# TexasCountyDocs - Complete LLM Context > Search Texas county clerk records, deeds, liens, leases, plats, surveys, and historical courthouse filings by county, party, instrument type, and document number. > Generated: 2026-06-11T02:30:06.919Z ## About TexasCountyDocs helps researchers search and understand Texas county clerk records, including deeds, liens, leases, plats, surveys, and official public records. ## Contact - Email: hello@texascountydocs.com - Web: https://www.texascountydocs.com ## Key Public Pages - Home: https://www.texascountydocs.com - Counties: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties - Blog: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog - Help: https://www.texascountydocs.com/help # Blog Articles (10 total) ## Galveston County Title Searches: Navigating Seawalls, Submerged Lands, and the Post-1900 Storm Paper Trail URL: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog/blog-galveston-county-title-searches-seawalls-submerged-lands-1900-storm Published: 2026-06-09 Author: TexasCountyDocs Editorial Team Tags: Galveston County, Title Search, Coastal Real Estate, Historic Land Records, Texas History, Property Lines, Submerged Lands Learn how the 1900 Storm, seawall construction, grade raising, and shifting coastal boundaries complicate Galveston County title searches and property records. Most Texas title research follows a predictable rhythm. You trace the grantor/grantee index, locate the deed, verify the legal description, and check for outstanding liens. If you research land in the Panhandle or the Permian Basin, your biggest hurdles are usually severed mineral rights and complex fractional ownership. Tracing title in Galveston County requires different skills. Galveston is a barrier island. It has a shifting shoreline and a deep history. The physical ground was manufactured in the early 20th century. A title search here requires understanding how island property, bayfront land, coastal erosion, public submerged lands, historic maps, and post-storm grade raising affect both the legal description and the physical reality of a tract. The mainland portion of the county, including Texas City and League City, adds layers of industrial port facilities and sprawling suburban developments to the mix. Whether you are a landman, a title agent, or a prospective buyer eyeing a historic Victorian home or a bayside retreat, you need to know how to navigate Galveston County real property records. ## Why Galveston County Title Searches Are Different In many inland Texas counties, a tract of land sits exactly where it sat a hundred years ago. In Galveston County, the land moves. Researching property here means dealing with a diverse mix of real estate. You will find tightly packed historic island lots, sprawling mainland tracts, industrial port facilities, railroad right-of-ways, and modern beachfront subdivisions. Because the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay surround the county, property boundaries change with the forces of nature. [Decoding Texas land records](/blog/decoding-texas-land-records-deeds-liens-easements) in this environment means understanding that a parcel described in an 1890 deed might now be entirely underwater. Or it might have grown in size due to sand accumulation. Galveston was one of the most important early ports in Texas. Its property records are old and dense. Much like [Brazoria County's early land grants](/blog/brazoria-county-title-searches-austin-old-three-hundred-land-grants), Galveston's foundational titles tie back to the beginnings of the Republic of Texas and early statehood. You will encounter measurements in varas instead of feet. You will also need to read 19th-century handwritten script to trace the earliest chains of title. ## Start with the Galveston County Clerk Records The county courthouse is your starting point. Galveston County has a deep, well-preserved archival record set. The County Clerk's office is located at 722 Moody Avenue in Galveston. It houses real property records, mortgage and lien records, acknowledgments, assumed names, and related recorder materials dating back to 1838. When [researching Texas deed records](/blog/how-to-research-texas-deed-records) in Galveston, you usually start with the digital indexes. The county uses a public portal for searching real property records, marriage records, and foreclosures. Galveston has been a major population center for over a century. The volume of recorded instruments is massive. You will find standard warranty deeds, complex commercial leases, and historic mechanics liens. If you are tracing a chain of title back to sovereignty or dealing with a complex historic parcel, you will likely need to dig into the archival records. You must ensure that historic documents meet the statutory requirements for recording. Proper acknowledgments under [Texas Property Code Chapter 12](/blog/texas-property-code-chapter-12-recording-of-instruments) are necessary to validate old chains of title. Using a platform like TexasCountyDocs helps you search Galveston County clerk filings. You can piece together the grantor/grantee puzzle without spending days in the courthouse basement. ## The 1900 Storm, the Seawall, and the Grade Raising You cannot conduct a historical title search on Galveston Island without running into the aftermath of September 8, 1900. The Great Galveston Hurricane remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. It changed the island's topography and its property records forever. Following the storm, civic leaders realized they had to rebuild the island's defenses from scratch to save the city. This resulted in two massive engineering projects that permanently changed the physical ground and the real estate paper trail of Galveston. ### The Galveston Seawall The initial recommendation for the seawall called for a curved concrete wall rising 17 feet above mean low tide. This structure created a hard, fixed boundary on the Gulf side of the island. For title searchers, the construction of the seawall meant new right-of-ways, large public easements, and the condemnation or purchase of private beachfront property to make way for the wall and Seawall Boulevard. ### The Grade Raising Building the seawall was only half the battle. To prevent future flooding, the city raised the ground level of the island behind the wall. According to the Rosenberg Library's Galveston & Texas History Center, the original elevation of the populated portion of Galveston Island averaged just five or six feet above mean low tide. During the grade raising, the elevation increased to eight feet along the bay side. It sloped upward to about twenty-two feet at the seawall. To accomplish this, engineers dredged a canal straight through the heart of the city. Houses within the canal's path were temporarily moved. Hopper dredges pumped a slurry of seawater and sand from the Gulf into the city through a network of pipelines. Homeowners had to raise their houses on stilts. Some went up to a dozen feet in the air while the sand settled beneath them. People lived in their elevated homes and walked on boardwalks fastened to the tops of fences while the filling process took place. The last filled area was completed in 1928. How the Grade Raising Impacts Title Research * Special Assessments and Liens. Taxpayers and individual property owners paid for the immense expense of the grade raising. Title searches from the 1904 to 1928 era frequently uncover special assessment liens, municipal bonds, and mechanics liens related to house-raising and sand-filling. * Easements. The network of canals and dredge pipes required temporary and permanent easements across private property. * Altered Plats. When the canals were finally dammed, refilled, and sodded, streets were graded and paved. Street railway tracks were relaid. In some cases, the physical location of property lines shifted slightly. This required new surveys and replatting. ## Why Coastal Boundaries Matter If you research waterfront property in Galveston County, standard boundary law does not always apply. This is true whether the land is on the Gulf, West Bay, or Dickinson Bayou. Coastal real estate introduces unique legal and title challenges. ### Erosion and Accretion In Texas, the boundary of a coastal property bordering the Gulf of Mexico is generally the line of mean higher high tide. But shorelines are not static. * Erosion. If the water slowly eats away at the shoreline, the property line moves inland with the water. The private property owner legally loses that land. * Accretion. If sand gradually washes up and expands the shoreline, the property line moves outward. The private owner gains land. Sudden changes, known as avulsion, do not legally change the property boundary in the same way. A hurricane wiping out 100 feet of beach overnight is an example of avulsion. Reconciling a modern survey with a 1950 deed description on a shifting beach is a common challenge for Galveston title professionals. ### The Texas Open Beaches Act Erosion also triggers issues with the Texas Open Beaches Act. The state guarantees public access to the beach up to the line of vegetation. If erosion pushes the vegetation line inland, the public beach easement moves with it. This rolling easement can result in private homes suddenly sitting on a public beach. Title searches on Gulf-facing properties must account for where the vegetation line sits today, not just where it was when the subdivision was platted. ### Submerged Lands and the Texas GLO In Texas, the state owns the submerged lands under navigable waters and the tidally influenced waters of the Gulf and bays. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) manages this land. If a title search involves a bayfront home with a 200-foot fishing pier, a boat house, or a bulkhead extending into the water, the property owner does not actually own the land beneath those structures. Instead, they must hold a coastal lease or an easement from the Texas GLO. A complete [chain of title trace](/blog/how-to-trace-chain-of-title-texas-online) for waterfront property must verify that these state leases are active, properly assigned, and recorded in the Galveston County Clerk's real property records. ## Using Historic Maps and GLO Records Because of the shifting sands and large engineering projects of the early 20th century, a modern legal description in Galveston County might not make sense without historical context. Historic maps help reconcile old land descriptions with current geography. For example, an 1879 Galveston County map can show historic land ownership, early railroad right-of-ways, and the original shape of the island before the seawall and grade raising altered it. Archives like the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and local repositories like the Rosenberg Library are excellent places to find these visual records. The GLO Land Grant Database is the primary source for original land grant research. Just as you would use GLO records to trace Spanish land grants in [Bexar County](/blog/bexar-county-spanish-mexican-land-grants-san-antonio-title-research) or the Rio Grande Valley, you must use them in Galveston. They help you find the original patents that severed the island and mainland tracts from the sovereign State of Texas or the Republic. The GLO provides scanned original land grant files online. You can find original field notes and early surveys in these files to help establish the base of your title chain. ## Key Takeaways for Galveston County Title Research * Deep Roots. Galveston County records date back to 1838. Tracing title to sovereignty requires navigating some of the oldest handwritten deed books in Texas. * The Grade Raising Paper Trail. Property records between 1904 and 1928 are heavily influenced by the seawall construction and grade raising. They feature unique assessments, liens, and easements. * Moving Boundaries. Coastal property lines are dictated by the mean higher high tide line. They are subject to the natural forces of erosion and accretion. * Rolling Easements. The Texas Open Beaches Act means public access easements move inland as the vegetation line recedes. * State-Owned Submerged Lands. Piers, docks, and structures extending into the bay require active coastal leases or easements from the Texas General Land Office. * Online Efficiency. Using digital tools like TexasCountyDocs helps you navigate the massive volume of Galveston County Clerk records without getting bogged down in the courthouse. ## Frequently Asked Questions How do I find Galveston County deed records online? You can search for Galveston County real property records, including deeds, liens, and easements, through the County Clerk's online portal. You can also use integrated public records search platforms like TexasCountyDocs. These tools help organize grantor/grantee searches. What happens to my title if my Galveston beachfront property washes away? Under Texas law, if coastal property gradually erodes, the property line moves inland with the mean higher high tide line. The submerged land becomes the property of the State of Texas. Do I need a special permit to build a pier on my Galveston bayfront property? Yes. The State of Texas owns the submerged lands under tidally influenced waters. Any structure extending over the water, like a pier or boathouse, requires a coastal surface lease or easement from the Texas General Land Office. This lease should be recorded in the county clerk's records. Why are there so many liens on historic Galveston properties from the early 1900s? Following the 1900 Storm, the city raised the grade of the island to protect it from future flooding. Property owners paid for much of the cost of dredging canals and pumping sand under elevated houses. This resulted in a high volume of special assessments, municipal bonds, and mechanics liens recorded in the county deed records during that era. *** Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or formal title advice. Coastal boundary law, submerged land leasing, and historic title research are highly complex areas of Texas law. Always consult a licensed attorney, a professional land surveyor, or a certified title professional when making real estate decisions or resolving boundary disputes. ## Demystifying Brazoria County Title Searches: Austin’s Old Three Hundred and Early Texas Land Grants URL: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog/brazoria-county-title-searches-austin-old-three-hundred-land-grants Published: 2026-06-08 Author: TexasCountyDocs Editorial Team Tags: Brazoria County, Title Search, Land Grants, Old Three Hundred, Chain of Title, Texas History, Real Estate Records Learn how Brazoria County's unique history—from Stephen F. Austin’s Old Three Hundred to Mexican-era league-and-labor grants—shapes modern Texas title research. Tracing a chain of title in [Bexar County](/blog/bexar-county-spanish-mexican-land-grants-san-antonio-title-research) means navigating complex Spanish and Mexican land grants. Running records in [Andrews County](/blog/andrews-county-title-searches-history-permian-oil) means dealing with University Lands and the Permian oil boom. But to understand the bedrock of Anglo land titles in Texas, you look at Brazoria County. Brazoria County is the cradle of Stephen F. Austin's first colony. The "Old Three Hundred" settled here. The first major plantation conveyances were recorded here. The transition from Mexican colonial grants to modern deed records started in this exact jurisdiction. For landmen, title abstractors, and real estate professionals, Brazoria County is the ultimate testing ground for historical land research. A modern legal description here easily points back to original colonial grants, old river surveys, and grantor and grantee chains that predate the Republic of Texas. ## Key Takeaways for Brazoria County Title Research * Modern legal descriptions in Brazoria County frequently reference the original "Old Three Hundred" land grants issued between 1823 and 1827. * Early grants were measured in labors. A labor is about 177 acres for farming. Grants were also measured in sitios or leagues. A league is about 4,428 acres for ranching. You will still see these terms in modern Brazoria County deed records. * Original surveys mandated that river frontage could only equal one-fourth of the tract length. This created long, narrow tracts along the Brazos and Colorado rivers. This shape leads to unique modern boundary and riparian right issues. * The original sovereign patents and Spanish-language titles are housed in the Texas General Land Office. All subsequent conveyances, partitions, and liens are recorded with the Brazoria County Clerk. ## The Old Three Hundred and the Birth of Texas Land Records To understand Brazoria County property records, you have to know how the land was originally distributed. In January 1821, Moses Austin received a permit from the Spanish government to settle 300 families in Texas. Moses died shortly after. His son, Stephen F. Austin, took over the enterprise. Austin traveled to San Antonio. He secured acknowledgment from the