How To Search for Amarillo Property Records

You should always review property records before buying or investing in real estate. These records are a goldmine of information and can provide you with valuable details such as ownership history, assessed values, liens, tax data, zoning information, foreclosure filings, amenities, and much more. Property records are public in Amarillo, meaning anyone can view them or get copies.

However, knowing where to look is crucial to finding what you need, especially considering that Amarillo is spread across two different counties: the city is primarily located in Potter County, with the southern portion extending into Randall County. Below, we have provided a list of available resources that you can use to find different types of Amarillo property records.

County Clerks

The City of Amarillo exists in two counties: Potter and Randall. The Potter and Randall county clerks maintain official documents related to property ownership and transfers in the city. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, subdivision maps, and other recorded real estate documents. Both counties provide online search tools that you can use to look up these records by name, recording date, document type, or book page. You can also visit the relevant county clerk's office to access copies of these records in person. Here are the contact details and direct links to the online search tools for the Potter and Randall counties' clerk's offices:

Potter County Clerk's Office

Suite 201, 500 South Fillmore Street

Amarillo, TX 79101

Phone: (806) 379-2275

Official Public Record Search

Randall County Clerk's Office

Suite 101, 2309 Russell Long Boulevard

Canyon, TX 79015.

Phone: (806) 468-5505

Official Public Record Search

Potter-Randall Appraisal District

The Potter-Randall Appraisal District (PRAD) is responsible for identifying and valuing all real property in the City of Amarillo for taxation purposes. The PRAD offers Property Search and Map Search tools that you can use to get detailed property records online, including ownership data, legal descriptions, building characteristics, valuations, parcel boundaries, sales history, and more. You can carry out searches (on both tools) by name, account number, address, and several other criteria. You may also visit the PRAD's office located at 5701 Hollywood Road (Loop 335), Amarillo, TX 79118-5002 to access property records in person, or call (806) 358-1601 for general inquiries and assistance.

County Tax Offices

The Potter and Randall county tax offices handle property tax billing and collection for Amarillo (depending on what part of the city the property is located in). Each tax office provides a search tool that you can use to find tax statements, payment histories, outstanding balances, delinquency status, and other tax-related property records online. You can also contact the relevant tax office directly for general inquiries and assistance or visit their respective offices for in-person services. Here are the contact details and direct links to the online search tools for the Potter and Randall counties' tax offices:

Potter County Tax Office

Suite 106, 900 South Polk

Amarillo, TX 79101

Phone: (806) 342-2600

Property Tax Search

Randall County Tax Office

Suite 200, 501 16th Street

Canyon, TX 79015

Phone: (806) 468-5540

Property Tax Search

County Court Systems

You can find property records related to legal cases, such as foreclosure filings, title disputes, landlord-tenant cases, and civil judgments, through the Potter and Randall county court systems. Both counties offer case lookup tools that you can use to view these records online (note that each county's tool will only provide access to records for cases filed within that county). The Texas Judicial Branch also offers a centralized Re:SearchTX portal that allows you to search court cases statewide, though registration is required and fees may apply. You can also view case documents and request copies of records in person at the courthouse where the case was filed. Here are the contact details and direct links to the case lookup tools for each county's court system:

Potter County Courthouse

500 South Fillmore Street

Amarillo, TX 79101

Phone: (806) 379-2307 (District Clerk - Civil Department) and (806) 379-2275 (County Clerk)

Case Information Search

Randall County Courthouse

2309 Russell Long Boulevard

Canyon, TX 79015

Phone: (806) 468-5600 (District Clerk) and (806) 468-5505 (County Clerk)

Judicial Records Search

Amarillo property taxes are a crucial source of funding for various local government services, including police and fire protection, public schools, road maintenance, trash pickup, and community programs. The Potter-Randall Appraisal District determines the value of all real property in the city for taxation purposes, while the Potter and Randall county tax offices are responsible for tax billing and collection. Property values are determined using at least one of three approaches: sales comparison (comparing the property to similar recent sales), cost approach (estimating the cost to rebuild the property), and income approach (evaluating potential rental or investment income). Tax bills are calculated by multiplying the property's assessed value by a combined tax rate, which is determined by the city, county, school district, and other local taxing authorities.

Tax statements are typically mailed out in October each year, and payments are due by January 31st. While partial payments are allowed, the full balance must be settled by this deadline to avoid penalties. Eligible seniors (65+) and disabled homeowners also have the option of paying in four installments, due on January 31st, March 31st, May 31st, and July 31st. Late payment penalties and interest begin accruing from February 1st (or immediately after a missed quarterly installment). Continued delinquency may lead to a tax lien enforcement, and the property could eventually be auctioned off at a tax sale. There are several options for paying property taxes in Amarillo, including online, by mail, and in person. You can call any of the following numbers for assistance:

• Potter County Tax Office: (806) 342-2600.
• Randall County Tax Office: (806) 468-5540.

Assessments

The Potter-Randall Appraisal District (PRAD) conducts annual assessments of properties in Amarillo to establish their fair market value. Property values are determined using mass appraisal methods such as sales comparisons, cost analysis, and income potential. Appraisal district staff may also conduct field visits, physical inspections, and review aerial imagery and building permits to ensure that assessments are accurate. Properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning the taxable amount reflects the full estimated market value rather than a reduced or partial figure.

