Texas Property Records — All 254 Counties
Deeds of Trust, Mineral Rights, Vendor's Liens, Ag Exemption Rollback & Non-Judicial Trustee Sales in the Lone Star State
Texas operates a property record system distinct from every other state. Deeds of trust with non-judicial foreclosure through substitute trustees — first Tuesday courthouse-door sales that can complete in 41 days. No state income tax and no transfer tax, but property tax rates often exceeding 2% levied by counties, cities, school districts, MUDs, and PIDs. The vendor's lien — a uniquely Texas instrument retained in the deed. Mineral rights that can be severed from surface rights and sold separately. The agricultural exemption (1-d-1) with 5-year rollback taxes plus 7% interest. Constitutional mechanic's liens that can prime prior recorded liens. The homestead exemption with unlimited rural creditor protection. Affidavits of heirship and muniments of title as probate alternatives. County Appraisal Districts under Chief Appraisers with ARB protest hearings. Title insurance rates set by TDI — every company charges the same premium. All across 254 counties — more than any other state — from Harris (Houston) and Dallas to rural counties with extensive mineral and agricultural holdings. Same-day turnaround available.
Order TX Property Search — From $29🔍 Quick Answer: How Do I Search Texas Property Records?
Texas records are maintained by the County Clerk in each of 254 counties. The County Appraisal District (CAD) maintains appraised values and exemptions under the Chief Appraiser. Mineral rights must be traced through the deed chain — they don't appear in CAD records. For professional searches covering deeds of trust, mineral rights, and ag exemption rollback, order through U.S. Title Records — from $29 with same-day delivery.
Deeds of Trust, the Substitute Trustee & Texas's First-Tuesday Foreclosure
Texas uses deeds of trust with power of sale — foreclosure is non-judicial through a substitute trustee. The trustee posts notice at the county courthouse door at least 21 days before the sale. All Texas trustee sales occur on the first Tuesday of the month at the county courthouse. There is no right of redemption after the trustee sale — the sale is final. The substitute trustee issues a substitute trustee's deed. Texas's fast non-judicial process means foreclosures can complete in as little as 41 days from notice. The deed of trust release must be recorded with the County Clerk when the loan is paid — unreleased deeds of trust are a common TX title defect. A chain of title report verifies release status for every deed of trust in the chain.
TX uses deeds of trust with non-judicial foreclosure through a substitute trustee. Sales on the first Tuesday at the courthouse. 21-day notice posting. No redemption after sale. Can complete in 41 days. Deed of trust release must be recorded — unreleased releases are a common title defect. A chain of title ($275) verifies release status and identifies substitute trustee's deeds.
Texas also uses the vendor's lien — a uniquely Texas instrument. When a warranty deed with vendor's lien is used, the seller retains a lien on the property until the purchase price is fully paid — typically assigned to the lender at closing. This creates a superior lien position. The vendor's lien is released when the deed of trust is released. Texas mechanic's liens (constitutional liens) are among the strongest in the nation — they arise from the Texas Constitution itself. Original contractors have a lien from the contract. For residential homesteads, the contract must be signed by both spouses and cannot be signed at the homestead. Mechanic's liens can prime prior recorded liens in some circumstances. A property lien report identifies all recorded liens.
Vendor's lien: uniquely TX — seller retains lien in the deed until paid, assigned to lender. Creates superior lien position. Released with deed of trust. Mechanic's liens: constitutional rights — among the nation's strongest. Can prime prior recorded liens. Homestead contracts: both spouses must sign, cannot sign at homestead. A lien report ($95) identifies vendor's liens, mechanic's liens, and deed of trust status.
Mineral Rights, Ag Exemption Rollback & the County Appraisal District
Texas is one of the few states where mineral rights can be severed from surface rights and sold separately. The mineral estate is dominant — the mineral owner has the right to access the surface to extract minerals. Mineral rights do not appear in County Appraisal District records — they must be traced through the deed chain at the County Clerk. Mineral reservations in old deeds can create title complications decades later, especially in the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, and Barnett Shale areas. A chain of title report identifies mineral reservations and severances across the deed history.
TX mineral rights can be severed from surface and sold separately. Mineral estate is dominant — surface access rights for extraction. Not in CAD records — must trace through County Clerk deed chain. Old mineral reservations create complications decades later. Critical in Permian Basin, Eagle Ford, Barnett Shale. A chain of title ($275) identifies every mineral reservation and severance.
The Texas agricultural exemption (technically a 1-d-1 open-space valuation) provides use-value assessment for agricultural land — often reducing appraised value by 90% or more. When land use changes, 5-year rollback taxes are assessed — the difference between use value and market value for the previous 5 years plus 7% interest. Wildlife management valuation is also available as an alternative to traditional agriculture. Rollback taxes can be tens of thousands of dollars. The County Appraisal District (CAD) under the Chief Appraiser administers all property valuations. With no state income tax, property taxes are the primary revenue source — rates often exceed 2% effective rate. Taxes are levied by county, city, school district, and special districts including MUDs (Municipal Utility Districts), PIDs (Public Improvement Districts), and WCIDs. The Appraisal Review Board (ARB) handles protests.
1-d-1 open-space valuation: ag land assessed at use value — often 90%+ reduction. When use changes: 5-year rollback taxes + 7% interest. Can be tens of thousands. Wildlife management also qualifies. CAD under Chief Appraiser administers. No income tax = 2%+ property tax rates. MUDs/PIDs add further levies. ARB handles protests. An expanded title search ($295) identifies ag exemption and rollback exposure.
Texas's 254 County Clerks & Appraisal Districts — Regional Directory
U.S. Title Records searches property records in every Texas county — order your search here or browse our 50-state property records directory.
Houston / Gulf Coast
Harris County (Houston — largest county, highest transaction volume, extensive MUD districts), Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Galveston County. Harris County has the most active deed of trust and vendor's lien market. Coastal counties have flood and wind insurance considerations.
Harris County is TX's largest — highest transaction volume, most extensive MUD districts in the state. MUD tax rates can add 1-2%+ to the total rate. Active vendor's lien market. Mineral rights relevant in outlying areas. Harris County Clerk offers comprehensive online deed index. CAD (HCAD) provides online appraisal data. Property Detail Records for Harris County available same-day.
DFW Metroplex
Dallas County, Tarrant County (Fort Worth), Collin County (fastest-growing), Denton County, Rockwall County. DFW features rapid suburban growth with extensive MUD and PID development, high transaction volumes, and active ARB protest activity due to rapid appreciation.
Central Texas / Austin & San Antonio
Travis County (Austin), Williamson County, Hays County, Bexar County (San Antonio), Comal County. Central Texas features rapidly growing suburban markets with MUD/PID development, transitional ag exemption land with significant rollback exposure, and Edwards Aquifer restrictions affecting development.
West Texas / Permian Basin & Rural
Midland County, Ector County (Odessa), Lubbock County, El Paso County. West Texas and the Permian Basin feature the most complex mineral rights chains in the state — multiple severances, pooling agreements, and royalty interests spanning decades. Rural counties across TX have extensive ag exemption (1-d-1) enrollment and limited online records.
TX Homestead, Affidavit of Heirship & Tax Sale Redemption
Texas has one of the strongest homestead protections in the nation. The homestead exemption removes up to $100,000 from school district appraised value. The creditor protection is unlimited for rural homesteads up to 200 acres (100 acres for single) and up to 10 acres for urban homesteads. Texas homesteads cannot be forced to sale except for purchase money liens, property taxes, home equity loans, mechanic's liens with proper contract, and federal tax liens. Texas is a community property state — both spouses must join in conveyances.
TX homestead: $100,000 school district exemption. Creditor protection: unlimited rural (200 acres), 10 acres urban. Can't force sale except purchase money, taxes, home equity, mechanic's liens, federal tax liens. Community property state — both spouses join conveyances. The CAD maintains homestead exemption records. A Property Detail ($29) shows homestead, ag, and disability exemption status.
The affidavit of heirship is a Texas-specific instrument used when a property owner dies intestate and no formal probate is conducted. Two disinterested witnesses sign the affidavit identifying the decedent's heirs, recorded with the County Clerk. After 5 years, it becomes prima facie evidence. Texas also allows muniment of title (simplified probate when there are no debts) and independent administration. Transfer on death deeds (TOD — effective 2015) and Lady Bird deeds (enhanced life estate) provide additional non-probate transfer options. These Texas probate alternatives appear frequently in chain of title searches. Texas tax sales are conducted at the courthouse on the first Tuesday. For homestead and agricultural properties, there is a 2-year right of redemption. For non-homestead, 180 days. The redeemer pays the purchase price plus 25% penalty (50% for non-homestead). Judgment liens, UCC liens, easements, and lis pendens are recorded with the County Clerk.
Affidavit of heirship: intestate transfer without probate — 2 disinterested witnesses, recorded with County Clerk. Prima facie after 5 years. Muniment of title: simplified probate (no debts). TOD deeds (2015+) and Lady Bird deeds. Tax sales: first Tuesday, courthouse. 2-year redemption for homestead/ag, 180 days non-homestead. 25%/50% penalty. An expanded title search ($295) covers tax sale and probate chain issues.
Understanding Texas deed types starts with the general warranty deed (standard). Texas also uses special warranty deeds, deed without warranty, warranty deed with vendor's lien (retains lien until paid), quitclaim deeds (rarely used — not recognized by TX title companies), substitute trustee's deeds (from non-judicial foreclosure), executor's deeds, transfer on death deeds, and Lady Bird deeds. Texas has no transfer tax — recording fees are page-based at the County Clerk. A copy of deed ($45) shows exact vesting. A deed search identifies each instrument.
TX deeds: general warranty (standard), special warranty, deed without warranty, warranty deed with vendor's lien (uniquely TX), quitclaim (not recognized by title companies), substitute trustee's deed, TOD deed (2015+), Lady Bird deed. No transfer tax — page-based recording fees. Texas is a title company closing state with TDI-regulated rates. A copy of deed ($45) shows vesting and vendor's lien status.
TX Title Search Services — Deed of Trust, Mineral Rights & Ag Exemption Expertise
| Service | Price | Turnaround | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Detail Record | $29 | Same Day | Owner, CAD appraised value, homestead/ag/disability exemptions, tax rate with MUD/PID |
| Copy of Deed | $45 | Same Day | Recorded deed with vendor's lien status from County Clerk |
| Neighborhood Valuation | $50 | 1–2 Days | Comparable sales, CAD appraisal trends, MUD/PID impact analysis |
| Property Lien Report | $95 | 1–2 Days | Deeds of trust, vendor's liens, mechanic's liens, judgments, lis pendens |
| Title Search by Name | $95 | 1–2 Days | All properties, deeds of trust, and liens under a name across TX |
| Owner + Lien Report | $145 | 2–3 Days | Ownership with deed of trust release and vendor's lien verification |
| Chain of Title Report | $275 | 3–5 Days | Complete ownership with mineral rights analysis, vendor's lien tracking, deed of trust releases |
| Expanded Title Search | $295 | 3–5 Days | Full chain plus ag exemption rollback, MUD/PID, tax sale redemption, mineral severances |
| Abstractor Service | Custom | Varies | Complex TX title, multi-parcel mineral rights, Permian Basin, extensive heirship chains |
TX title complexity: 254 counties (most of any state). Mineral rights severed and not in CAD. Vendor's liens unique to TX. Constitutional mechanic's liens that can prime prior liens. Ag exemption rollback (5 years + 7%). MUD/PID special districts. Affidavits of heirship and muniments of title. No transfer tax but TDI-regulated title insurance. Lien reports ($95) cover deed of trust, vendor's lien, and mechanic's lien.
Finding TX Property Owners via County Appraisal District & County Clerk
The fastest free method is the County Appraisal District (CAD) website — shows current owner, appraised value, exemptions (homestead, ag, disability), and tax rates including MUD/PID assessments. The County Clerk provides deed records. For professional verified ownership, a Property Detail Record ($29, same-day) from U.S. Title Records confirms the current owner. A Chain of Title Report traces every conveyance with mineral rights analysis, vendor's lien tracking, and ag exemption rollback research. Our title search resources, real estate news, lien guide, title search guide, property auction guide, foreclosure auction guide, and title insurance guide provide context. Contact our support team.
Free: County Appraisal District (CAD) website (owner, appraised value, homestead/ag exemptions, MUD/PID tax rates). County Clerk for deed records. Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Travis have comprehensive online access. Mineral rights not in CAD — must trace through deed chain. Professional: Property Detail ($29, same-day). Complete: Chain of Title ($275) with mineral rights, vendor's lien, and ag rollback analysis across 254 counties.
Texas is unique: title insurance rates set by TDI (Texas Department of Insurance). All title companies charge the same premium. TX is a title company closing state — the company examines, insures, and handles closing/escrow. Both parties use the same company. Title company searches County Clerk records and CAD. Owner's and lender's policies standard. Title insurance guide.