Spanish governor and began recruiting colonists. By the summer of 1824, most of these pioneers had arrived in Texas. They became known as the "Old Three Hundred." Between 1823 and 1827, Austin and land commissioners Baron de Bastrop and Gaspar Flores de Abrego issued the original land titles. Unmarried men were allowed to partner up to receive grants. Because of this rule, 307 titles were actually issued to 297 grantees. This excludes Austin's own grant. These settlers claimed the rich bottomlands of the Brazos, Colorado, and San Bernard rivers. Their claims stretched all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. When you [research Texas deed records](/blog/how-to-research-texas-deed-records) in Brazoria County today, you are looking at land first surveyed and patented during this exact wave of colonization. ## Decoding Leagues, Labors, and River Frontage Reading a modern legal description in Brazoria County often means encountering terms like League or Labor. These are not arbitrary subdivision names. They are original Mexican-era units of land measurement. They have survived for two centuries. Austin's colonization agreement distributed land based on the intended use of the settler. Families engaged in farming received one labor. A labor is approximately 177 acres. Families engaged in ranching received one sitio. In Texas, a sitio is commonly referred to as a league. A league is approximately 4,428 acres. The acreage difference was massive. Because of this, many colonists conveniently classified themselves as stock raisers to claim the larger tracts. They did this even if they were primarily planters. You will see these terms constantly in the county clerk indexes. ### The One-Fourth Frontage Rule Another historical rule impacts modern Brazoria County title searches. This is the river frontage rule. The colonization decree dictated that each family's sitio could only have a frontage on the river equal to about one-fourth of its total length. This rule ensured that as many settlers as possible had access to water routes for transportation and agriculture. As a result, the east bank of the Brazos River was quickly carved up into long, narrow, rectangular tracts. These tracts stretched far inland from the water. If you are tracing a [chain of title in Texas](/blog/how-to-trace-chain-of-title-texas-online) along the Brazos or San Bernard rivers in Brazoria County, you have to watch the riparian boundaries carefully. These original tracts were tied directly to the riverbanks of the 1820s. Two centuries of river migration, avulsion, and accretion have happened since then. This creates complex boundary discrepancies between the historical patent and the modern surveyed acreage. ## Plantation-Era Conveyances and Complex Chains of Title The demographics of the "Old Three Hundred" heavily influenced the early deed records of Brazoria County. Most of these colonists migrated from the Trans-Appalachian South. They came from Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri. Later waves of pioneers often arrived with nothing. But many of the "Old Three Hundred" were already individuals of substantial means. Families like the Bell, Borden, Kuykendall, McCormick, McNair, McNeel, Rabb, and Varner families arrived with significant wealth. Historian T.R. Fehrenbach described them as the first Anglo planter gentry in the province. This early concentration of wealth means Brazoria County historical records are filled with complex plantation-era conveyances. When tracing title back to the 1830s and 1840s, you will frequently encounter massive partitions. The original 4,428-acre leagues were passed down to heirs. They were then partitioned into smaller plantations. This resulted in complex, multi-page partition deeds and probate judgments. You will also see early mortgages and liens. The planter gentry frequently leveraged their vast landholdings to finance agricultural operations. This created some of the earliest recorded deeds of trust in the state. Unrecorded conveyances are another common issue. The county was vast. Traveling to the courthouse was difficult. Early conveyances were sometimes held in a desk drawer for years before being formally recorded. This creates chronological gaps in the grantor and grantee indexes. Understanding [Texas Property Code Chapter 12](/blog/texas-property-code-chapter-12-recording-of-instruments) and the rules of constructive notice is necessary here. You also have to apply a historical lens. If a deed seems to be missing from the 1850s, it may have been recorded decades later when the land was finally sold to an outside party. ## Bridging the Gap Between the GLO and the County Clerk When conducting a deep title search in Brazoria County, you deal with two distinct eras of record keeping. The first is the sovereign patent era. The second is the county recording era. ### The Texas General Land Office The original titles issued to the "Old Three Hundred" between 1823 and 1827 came from the Mexican government. Today, the original Spanish-language documents, field notes, and English translations are housed in the archives of the Texas General Land Office in Austin. If you are trying to find the absolute beginning of a chain of title, you look for the moment the land passed from the sovereign to a private individual. To do this, you search the Land Grant Database and Spanish Collection Catalogues at the GLO. ### The Brazoria County Clerk Once the land was patented to the original colonist, all subsequent legal actions became the jurisdiction of the local county clerk. This includes sales, subdivisions, [deeds, liens, and easements](/blog/decoding-texas-land-records-deeds-liens-easements). Brazoria County was officially organized in 1836. This makes its county clerk records some of the oldest continuous property archives in Texas. For modern researchers, the challenge is bridging the gap between the GLO patent and the modern county clerk index. A modern deed might describe a 10-acre tract as being out of the Jared E. Groce League, Abstract No. 45. To verify the title, an abstractor uses the Brazoria County Clerk grantor and grantee indexes. You trace the modern owner back through decades of subdivisions. Eventually, you link back to the original Groce patent. ## Using TexasCountyDocs for Brazoria County Research Tracing a title back to an 1824 Mexican land grant takes time. Most day-to-day real estate transactions require fast access to modern records. You might be verifying a recent deed of trust. You might be checking for mechanic liens. You might be pulling modern subdivision plats. In all these cases, you need a reliable way to search the county clerk indexes without driving to the courthouse in Angleton. TexasCountyDocs provides streamlined online access to Texas county public records. You can search by grantor, grantee, document type, and recording date. Combining an understanding of Brazoria County colonial history with modern online search tools helps you navigate complex chains of title. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the difference between a League and a Labor in Texas land records? In early Mexican-era Texas land grants, a labor was a tract of land intended for farming. It measured approximately 177 acres. A sitio was intended for ranching. It is commonly called a league in Texas. A league measured approximately 4,428 acres. You will frequently see these terms in the legal descriptions of Brazoria County properties. ### Where can I find the original Old Three Hundred land grants? The original 1820s land titles issued to Stephen F. Austin colonists are archived at the Texas General Land Office. You can search their online Land Grant Database and Spanish Collection Catalogues. This allows you to view digitized copies of the original patents and translated field notes. ### How far back do Brazoria County deed records go? Brazoria County was organized in 1836. It is one of the original counties of the Republic of Texas. The Brazoria County Clerk maintains property records dating back to the 1830s. These records capture the earliest conveyances of the Anglo planter gentry. ### Why are properties along the Brazos River shaped so strangely? Original colonization rules dictated that a land grant river frontage could not exceed one-fourth of its total length. This forced surveyors to lay out long, narrow, rectangular tracts. These tracts extend inland from the Brazos, Colorado, and San Bernard rivers. This shape still influences modern property lines today. --- *Disclaimer: This article is for informational and historical purposes only. It does not constitute legal or title advice. Chain of title research can be highly complex. This is especially true when it involves historical land grants, riparian boundaries, and early probate records. Always consult a licensed Texas real estate attorney or a professional title insurance company before making legal or financial decisions based on property records.* ## Reeves County Title Searches: Public School Lands, Ghost Towns, and Delaware Basin Minerals URL: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog/reeves-county-title-searches-public-school-lands-delaware-basin-minerals Published: 2026-06-08 Author: TexasCountyDocs Editorial Team Tags: Reeves County, Oil and Gas, Mineral Rights, Public School Lands, Title Research, West Texas A comprehensive guide to navigating Reeves County title searches, from deciphering Block-and-Section descriptions and Public School Lands to unraveling ghost town mineral rights. For landmen, title attorneys, and mineral buyers, Reeves County is the center of the Delaware Basin. Located in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, this massive 2,626 square mile county sits atop some of the most lucrative and actively drilled oil shale formations in the United States. Tracing a chain of title in Reeves County takes more than a quick search through the county clerk grantor and grantee index. The region has a unique history involving railroad land grants, state-owned minerals, and early 20th-century real estate speculation. A thorough title search requires navigating a complex web of Block and Section descriptions, Public School Land leases, and long-forgotten ghost towns. If you are researching property or mineral rights in the Pecos area, you cannot rely on county records alone. You must synthesize data from the Reeves County Clerk, the Texas General Land Office, and the Texas Railroad Commission. ## Key Takeaways * Unlike the irregular land grants of South and East Texas, Reeves County relies heavily on a grid-like Block and Section system established by early railroad surveys and Public School Land designations. * Many tracts in Reeves County are subject to the Relinquishment Act of 1919. The State of Texas owns the minerals, and the surface owner acts as the leasing agent for the state. This requires cross-referencing with General Land Office records. * Early 1900s land speculation created towns like Mont Clair and Dixieland, where land was subdivided into tiny lots. Today, these surface lots sit atop massive oil reserves, creating complex heirship and mineral title challenges. * A complete Reeves County mineral title search requires pulling deeds and leases from the county clerk, patents and state leases from the General Land Office, and well data from the Railroad Commission. ## From Railroads to the Delaware Basin Boom To understand Reeves County land records, you have to understand how the county was carved up. Reeves County was organized in 1884 from neighboring Pecos County. Its early economy was driven by agriculture fueled by irrigation from the Pecos River and Toyah Creek, along with the arrival of the railroads. By 1881, the Texas and Pacific Railway had laid tracks through the area. The company established section houses at Pecos and Toyah. In 1890, the Pecos River Railroad built tracks north to the New Mexico line. To finance this infrastructure, the State of Texas granted massive swaths of land to the railroad companies. The state kept alternating sections for itself to fund public education. The idea was that the railroad would increase the value of the retained state land. This was the birth of the Public School Lands in Texas. This history explains why land descriptions in Reeves County look distinctly grid-like, unlike the [Spanish and Mexican land grants of Bexar County](/blog/bexar-county-spanish-mexican-land-grants-san-antonio-title-research). When you read a Reeves County deed or oil and gas lease, you will almost always see legal descriptions formatted by Block, Section, and Township. These descriptions reference original surveys like the Texas and Pacific Railway Company Survey or the Houston and Great Northern Railroad Survey. Early settlers focused on surface rights for ranching and farming. The discovery of oil changed everything. The famous "Bell Well" gusher in 1920 kicked off the Pecos Valley oil boom. Today, the Delaware Basin oil shale formation makes Reeves County one of the most active drilling environments in the world. This shifts the focus of title research almost entirely to severed mineral estates, royalty interests, and complex leasehold chains. ## Decoding Public School Lands and State-Classified Minerals Dealing with Public School Lands and "Mineral Classified" tracts is a major part of Reeves County title research. When the State of Texas sold off its alternating sections of land to private buyers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it often reserved the mineral rights. Under the Relinquishment Act of 1919, the state devised a unique system for these lands. The State of Texas retains ownership of the minerals, but the private surface owner is designated as the agent for the state to negotiate and execute oil and gas leases. In exchange, the surface owner receives a share of the bonus, rental, and royalty payments. If you are running title on a tract of Public School Land in Reeves County, your search cannot end at the county courthouse. You must cross-reference your findings with the Texas General Land Office. ### Why the General Land Office is Essential for Reeves Title First, you must pull the original land patent from the General Land Office to determine if the minerals were reserved by the state. If the patent says "Mineral Classified" or reserves minerals to the Public Free School Fund, the Relinquishment Act applies. Second, when a surface owner executes a lease on Mineral Classified land, that lease must be approved by and filed with the General Land Office. The state assigns it a State Lease Number, such as MF-123456. Third, transfers of working interest or releases of state leases must be filed in both the Reeves County property records and the General Land Office. Failing to check state records can result in missing leasehold defects, expired leases, or state-mandated pooling agreements that dictate how royalties are paid. ## Ghost Towns and Subdivided Nightmares: Mont Clair and Dixieland Early 20th-century real estate speculation left a difficult legacy for Reeves County title researchers and surveyors. Promoters bought up sections of land, platted them into massive grid-like towns, and sold tiny lots to out of state buyers. These buyers believed irrigation canals or oil gushers would make them rich. When the water failed or the early oil booms busted, the towns were abandoned. Today, these ghost towns sit directly on top of the most productive shale plays in the Delaware Basin. Because the original plats were rarely vacated, landmen and title attorneys are forced to track down the heirs of people who bought fractional acre lots in 1915. ### Mont Clair Platted in 1911 over Sections in Blocks 57 and 58 of the Texas and Pacific Railway Company Survey, Mont Clair was a speculative farming community. The plat sits in a large folder at the Reeves County courthouse. It divided the raw desert into 250 by 250 foot blocks with 60-foot streets. Sales were brisk, but the town never truly materialized. In 1952, a massive Trespass to Try Title suit called Ramsey v. Landowners resulted in the plaintiffs gaining title to nearly 6,000 acres. However, some landowners successfully defended their mineral interests. Today, surveyors and title examiners struggle to locate these unmonumented lots on the ground. They rely on railroad rights of way and historical geometry to determine who owns the minerals beneath these phantom streets. ### Dixieland Located northwest of Pecos, Dixieland was promoted heavily by Chicago-based Ira Bell and the Dixieland Syndicate between 1918 and 1930. Bell sold lots as small as one tenth of an acre to buyers in Illinois and Missouri. He treated the deeds almost like lottery tickets. When the "Bell Well" blew out in Section 20 in February 1920, the Pecos Valley oil boom began. Bell failed in his subsequent drilling efforts, but the Dixieland lots remain on the books. Today, areas like Section 1, Block 2 of the Houston and Great Northern Railroad Survey are prime targets for modern horizontal drilling. Tracing the chain of title for a fractional lot from a 1920 deed to a modern-day heirship affidavit is a grueling and necessary reality of Reeves County mineral research. ## Connecting the Dots: County Records, GLO, and the RRC Because of the complexities of grid surveys, state-owned minerals, and highly fractionated ghost town lots, a successful Reeves County title search requires moving seamlessly between three distinct data sets. ### Reeves County Clerk Records Your foundation is always the county records. This is where you will find the historical deeds, [mechanic's liens, deeds of trust](/blog/decoding-texas-land-records-deeds-liens-easements), probates, and modern oil and gas leases. When searching Reeves County indexes, you should search by the legal description rather than just grantor and grantee names. This is especially true when dealing with fractionated mineral interests. Using a platform like TexasCountyDocs allows you to search these county indices efficiently. This helps you build your base chain of title before you move to state records. ### Texas General Land Office If your Reeves County tract involves Public School Lands, you must pull the General Land Office file. You will need to verify the original patent, review the mineral classification, and check the state GIS map to see active state leases and pooling agreements. The state records will tell you if the government has approved the lease terms negotiated by the surface owner. ### Texas Railroad Commission To understand the current status of a mineral estate, you must check the Railroad Commission records. A lease found in the Reeves County deed records from 2015 might look expired on its face if it is past its primary term. However, if you check the Railroad Commission GIS map and well records, you may find an active, producing horizontal well holding that lease by production. The Railroad Commission provides the well logs, completion reports known as W-2s, and Unit Designation filings. These documents explain how different tracts and sections have been pooled together to form a modern drilling unit. For a deeper dive into the mechanics of online title research, check out our [Master Guide to Tracing Chain of Title in Texas Without Visiting the Courthouse](/blog/how-to-trace-chain-of-title-texas-online). ## Best Practices for Reeves County Title Research If you are preparing to run title in Reeves County, keep these best practices in mind. First, understand the survey hierarchy. Always identify the Abstract Number, Block, Section, and Original Grantee first. This is the bedrock of West Texas land descriptions. Second, watch for depth severances. The Delaware Basin is famous for stacked pay zones like the Wolfcamp A, B, C, and Bone Spring formations. Because modern horizontal drilling technology allows operators to target specific shale benches, modern Reeves County deeds and leases frequently sever mineral rights by depth. Read the reservation language carefully. Third, prepare for complex heirship. If your chain of title crosses through a ghost town like Mont Clair or Dixieland, be prepared to step out of the deed records and into the probate records. You will likely need to rely heavily on Affidavits of Heirship to bridge the gaps between a 1920 buyer and their modern descendants. Fourth, verify recording requirements. Ensure that all instruments in your chain meet the statutory requirements for recording under [Texas Property Code Chapter 12](/blog/texas-property-code-chapter-12-recording-of-instruments) to guarantee constructive notice. Reeves County is a high stakes environment where a single missed decimal point or overlooked state lease can have massive financial implications. By understanding the interplay between the county clerk office, the state public lands, and the realities of historical land speculation, you can navigate the complexities of Delaware Basin title with confidence. *** Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Title research in Texas, especially concerning severed mineral estates, Public School Lands, and complex heirship, requires specialized expertise. Always consult a qualified Texas title attorney or professional landman before making financial or legal decisions based on property records. ## Tracing Title in the Rio Grande Valley: Porciones, Spanish Land Grants, and South Texas Deed Records URL: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog/tracing-title-rio-grande-valley-porciones-spanish-land-grants Published: 2026-06-08 Author: TexasCountyDocs Editorial Team Tags: Title Research, Rio Grande Valley, Spanish Land Grants, Deed Records, Mineral Rights, South Texas A guide to navigating Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr County title searches. Learn how Spanish land grants, the porción system, and historical heirship issues shape modern Rio Grande Valley property records. Research property records in South Texas long enough, and you will eventually hit a legal description that looks completely different from standard subdivision lots. You will not find the usual section, block, and survey formats used elsewhere in the state. Instead of a tidy geometric grid, you navigate long, narrow strips of land, fractional heirship interests dating back centuries, and property boundaries tied to the Rio Grande. Just as [San Antonio title research requires navigating Bexar County's unique colonial history](/blog/bexar-county-spanish-mexican-land-grants-san-antonio-title-research), tracing a chain of title in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr counties requires you to understand the *porción* system. These elongated Spanish and Mexican land grants form the foundation of modern property ownership in the region. Landmen running mineral title, real estate attorneys curing defects, and genealogists tracing family history all need to know how these grants were issued, partitioned, and recorded. Here is what you need to know about navigating South Texas deed records, the history of the Rio Grande Valley long lots, and how to trace these unique land grants from their sovereign origins to modern county clerk filings. ## Key Takeaways * Early South Texas land grants were surveyed as *porciones*. These long, narrow strips of land gave each grantee water access along the Rio Grande. * Texas has 170 Spanish *porciones*. The Spanish crown originally granted these tracts in the 1760s to colonists in the province of Nuevo Santander. * Historical grant names, complex family partitions, and generations of undivided mineral interests frequently complicate modern title searches in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr counties. * Tracing these properties requires a combination of modern county clerk records for deeds, leases, and probates, alongside Texas General Land Office (GLO) archives for original patents and land grant databases. ## The Origins of South Texas Land Grants To understand the deed records in the Rio Grande Valley, you have to look back to the mid-eighteenth century. Formal land grants in other parts of Spanish Texas were often irregular or based on informal agreements. The settlement of South Texas was highly organized. The process began with colonists settled by José de Escandón in the province of Nuevo Santander. By 1753, these settlers requested individual land allocations. In 1767, a Spanish royal commission led by Juan Armando de Palacio and José de Ossorio y Llamas began surveying and granting possession of land to colonists in the Rio Grande villas of Laredo, Mier, Camargo, Revilla (later Guerrero), and Reynosa. ### The Geography of the Porción The commissioners faced a geographic challenge. The arid climate of South Texas meant agricultural survival depended entirely on irrigation. Settlers needed water for their crops and their livestock. If land was divided into standard squares, only a few lucky settlers would get access to the river. The rest would be left with dry brush country. To solve this, the commissioners surveyed the land into *porciones*. These were elongated quadrangles. They formed long, thin strips of land with a narrow segment fronting the Rio Grande. The property lines then extended deep into the brush country, sometimes for miles. This ensured every grantee had equitable access to water. The commissioners distributed the land based on merit and seniority. They categorized colonists as original, old, or recent settlers. Each *porción* received a number. Many also acquired a name derived from a colonist, a saint, or a physical characteristic of the landscape. The final commission and possession of each tract was formally recorded in documents known as the Acts of the Visit of the Royal Commissioners (*Autos de la general visita*). Today, there are 170 of these Spanish *porciones* located in what is now Texas. ### Grazing Grants and the Backlands Not all South Texas land was divided into narrow riverfront strips. Royal officials also issued much larger grants at the back of the river lots or along the Gulf of Mexico. These massive tracts were intended for livestock grazing. They typically went to influential citizens of Camargo and Reynosa. The scale of these grazing grants was large. The largest was the Agostadero de San Juan de Carricitos grant, awarded to José Narisco Cabazos. It covered approximately 600,000 acres. While the majority of grants went to men, a small number went to women. These female grantees were typically widows whose husbands died after the grant process began but before it was perfected. Others were women recognized as heads of their households. By the end of the colonial period, several women from influential families controlled large parcels of South Texas land. ## From Spanish Grants to Texas Patents The transition of sovereignty in South Texas brought conflict. The original Spanish land grants were followed by Mexican Land Grants issued between 1810 and 1836. Following the Texas Revolution in 1836, the Republic of Texas claimed the territory. However, the area between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande remained highly contested. By the 1850s, overlapping claims sparked intense legal and physical conflicts. Original Spanish and Mexican grantees, new Anglo settlers, and the State of Texas all fought for control. Lands conquered in wars were often claimed without the consent of the original landholders. To resolve the chaos, the Texas legislature established commissions to investigate and confirm the validity of the original Spanish and Mexican titles. When a grant was confirmed, the State of Texas issued a formal patent to the original grantee or their heirs. Because of this process, establishing both the genealogical descendancy and the legal designation of heirs is a major part of historical land grant research in the region. ## How the Porción System Shapes Modern Title Searches If you are [tracing a chain of title online](/blog/how-to-trace-chain-of-title-texas-online) in Hidalgo, Cameron, or Starr County today, the legacy of the *porción* system directly impacts your research. Here are the primary challenges and quirks you will encounter in the county clerk records. ### 1. Old Grant Names in Modern Legal Descriptions Unlike a modern subdivision lot, rural and semi-rural land in the Rio Grande Valley is still legally described by its original sovereign grant. You will frequently see deeds, deeds of trust, and oil and gas leases referencing Porción 39, Porción 72, or the Agostadero de San Juan de Carricitos. When [decoding Texas land records](/blog/decoding-texas-land-records-deeds-liens-easements), you must pay close attention to these grant names. A single *porción* can stretch for miles and encompass thousands of acres. The legal description will usually specify a specific partitioned tract, share, or banco within the larger grant. ### 2. Complex Family Partitions and Heirship Families have held these lands for centuries. They have been subject to generations of inheritance, subdivision, and partition. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was common for a family to partition a *porción* among several siblings. This created even narrower strips of land running parallel to the original grant lines. When searching the grantor and grantee indexes, you will often find large partition deeds involving dozens of family members. Tracing a specific tract through these partitions requires careful mapping. You also need to dig into the historical probate records of the county. When a landowner died intestate, the land passed to their heirs in undivided interests. You have to establish who inherited what percentage of the original tract before the physical partition even occurred. ### 3. Fractionalized Mineral Rights The Rio Grande Valley is a major region for oil and gas production. The *porción* system creates unique headaches for landmen running mineral title. Mineral rights in Texas can be severed from surface rights. Generations of inheritance have resulted in highly fractionalized mineral ownership. It is common for a modern oil and gas lease in Starr or Hidalgo County to cover an undivided 1/128th or 1/512th mineral interest in a specific *porción*. To confirm that a driller has leased 100 percent of the minerals under a tract, title professionals must trace the family tree back through decades of deed and probate records. They have to ensure no heir was missed in a previous generation. ### 4. Spelling Variations and Translated Names When searching 19th-century county clerk indexes, you must be prepared for inconsistent spelling and anglicized names. A Spanish surname might be spelled three different ways in three different deeds. For example, you might see Cavazos, Cabazos, or Cabassos. Early Anglo clerks also translated Spanish given names into English. They recorded Juan as John or José as Joseph. You must search multiple variations of a name to ensure you do not miss a link in the chain of title. ## Tools for Researching South Texas Land Records Successfully tracing a property from its modern owner back to the original Spanish or Mexican land grant requires two distinct sets of records. You need the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the local county clerk. ### The Texas General Land Office (GLO) The GLO is the custodian of the original land grant records for the state. If you need to find the sovereign patent that officially recognized a *porción*, the Archives and Heritage division of the GLO is your starting point. * The online Land Grant Database of the GLO allows you to search for the original patentee. You can select Cameron County and enter the name of the original grantee to locate the patent file. * The Surname Index helps track down early settlers and grantees whose names may have been recorded with various spellings. * The GLO holds extensive archives of historical maps. These include early 20th-century maps of Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr counties. They show the exact boundaries of the *porciones*, block and tract numbers, and the names of landowners at the time the map was drawn. ### County Clerk Records and TexasCountyDocs The GLO holds the original patents. However, every transaction that occurred after the land was patented is recorded at the local county level. This includes deeds, partitions, oil and gas leases, mechanic's liens, and probates. To trace the modern chain of title, you must search the official public records of the Hidalgo County Clerk, Cameron County Clerk, or Starr County Clerk. Using a platform like TexasCountyDocs allows you to search these grantor and grantee indexes online. You can view document images and piece together the complex history of a partitioned *porción* without spending weeks in the courthouse basement. You can search by name, document type, and date range to isolate the exact deeds and leases affecting your target tract. When searching county records, always start with the current owner and work your way backward in time. Once you trace the chain back to the mid-1800s and hit the original patentee, you can cross-reference your findings with the GLO databases to complete the timeline. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is a porción in Texas real estate? A *porción* is a specific type of Spanish or Mexican land grant found in South Texas. They are elongated, narrow strips of land. Surveyors designed them to give each grantee access to the Rio Grande for agricultural irrigation. ### How many Spanish land grants are there in Texas? There are 170 Spanish land grants, or *porciones*, located in what is now Texas. The Spanish crown primarily issued these in the 1760s to colonists in the settlements of Laredo, Mier, Camargo, Revilla, and Reynosa. ### How do I find the original patent for a property in Cameron or Hidalgo County? To find the original sovereign patent, you should search the Texas General Land Office Land Grant Database. You can filter by county and search by the name of the original grantee. For all subsequent deeds and transfers, you must search the local county clerk's property records. ### Why are mineral rights so complicated in the Rio Grande Valley? The original land grants have been passed down through families for over 250 years. The mineral interests have been repeatedly divided among heirs. This results in highly fractionalized ownership. Dozens of individuals may own a tiny percentage of the minerals under a single tract of land. *** *Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or title advice. Tracing historical land grants, heirship, and mineral rights in South Texas is highly complex. Always consult a qualified real estate attorney, professional landman, or title examiner when verifying property ownership, curing title defects, or executing real estate transactions.* ## Demystifying Andrews County Title Searches: From the Shafter Lake Rivalry to the Permian Oil Boom URL: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog/andrews-county-title-searches-history-permian-oil Published: 2026-06-04 Author: TexasCountyDocs Editorial Team Tags: Andrews County, Title Research, Oil and Gas, Mineral Rights, Texas History, County Clerk, Permian Basin Learn how Andrews County's unique history—from its late organization and the Shafter Lake county-seat war to University Lands and the Permian oil boom—shapes modern Texas title research. Conducting an accurate title search in Andrews County requires more than typing a name into a digital index. Andrews County sits in the heart of the Permian Basin. Its property records reflect a long history of West Texas land speculation, large ranching empires, public university lands, and a massive oil boom. When you trace a chain of title back to sovereignty here, you quickly discover the early days were chaotic. Rival towns fought a literal land giveaway war. For decades, local deeds were recorded in entirely different counties. Landmen, title agents, and real estate professionals need to know this history to make sense of the files. The unusual early days of Andrews County still shape modern searches for deeds, leases, assignments, and mineral reservations. ## Key Takeaways for Andrews County Title Research * Jurisdiction Hopping. The state created Andrews County in 1876, but it was not formally organized until 1910. Pre-1910 land records often sit in the archives of Shackelford, Howard, or Martin counties. * The Townsite Wars. Early 1910s deed records show a flurry of small lot conveyances. This happened because rival towns Andrews and Shafter Lake gave away lots to cowboys in exchange for votes in a county seat election. * University Lands. The University of Texas system owns about 29 percent of the acreage in Andrews County. Surface and mineral searches on these tracts require checking Permanent University Fund leases alongside county clerk records. * The Oil Boom Complexities. Oil was discovered in 1929. Fields exploded in the 1940s and 1950s. This fractured the county deed records with complex mineral severances, royalty deeds, and leasehold assignments. ## The Early Record Trail: Attached to Other Counties (1876 to 1910) One common problem for researchers [tracing a chain of title in Texas](/blog/how-to-trace-chain-of-title-texas-online) is the gap between when a county was legally created and when it was formally organized. The 15th Texas Legislature formed Andrews County from Bexar County on August 21, 1876. The county was named for Richard Andrews. He was the first man to die in the war for Texas independence at the Battle of Concepcion in 1835. For decades, the area remained sparsely populated. Before 1890, a few ranchers, military personnel, and Native American groups lived there. The Anasazi, Apache, and Comanche all have history in the region. By 1900, the census counted just 87 residents. The county lacked the population to support its own government. As a result, Andrews County was attached to other counties for administrative and judicial purposes. You will not find the earliest land patents or 19th century deeds in the 1911 Andrews County courthouse. You have to follow the jurisdictional trail. * 1876 to 1882. Jurisdiction of Shackelford County. * 1882 to 1887. Part of the Howard Land District. * 1887 to 1891. Part of the Martin Land District. * 1891 to 1910. Jurisdiction of Martin County. Andrews County was formally organized in 1910. The first two story courthouse went up in 1911. The present courthouse was built in 1938 and renovated in 1955 and 1976. Researchers looking for the earliest land grants may also need to check Bexar County archives. There, [Spanish and Mexican land grant histories](/blog/bexar-county-spanish-mexican-land-grants-san-antonio-title-research) often complicate early Texas title trails. ## The County Seat War: Shafter Lake vs. Andrews When you review the grantor and grantee indexes for Andrews County around 1910, you might notice a sudden spike in town lot conveyances to individual cowboys and ranch hands. This is not an error in the record room. It is the paper trail of a fierce political rivalry. By 1910, the population had grown to 975. Two main communities emerged. Shafter Lake and Andrews both wanted the economic and political advantage of becoming the county seat. To win voters, the promoters of Shafter Lake began giving away town lots to local cowboys. This effectively bought their residency and their votes. The strategy worked until a man named R.M. Means attempted to claim a lot. His wagon broke down on the way to Shafter Lake. He missed the giveaway deadline. Shafter Lake promoters refused to extend the deadline for him, and the tide turned. Means went back to the town of Andrews. He purchased a tract of land and began giving away lots to cowboys himself. The election took place on July 16, 1910. Andrews beat Shafter Lake at its own game and won the county seat. Today, these historical lot giveaways remain in the early deed records. They show exactly how early townsite promotion shaped West Texas real estate. ## Big Ranches and the Four-Section Law Before the oil derricks arrived, Andrews County was cattle country. Early land acquisitions were massive. In 1884, Chicago meatpacker Nelson Morris purchased 228,000 acres in the southeastern corner of the county. He established the Chicago Ranch, also known as the C Ranch. Morris was a pioneer in the area. He introduced barbed wire drift fences. After severe droughts in 1886 and 1887, he erected 79 windmills to draw groundwater. In 1894, the Scharbauer family purchased the neighboring Wells Ranch. Together, these two ranches occupied most of the eastern part of the county. Then the Texas legislature passed the four-section law in 1895. This law was designed to end open-range ranching. It encouraged the breakup of great ranches for the benefit of homesteaders and small tract purchasers. Title researchers can see this legislative shift clearly in the county records. You will find massive, contiguous blocks of acreage slowly being subdivided. These lands were sold off in smaller tracts to farmers in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Agriculture took a hard hit during the blizzards and droughts of 1917 and 1918. The county population dropped to just 350 by 1920. Farming rebounded in the 1920s and 1930s with cotton and sorghum production. As disappointed farmers abandoned their lands during the hard years, cattle ranchers often bought the tracts back. This created a cyclical chain of title that requires careful tracking today. ## University Lands and the Permanent University Fund One unique aspect of Andrews County title research is the massive footprint of the University of Texas. Historically, 14 blocks of land scattered around the county were owned by the University of Texas. This accounts for roughly 29 percent of the total acreage in the county. Today, University Lands manages the surface and mineral interests of 2.1 million acres across nineteen West Texas counties, including Andrews. This management benefits the Permanent University Fund. The fund is one of the largest university endowments in the United States. It finances institutions across both the UT and Texas A&M systems. If you are researching a tract within these 14 blocks, your title search will look different. The Andrews County Clerk has records of surface leases, rights of way, and easements. However, the underlying mineral rights are state owned and managed by University Lands. Researchers must cross-reference county deed records with internal well libraries, lease maps, and Board for Lease rules to get a complete picture of active oil, gas, and renewable energy development contracts. ## The Permian Oil Boom: Deep Rock and Tripplehorn Development in Andrews County proceeded slowly as a ranching and farming community until 1929. That year, the Deep Rock Oil Company made the first major oil strike in the county. The timing was difficult. The onset of the Great Depression, combined with the slow flow of the initial oil, led Deep Rock to sell its holdings. J.W. Tripplehorn purchased the holdings for just $7,500. This transaction changed the history of the county. In 1934, Tripplehorn brought in the J.S. Means No. 1 and R.M. Means No. 1 wells. The pace of development quickened dramatically. By 1937, the town of Andrews was officially incorporated. The true explosion occurred in the 1940s and 1950s. Over 100 new fields were discovered. Andrews County experienced unprecedented growth. The town population numbers often did not reflect the boom because many oilmen and their families lived in company camps outside of town. For a title researcher, the 1930s through the 1950s represent a dense period of documentation. The [county clerk indexes](/blog/how-to-research-texas-deed-records) from this era are flooded with specific filings. * Mineral Severances. Ranchers selling surface rights while retaining mineral rights. * Oil and Gas Leases. Standard leases granting exploration rights to energy companies. * Assignments of Overriding Royalty Interests. Complex fractional divisions of production revenue. * Releases. Documents clearing expired leases from the title. [Decoding these Texas land records](/blog/decoding-texas-land-records-deeds-liens-easements) requires a sharp eye. A single 640-acre section of land might have dozens of active leasehold assignments and fractional royalty owners. ## Conducting Your Andrews County Search Today Modern title research in Andrews County is much more efficient than dusting off heavy ledger books in the 1938 courthouse. Today, professionals use platforms like TexasCountyDocs to instantly search county clerk filings, run grantor and grantee names, and pull high-quality document images. When searching Andrews County records, keep these practical tips in mind. 1. Check the Dates. If your chain of title goes back before 1910, remember to check the archives of Martin, Howard, or Shackelford counties. 2. Identify University Lands Early. Cross-reference your legal description with University Lands maps. If you are on Permanent University Fund land, your mineral research will shift heavily toward state records. 3. Watch for the Means Name. The Means family, including R.M. Means and J.S. Means, played a major role in both the 1910 county seat election and the 1934 oil boom. Their names appear frequently in foundational real estate and mineral conveyances. Whether you are a landman running title for a new Permian Basin drilling unit or a real estate professional researching a surface tract, understanding the history of Andrews County is the key to unlocking its records. *** ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) **When was Andrews County created, and when was it organized?** The Texas Legislature created Andrews County in 1876. It was not formally organized with its own county government until 1910. Before 1910, it was attached to Shackelford, Howard, and Martin counties for administrative purposes. **Why are there so many small lot deeds recorded around 1910?** During the 1910 election for the county seat, promoters for the rival towns of Shafter Lake and Andrews gave away town lots to local cowboys. They did this in exchange for votes. Andrews ultimately won the election. **What are University Lands in Andrews County?** Historically, about 29 percent of Andrews County was granted to the University of Texas. This land is spread across 14 blocks. Today, the surface and mineral rights on these lands are managed by University Lands for the Permanent University Fund. This fund finances the UT and Texas A&M systems. **When did the oil boom start in Andrews County?** The first major strike was made by Deep Rock Oil Company in 1929. Development accelerated after J.W. Tripplehorn brought in the Means wells in 1934. The industry exploded in the 1940s and 1950s with the discovery of over 100 new fields. **Where is the Andrews County Courthouse located?** The current courthouse was built in 1938 and subsequently renovated. It is located in the town of Andrews. This is the only incorporated town in the county. *** *Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional title advice. County boundaries, recording statutes, and historical archives can be complex. Always consult a qualified Texas real estate attorney or a certified title professional when making decisions based on property records or mineral ownership.* ## Bexar County’s Spanish and Mexican Land Grants: Why San Antonio Title Research Gets Weird Fast URL: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog/bexar-county-spanish-mexican-land-grants-san-antonio-title-research Published: 2026-06-04 Author: TexasCountyDocs Editorial Team Tags: Bexar County, Title Research, Land Grants, Spanish Archives, Texas History, County Clerk Records Discover why tracing chain of title in Bexar County often requires navigating pre-1836 Spanish and Mexican land grants, translated names, and historical archives. Tracing a chain of title in Texas is usually a predictable process. You log into a county clerk database, search the grantor and grantee indexes, and follow the records back in time. In most Texas counties, you hit a wall in the late 1800s. Sometimes you can trace a patent back to the Republic of Texas in the 1840s. But in Bexar County, the rules change. San Antonio is one of the oldest municipalities in North America. It has a history of continuous settlement dating back to 1718. Because of this, title research in Bexar County reaches back long before the Republic of Texas. Researchers face a complex web of Spanish colonial records, Mexican land grants, translated names, and mission documents. For title agents, historians, genealogists, and landmen, a standard deed search is often just the beginning. Here is why San Antonio title research gets complicated, and how you can navigate the historical land records of Bexar County. ## Key Takeaways * The 1836 Barrier: Tracing title in Bexar County often requires researching records created before the Republic of Texas was founded in 1836. You need an understanding of Spanish and Mexican land grants. * The 1899 Archive Split: The historical and political documents of the Spanish and Mexican eras went to the University of Texas in 1899. The actual local land title records stayed with the Bexar County Clerk. * Translation and Name Variations: Researchers frequently hit dead ends due to translated names, like Juan to John, and phonetic spellings. The Texas General Land Office Surname Index is a necessary tool for untangling these variations. * Geographic Scope: The historical Department of Bexar covered a massive area from the Nueces River to the Sabine River. Early Bexar records often impact land in other modern Texas counties. ## The Pre-1836 Wall: When Standard Deed Indexes Fail If you are just getting started with county clerk indexes, our guide on [How to Research Texas Deed Records](/blog/how-to-research-texas-deed-records) is the best place to begin. When you apply those standard practices in Bexar County, you will eventually hit what veteran title researchers call the Pre-1836 Wall. Prior to Texas independence in 1836, the land that is now Bexar County was governed first by the Spanish Crown until 1821, and then by the Mexican government. Land ownership was not recorded using the English common law system of deeds and deeds of trust that we use today. Instead, land was distributed through sovereign grants, mission distributions, and colonization contracts. When tracing a chain of title online, a process we detail in [A Master Guide to Tracing Chain of Title in Texas Without Visiting the Courthouse](/blog/how-to-trace-chain-of-title-texas-online), you rely on an unbroken chain of conveyances. In Bexar County, the earliest links in that chain are often written in 18th-century Spanish. They use different units of measurement, like the vara. They also rely on different legal frameworks for property rights, mineral ownership, and water rights. Understanding how these ancient documents interact with modern recording statutes is necessary. For instance, [Texas Property Code Chapter 12 Explained](/blog/texas-property-code-chapter-12-recording-of-instruments) outlines the modern statutory requirements for recording real property instruments. But how do you apply modern constructive notice to a Spanish land grant from 1790? The answer lies in how Bexar County historically managed its archives. ## The