Concho County, TX Property Records

    Concho County is on the Edwards Plateau in west-central Texas. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 3,303, with 2025 estimates placing it near 3,607. The county seat is Paint Rock, Eden is the county's largest city. The county was created in 1858 and named for the Concho River.

    Paint Rock takes its name from Native American pictographs on limestone cliffs overlooking the Concho River, covering nearly half a mile upstream. The pictographs include animals, human figures, and handprints. The 1886 Concho County Courthouse, designed by F.E. Ruffini in Second Empire style, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

    One data point requires explanation: the 2020 census recorded 187.2 males per 100 females, an extreme ratio reflecting a Texas state prison unit near Eden. The underlying civilian population is typical. The median household income is approximately $56,250, and the median home value is approximately $125,000.

    An important tax note: the Concho County Tax Assessor-Collector does not collect property taxes. Property tax collection is handled through the appraisal district. Confirm the correct payment point before submitting any tax payment.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    All official land records in Concho County, TX are maintained by the County Clerk. The office is located at the County Courthouse.

    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 Property Records

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

    Online Access (Free)

    Concho County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Concho 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 Concho County Appraisal District at conchocad.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 Concho County Appraisal District by mail to 121 S. Roberts Ave., Paint Rock, TX 76866. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Concho 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 (325) 732-4312 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Concho County Appraisal District, 121 S. Roberts Ave., P.O. Box 68, Paint Rock, TX 76866. Phone: (325) 732-4389. Chief Appraiser: D'Andra Warlick.

    • Property Taxes: Tax Assessor-Collector Brent Frazier, (325) 732-4312. Does NOT collect property taxes. Contact the CAD.

    • Texas RRC: www.rrc.texas.gov for any oil and gas activity.

    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 (325) 732-4312 or mail a request to P.O. Box 98, Paint Rock, TX 76866.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at conchocad.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

    • Paint Rock: County seat. Named for the Concho River pictographs. NR-listed 1886 courthouse.

    • Eden: Largest city. Commercial center. Home of a Texas state prison unit.

    • Millersview: Small community near Lake Ivie.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Concho County Appraisal District

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Tax Assessor-Collector does NOT collect property taxes: Confirm the correct payment point with the Concho County Appraisal District at (325) 732-4389 before submitting any tax payment.

    • Prison population inflates sex ratio: A state prison unit near Eden produces a ratio of 187.2 males per 100 females in the 2020 census, affecting demographic and income statistics. The underlying civilian market is smaller than total population figures suggest.

    • Concho River pictographs and NR courthouse: The 1886 courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Concho River pictographs near Paint Rock are on private ranch land, accessible by guided tour.

    • Lake Ivie easements: O.H. Ivie Reservoir straddles three counties. Properties near the reservoir may be subject to water supply easements and Texas Water Development Board instruments. Search for these in addition to standard deed and mortgage records.

    • 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 conveying or encumbering 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 Property Record

    • Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:

      • Standard conveyance

      • Lien instruments.

    • Ranch and Hunting Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • leased premises

      • Term

      • Permitted use

      • Annual payment.

    • Water and Reservoir Easements:

      • Parties

      • Description of the easement corridor

      • permitted use

      • Term.

    • Oil and 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 (www.texasfile.com) 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 the 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 Concho County

    Concho County has two incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities.

    • Cities: Paint Rock (County Seat; population 242; original county seat established 1879; located at a ford on the Concho River; historic shipping center for pecans, wool, hides, and mutton) and Eden (Largest City; population 1,100+; incorporated 1911; located along the Concho River about 30 miles north of San Angelo; originally a stop on the San Angelo and Orient Railway).

    • Unincorporated Communities: Eola, Millersview, and other rural communities scattered throughout the county.

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

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals