Collingsworth County, TX Property Records

    Collingsworth County is in the eastern Texas Panhandle, on the Oklahoma border. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 2,652, with 2025 estimates near 2,487 and declining. The county seat is Wellington; Hedley and Dodson are smaller incorporated communities. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1890. It is named for James Collinsworth, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first chief justice of the Republic of Texas. The county name carries a spelling error from the original bill. Collinsworth had no second 'l' in his name, which was never corrected.

    Collingsworth County was one of Texas's dry counties until a 2017 vote changed its status. The county is notable in crime history: in June 1933, Bonnie and Clyde crashed their car near Wellington while fleeing law enforcement, terrorized a local family, and kidnapped two officers before escaping into Oklahoma. The economy is based on cotton, wheat, and cattle agriculture. The median household income is approximately $60,165, and the median home value is approximately $89,850.

    The Tax Assessor-Collector's office does not collect property taxes. Confirm the correct tax payment point with the Collingsworth County Appraisal District before submitting any payment.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Collingsworth County Clerk maintains all official land records in Collingsworth County. The office is at 800 West Ave., Wellington, TX 79095.

    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 Collingsworth County Property Records

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

    Online Access (Free)

    Collingsworth County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Collingsworth 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 Collingsworth County Appraisal District at collingsworthcad.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 Collingsworth County Appraisal District by mail to 800 West Ave., Box 9, Wellington, TX 79095. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Collingsworth 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) 447-5606 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Collingsworth County Appraisal District (Brittany Jameson), 800 West Ave., Box 9, Wellington, TX 79095. Phone: (806) 447-5172.

    • Property Taxes: Tax Assessor-Collector Sharon Sherwood, 800 West Ave., Box 2, Wellington, TX 79095. Phone: (806) 447-5606. Does NOT collect 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) 447-5606 or mail a request to 800 West Ave., Wellington, TX 79095.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at collingsworthcad.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 Collingsworth County

    • Wellington: County seat. Named for Wellington, England. Site of the 1933 Bonnie and Clyde Wellington incident.

    • Hedley: Small community.

    • Dodson: Very small community.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Collingsworth County Appraisal District (Brittany Jameson)

    • Tax Assessor-Collector (does NOT collect property taxes)

    • Texas Comptroller.

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Tax Assessor-Collector does NOT collect property taxes: Confirm the correct tax payment point with the Collingsworth County Appraisal District at (806) 447-5172 before submitting any property tax payment.

    • Collinsworth spelling error in county name: James Collinsworth had no double 'l' in his surname. A recording error in the original 1876 legislative bill added the second 'l', creating "Collingsworth County." The error was never corrected and is now the official spelling.

    • Bonnie and Clyde Wellington incident (1933): In June 1933, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow crashed their car near Wellington while fleeing law enforcement. They took two local officers hostage and fled into Oklahoma. The officers were tied to a tree with barbed wire, but freed themselves. This is local historical identity with no bearing on property records.

    • Dry county until 2017: Collingsworth County voted to allow alcohol sales in 2017. Historical commercial leases may reflect the county's dry-county status in permitted use provisions.

    • 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 Collingsworth County Property Record

    • Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:

      • Standard conveyance

      • Lien instruments.

    • Agricultural Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee

      • leased premises

      • permitted use

      • Term

      • Annual payment.

    • Natural Gas Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee

      • Leased premises

      • Primary term

      • Royalty rate.

    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 Collingsworth County

    Collingsworth County has two incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities.

    • Cities: Wellington and Dodson.

    • Unincorporated Communities: Quail, Samnorwood, Aberdeen, Dozier, Fresno, Lutie, Marilla, New Loco, Rolla, and Swearingen.

    Census-designated places and unincorporated communities are populated places that do not have their own government (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals