Access Sherman County Public Records

Sherman County public records are held by the County Clerk and District Clerk in Stratford, the county seat in the Texas Panhandle. With a population of around 3,000, Sherman County is one of the smaller counties in the state, but the courthouse in Stratford is the official location for all property filings, court records, marriage licenses, and other county documents. Requests can be made in person or by mail, and some records are searchable through state online systems. This page explains how to find and request public records from Sherman County offices and through available online tools.

County Clerk Records

The Sherman County Clerk records property instruments and maintains marriage licenses, assumed name filings, and commissioners court minutes. Property records include deeds, liens, deeds of trust, and releases. Copies of documents are $1 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $5 plus the per-page fee. The clerk's office is at the Sherman County Courthouse in Stratford.

Because Sherman County is small and rural, the clerk's office operates with limited staff. If you need to visit in person, call ahead to confirm hours and whether staff can pull documents while you wait. Mail requests are a practical option for many searches. Include a clear description of the record, estimated fees, and a return envelope when mailing your request.

District Court Records

Sherman County is part of the 69th Judicial District, which also serves Dallam County. The District Clerk handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $200, family law matters, and probate proceedings. The free re:SearchTX portal allows searching by name or cause number for cases across many Texas courts. For copies of specific court documents, contact the District Clerk's office in Stratford. Civil filings can be submitted electronically through eFileTexas.

Property Records

Land in Sherman County is primarily agricultural, with large farm operations covering the flat Texas Panhandle terrain. Property deed records, including surface and mineral conveyances, are filed with the County Clerk. Irrigation water rights and agricultural lease records are also part of the county's document history. If you are doing title research on cropland or ranch property in Sherman County, a search of the deed index at the clerk's office is necessary.

The Sherman County Appraisal District maintains current ownership data and appraisal values. You can contact the appraisal district to find who owns a parcel today or get an appraisal value. For the full chain of ownership going back in time, use the deed index at the County Clerk's office. The two resources work together for a complete property picture.

Texas Public Information Act

The Texas Public Information Act gives everyone the right to request records from Sherman County offices. Put your request in writing and send it to the relevant office. The agency must respond within 10 business days. Most county records are accessible to the public. Exceptions cover active law enforcement case files and some personal data protected by other statutes. If your request is denied, the Texas Attorney General's Office can review the denial and issue a ruling.

Vital Records and Other Resources

Certified birth and death records for events in Sherman County are issued by Texas DSHS Vital Statistics, not the county clerk. A birth certificate is $23 and a death certificate is $21. You can order online or by mail through DSHS. Marriage licenses are recorded by the County Clerk. Divorce decrees are in the District Clerk's files.

For statewide criminal history data, the Texas DPS Crime Records Service is the right place to start. Local arrest and jail records are held by the Sherman County Sheriff. Historical Texas records are accessible through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Shown below is the Texas Attorney General's open government page, which explains your rights under the Public Information Act throughout Texas, including Sherman County.

The AG's open government resources include guides for requestors, a complaint process, and searchable opinions on public records issues across Texas.

Cities in Sherman County

Sherman County has no cities with a population above 100,000. Stratford is the only incorporated city and the county seat. No qualifying cities have dedicated pages for this county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Sherman County.