About Young County
Young County is located in north-central Texas, approximately 120 miles west of Fort Worth. Established in 1856 and organized in 1874, Young County was named after Colonel William Cocke Young, a veteran of the Texas Revolution and early settler. Graham serves as Young County Seat and is the largest county in Young County. Young County includes approximately 930 square miles of rolling prairie and ranch land. According to recent census estimates, Young County has a population of approximately 17,800 residents.
- Major landmarks include Possum Kingdom Lake on Young County's western border, which provides recreation and tourism opportunities, and the historic downtown Graham square.
Young County is characterized by its ranching heritage, oil and gas production, and agricultural economy. Young County Courthouse, built in 1932, stands as an Art Deco architectural landmark at 516 4th Street in Graham. Young County Clerk's office is located in the courthouse and maintains vital records, court documents, and land records.
Young County Tax Assessor-Collector's office, also housed in the courthouse, handles property tax assessments and vehicle registrations. Young County Recorder functions are performed by the County Clerk under Texas law. Young County's economy historically depended on cattle ranching and cotton farming, but petroleum discovery in the early 20th century transformed Young County.
Today, Young County balances traditional agriculture with energy production and outdoor recreation centered around Possum Kingdom Lake. Young County maintains its frontier character while providing modern governmental services to People.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Young County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Young County. The office oversees the patrol of rural areas, manages Young County Jail, and processes arrests made within its jurisdiction. The sheriff's office is also tasked with maintaining criminal records and providing them to the public upon request. Notable programs include community policing initiatives meant to building better relationships between law enforcement and residents.
Police Departments
In addition to Young County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Young County is provided by municipal police departments, including the Graham Police Department and the Olney Police Department. These city departments handle law enforcement within their respective city limits, addressing local crimes and traffic violations. The sheriff's office and city police departments coordinate on major crimes and emergencies to ensure a unified response.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Young County Sheriff's Office, located at 516 4th Street in Graham, Texas 76450, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Young County. The Sheriff's Office operates Young County Jail, which houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanor offenders. Inmates can be located through the Sheriff's Office by calling during business hours, though Young County does not currently maintain a full online inmate roster. Booking information and jail records may be requested in person at the Sheriff's Office.
- Citizens may submit written requests for arrest records to the Sheriff's Office or local police departments, specifying the name and approximate date of arrest.
- Mugshots and booking photographs are typically considered public records in Texas and can be requested from the agency that made the arrest.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of records.
Within Young County, the Graham Police Department provides law enforcement services for the city of Graham and can be reached for The municipalities of Olney and Newcastle also maintain their own police departments with jurisdiction within their respective city limits. Under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports are generally considered public information. Some records may be withheld if they are part of ongoing investigations or contain confidential informant information.
Young County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs and booking records, though online access to mugshots is limited. Young County does not have tribal police jurisdiction, and all law enforcement falls under county and municipal agencies.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Young County includes various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Young County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, which are accessible to the public under the Texas Public Information Act. Background checks can be conducted by requesting records from these agencies, and the Texas Department of Public Safety provides additional resources for statewide criminal history checks.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Young County are maintained by Young County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and any court proceedings that follow. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the sheriff's office, and requests are subject to the Texas Public Information Act. Arrest records typically include the individual's personal information, charges, and the arresting officer's details.
- The process for obtaining these records involves submitting a formal request, which can often be done online or in person at the sheriff's office.
Jail & Inmate Records
Young County Jail, located in Graham, is the primary detention facility for people arrested within Young County. The booking process involves photographing and fingerprinting of detainees, and their information is entered into the jail's system. Inmate lookup services are available through the sheriff's office, allowing the public to find information about current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and guidelines for visitors. The bond and bail process follows Texas state law, allowing for the release of inmates pending trial.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Young County are taken and retained by Young County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking process. These photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office website or by submitting a request. While Texas does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, individuals may petition for removal if charges are dropped or if they are found not guilty. The availability of mugshots online may vary, and some third-party websites may also host these images, though they are primarily managed by the sheriff's office.
Courts & Case Records
Young County's judicial system includes the 90th District Court, which has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $200 in controversy, divorce and family law cases, and juvenile matters. The 90th District Court is located in Young County Courthouse at 516 4th Street, Graham, Texas 76450, and can be reached for County Court at Law handles misdemeanor criminal cases, probate matters, and civil cases with amounts between $200 and $250,000. Young County Court office is also located in the courthouse.
- Court records in Young County can be accessed through the District Clerk's office for district court cases, and the County Clerk for county court matters.
- Certified copies of court documents cost $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus a $5.00 certification fee.
- Young County does not currently offer full online case search, requiring in-person or phone requests for most court record inquiries.
Young County has four Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-4) that handle small claims up to $20,000, misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only, evictions, and magistrate functions including setting bail and issuing warrants. The Graham Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations and Class C misdemeanors occurring within Graham city limits. Texas Government Code Chapter 552 (Public Information Act) and Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a govern access to court records.
Most civil and criminal case information is public, though certain records involving juveniles, mental health proceedings, and sealed cases are restricted. Young County Clerk maintains case indexes and dockets.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Young County are maintained by the County Clerk's office, which serves as Young County recorder under Texas law. Located at 516 4th Street, Graham, Texas 76450, the County Clerk can be reached for The office maintains deed records, mortgage documents, liens, releases, easements, rights-of-way, oil and gas leases, and plat maps dating back to Young County's organization in 1874. Official public records are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description.
- Recording fees are established by Texas Local Government Code Section 118.011 and typically include $5.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page.
- Young County Clerk's office provides access to land records during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the County Clerk with proper identification and payment of applicable fees.
- Young County does not currently offer a full online property record search system, though the Appraisal District website provides basic parcel and tax data.
- Requests for historical documents or complex title searches should be directed to the County Clerk's recording department.
Vital Records
Vital records for Young County, Texas are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates occurring in Young County are filed with the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section in Austin, which is the state registrar. For births and deaths occurring after 1903, applications should be submitted to the Texas Vital Statistics office at P.O. Box 12040, Austin, Texas 78711-2040, or online through the state's official website.
- Birth certificate copies cost $23.00 and death certificates cost $21.00, with processing times typically 8-10 weeks for mail requests or 5-10 business days for expedited service with additional fees.
- The fee is approximately $81.00, reduced to $21.00 for couples who complete a state-approved premarital education course.
- VitalChek, a third-party vendor authorized by the state, offers online ordering of certified birth and death certificates with expedited delivery options at www.texas.gov, though higher service fees apply.
Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and proof of relationship or eligibility under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. Young County Clerk's office at 516 4th Street, Graham, maintains marriage license records and issues marriage licenses to couples. Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days after issuance, and there is a 72-hour waiting period unless waived.
Divorce decrees are filed with the District Clerk's office in the courthouse and are considered public court records unless sealed by court order. Informal marriage (common law marriage) declarations are also recorded by the County Clerk. For genealogical research or historical vital records, the County Clerk maintains older marriage records dating back to the 1870s.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Young County operates through multiple governmental levels. At Young County level, Young County Clerk's office at 516 4th Street, Graham, handles assumed name certificates (Doing Business As or DBA filings) as required by Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 71. These fictitious name registrations cost approximately $25.00 and must be filed by individuals or entities conducting business under a name other than their legal name. Young County Clerk maintains an index of assumed names that is available for public inspection.
- The Graham Chamber of Commerce, promotes economic development and provides business resources; they can be reached at or through their website.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and professional associations, filings must be made with the Texas Secretary of State in Austin. The Secretary of State maintains an online business entity search tool called SOSDirect at www.sos.state.tx.us where the public can search for registered businesses, view filed documents, and verify good standing status at no charge. Sales tax permits are issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and are required for businesses selling taxable goods or services.
Professional and occupational licenses are generally issued by state-level agencies rather than county offices. Building permits, construction permits, and development approvals in unincorporated Young County are handled by the County Judge's office or designated county departments. Within Graham city limits, the City of Graham issues building permits and enforces zoning regulations.
Business property is assessed for taxation by Young County Appraisal District, and business personal property renditions must be filed annually by April 15th.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Young County are administered by Young County Elections Administrator, operating under the authority of the County Clerk's office located at 516 4th Street, Graham, Texas 76450. For election information, voters can contact the office for Voter registration in Texas is handled at Young County level, with applications processed by the County Voter Registrar. Texas residents may register to vote if they are United States citizens, at least 18 years old, and residents of Young County. Voter registration applications must be submitted at least 30 days before an election.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status and find their assigned polling place through the Texas Secretary of State's website or by contacting Young County Elections office.
- These records can be requested under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552).
- In the November 2024 general election, Young County saw voter turnout of approximately 58-62% of registered voters, consistent with rural Texas county participation rates in presidential election years.
Applications can be obtained at the County Clerk's office, public libraries, and many state offices, or downloaded from the Texas Secretary of State website at www.sos.state.tx.us. Online voter registration is not available in Texas; paper applications with original signatures are required. Young County typically operates multiple polling locations on Election Day, with early voting available at the courthouse and potentially other designated locations.
Election records that are public information include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), candidate filing documents, campaign finance reports for local candidates, and precinct-level election results. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives elections, statewide offices including Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Texas Legislature seats, and various county and local positions.
Vote-by-mail (absentee) ballots in Texas are restricted to voters who are 65 or older, will be out of Young County during the election period, are confined in jail but otherwise eligible, or have a disability or illness that prevents voting in person. Applications for mail ballots must be submitted to Young County Early Voting Clerk and are available on the Secretary of State website. Texas does not offer no-excuse absentee voting.
Young County maintains transparency in elections through public testing of voting equipment, posted notice of polling places, and availability of election night results.
Economy & Demographics
Young County's economy reflects a diverse mix of traditional ranching, energy production, manufacturing, and recreation-based industries. Historically dependent on cattle ranching and cotton farming, Young County experienced significant economic transformation following oil discoveries in the early 1900s. Today, oil and gas production remains a substantial economic driver, with numerous wells operating throughout Young County and supporting service industries.
- According to recent economic data, Young County's median household income is estimated at approximately $52,000, slightly below the state average.
Agriculture continues to play an important role, with cattle ranching, hay production, wheat farming, and pecan orchards contributing to the agricultural economy. Major employers in Young County include Graham Regional Medical Center, which is a significant healthcare provider and employer; Graham Independent School District and other educational institutions; oil and gas companies and their service contractors; and manufacturing facilities. Young County benefits economically from Possum Kingdom Lake tourism, which brings visitors for boating, fishing, camping, and vacation home development.
Retail and service businesses in Graham serve both locals and lake visitors. Manufacturing operations in Young County include metal fabrication and oilfield equipment production. The unemployment rate in Young County typically tracks slightly above state averages due to the cyclical nature of energy sector employment.
Economic development efforts focus on diversification, infrastructure improvements, and using the quality of life advantages of the Possum Kingdom Lake area. The Graham Economic Development Corporation works to attract new businesses and support existing industries. Recent initiatives have focused on broadband expansion and industrial park development to accommodate new businesses.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Limited: Online | Property: Limited: Online | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Yes: State Online | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Overall Score: 5/10, Young County provides basic public records access but lacks online portals for most county-maintained records, requiring in-person or phone requests.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Young County
Explore public records for 5 cities and communities in Young County, Texas.