Briscoe County, TX Property Records

    Briscoe County is on the Caprock Escarpment of the Texas Panhandle, where the High Plains drops dramatically into the Rolling Plains below. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 1,435, with 2024 estimates near 1,301 and declining at approximately 10.7% since 2019. The county seat is Silverton, with a population of approximately 629. Quitaque is a small incorporated community near Caprock Canyons State Park. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1892. It is named for Andrew Briscoe, a soldier during the Texas Revolution.

    The county is on the Caprock Escarpment, a geological feature where the South Plains drops 200 to 1,000 feet to the Rolling Plains below. Caprock Canyons State Park in the southern part of the county preserves this dramatic landscape and is home to the official Texas State Bison Herd. The park also has a former railroad grade converted to the Caprock Canyons Trailway, a 64-mile hiking and equestrian trail.

    The economy is based on cotton, grain sorghum, and cattle. The median household income is approximately $45,417. Median home values are approximately $70,000–$95,000 (estimated).

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Briscoe County Clerk maintains all official land records in Briscoe County. The office is at the Briscoe County Courthouse in Silverton, Texas.

    What County Property Records Include

    The County Clerk maintains all instruments affecting the ownership and encumbrance of real property. Recorded documents include:

    • Deeds: Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, trustee deeds, and correction deeds.

    • Deeds of Trust: The primary mortgage instrument in Texas conveys a security interest to a trustee on behalf of a lender.

    • Releases and Reconveyances: Discharge instruments releasing liens or deeds of trust once obligations are satisfied.

    • Oil and Gas Leases: Mineral leases, assignments, ratifications, and releases.

    • Easements and Rights-of-Way: Pipeline easements, utility easements, and access rights.

    • Mechanic's and Materialman's Liens: Filed under Chapter 53, Texas Property Code.

    • Powers of Attorney: Including durable and real-property-specific instruments.

    • Assignments: Including assignments of leases, rents, and mineral interests.

    • Lis Pendens: Notices of pending litigation affecting title.

    • Subdivision Plats: Plat maps of subdivisions within the county.

    How to Access Briscoe County Property Records

    You can access Briscoe County property records online, in person, by phone, and by mail. The process depends on the type of record you need.

    Online Access

    Briscoe County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Briscoe County from the county list and search by grantor or grantee name, instrument number, document type, or recording date. Most deed, deed of trust, release, and lien instruments recorded in recent decades are indexed and available as scanned images.

    Property ownership, valuation, and exemption data are available through the Briscoe County Appraisal District at briscoecad.org. The portal allows searches by owner name, property address, and legal description. This is the appropriate resource for assessed values, exemption status, and current ownership; it does not replace the County Clerk's deed records for title research.

    In Person

    While online portals are often the most convenient option, you can visit the relevant offices directly for certified copies, recording, or research assistance

    By Phone

    You can make inquiries, request general information, and ask about copy fees by phone:

    By Mail/Overnight

    You can submit documents for recording or request copies of recorded instruments by mail. Before mailing a document for recording, ensure it is properly titled, acknowledged before a notary, includes the grantee's mailing address, and contains a complete legal description. Standard recording fees apply: $26.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page. Texas does not impose a realty transfer tax.

    To request copies of recorded documents, send a written request with sufficient identifying information (grantor/grantee name, approximate date, and document type) to:

    You may also request property record data from the Briscoe County Appraisal District by mail to 415 Main St., Silverton, TX 79257. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Briscoe County supports e-recording of property documents through authorized third-party providers. E-recording is primarily used by title companies, lenders, and legal professionals. Contact the County Clerk's office at (806) 823-2134 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Briscoe County Appraisal District (Chief Appraiser: Lydia Rodriguez), 415 Main St., P.O. Box 728, Silverton, TX 79257. Phone: (806) 823-2161.

    • Property Taxes: Tax Assessor-Collector Jon Etta Ziegler, 415 Main St., P.O. Box 315, Silverton, TX 79257. Phone: (806) 823-2136. Briscoe County Tax A/C collects property taxes.

    • Texas RRC: www.rrc.texas.gov.

    Step-by-Step: How to Pull a Deed Online

    To research a property deed using online resources:

    • Search TexasFile: Go to Texasfile and select the county. Search by grantor/grantee name, document type, and date range.