Property owners usually receive a Notice of Appraised Value each spring (typically in April or May), reflecting their property's assessed value as of January 1st. If you disagree with your property's valuation, you may request an informal review with the appraisal district. If an agreement cannot be reached at this level, you can file a formal protest with the county's Appraisal Review Board (ARB). This protest must be filed by May 15th or within 30 days of the mailing date of your value notice, whichever is later. You can contact the PRAD's Taxpayer Liaison Officer at (806) 358-1601 for inquiries and assistance with filing a protest.

Appraisals

Amarillo assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

Because Amarillo is spread across different counties, its median effective property tax rate can vary depending on the property's location. For properties in Potter County, the median effective tax rate is 2.16%, while for those in the Randall portion, it is 1.81%. Both are above the national median of 1.02% and the Texas state median of 1.67%. The average annual property tax bill also depends on the specific area in the city: $2,241 for properties in Potter (lower than the national average of $2,400) and $4,041 for those in Randall (significantly higher than the national average).

Here's a look at how Amarillo's tax rate compares to other counties in Texas:

• Bexar County 2.03%
• Collin County 1.49%
• Denton County 1.49%
• El Paso County 2.01%
• Grayson County 2.09%
• Harris County 1.66%
• Kendall County 1.25%
• Lubbock County 1.86%
• McMullen County 1.12%
• Starr County 0.79%
• Stonewall County 3.00%
• Tarrant County 1.70%
• Travis County 1.65%
• Webb County 1.54%
• Winkler County 1.22%

Exemptions

Amarillo's effective property tax rates are higher than the national average, and some residents may find it difficult to pay their tax bills. Fortunately, there are exemption programs available to help eligible residents lower their taxes and reduce the financial strain. These include:

• Homestead Exemption: Reduces the taxable value of a homeowner's primary residence.
• Over-65/Disabled Persons Exemption: Provides tax relief to seniors aged 65 and older, individuals with disabilities, and their surviving spouses.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Offers partial to full property tax relief for disabled veterans, depending on the veteran's disability rating. Surviving spouses of service members killed in action and first responders who died in the line of duty may also qualify.

You can contact the Potter-Randall Appraisal District at (806) 358-1601 for assistance with exemption applications or eligibility questions.

You need a permit for new construction and to renovate, enlarge, alter, or demolish existing buildings or structures in Amarillo. However, cosmetic work and certain minor (usually non-structural) alterations, like painting, flooring, installing cabinets, and replacing electrical receptacles, do not typically require permits. Permits are issued by the Amarillo Building Safety Department. You can use the city's MGO Connect portal to apply for one online; this portal can also be used to track applications and schedule inspections. If you prefer in-person services, you can visit the department's office located at the Simms Municipal Building, Suite 104, 808 S Buchanan St., Amarillo, TX 79101. You may also call the building safety department at (806) 378-3041 or email building@amarillo.gov for general inquiries and assistance.

Common types of permits issued in Amarillo include:

• General Building Permits: Required for new construction, renovations/remodels, and demolitions.

  • Residential Building Permits: Apply to construction and modifications of homes and residential structures.
  • Commercial Building Permits: Issued for business, industrial, and multi-unit properties.
  • Demolition Permits: Needed to legally tear down any existing building or structure.
  • Roofing Permits: Issued for roof replacements or significant repairs to roofing systems.

• Trade Permits: Issued for work on specific systems within a building and may be required even when a general building permit isn't needed.

  • Electrical Permits: Required for installing, upgrading, or repairing electrical systems.
  • Mechanical Permits: Required for HVAC installations, replacements, or repairs.
  • Plumbing Permits: Required for work on water supply, drainage, and sewer systems.
  • Gas Permits: Required for work involving natural gas lines or appliances.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Located on the historic Route 66, Amarillo is the largest city in the Texas Panhandle and the seventeenth-largest in the state. Once considered the "Helium Capital of the World" due to its highly productive helium reserves, the city is a major economic center for the region, with thriving energy, manufacturing, and agriculture industries. It is also home to the iconic Cadillac Ranch, a public art installation of ten graffiti-covered cars buried nose-down, and serves as a gateway to several natural attractions, including the Palo Duro Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the U.S.

Amarillo, Texas, has a population of 200,393 residents. The city has 87,454 housing units, with approximately 88% of these units occupied and 62% owner-occupied. The city offers a diverse range of housing options, including single-family homes, condos, townhouses, apartments, and custom-built homes. Popular housing styles include Ranch, Craftsman, Spanish Revival, Modern Farmhouse, Traditional Brick, and Contemporary. The average home value in Amarillo, TX, is $200,755, representing a 0.7% increase from previous years. Keep in mind that actual home prices can vary considerably depending on the area in Amarillo. Here are examples of home values in different Amarillo neighborhoods:

• City View $222,478
• Hillside Terrace Estates $305,417
• Puckett $245,311
• Sleepy Hollow $278,093
• South Georgia $198,026
• The Colonies $475,932

The Amarillo, Texas, real estate market is moderately competitive. Home values have modestly increased year-on-year, driven by population growth, economic expansion, and demand for personalized housing. Homes typically go under contract in around 28 days of listing, and nearly 18% of listed homes sell above the listing price.