GAINESVILLE, Texas — Whether you need a marriage license, want to register a vehicle, have jury duty questions, or need to reach the sheriff's office, this directory covers every Cooke County government office, who runs it, and how to reach them.
All county offices are located in or near the Cooke County Courthouse at 101 South Dixon Street, Gainesville, TX 76240. General hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless noted otherwise. The main courthouse phone number is (940) 668-5500.
County Judge — John O. Roane
The County Judge presides over Commissioners Court and serves as the county's chief executive. Judge Roane returned to office in January 2023 after previously serving from 2009 to 2014.
- Phone: (940) 668-5435
- Office: Courthouse Suite 132
- Email: john.roane@co.cooke.tx.us
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.County.Judge
Commissioners Court
The four-member Commissioners Court meets regularly to handle county business including budgets, road maintenance, and county policy. Meeting agendas are posted on the county website. Public participation forms must be submitted to the County Judge's Office at least 15 minutes before meetings begin.
| Precinct | Commissioner | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary Hollowell | (940) 668-5481 |
| 2 | Jason Snuggs | (940) 726-3390 |
| 3 | Adam Arendt | (940) 668-5483 |
| 4 | Matt Sicking | (940) 668-5484 |
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.CommCourt
County Clerk — Pam Harrison
The County Clerk handles marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, property deed recordings, assumed name (DBA) filings, livestock brand registration, and criminal and civil case information.
- Phone (deeds, marriage, vital records): (940) 668-5421
- Phone (criminal and civil info): (940) 668-5422
- Office: Courthouse Room 108
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:50 p.m., Monday through Friday (open through lunch)
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.County.Clerk
District Clerk — Marci A. Gilbert
The District Clerk manages records for the 235th Judicial District Court, including civil and criminal case filings and jury service.
- Phone: (940) 668-5450
- Jury information line: (940) 668-5472
- Office: Courthouse Room 207
- Email: districtclerk@co.cooke.tx.us
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.DC
Sheriff's Office — Sheriff Ray Sappington
The Cooke County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county, operates the county jail, and provides courthouse security.
- Non-emergency / main line: (940) 665-3471
- Emergency: 911
- Crime tips: tips@co.cooke.tx.us
- Address: 300 County Road 451, Gainesville, TX 76240
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.Sheriff
County Jail (Detention Center)
- Phone: (940) 665-3471
- Address: 300 County Road 451, Gainesville, TX 76240
- Jail Administrator: Nathan Ervin
- Inmate lookup: Available online via the Sheriff's Office website
- Visitation (women): Monday and Saturday, 3–4 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30–9 p.m.
- Visitation (men): Monday and Saturday, 1–3 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30–9 p.m.
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.DetentionCtr
Tax Assessor-Collector — Brandy Ann Carr
This office handles motor vehicle registration, voter registration, TABC licenses, and Texas Parks & Wildlife transactions. Property tax payments are handled separately by the Cooke County Appraisal District.
- Phone: (940) 668-5500, Option 8
- Address: 112 South Dixon, Gainesville, TX 76240
- Note: Credit cards accepted (3% fee for DMV/TP&W transactions). No personal out-of-county checks for DMV/TP&W.
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.TAC
Cooke County Appraisal District (for property tax questions):
- Phone: (940) 665-7651
- Address: 201 N. Dixon, Gainesville, TX 76240
County Attorney — Edmund J. Zielinski
The County Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor criminal offenses including family violence assault, DWI, and theft, and advises county officials on legal matters.
- Phone: (940) 668-5459
- Office: Courthouse Suite 029A
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.County.Attorney
District Attorney — John Warren
The District Attorney for the 235th Judicial District handles felony criminal prosecutions.
- Phone: (940) 668-5466
- Office: Courthouse Suite 309
- Director of Victim Services: Callie Paxton
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.DA
Justice of the Peace Courts
Precinct 1 — Judge Jody Henry
- Phone: (940) 668-5463
- Address: Cooke County Justice Center, 320 CR 451, Gainesville, TX 76240
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.; new filings close at 4 p.m.)
- Handles: Criminal cases, landlord/tenant disputes, small claims, debt claims, occupational licenses
Precinct 2 — Judge Carroll Johnson
- Phone: (940) 668-5510
- Address: Courthouse Annex, 112 S. Dixon, Suite 208, Gainesville, TX 76240
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)
- Handles: Civil filings, small claims, evictions, traffic citations (payable online)
County Treasurer — Susan Wells
- Phone: (940) 668-5423
- Office: Cooke County Courthouse
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.Treasurer
County Auditor — Shelly Atteberry
The county auditor is appointed by the district judge rather than elected.
- Phone: (940) 668-5431
- Office: Courthouse Suite 117A
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.Auditor
Courts
235th District Court — Judge Janelle M. Haverkamp
- Phone: (940) 668-5450
- Docket information: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.1Dockets
County Court at Law — Judge John Morris
- Phone: (940) 668-5470
- Website: co.cooke.tx.us/page/cooke.County.Court
This directory is maintained by the Cooke County Record and updated as officeholders change. Last updated March 26, 2026. If you notice an error, contact news@cookecountyrecord.com.