Crosby County, TX Property Records

    Crosby County is a South Plains county in northwest Texas, southeast of Lubbock. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 5,133, with 2024 estimates placing it near 5,030 and declining. The county seat is Crosbyton; Ralls and Lorenzo are the other incorporated cities. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1886. It is named for Stephen Crosby, Land Commissioner of Texas from 1858 to 1874.

    The housing market is among the most affordable. Median home values are approximately $89,600, comparable to Floyd County and substantially below the Texas statewide average. Days on market average roughly 78 days based on Redfin data, though monthly sales typically number only two. Monthly transaction statistics carry very wide uncertainty. The median household income is approximately $51,132. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, an estimated 26–30% of households are cost-burdened.

    An important administrative note: the Crosby County Tax Assessor-Collector does not collect property taxes. Property tax collection is handled through the county appraisal district or other mechanism. Researchers seeking tax payment histories should confirm the correct point of contact with the courthouse before submitting requests.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Crosby County Clerk maintains all official land records in Crosby County. The office is located at the Crosby County Courthouse in Crosbyton, 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 Crosby County Property Records

    Online Access

    Search Texasfile and select Crosby County. TexasFile coverage confirmed.

    In Person

    Visit the Crosby County Clerk at 201 W. Aspen St., Crosbyton, TX 79322 during office hours.

    By Phone or Fax

    • Phone: (806) 675-2334. Fax: (806) 675-2980.

    By Mail

    Mail requests to P.O. Box 505, Crosbyton, TX 79322-0505. Include instrument details, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Crosby County Appraisal District. Phone: (806) 675-2838.

    • Property Taxes: The Crosby County Tax Assessor-Collector (phone: (806) 675-2311; email: taxoffice2@crosbycountytx.com) does not collect property taxes. Confirm the correct payment point with the courthouse. The appraisal district may handle some or all tax collection.

    • Texas RRC: RRC to verify 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 (806) 675-2334 or mail a request to P.O. Box 505, Crosbyton, TX 79322.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at www.co.crosby.tx.us 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 County Tax Assessor-Collector.

    Cities & Towns in Crosby County

    • Crosbyton: County seat. Population approximately 1,770. Named for the county. Location of the county courthouse and principal county services. Median property value in the city is approximately $59,200 (DataUSA 2024).

    • Ralls: City in the eastern part of the county. Population approximately 1,700.

    • Lorenzo: City in the western part of the county. Population approximately 1,100.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Crosby County Appraisal District: Phone: (806) 675-2838.

    • Tax Assessor-Collector (does not collect property taxes): Phone: (806) 675-2311. Email: taxoffice2@crosbycountytx.com. Confirm tax payment procedures with the courthouse.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Tax Assessor-Collector does NOT collect property taxes: This is administratively unusual and important. The Crosby County Tax Assessor-Collector does not collect property taxes. Property tax collection may be handled through the appraisal district or another mechanism. Before submitting a tax payment or requesting a tax certificate, confirm the correct point of contact by calling the courthouse at (806) 675-2334.

    • Part of the Lubbock MSA, some regional commuter connectivity: Crosby County is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area, which means its residents have access to Lubbock employment and services at a commute of roughly 40–60 miles. This provides modest demand support beyond what the county's own economy would generate.

    • Ogallala Aquifer dependency water rights instruments: Cotton and grain agriculture in Crosby County depend entirely on Ogallala Aquifer irrigation. Water rights instruments and underground water district regulations are increasingly significant for long-term land use and value. Search for these instruments when researching agricultural parcels.

    • Very thin market, two sales per month: Monthly transaction volumes typically number two. Redfin median sale price changes (e.g., "down 50% since last year") are based on single-transaction comparisons and are statistically meaningless. Appraisal district assessed values are the more reliable baseline.

    • 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 Crosby County Property Record

    • Deeds:

      • Grantor and grantee names

      • Full legal description

      • Consideration

      • Warranty covenants

      • Acknowledgment

      • Recording volume.

    • Deeds of Trust:

      • Borrower

      • Lender and trustee names

      • Loan amount

      • Legal description

      • Power of sale clause.

    • Agricultural Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Description of leased premises

      • Term

      • Permitted use

      • Annual payment.

    • Irrigation Easements:

      • Parties

      • Description of the easement corridor;

      • Water source

      • Permitted use

      • Term.

    • Releases:

      • Reference to the original deed of trust

      • Statement of satisfaction

      • Lender signature.

    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: Fees vary by county; confirm with the Clerk before mailing payment.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Crosby County, TX

    Crosby County, TX, has 3 incorporated cities and numerous unincorporated communities.

    • Cities: Crosbyton, which is the county seat, Ralls, which is the largest city, and Lorenzo.

    • Unincorporated Communities and Census-Designated Places: Broadway, Canyon Valley, Cap Rock, Cone, Estacado, Farmer, Kalgary, Mount Blanco, Owens, Robertson, Savage, and Wake.

    These communities do not operate as independent municipalities; instead, they fall under the governance of Crosby County or remain unincorporated areas within the county. (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals