail for release pending court appearances.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Scurry County are taken and retained by Scurry County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed by the public through the Sheriff's Office. Mugshots may also be available through third-party websites that aggregate public records. Texas does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals can request corrections or updates if the information is inaccurate.
Courts & Case Records
Scurry County's judicial system includes the 132nd District Court, which has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, family law matters, and juvenile cases. Scurry County Court is located at 1806 25th Street, Suite 300, in Snyder, Texas 79549, and can be reached for Scurry County Court at Law hears misdemeanor criminal cases, probate matters, and civil cases with amounts in controversy between $500 and $250,000. Scurry County Court at Law is also located in Scurry County Courthouse at the same address.
- Justice of the Peace Courts serve Scurry County in four precincts, handling small claims up to $20,000, Class C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and magistrate functions including setting bail and issuing warrants.
- Fees for copies typically range from $1 per page for standard documents, with certified copies costing an additional fee.
The Snyder Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations and Class C misdemeanors occurring within city limits. Court records are maintained by Scurry County District Clerk (325-573-5641) for district-level cases and the County Clerk (325-573-5332) for county court and probate matters. Under Texas Government Code Section 552.001 et seq, court records are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted by law.
Case searches can be conducted in person at the respective clerk's offices during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some limited case information may be available by phone inquiry. Scurry County Clerk's office maintains an index of cases that can be searched by party name or case number.
Online access to dockets may be limited, requiring in-person visits for full record searches. Third-party background check services may offer aggregated court record searches, though official certified documents must be obtained directly from the clerk's offices.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Scurry County are maintained by the County Clerk's Office, located at 1806 25th Street, Suite 200, Snyder, Texas 79549, phone. Scurry County Clerk is the official recorder of deeds, recording real property transactions including warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgage liens, releases, easements, right-of-way agreements, oil and gas leases, mineral rights documents, and plat maps.
- Recording fees are established by state law and typically include $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page, with additional fees for certain document types.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the County Clerk for official purposes, with fees of approximately $5 for the first page and $1 for additional pages plus the certification fee.
- The Appraisal District's online Geographic Information System (GIS) provides mapping capabilities showing parcel boundaries, ownership, and property details accessible to the public at no charge.
These records are public under Texas Property Code and Government Code provisions, and the office maintains grantor/grantee indices dating back to Scurry County's organization. Scurry County Appraisal District, located at 2612 College Avenue, Snyder, Texas 79549 (325-573-9366), maintains property tax records, conducts property valuations, and provides ownership information separate from the deed recording function. The Appraisal District website at scurrycad.org offers a free online property search where users can look up properties by owner name, property address, or account number to view assessed values, property characteristics, exemptions, and tax history.
The Tax Assessor-Collector's Office at the courthouse handles property tax collections and vehicle registrations. Scurry County maintains some historical records on microfilm and increasingly digitized formats. For complex title searches, many users engage professional abstractors or title companies familiar with local records.
Vital Records
Vital records for Scurry County, Texas, are managed through multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Scurry County can be requested from Scurry County Clerk's Office at 1806 25th Street, Suite 200, Snyder, Texas 79549, phone. Scurry County Clerk maintains local vital records and can issue certified copies for events that occurred within Scurry County.
- Birth certificates cost $23 for the first copy and $22 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, while death certificates cost $21 each.
- Processing time varies from same-day service for in-person requests at the local office to 2-4 weeks for mail requests to the state office.
- Online ordering is available through the state's official vendor VitChek at texas.gov for expedited service with additional convenience fees.
- Requesters must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 and 192.
- The marriage license fee is approximately $81, reduced to $21 if the couple completes a premarital education course.
However, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit in Austin is the central repository for all Texas vital records and can be contacted at or via their website at dshs.texas.gov/vs. Acceptable forms of ID include driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, or military ID. Marriage licenses are issued by Scurry County Clerk, with both parties required to appear in person with valid identification and social security numbers.
Divorce records (decrees) are maintained by the District Clerk's Office, as divorces are processed through district courts. Genealogical researchers can access older vital records subject to statutory waiting periods: birth records 25 years or older and death records with fewer restrictions for research purposes.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Scurry County are distributed among county, state, and municipal authorities depending on the business type and licensing requirements. Scurry County Clerk's Office at 1806 25th Street, Suite 200, Snyder, Texas 79549 (325-573-5332) maintains assumed name certificates (Doing Business As or DBA filings) for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under names other than the owner's legal name, as required by Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 71.
These filings are public records 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, filings are made with the Texas Secretary of State. The Secretary of State's SOSDirect online portal at direct.sos.state.tx.us provides free public access to search registered business entities, view corporate documents, and verify business status throughout Texas, including those with registered agents in Scurry County.
Professional and occupational licenses such as contractor licenses, cosmetology licenses, medical licenses, and other regulated professions are issued by respective state licensing boards, not at Scurry County level. Sales tax permits are obtained through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Local business licenses and permits within the City of Snyder are handled by Snyder City Hall at 1925 24th Street, phone.
Building permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, and mechanical permits are issued by the City of Snyder's Building Inspection Department for construction within city limits, while unincorporated areas may have county-level permitting requirements administered through the County Judge's office or designated county officials. Zoning information and land use permits can be obtained from the City of Snyder Planning and Zoning Department. The Snyder Chamber of Commerce, located at 2302 Avenue R, Snyder, Texas 79549 (325-573-3558), website snyderchamber.org, provides business development resources, maintains a business directory, and offers networking opportunities for local businesses, though it does not maintain official licensing records.
Elections & Voter Records
Election administration in Scurry County is managed by Scurry County Elections Administrator, operating under the County Clerk's oversight, located at 1806 25th Street, Snyder, Texas 79549. The Elections office can be reached, and election information may be available through Scurry County website at scurrycounty.texas.gov. Voter registration in Texas is coordinated through county tax assessor-collector offices and voter registrars, with applications processed locally but maintained in a statewide database.
- Texas residents can register to vote online at texas.gov or by submitting a paper application available from Scurry County elections office, libraries, or various state agencies.
- These records can be requested from the County Elections office or County Clerk under the Texas Public Information Act.
- Scurry County voter turnout in the November 2024 general election was approximately 54-58% of registered voters, consistent with turnout patterns in small rural Texas counties.
- Election transparency in Scurry County allows citizens to request and inspect election records, observe ballot counting, and attend canvassing board meetings as provided under Texas Election Code provisions.
The registration deadline is 30 days prior to any election in which the voter wishes to participate. To be eligible, applicants must be United States citizens, Texas residents, at least 18 years old on election day, and not finally convicted of a felony (or if convicted, have fully completed their sentence including parole or probation). Voters can find their polling place by visiting the Texas Secretary of State's website at texas.gov/voter or by contacting Scurry County Elections office directly with their residential address.
Early voting locations and dates are published on Scurry County website and in local newspapers prior to each election. Scurry County typically operates multiple early voting locations during major elections and consolidates to fewer polling places on election day. Public election records in Texas include voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted under Texas Election Code Section 13.004), precinct-level election results, campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees, candidate applications and filings, and election canvass documents.
The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, contested statewide offices including Governor and other executive positions, Texas State Senate and House seats, and various local offices and judicial positions. Texas voters seeking to vote by mail must qualify under specific categories: being 65 years or older, having a disability, being confined in jail but eligible to vote, or being absent from Scurry County during the early voting period and on election day.
Applications for mail-in ballots (officially called "applications for ballot by mail") must be submitted to Scurry County Early Voting Clerk and received no later than 11 days before election day. The application can be submitted by mail, fax, email (as a scanned PDF), or common/contract carrier, but not by regular email for voters under 65. Texas has implemented various election integrity measures including voter ID requirements; acceptable forms of photo identification include Texas driver's license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal ID card, Texas handgun license, U.S.
Military ID with photo, U.S. Citizenship certificate with photo, or U.S. Passport.
Economy & Demographics
Scurry County's economy has traditionally been anchored by three primary sectors: agriculture, energy production, and education. Cotton farming remains one of the most significant agricultural activities, with thousands of acres planted annually across Scurry County's rich agricultural lands. Cattle ranching and other livestock operations contribute substantially to the agricultural economy.
- The median household income in Scurry County is estimated at approximately $47,000 to $52,000, somewhat below the Texas state median.
- Scurry County's location along US Highway 84 and State Highway 350 provides transportation access for commerce and freight movement.
Scurry County has a long history in the petroleum industry, with oil and gas extraction playing a vital role since major discoveries in Scurry County field in the mid-20th century, particularly the SACROC (Scurry Area Canyon Reef Operators Committee) unit, one of the largest oil fields in Texas. Energy companies continue to operate numerous oil wells and related facilities throughout Scurry County. Western Texas College is a major employer and educational anchor, providing workforce development and higher education to Scurry County.
Major employers include Scurry County Independent School District, Western Texas College, Cogdell Memorial Hospital (part of Covenant Health System), retail establishments, and various oil and gas service companies. The unemployment rate has historically tracked near or slightly above the Texas state average, fluctuating with energy sector conditions. The retail and service sectors in Snyder provide employment for residents and serve the broader region.
Economic development efforts are coordinated through Scurry County Economic Development Corporation and the Snyder Economic Development Corporation, working to diversify the economy and attract new industries. Wind energy has emerged as a growing sector, with wind farms being developed in Scurry County taking advantage of Scurry County's consistent wind resources.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Limited: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search Online | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Basic Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail Required | Business: Yes: State Database Online | Elections: Limited: Online | Overall Score: 6/10, Scurry County provides property tax database access online through the Appraisal District, but many records require in-person visits or phone contact for access.