    • Identify the instrument: Note the volume and page number or instrument number and recording date.

    • Retrieve a copy: Download images if available. If not, contact the County Clerk at (806) 823-2134 or mail a request to 415 Main St., Silverton, TX 79257.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at briscoecad.org for assessed value, ownership, and exemption status.

    • Check mineral interests: Search the Texas RRC for well locations and production data.

    • Confirm tax status: Verify current tax payment history with the Tax Assessor-Collector or appraisal district.

    Cities & Towns in Briscoe County

    • Silverton: County seat. Location of the county courthouse.

    • Quitaque: Small incorporated community. Gateway to Caprock Canyons State Park and the Caprock Canyons Trailway.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Briscoe County Appraisal District (Lydia Rodriguez)

    • Tax Assessor-Collector (Jon Etta Ziegler)

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Caprock Escarpment geological boundary affects land use: The Caprock Escarpment divides the High Plains from the Rolling Plains, creating dramatic elevation changes of 200–1,000 feet. This geological feature affects drainage, agricultural suitability, and land valuation in Briscoe County. Properties on the escarpment proper or in the canyonlands below may have access constraints.

    • Caprock Canyons State Park and the Texas State Bison Herd: Properties adjacent to the park may be subject to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department easements or access agreements. The Caprock Canyons Trailway, a 64-mile converted railroad grade, crosses portions of the county and may create recorded easements for properties adjacent to the trail corridor.

    • Texas uses a County Clerk, not a Recorder of Deeds: The County Clerk is the statutory custodian of all recorded land instruments under the Texas Local Government Code.

    • Texas uses deeds of trust, not traditional mortgages: Search for "deed of trust" rather than "mortgage" when examining encumbrances.

    • Severed mineral estates are common: A deed to the surface does not convey mineral rights unless explicitly stated. Mineral ownership must be traced through a separate chain of instruments.

    • Texas homestead rights: Both spouses must sign a deed or deed of trust to convey or encumber the homestead.

    • Community property state: Property acquired during marriage is generally owned equally by both spouses.

    • Agricultural land exemptions: Land qualifying for ag appraisal is valued on productive capacity rather than market value. Assessed values may be substantially lower than market value.

    Typical Contents of a Briscoe County Property Record

    • Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:

      • Standard conveyance

      • Lien instruments.

    • Agricultural Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Leased premises

      • permitted use

      • Term

      • Annual payment.

    • Park and Trail Easements:

      • Texas Parks and Wildlife or trail authority

      • Description of the easement corridor

      • Permitted use

      • Term.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    All instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the County Clerk in person, by mail, or through an approved e-recording service.

    Documents must satisfy the following requirements:

    • Acknowledgment: Must be acknowledged before a notary public; dated on or after execution.

    • Legal Description: Complete legal description referencing the appropriate survey, abstract number, and block/lot designations.

    • Legibility: 8.5 x 11 inches, clearly printed, with a 3-inch top margin on the first page.

    • Grantor/Grantee Names: All parties identified by full legal name.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    • Identify the parcel: Obtain the legal description from the deed, tax records, or the county appraisal district.

    • Search the grantor/grantee index: Use TexasFile or the County Clerk's in-office index.

    • Retrieve deed documents: Trace all deeds in the chain of title. Review for legal description accuracy, warranty covenants, and reservations.

    • Search for encumbrances: Search for deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, lis pendens, and other recorded encumbrances.

    • Review oil and gas instruments: Search for mineral-related instruments. Determine whether the mineral estate has been severed from the surface estate.

    • Check Texas RRC records: Visit RRC for active wells, operators, and production data.

    • Verify appraisal and tax status: Confirm assessed value, exemption status, and tax payment history.

    • Confirm homestead status: Determine whether the property carries a homestead exemption.

    • Review plat records: For subdivided properties, confirm plat recording.

    • Obtain certified copies: Confirm the current fee schedule with the Clerk before mailing payment.

    Appendix A: Municipalities in Briscoe County

    Briscoe County, Texas, is composed of Silverton, the county seat and largest city, and Quitaque, its only other incorporated city, along with several unincorporated communities. The municipalities include:

    • Cities: Silverton and Quitaque

    • Unincorporated Communities: Antelope Flats, Rock Creek, Whitney, and Woodburn Place. (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals