Texas Property & Deed Records

In Texas, real estate records are maintained at the county level. The county clerk archives deeds, liens, and other property documents, while the central appraisal district (CAD) tracks ownership and assessed values. Knowing which office handles which record keeps you from wasting time.

Where to Search

• County Clerk/Recorder: Official Public Records by name, legal description, or document number for deeds, deeds of trust, and liens.
• Central Appraisal District (CAD): Ownership, assessed values, tax history, parcel maps, and exemptions.
• Tax Assessor-Collector: Delinquent tax sale listings, sheriff sale calendars, bidder registration rules.

Steps to Locate a Deed

1. Determine the county where the property sits.
2. Open the county clerk's online records search (Official Public Records).
3. Search by grantor/grantee name, address, parcel ID, or legal description.
4. Download the deed image; capture recording info (instrument # or book/page) and legal description.
5. Pull the CAD record and full tax bill to verify ownership and any delinquencies.
6. Order a certified copy from the clerk if you need it for court or closing.

County shortcuts

• Harris County: Clerk Official Public Records; HCAD for parcel data and GIS; Sheriff posts tax sale calendars.
• Dallas County: Clerk deed search; DCAD for ownership, value, and tax history; Constable sale schedules per precinct.
• Bexar County: Clerk deed images; BCAD ownership and maps; tax sale lists via the tax assessor-collector.
• Travis County: Clerk recording search; TCAD ownership, improvements, and protest status; sheriff sale info online.

Document set to pull

• Latest warranty deed or deed of trust (instrument # or book/page).
• Assignments, releases, and substitutions tied to the deed of trust.
• Abstracts of judgment, federal tax liens, HOA liens, and mechanics' liens.
• CAD ownership record, exemptions, and current + delinquent tax bill.

Texas tax sales

Texas uses a redeemable tax deed system. Winning bidders receive a deed, but former owners may redeem within the statutory window (often six months for homestead/agriculture, two years for other property) by repaying the bid plus penalties (commonly 25%–50%).

Bring certified funds, register early, and research each parcel before bidding.

Due diligence checklist

• Confirm redemption period and penalty for the property type.
• Run name searches for the owner in Official Public Records for liens and abstracts of judgment.
• Check municipal code cases and active tax suits; some liens may survive the sale.
• Drive by if possible; occupant status affects post-sale possession and rehab timelines.
• Budget for deed recording fees and possible quiet title after redemption ends.