Cottle County, TX Property Records

    Cottle County is in the Rolling Plains of northwest Texas, on the eastern edge of the Panhandle. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 1,380, with 2024 estimates near 1,263 and declining. The county seat and largest town is Paducah. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1892. It is named for George Washington Cottle, who died defending the Alamo. The Pease River, which winds through the county, was the site of an 1860 battle in which Texas Rangers captured Cynthia Ann Parker, who had been taken captive by the Comanche as a child.

    The economy is based on cotton, wheat, and cattle. Cottle County was formerly one of Texas's entirely dry counties; it now allows beer and wine sales. The Tax Assessor-Collector's office does not collect property taxes. Confirm the correct tax payment point with the Cottle County Appraisal District before submitting any payment. The median household income is approximately $59,063. Median home values are approximately $55,000–$80,000 (estimated).

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    All official land records in Cottle County are maintained by the Cottle County Clerk. The office is at the Cottle County Courthouse in Paducah, 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 Cottle County Property Records.

    Online Access (Free)

    Cottle County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Cottle 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 Cottle County Appraisal District at cottlecad.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 Cottle County Appraisal District by mail to 815 9th St., Rm. 104, Paducah, TX 79248. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Cottle 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) 492-3613 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Cottle County Appraisal District (Chief Appraiser: Kayla Box), 815 9th St. Rm. 104, P.O. Box 459, Paducah, TX 79248. Phone: (806) 492-3345.

    • Property Taxes: Tax Assessor-Collector Kayla Box, 815 9th St., P.O. Drawer 908, Paducah, TX 79248. Phone: (806) 492-3345. Does NOT collect property taxes. Contact the CAD.

    • 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) 492-3613 or mail a request to P.O. Drawer 908, Paducah, TX 79248.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at cottlecad.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 Cottle County

    • Paducah : County seat. Named for Paducah, Kentucky. Commercial center and the only significant community in the county.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Cottle County Appraisal District (Kayla Box

    • Tax Assessor-Collector (does NOT collect property taxes): Contact the CAD.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Tax Assessor-Collector does NOT collect property taxes: Confirm the correct tax payment point with the Cottle County Appraisal District at (806) 492-3345 before submitting any property tax payment.

    • Pease River and Cynthia Ann Parker history: The Pease River winds through Cottle County and was the site of the 1860 Battle of Pease River, in which Texas Rangers under Lawrence Sullivan Ross captured Cynthia Ann Parker, who had been taken by the Comanche as a child and became the mother of Quanah Parker. This is local historical context with no bearing on property records.

    • Named for an Alamo defender: George Washington Cottle was one of the defenders who died at the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836. Multiple Texas Panhandle and Rolling Plains counties bear the names of Alamo defenders.

    • 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 Cottle 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.

    • 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 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 Cottle County

    Cottle County has one incorporated city and several unincorporated communities.

    • City: Paducah (County Seat; population approximately 900–1,000; established in 1901; originally a railroad town serving ranchers and farmers; benefited from oil discovery in the 1940s).

    • Unincorporated Communities: Cee Vee (northwestern Cottle County; established 1927; population approximately 45 as of 2000) and other rural communities.

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

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals