Amarillo Probate Court Records
Amarillo probate court records are filed at the county level, not through the city. Most of Amarillo sits in Potter County, though parts of the city extend into Randall County. If you need to search for a will, estate case, or guardianship order filed in Amarillo, you will need to know which county the person lived in. Potter County handles most Amarillo probate filings through its County Clerk's office in the courthouse downtown. Randall County manages probate cases for residents on its side at the courthouse in Canyon. You can search records at both offices or use the statewide re:SearchTX system to check case filings.
Amarillo Overview
Amarillo Probate Records Filing
Amarillo does not run its own probate court. Texas law puts probate at the county level. Under Texas Estates Code Chapter 51, probate cases must be filed in the county where the person who died last lived. For most Amarillo residents, that means Potter County.
Potter County is the main county for Amarillo. The County Clerk's office at the Potter County Courthouse handles probate filings, will deposits, and estate cases. If the person lived on the south or west side of Amarillo in the Randall County portion, you file with the Randall County Clerk in Canyon instead. The county line runs through the city, so the address of the person who died is what matters.
The Potter County Judge presides over probate matters in the constitutional county court. Randall County works the same way. Neither county has a statutory probate court, so the county judge handles these cases along with other county court business. Hearings are held at the respective courthouses during regular court sessions.
| Office | Potter County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 511 S. Taylor St., Room 101 Amarillo, TX 79101 |
| Phone | (806) 379-2275 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Randall County also serves parts of Amarillo. The Randall County Clerk is at 2309 Russell Long Blvd., Suite 120, in Canyon, TX 79015. You can call (806) 468-5505 for Randall County probate questions. Both offices can tell you if a case has been filed for a specific person.
Search Amarillo Probate Court Records
There are a few ways to look up Amarillo probate court records. The statewide re:SearchTX system run by the Texas Office of Court Administration is a good starting point. It covers case data from courts across the state, and you can filter by county.
For Potter County records, you can visit the County Clerk's office in person. Staff can search by name or case number. Randall County also offers in-person searches at their courthouse in Canyon. Both counties charge a small fee for the clerk to search for you, and copies cost $1 per page with an extra $5 for certified copies.
To search Amarillo probate records, you will want to have at least one of these:
- Full name of the person who died
- Name of the executor or administrator
- Case or docket number
- Approximate date of death or filing
If you are not sure which county, try both. The clerks in Potter and Randall Counties can each confirm whether a probate case was filed with their office. You can also check by phone before making the trip.
Amarillo Probate Records Resources
The Texas Judicial Branch tracks probate case filings and outcomes for every county in the state, including both Potter and Randall Counties that serve Amarillo area courts.
You can use the court activity reports to see how many probate cases move through each county each year. This data helps show how busy each court is and what types of cases they handle most.
Probate Filing Fees in Amarillo
Filing fees for Amarillo probate court records follow the standard Texas schedule. The base filing fee for a new probate case is $360. This covers probating a will, opening an administration, filing a small estate affidavit, or starting a guardianship. Both Potter and Randall Counties charge this same base amount.
Extra costs come up during the case. Citations cost $8 each. Letters testamentary or letters of administration are $2 per set. Certified copies run $5 per document plus $1 for each additional page. A plain copy is $1 per page. If you need the clerk to search for a case, that is $5.
If you cannot afford the fees, Texas allows you to file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. You may qualify if your income falls below 125% of the federal poverty line or you receive certain government benefits. The form is on the Texas Courts forms page. E-filing through eFileTexas adds a $30 state fee for new cases.
Note: Always check with the specific county clerk before filing since fees can change.
Probate Record Types in Amarillo
Amarillo probate court records cover the same types of cases as anywhere else in Texas. The most common are will probates. When a person dies with a will, the executor files it with the County Clerk under Texas Estates Code Chapter 256. If the estate is simple and does not need full administration, the will can be probated as a muniment of title.
Independent administration under Texas Estates Code Chapter 257 is the most common route in Texas. The court gives the executor power to manage the estate with little oversight. Most Amarillo estates use this path. Other case types include guardianships, heirship determinations under Chapter 304, small estate affidavits for estates under $75,000 per Section 205, and mental health commitments.
Wills can be left for safekeeping with the County Clerk for $5. The application to probate a will must be filed within four years of the person's death.
Legal Help for Amarillo Probate
Several groups in the Amarillo area can help with probate matters. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas serves the Texas Panhandle region and may take probate cases for people who qualify based on income. The Amarillo Area Bar Association can refer you to a local probate attorney.
If you want to handle probate on your own, the Texas State Law Library has research guides on estates and probate. The TexasLawHelp website offers step-by-step guides and forms. All official court forms are at txcourts.gov. Self-represented parties do not have to e-file in Texas. You can bring your papers to the clerk in person. Original wills must always be filed in person or by mail, even if you e-file the application.
Note: Court staff can help you find forms but cannot give legal advice.
E-Filing Amarillo Probate Cases
Attorneys in Amarillo must e-file probate cases through eFileTexas.gov. This has been required since 2014. You pick an Electronic Filing Service Provider, get your documents ready, and submit them through the system. Most filings show up in the court's system within minutes of being accepted.
One key rule: original wills cannot be e-filed. You must file the original will with the County Clerk within three business days after you submit the probate application online. Attach a copy of the will to the electronic filing as a placeholder. The Potter County Clerk's office at 511 S. Taylor St. handles the original wills for filings on that side. Randall County accepts them at the courthouse in Canyon.
Nearby Cities
Amarillo is the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. Other qualifying cities with probate records pages are listed below.
Lubbock • Midland • Odessa • Abilene • Wichita Falls • San Angelo
Potter County Probate Court Records
Amarillo sits mainly in Potter County. Most probate filings for Amarillo go through Potter County courts. For a full look at the county probate system, fee schedules, and search tools, see the Potter County page.