Great Split: The Bexar Archives vs. The County Clerk To successfully research historic land titles in San Antonio, you must understand a major event that occurred in 1899. For decades, the Bexar County Courthouse housed a massive collection of Spanish and Mexican documents known as the Bexar Archives. These records preserved the political, diplomatic, religious, military, economic, and social life of the Spanish province of Texas from 1717 to 1821, and the Mexican state of Coahuila y Texas from 1822 to 1836. By the late 19th century, the sheer volume of these documents became unmanageable for the county. The collection held approximately 300,000 pages. In 1899, the Bexar County Commissioners Court passed an official act transferring the bulk of the Bexar Archives to the University of Texas. They eventually became a cornerstone of the Briscoe Center for American History. However, the Commissioners Court made one major exception. All local land title records were removed before the archives were transferred to the university. Those land records remain with the Bexar County Clerk. ### What This Means for Title Researchers This 1899 split is the primary reason San Antonio title research can be so confusing. It created a bifurcated system for historical land research. First, the Bexar County Clerk holds the actual, legally binding land title records, original grants, and early conveyances. If you are trying to prove ownership, establish a boundary, or trace a chain of title for a title insurance policy, the County Clerk office is your primary jurisdiction. Modern search platforms like TexasCountyDocs pull from these records. Second, the Briscoe Center holds the context through the Bexar Archives. If a land grant was disputed, if there was correspondence regarding the surveyor, or if you are trying to understand the military or civil affairs surrounding a specific piece of land, those documents are at the University of Texas. Today, the Briscoe Center has microfilmed and digitized vast portions of the Bexar Archives. Furthermore, approximately 250 volumes of English translations have been created over the decades. Copies of these bound translation volumes are provided to the Bexar County Clerk office. They act as a bridge for modern title agents who do not read 18th-century Spanish. ## The Geography Problem: The Massive Department of Bexar Another reason Bexar County title research gets complicated is that the historical boundaries of Bexar are nothing like the modern county lines. During the Mexican period from 1822 to 1836, Texas was eventually divided into three departments. These were the Department of the Brazos, the Department of Nacogdoches, and the Department of Bexar. The Department of Bexar, with its capital at San Antonio, covered a staggering amount of territory. It encompassed the area from the Nueces River to the Sabine River. This included towns that are nowhere near modern San Antonio, such as Anahuac, Brazoria, Velasco, Copano, Goliad, and Gonzalez. It even included early records for Nacogdoches. Because San Antonio was the capital, many land transactions, colonization contracts, and legal proceedings for lands hundreds of miles away were originally filed in Bexar. Substantial portions of these records were later moved, becoming the Nacogdoches Archives, for example. But researchers tracing sovereign titles in coastal or East Texas counties sometimes find themselves hunting for missing links in the historical indexes of Bexar County. ## Navigating Translated Names and Variant Spellings Perhaps the most frustrating hurdle for genealogists and landmen working in Bexar County is the language barrier. This includes the Spanish text itself, but also how names were recorded, translated, and mistranslated over the centuries. As the Anglo-American presence grew in the area after 1803, and especially after the Texas Revolution in 1836, Spanish and Mexican land grants had to be integrated into the new English-speaking legal system of the Republic. During this transition, names were frequently anglicized. Juan became John. Carlos became Charles. Complex Spanish surnames were often spelled phonetically by English-speaking clerks. A researcher looking for a deed granted to Jose Antonio Navarro might find it indexed under a heavily butchered phonetic spelling, or simply under Joseph. ### The GLO Surname Index to the Rescue When you hit a dead end in the Bexar County Clerk indexes due to suspected name variations, your next stop should be the Texas General Land Office, or GLO. The GLO houses the original land grant patents for the state of Texas, including the Spanish Collection Catalogues. To help researchers navigate the chaos of variant spellings and translated names, the GLO maintains a highly specialized Surname Index. This index is a lifesaver for San Antonio title research. It cross-references the various ways a grantee name may have been spelled or translated across different historical documents. By running a suspected name through the GLO Surname Index, a title agent can often find the exact spelling used on the original patent. You can then take that spelling back to the Bexar County Clerk records to resume the chain of title search. ## Why Pre-1836 Records Still Matter Today It is easy to assume that a land grant from 1795 is purely a matter of historical curiosity. But in Texas real estate law, the sovereign grant is the bedrock of the title. If you need a refresher on the basics of modern encumbrances, check out [Decoding Texas Land Records: Deeds, Liens, and Easements Explained](/blog/decoding-texas-land-records-deeds-liens-easements). Here is why these ancient Bexar County records still impact modern real estate transactions: * Mineral Rights: Spanish and Mexican land grants handled mineral rights differently than English common law. Under Spanish civil law, minerals were generally retained by the sovereign unless expressly granted. Tracing a title back to a pre-1836 grant can occasionally impact modern oil, gas, and mineral disputes. * Water Rights: Riparian rights and access to water were heavily regulated by Spanish authorities, especially around the San Antonio missions. Ancient acequias, or irrigation canals, established in the 1700s still impact property boundaries and water rights in Bexar County today. * Boundary Disputes: Early surveys were conducted using the vara, which is approximately 33.33 inches. Errors in these original surveys, or disputes over where an original Spanish land grant ended and a Republic of Texas patent began, can still trigger boundary litigation today. * Unreleased Encumbrances: While rare, ancient easements, rights of way, or historical designations tied to the original grants can surface during commercial development in downtown San Antonio. ## How to Approach Bexar County Historical Title Research If you are tasked with tracing a difficult historic title in Bexar County, a systematic approach is necessary to avoid getting lost in the archives. 1. Start with Modern Digital Records: Begin your search using a platform like TexasCountyDocs to search the modern Bexar County Clerk indexes. Work your way backward from the current owner. 2. Identify the Sovereign Grantee: Once you hit the late 1800s, look for references to the original survey, abstract number, or original grantee. 3. Consult the GLO: Take the original grantee name to the Texas General Land Office. Use their Land Grant Database and Surname Index to confirm the exact spelling and details of the original Spanish or Mexican grant. 4. Check the Translation Volumes: If the original title records are in Spanish, contact the Bexar County Clerk office to access the bound translation volumes. These 250 volumes are the translation key for early San Antonio real estate. 5. Look to the Bexar Archives for Context: If there is a gap in the title, a dispute over heirship, or missing survey data, search the digitized Bexar Archives at the Briscoe Center. While they do not hold the title records, the correspondence and legal proceedings they preserve can often explain why a piece of land changed hands. San Antonio history makes it a challenging place to conduct title research. You have to understand the division of the archives, the complexities of translated names, and the vast geographic reach of the old Department of Bexar. Once you know how these historical systems work together, you can successfully navigate the pre-1836 records. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Where are the original Spanish land grants for Bexar County kept? The actual local land title records and original conveyances remained with the Bexar County Clerk when the rest of the historical archives were moved in 1899. Additionally, original land patents and sovereign grants are maintained by the Texas General Land Office in Austin. ### What are the Bexar Archives? The Bexar Archives are a collection of approximately 300,000 pages of official Spanish and Mexican documents from 1717 to 1836 that preserve the political, military, and social history of the region. They were transferred from Bexar County to the University of Texas in 1899 and are currently housed at the Briscoe Center for American History. ### How do I find a translated name in old Texas land records? Because Spanish names were frequently anglicized or spelled phonetically by early clerks, researchers should utilize the Surname Index provided by the Texas General Land Office. This index helps cross-reference variant spellings and translated names to locate the original land grants. ### Can I search Bexar County historical records online? Many modern and semi-historical records can be searched online through platforms like TexasCountyDocs and the Bexar County Clerk official portal. For pre-1836 documents, the Briscoe Center offers the digitized Bexar Archives Online, and the GLO provides digital access to its Land Grant Database. However, some specific translation volumes may still require an in-person visit to the County Clerk office. *Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or title advice. Historical title research in Texas, particularly involving Spanish and Mexican land grants, is highly complex. Always consult with a qualified title attorney or a licensed title insurance agent when making legal or financial decisions based on historic property records.* ## Decoding Texas Land Records: Deeds, Liens, and Easements Explained URL: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog/decoding-texas-land-records-deeds-liens-easements Published: 2026-06-04 Author: TexasCountyDocs Editorial Team Tags: Texas Property Law, Deed Records, Liens, Easements, Title Research, Foreclosure Navigate the Texas county clerk document jungle. We explain deeds, deeds of trust, mechanic’s liens, and easements in plain English for property owners and professionals. Landmen, title agents, real estate investors, and property owners spend a lot of time in Texas county clerk records. The Texas Property Code recognizes dozens of recorded real-property instruments. You need to know what these documents mean to evaluate a property's title, ownership, and encumbrances. Knowing the difference between a deed, a deed of trust, a mechanic's lien, and an easement saves time and prevents mistakes. ## Key Takeaways * A deed transfers property ownership. A deed of trust secures a loan against the property and allows for non-judicial foreclosure in Texas. * Mechanic's liens fall under Chapter 53 of the Texas Property Code. These documents cloud a title when contractors go unpaid. They require a formal release to clear the title. * Easements grant the legal right to use another person's property. Landlocked property owners do not have an automatic right to cross a neighbor's land. * You can filter and locate these specific instruments across multiple counties using the TexasCountyDocs search engine. ## The Foundation: Deeds and Deeds of Trust The two most common documents in a county clerk index are deeds and deeds of trust. They sound similar, but they have different legal functions. ### The Deed (Transferring Ownership) A deed is the instrument that transfers ownership of real property from the grantor to the grantee. Examples include a General Warranty Deed, Special Warranty Deed, or Quitclaim Deed. To find out who owns a piece of land, look for the most recently recorded deed. ### The Deed of Trust (Securing a Loan) A deed of trust is the Texas equivalent of a mortgage. It is an agreement between the borrower, the lender, and a neutral third-party trustee. This document secures the promissory note by placing a lien on the property. In Texas, most deeds of trust contain a "power of sale" clause. The Texas State Law Library says this clause gives the lender the authority to sell the property without filing a civil lawsuit against the homeowner after a default. This process is a non-judicial foreclosure. It falls under Section 51.002 of the Texas Property Code and is the most common type of foreclosure in the state. Certain situations require an expedited foreclosure or judicial foreclosure process. Examples include home equity loans and reverse mortgages. ## Encumbrances: Liens and Releases A lien is a legal claim against a property by a creditor. Liens cloud the title. This means the owner usually cannot sell or refinance the property until the debt is paid. ### Mechanic's Liens Chapter 53 of the Texas Property Code governs mechanic's liens. Contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers file these documents, often as an Affidavit of Lien, when they are not paid for labor or materials used to improve a property. Investors buying recently renovated properties should always check county records for mechanic's liens. ### Release of Lien When a borrower pays off a debt secured by a deed of trust or a mechanic's lien, the creditor must file a Release of Lien or Release of Deed of Trust. This document removes the encumbrance from the property title. If a release is missing from the county records, the title remains clouded. This is true even if the borrower paid the debt years ago. ## Rights of Use: Easements and Mineral Leases Not all recorded documents deal with ownership or debt. Many deal with the use of the land. ### Easements An easement is a legal right to use someone else's private property for a specific purpose. Texas law recognizes several common types. Utility easements go to utility companies to install and maintain power lines, pipes, or cables. Public easements allow the general public to use a portion of private property for a sidewalk or street. Private easements go to a specific person or entity, like a neighbor who needs to use a shared driveway. A common misconception in Texas is that owners of landlocked property have an automatic right to cross a neighbor's land. Landlocked property is land surrounded by private land with no public road access. This myth is false. Landlocked owners must negotiate a private easement with their neighbor or petition a court to grant one. Sometimes the recorded easement document does not specify who is responsible for maintenance. In these cases, Texas common law generally places the burden of maintenance on the person who holds the easement, not the property owner. ### Mineral Leases In Texas, surface rights and mineral rights are often severed. A mineral lease, or oil and gas lease, is a recorded document where the mineral owner grants a company the right to explore, drill, and produce oil, gas, or other minerals for a specified time. Searching for active mineral leases is a daily task for Texas landmen. ## How to Navigate County Records County clerk indexes contain millions of documents dating back to the 1800s. You need to know how to search effectively to make sense of them. If you are new to county clerk systems, read our guide on [How to Research Texas Deed Records](/blog/how-to-research-texas-deed-records). It walks you through understanding grantor and grantee indexes and narrowing your search. Instead of traveling to individual county courthouses or wrestling with outdated local government websites, you can use TexasCountyDocs to streamline your research. Our platform lets you search across Texas counties. You can filter specifically by document types like deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, or easements. You can also view the actual recorded instruments right from your desk. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is a deed of trust the same as a mortgage? Functionally yes, but legally no. A mortgage involves a borrower and a lender. It typically requires a judicial foreclosure. A Texas deed of trust involves a borrower, a lender, and a trustee. It usually allows for a faster non-judicial foreclosure. ### Do I automatically get an easement if my Texas property is landlocked? No. Texas law does not grant an automatic easement to landlocked property owners. You must obtain an express written easement from a neighboring landowner or seek an easement by necessity through the court system. ### How do I remove a mechanic's lien from my property? Once the underlying debt is paid or settled, the party who filed the lien must file a Release of Lien with the county clerk where the property is located. If they refuse, you may need to pursue legal action to have the lien removed. *** *Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Texas property laws are complex and subject to change. Always consult a qualified real estate attorney or title professional regarding specific legal or title issues.* ## A Master Guide to Tracing Chain of Title in Texas Without Visiting the Courthouse URL: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog/how-to-trace-chain-of-title-texas-online Published: 2026-06-04 Author: TexasCountyDocs Editorial Team Tags: Chain of Title, Property Research, Texas Property Code, Title Search, Deed Records, Mineral Rights, Probate Learn how to trace a Texas property's chain of title online. A professional guide to grantor/grantee indexes, mineral reservations, probate links, and avoiding common title research mistakes. Tracing a chain of title in Texas used to mean spending hours in the basement of a county courthouse. You hauled heavy, leather-bound index books onto reading tables and manually copied volume and page numbers. Today, landmen, title agents, real estate investors, and attorneys conduct complex title searches entirely online. Digital access does not eliminate the complexity of Texas land records. Texas is a notice state. It has a unique history of severed mineral estates, complex probate laws, and decentralized county clerk indexing. To successfully trace a chain of title online, you must understand how Texas counties organize their data. You need to know how to bridge gaps in ownership and interpret the statutory framework governing public records. This guide provides a professional roadmap for tracing a chain of title in Texas without stepping foot in a courthouse. ## Key Takeaways * Under Texas law, a properly recorded instrument in the proper county gives constructive notice of its existence to all persons and is subject to public inspection. * Most Texas counties use Grantor and Grantee indexes rather than geographic tract indexes. You must trace the people or entities, not just the legal description. * Breaks in the chain of title often happen because of unrecorded probates, name changes, or foreclosures. * Texas allows the separation of surface and mineral rights. Mineral reservations require careful reading of the less and except clauses in a deed. * Always distinguish between a document execution date (when it was signed) and its recording date (when it was filed with the clerk). ## The Statutory Foundation: Notice and Recording Before looking at the mechanics of a title search, you need to understand why we search county records. Under Texas Property Code Chapter 13, an instrument properly recorded in the proper county provides notice to all persons of the existence of the instrument. This concept is known as constructive notice. Even if a buyer never actually looks at the county records, the law assumes they know about any properly recorded deeds, liens, or easements. [Texas Property Code Chapter 12](/blog/texas-property-code-chapter-12-recording-of-instruments) outlines the strict requirements an instrument must meet to be recorded. These include proper acknowledgments or jurats. If a document is recorded but fails to meet these statutory requirements, it may fail to provide proper legal notice. This creates a hidden defect in the title. A defective acknowledgment might seem like a minor clerical error, but it can invalidate the constructive notice entirely. This forces buyers and lenders to rely on actual notice, which is much harder to prove in court. ## Understanding the Grantor and Grantee Index If you are new to title research, your first instinct might be to type a property address or a legal description into a search bar. In Texas, this rarely works for historical searches. According to Texas Local Government Code Section 193.009, county clerks must maintain alphabetical cross-indexes of all recorded instruments. This system uses a Grantor and Grantee index. The Grantor is the party conveying the interest. This includes the seller, the borrower in a deed of trust, or the assignor. The Grantee is the party receiving the interest. This includes the buyer, the lender, or the assignee. To trace a chain of title, you do not search the land. You search the people. ### The Step-by-Step Backward Search To build a chain of title, you generally start with the present day and work backward in time. First, identify the current owner. This person is the Grantee of the most recent deed. Next, search the Grantee index for their name to find the deed where they acquired the property. Note the Grantor on that deed. Then, flip the search. Take that Grantor name and search them in the Grantee index to find out when they acquired the property. Repeat this overlapping chain back to sovereignty. Sovereignty is the original land grant from the state. You might also stop at the required root of title for your specific project, such as a 50-year search for a standard residential transaction. Corporate name changes and mergers often complicate this backward search. If a company buys a property under one name and sells it under another, the chain appears broken. You will need to search state corporate records to verify the merger or name change to connect the two entities. For more details on the mechanics of using online clerk systems, read our guide on [How to Research Texas Deed Records](/blog/how-to-research-texas-deed-records). ## Navigating Complex Links in the Chain A clean chain of title from one person to the next is rare over a long timeline. You will inevitably encounter complex documents, severed estates, and sudden gaps. Here is how to handle the most common hurdles from your computer. ### Bridging Gaps with Probate and Heirship The most common cause of a broken chain of title is death. For example, the records show John Smith buying the property in 1985. The next deed in 2005 shows Mary Smith selling it. There is no deed from John to Mary. When a property owner dies, title vests immediately in their heirs or devisees under Texas law. To prove this in the public record, an instrument must be filed. You should look for specific probate documents. An Affidavit of Heirship is a sworn statement recorded in the deed records. It details the family history and heirs of the deceased. Title companies often rely on these affidavits if they have been on record for more than five years. Under Texas Estates Code Chapter 257, a probate court can admit a will to probate as a muniment of title. When a certified copy of this order is filed in the real property records of the county clerk, it functions exactly like a deed. It transfers the chain of title to the beneficiaries named in the will. ### Mineral Reservations and Severances Texas is a split-estate state. The surface of the land and the minerals beneath it can be owned by different people. Minerals include oil, gas, and uranium. When reading a deed online, you must look closely at the reservations and exceptions. A Grantor might convey the surface estate but include a specific clause. They might state they save and except, and reserve unto the Grantor, all oil, gas, and other minerals. The moment this deed is recorded, the chain of title splits. The surface chain continues with the Grantee. The mineral chain remains with the Grantor. If you are tracing mineral title, you must now track the subsequent leases, assignments, or probate records of the Grantor to see where those minerals went. Missing a mineral reservation is a costly mistake for landmen and investors. ### Assignments and Releases of Liens Title is about who owns the property and who has claims against it. When a property is financed, the buyer signs a Deed of Trust. Mortgages are frequently sold. You will see Assignments of Deed of Trust in the record. These transfer the lien from one bank to another. When the loan is paid off, the current lender must file a Release of Lien. A common title issue is an unreleased historical deed of trust. If you see a mortgage but no corresponding release, it constitutes a cloud on the title. You can learn more about identifying these specific document types in our post, [Decoding Texas Land Records: Deeds, Liens, and Easements Explained](/blog/decoding-texas-land-records-deeds-liens-easements). ## Execution Dates vs. Recording Dates One of the most important distinctions in title research is the difference between the execution date and the recording date. The execution date is the date the document was signed and notarized. The recording date is the date the document was handed to the county clerk, stamped, and indexed. This distinction matters because Texas is a notice state. The recording date dictates priority and notice to the public. It is entirely possible for a deed to be executed in 1995 but not recorded until 2005. If you restrict your online search parameters strictly to the years you think the transaction occurred based on the execution date, you will miss the document entirely. Always keep your date parameters broad when searching online indexes. ## Common Title Search Mistakes to Avoid When conducting online title research, professionals often fall into a few common traps. Ignoring name variations is a frequent error. Human error is a constant in historical records. John Robert Doe might be indexed as J.R. Doe, John R. Doe, or even misspelled as John Do. When searching an online database, use wildcard features like an asterisk and search multiple variations of the name. Overlooking less and except tracts causes major acreage discrepancies. A deed might convey a 100-acre tract less and except a 2-acre tract previously conveyed to the County for a right-of-way. Failing to read the legal description thoroughly leads to calculating the wrong acreage or missing a severed parcel. Confusing document types is another trap. A Deed of Trust is not a deed conveying ownership. It is a mortgage document. Do not mistake a borrower for someone selling the property. Stopping at the first match leaves your research incomplete. Just because you found a deed conveying the property to your subject does not mean you are done. You must search that person forward to the present day. This ensures they did not subsequently sell a portion of the land, grant an easement, or have a tax lien filed against them. ## Streamlining Your Search with TexasCountyDocs Tracing a chain of title requires patience, attention to detail, and reliable access to county records. Many counties have their own standalone portals. Navigating dozens of different software interfaces across 254 Texas counties is inefficient. A unified platform solves this problem. Using TexasCountyDocs, you can search across multiple county databases from a single, intuitive interface. You might be hunting down a missing Affidavit of Heirship, verifying a Release of Lien, or tracing a complex mineral severance. Having fast, reliable access to the index and the document images keeps your research moving without the need to travel to the courthouse. By mastering the Grantor and Grantee index, understanding Texas property and probate laws, and utilizing modern online search tools, you can confidently build accurate, comprehensive chains of title from your desk. --- ### Frequently Asked Questions #### What is the difference between a tract index and a Grantor and Grantee index? A tract index organizes records by the geographic location of the land, such as Section, Block, and Lot. A Grantor and Grantee index organizes records alphabetically by the names of the parties involved in the transaction. Because Texas counties historically rely on Grantor and Grantee indexing, you must trace the names of the buyers and sellers rather than just searching the property address. #### How do I find out who owns the mineral rights on a property? Mineral rights in Texas are often severed from the surface estate. To find the mineral owner, you must trace the chain of title back to sovereignty or a designated root of title. Read every deed carefully to see if the minerals were ever reserved or sold separately. If they were, you must then trace that separate mineral chain forward to the present day. #### What happens if a deed is signed but never recorded in Texas? An unrecorded deed is generally valid between the buyer and the seller. Because it is not recorded, it does not provide constructive notice to the public. If the seller fraudulently sells the property again to a second buyer who purchases it in good faith and without notice of the first unrecorded deed, the second buyer may have superior title under Texas law. *** *Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Title research can be highly complex, and Texas real estate laws are subject to change. If you are dealing with a clouded title, a high-value transaction, or complex mineral rights, you should consult a licensed Texas real estate attorney or a professional title company.* ## How to Research Texas Deed Records URL: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog/how-to-research-texas-deed-records Published: 2026-06-03 Author: TexasCountyDocs Editorial Tags: Texas deed records, property records, county clerk A practical guide to finding Texas deed records, understanding county clerk indexes, and narrowing a property records search by county. Texas deed research starts at the county level. In Texas, real property instruments are typically recorded with the county clerk in the county where the land is located, so the fastest path is to identify the county first and then search the local grantor and grantee index. ## Start With The County If you know the legal description, subdivision, city, or prior owner, narrow the property to a Texas county before searching documents. County clerk records are organized locally, and each office may use different indexing conventions. Use the county pages on TexasCountyDocs to review recorder office details, common document types, and county-specific filing context before searching. ## Search Grantor And Grantee Names Most deed indexes are built around grantors and grantees. A grantor is usually the party transferring an interest, while a grantee is usually the party receiving it. Search name variants, entity suffixes, initials, and prior married names when a first search is too narrow. ## Review The Instrument Details Once you find a likely record, compare the recording date, document type, book and page, instrument number, parties, and legal description. These fields help distinguish similarly named people and connect a deed to later liens, releases, leases, or plats. ## Keep A Research Trail Document research is strongest when each step is traceable. Save the county, instrument number, recording date, party names, and any book or page reference for each document you inspect. TexasCountyDocs provides county-level search pages to help you move from a broad public records search into the specific county clerk records that matter. ## FAQ ### Are Texas deed records public? Recorded deed records are generally public records, though access methods, fees, and online availability vary by county. ### Can I search every Texas county in one place? County clerk systems are local, so coverage varies. TexasCountyDocs organizes Texas county pages and document search paths to make county-by-county research easier. ### What if a county does not have searchable documents yet? Use the county page to review recorder office information and sign up for availability updates when the notify form is shown. ## Texas Property Code Chapter 12 Explained: How to Properly Record Real Estate Instruments URL: https://www.texascountydocs.com/blog/texas-property-code-chapter-12-recording-of-instruments Published: 2026-06-01 Author: TexasCountyDocs Editorial Team Tags: Texas Property Code, County Clerk, Real Estate Law, Deed Recording, Property Records, Notary Requirements Learn the statutory requirements for recording real property instruments in Texas under Property Code Chapter 12, including acknowledgments, jurats, and the importance of constructive notice. The final step of a Texas real estate transaction is usually the same. You record the document at the county clerk's office. This applies whether you buy a Hill Country ranch, file a mechanic's lien in Harris County, or transfer a family home into a trust. But a county clerk will not accept just any piece of paper. A document must meet strict statutory requirements to become part of the official public record. Texas Property Code Chapter 12 governs these rules. It outlines exactly what makes an instrument eligible for recording. You need to understand Chapter 12 and its companion, Chapter 13. This knowledge helps property owners, real estate investors, title professionals, and public records researchers. A document cannot be recorded if it is not properly acknowledged, sworn to, or proved according to law. If it is not recorded, your legal rights to a property face severe risks. We will look at the requirements of Texas Property Code Chapter 12. We will also explain the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat, and show why recording real estate instruments protects your property rights. ## Key Takeaways * Under Texas Property Code Section 12.001, a real estate instrument can only be recorded if it is properly acknowledged, sworn to with a valid jurat, or proved according to law. * Most documents meet the Chapter 12 requirement by being signed in front of a notary public. The notary then attaches an acknowledgment certificate. * Recording a properly executed document in the county clerk's official public records provides "constructive notice" to the world of your property interest. This protects you against subsequent buyers or creditors under Chapter 13. * County clerks have the authority to reject documents that do not meet the statutory requirements for recording. Missing signatures or defective notary blocks will cause a rejection. ## What is Texas Property Code Chapter 12? The Texas Property Code is the primary body of law governing real estate and personal property rights in the state. Chapter 12 covers the recording of instruments. It dictates how and what you can file in the county public records. The county clerk's office acts as the official repository for land records in each of the 254 Texas counties. The clerk is not a judge. They do not verify the factual accuracy of a deed. They do not check the legal validity of a contract. Their job is ministerial. They look at a document to see if it meets the statutory requirements for recording set forth in Chapter 12. If it does, they record it. If it does not, they return it to the sender. ### The Golden Rule: Section 12.001 The foundation of Chapter 12 is Section 12.001. This section establishes the baseline requirement for recording any instrument concerning real or personal property. According to the statute, an instrument may be recorded if it meets one of three conditions. It must be acknowledged, sworn to with a proper jurat, or proved according to law. Section 12.001(b) explicitly states that an instrument conveying real property, like a deed, may not be recorded unless it is signed and acknowledged or sworn to by the grantor. This must happen in the presence of two or more credible subscribing witnesses, or before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments or oaths. This officer is usually a notary public. In modern real estate practice, the two subscribing witnesses method is rare. The overwhelming majority of real estate instruments are recorded because they are properly notarized. ## Acknowledgment vs. Jurat: What is the Difference? Section 12.001 requires an instrument to be acknowledged or sworn to with a jurat. You need to understand the distinction between these two types of notarial acts. Both involve a notary public, but they have different legal purposes. ### The Acknowledgment An acknowledgment is the most common notarial act found on real estate documents. You see it on Warranty Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Easements. When a person acknowledges a document, they declare to the notary that they willingly signed the document for the purposes stated within it. The notary has three jobs. They verify the identity of the signer, usually with a driver's license or passport. They confirm that the signer is signing the document voluntarily. Finally, they sign and stamp the acknowledgment certificate attached to the document. The notary does not need to watch the person sign the document. The person just needs to appear before the notary and acknowledge that the signature on the page is theirs and was placed there willingly. ### The Jurat (Sworn To) A jurat is used when a document must be sworn to. You typically see jurats on documents that contain statements of fact. Examples include Affidavits of Heirship, Mechanic's Liens, or Affidavits of Adverse Possession. When a document requires a jurat, the signer must appear in person before the notary. They must sign the document in the physical presence of the notary. They also take an oath or affirmation administered by the notary. This oath swears that the contents of the document are true and correct. A document that requires a jurat might be submitted to the county clerk without the proper "sworn to and subscribed before me" language and the notary's seal. If this happens, it fails the test of Section 12.001 and the clerk will reject it. To learn more about the specific types of documents you might encounter in the public record, check out our guide on [Decoding Texas Land Records: Deeds, Liens, and Easements Explained](/blog/decoding-texas-land-records-deeds-liens-easements). ## Why Record? The Connection to Chapter 13 Property Code Chapter 12 explains how to record a document. Chapter 13 explains why you must record it. Under Texas law, an unrecorded deed is still generally valid between the two parties who signed it. These parties are the grantor and the grantee. If you buy a piece of land from your neighbor and they hand you a signed, notarized deed, you own that land. But if you put that deed in your desk drawer and forget to file it with the county clerk, you expose yourself to massive legal risk. This is where Chapter 13 comes into play. ### Constructive Notice Texas Property Code Section 13.002 states that an instrument properly recorded in the proper county is notice to all persons of the existence of the instrument. This legal concept is known as constructive notice. Once a deed is recorded, the law assumes that everyone in the world knows about it. It does not matter whether they have actually searched the county records or not. ### Protection Against Bona Fide Purchasers Texas is a "notice" state for recording laws. Under Section 13.001, an unrecorded conveyance of real property is void as to a creditor or a subsequent purchaser for a valuable consideration who purchases the property without notice of the unrecorded deed. Imagine this scenario. Seller Sam sells a vacant lot to Buyer Bob on Monday. Bob takes the signed deed but forgets to record it. Seller Sam acts fraudulently and sells the exact same lot to Buyer Alice on Wednesday. Alice checks the county records. Bob never recorded his deed, so the records show that Sam still owns the lot. Alice pays Sam and records her deed immediately. In this situation, Alice is a bona fide purchaser for value without notice. Bob failed to record his deed under the rules of Chapter 12. His unrecorded deed is void against Alice. Alice owns the land. Bob is left with nothing but a lawsuit against Sam. Recording your documents properly protects your property rights. ## The Role of the Texas County Clerk The county clerk is the gatekeeper of the Official Public Records. You can submit a document for recording in person, by mail, or via e-recording. The clerk's deputies review it to ensure it complies with Texas Property Code Chapter 12 and other local requirements. Here is what the clerk looks for: * Original signatures are required. In most cases, the clerk needs the original document with wet-ink signatures. The exception is when you submit through an authorized e-recording portal. * A proper acknowledgment or jurat is necessary. As dictated by Section 12.001, the notary block must be complete, signed, and stamped. * Legibility matters. The document must be legible enough to be scanned and microfilmed. * Filing fees must be paid. The clerk will not record a document without the statutory recording fee. This is typically a base fee for the first page and a smaller fee for each additional page. * A grantee address is required for deeds. The document must include a mailing address for the grantee, or buyer, so the appraisal district knows where to send tax bills. Once the clerk accepts the document, it receives a stamp. This stamp includes a file number or instrument number, the date, and the time of recording. The clerk then scans it into the county's digital database and indexes it by the names of the Grantor and Grantee. If you want to navigate these indexes yourself, our tutorial on [How to Research Texas Deed Records](/blog/how-to-research-texas-deed-records) offers a step-by-step breakdown of how to search county clerk databases effectively. ## Common Mistakes That Prevent Recording Even seasoned real estate professionals occasionally have documents rejected by the county clerk. Most rejections stem from a failure to strictly adhere to Chapter 12. Common pitfalls include: * Missing notary seals happen when the notary signs the acknowledgment but forgets to stamp it with their official seal. * Expired notary commissions cause rejections if the commission expired before the date the document was signed. * Incomplete notary blocks occur when the notary forgets to fill in the date, the name of the person appearing before them, or the state and county where the notarization took place. * Illegible text is a problem. If a document is photocopied too many times or has text cut off in the margins, the clerk may reject it. They cannot preserve it properly in the public record. ## How to Find Recorded Instruments Online Once an instrument passes the Chapter 12 requirements and is recorded by the county clerk, it becomes a public record. Historically, finding these records meant driving to the county courthouse. You had to pull heavy index books off the shelves and scroll through microfilm. Today, you can access these records digitally. You might need to verify that a deed was properly recorded, check for outstanding liens, or research the chain of title for a specific property. TexasCountyDocs provides a streamlined, centralized platform for your research. Instead of navigating dozens of different county clerk websites, you can use TexasCountyDocs. You can search across multiple Texas counties, view instrument details, and access the documents you need to ensure your real estate transactions are secure. Quick access to properly recorded Chapter 12 instruments helps title researchers, investors, and homeowners. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ### Can an unrecorded deed still be valid in Texas? Yes. Between the original buyer and seller, an unrecorded deed is generally valid and binding. But failing to record the deed leaves the buyer unprotected against third parties. Subsequent buyers or creditors of the seller have no notice of the transaction if the deed is unrecorded. ### What happens if an instrument is recorded without a proper acknowledgment? A county clerk might accidentally record a document that lacks a proper acknowledgment or jurat. If this happens, the recording is technically defective under Chapter 12. In some cases, this means the document fails to provide constructive notice to the public. This failure could jeopardize the property owner's rights in a legal dispute. Texas law does have curative statutes. These statutes can sometimes validate defectively recorded documents after a certain number of years pass. ### How much does it cost to record a document in Texas? Recording fees vary slightly by county, but they are generally governed by state statute. In most Texas counties, the standard fee to record a real property instrument is $25 or $26 for the first page. Each additional page usually costs $4. You should always check the specific county clerk's fee schedule before submitting a document. ### Do I need a lawyer to record a deed? No. You are not legally required to hire an attorney to record a deed. You can submit the document to the county clerk yourself. Drafting a deed that properly conveys title and meets all the requirements of the Texas Property Code is complex. You should have a real estate attorney draft the instrument to ensure it is legally sound before you attempt to record it. *** *Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Real estate laws and county recording requirements are subject to change. If you have specific questions about drafting, executing, or recording a real property instrument, you should consult with a qualified real estate attorney in Texas.* # Texas County Pages (257 total) - Anderson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/anderson-county-tx - Andrews County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/andrews-county-tx - Angelina County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/angelina-county-tx - Aransas County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/aransas-county-tx - Archer County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/archer-county-tx - Armstrong County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/armstrong-county-tx - Atascosa County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/atascosa-county-tx - Austin County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/austin-county-tx - Bailey County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/bailey-county-tx - Bandera County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/bandera-county-tx - Bastrop County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/bastrop-county-tx - Baylor County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/baylor-county-tx - Bee County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/bee-county-tx - Bell County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/bell-county-tx - Bexar County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/bexar-county-tx - Blanco County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/blanco-county-tx - Borden County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/borden-county-tx - Bosque County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/bosque-county-tx - Bowie County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/bowie-county-tx - Brazoria County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/brazoria-county-tx - Brazos County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/brazos-county-tx - Brewster County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/brewster-county-tx - Briscoe County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/briscoe-county-tx - Brooks County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/brooks-county-tx - Brown County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/brown-county-tx - Burleson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/burleson-county-tx - Burnet County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/burnet-county-tx - Caldwell County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/caldwell-county-tx - Calhoun County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/calhoun-county-tx - Callahan County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/callahan-county-tx - Cameron County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/cameron-county-tx - Camp County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/camp-county-tx - Carson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/carson-county-tx - Cass County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/cass-county-tx - Castro County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/castro-county-tx - Chambers County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/chambers-county-tx - Cherokee County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/cherokee-county-tx - Childress County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/childress-county-tx - Clay County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/clay-county-tx - Cochran County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/cochran-county-tx - Coke County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/coke-county-tx - Coleman County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/coleman-county-tx - Collin County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/collin-county-tx - Collingsworth County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/collingsworth-county-tx - Colorado County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/colorado-county-tx - Comal County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/comal-county-tx - Comanche County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/comanche-county-tx - Concho County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/concho-county-tx - Cooke County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/cooke-county-tx - Coryell County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/coryell-county-tx - Cottle County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/cottle-county-tx - Crane County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/crane-county-tx - Crockett County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/crockett-county-tx - Crosby County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/crosby-county-tx - Culberson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/culberson-county-tx - Dallam County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/dallam-county-tx - Dallas County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/dallas-county-tx - Dawson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/dawson-county-tx - De Witt County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/de-witt-county-tx - Deaf Smith County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/deaf-smith-county-tx - Delta County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/delta-county-tx - Denton County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/denton-county-tx - Dickens County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/dickens-county-tx - Dimmit County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/dimmit-county-tx - Donley County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/donley-county-tx - Duval County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/duval-county-tx - Eastland County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/eastland-county-tx - Ector County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/ector-county-tx - Edwards County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/edwards-county-tx - El Paso County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/el-paso-county-tx - Ellis County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/ellis-county-tx - Erath County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/erath-county-tx - Falls County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/falls-county-tx - Fannin County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/fannin-county-tx - Fayette County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/fayette-county-tx - Fisher County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/fisher-county-tx - Floyd County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/floyd-county-tx - Foard County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/foard-county-tx - Fort Bend County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/fort-bend-county-tx - Franklin County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/franklin-county-tx - Freestone County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/freestone-county-tx - Frio County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/frio-county-tx - Gaines County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/gaines-county-tx - Galveston County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/galveston-county-tx - Garza County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/garza-county-tx - Gillespie County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/gillespie-county-tx - Glasscock County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/glasscock-county-tx - Goliad County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/goliad-county-tx - Gonzales County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/gonzales-county-tx - Gray County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/gray-county-tx - Grayson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/grayson-county-tx - Gregg County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/gregg-county-tx - Grimes County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/grimes-county-tx - Guadalupe County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/guadalupe-county-tx - Hale County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hale-county-tx - Hall County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hall-county-tx - Hamilton County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hamilton-county-tx - Hansford County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hansford-county-tx - Hardeman County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hardeman-county-tx - Hardin County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hardin-county-tx - Harris County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/harris-county-tx - Harrison County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/harrison-county-tx - Hartley County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hartley-county-tx - Haskell County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/haskell-county-tx - Hays County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hays-county-tx - Hemphill County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hemphill-county-tx - Henderson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/henderson-county-tx - Hidalgo County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hidalgo-county-tx - Hill County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hill-county-tx - Hockley County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hockley-county-tx - Hood County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hood-county-tx - Hopkins County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hopkins-county-tx - Houston County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/houston-county-tx - Howard County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/howard-county-tx - Hudspeth County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hudspeth-county-tx - Hunt County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hunt-county-tx - Hutchinson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/hutchinson-county-tx - Irion County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/irion-county-tx - Jack County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/jack-county-tx - Jackson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/jackson-county-tx - Jasper County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/jasper-county-tx - Jeff Davis County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/jeff-davis-county-tx - Jefferson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/jefferson-county-tx - Jim Hogg County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/jim-hogg-county-tx - Jim Wells County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/jim-wells-county-tx - Johnson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/johnson-county-tx - Jones County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/jones-county-tx - Karnes County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/karnes-county-tx - Kaufman County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/kaufman-county-tx - Kendall County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/kendall-county-tx - Kenedy County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/kenedy-county-tx - Kent County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/kent-county-tx - Kerr County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/kerr-county-tx - Kimble County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/kimble-county-tx - King County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/king-county-tx - Kinney County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/kinney-county-tx - Kleberg County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/kleberg-county-tx - Knox County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/knox-county-tx - La Salle County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/la-salle-county-tx - Lamar County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/lamar-county-tx - Lamb County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/lamb-county-tx - Lampasas County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/lampasas-county-tx - Lavaca County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/lavaca-county-tx - Lee County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/lee-county-tx - Leon County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/leon-county-tx - Liberty County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/liberty-county-tx - Limestone County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/limestone-county-tx - Lipscomb County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/lipscomb-county-tx - Live Oak County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/live-oak-county-tx - Llano County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/llano-county-tx - Loving County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/loving-county-tx - Lubbock County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/lubbock-county-tx - Lynn County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/lynn-county-tx - Madison County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/madison-county-tx - Marion County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/marion-county-tx - Martin County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/martin-county-tx - Mason County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/mason-county-tx - Matagorda County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/matagorda-county-tx - Maverick County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/maverick-county-tx - Mcculloch County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/mcculloch-county-tx - Mckenzie County, ND: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/mckenzie-county-nd - Mclennan County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/mclennan-county-tx - Mcmullen County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/mcmullen-county-tx - Medina County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/medina-county-tx - Menard County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/menard-county-tx - Midland County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/midland-county-tx - Milam County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/milam-county-tx - Mills County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/mills-county-tx - Mitchell County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/mitchell-county-tx - Montague County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/montague-county-tx - Montgomery County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/montgomery-county-tx - Moore County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/moore-county-tx - Morris County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/morris-county-tx - Motley County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/motley-county-tx - Nacogdoches County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/nacogdoches-county-tx - Navarro County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/navarro-county-tx - Newton County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/newton-county-tx - Nolan County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/nolan-county-tx - Nueces County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/nueces-county-tx - Ochiltree County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/ochiltree-county-tx - Oldham County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/oldham-county-tx - Orange County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/orange-county-tx - Palo County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/palo-county-tx - Palo Pinto County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/palo-pinto-county-tx - Panola County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/panola-county-tx - Parker County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/parker-county-tx - Parmer County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/parmer-county-tx - Pecos County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/pecos-county-tx - Polk County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/polk-county-tx - Potter County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/potter-county-tx - Presidio County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/presidio-county-tx - Rains County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/rains-county-tx - Randall County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/randall-county-tx - Reagan County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/reagan-county-tx - Real County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/real-county-tx - Red River County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/red-river-county-tx - Reeves County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/reeves-county-tx - Refugio County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/refugio-county-tx - Roberts County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/roberts-county-tx - Robertson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/robertson-county-tx - Rockwall County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/rockwall-county-tx - Runnels County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/runnels-county-tx - Rusk County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/rusk-county-tx - Sabine County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/sabine-county-tx - San Augustine County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/san-augustine-county-tx - San Jacinto County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/san-jacinto-county-tx - San Patricio County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/san-patricio-county-tx - San Saba County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/san-saba-county-tx - Schleicher County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/schleicher-county-tx - Scurry County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/scurry-county-tx - Shackelford County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/shackelford-county-tx - Shelby County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/shelby-county-tx - Sherman County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/sherman-county-tx - Smith County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/smith-county-tx - Somervell County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/somervell-county-tx - Starr County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/starr-county-tx - Stephens County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/stephens-county-tx - Sterling County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/sterling-county-tx - Stonewall County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/stonewall-county-tx - Sutton County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/sutton-county-tx - Swisher County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/swisher-county-tx - Tarrant County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/tarrant-county-tx - Taylor County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/taylor-county-tx - Terrell County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/terrell-county-tx - Terry County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/terry-county-tx - Throckmorton County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/throckmorton-county-tx - Titus County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/titus-county-tx - Tom Green County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/tom-green-county-tx - Travis County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/travis-county-tx - Trinity County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/trinity-county-tx - Tyler County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/tyler-county-tx - Upshur County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/upshur-county-tx - Upton County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/upton-county-tx - Uvalde County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/uvalde-county-tx - Val Verde County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/val-verde-county-tx - Van Zandt County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/van-zandt-county-tx - Victoria County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/victoria-county-tx - Walker County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/walker-county-tx - Waller County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/waller-county-tx - Ward County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/ward-county-tx - Washington County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/washington-county-tx - Webb County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/webb-county-tx - Wharton County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/wharton-county-tx - Wheeler County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/wheeler-county-tx - Wichita County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/wichita-county-tx - Wilbarger County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/wilbarger-county-tx - Willacy County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/willacy-county-tx - Williams County, ND: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/williams-county-nd - Williamson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/williamson-county-tx - Wilson County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/wilson-county-tx - Winkler County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/winkler-county-tx - Wise County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/wise-county-tx - Wood County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/wood-county-tx - Yoakum County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/yoakum-county-tx - Young County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/young-county-tx - Zapata County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/zapata-county-tx - Zavala County, TX: https://www.texascountydocs.com/counties/zavala-county-tx