Culberson County, TX Property Records

    Culberson County is in far West Texas, in the Trans-Pecos region between El Paso and Midland. At 3,813 square miles, it is one of the largest counties in Texas by land area. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 2,188, with 2025 estimates near 2,267 and slightly growing. The county seat is Van Horn; it is the only incorporated community. The county was founded in 1911 and organized in 1912. It is named for David B. Culberson, a Confederate soldier and U.S. Representative.

    Van Horn holds a unique geographical distinction: it is the westernmost incorporated community in the United States that operates on Central Time. Located at the same longitude as Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, Van Horn's earliest sunset in early December is the latest in the country for any incorporated town on Central Time. The county also contains portions of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and Blue Origin's launch facility is located near Van Horn, making it a site of commercial space activity.

    The county is 87.1% Hispanic. The median household income is approximately $42,672, and the median home value is approximately $82,600. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, an estimated 33–38% of households are cost-burdened.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Culberson County Clerk maintains all official land records in Culberson County. The office is at 300 La Caverna St., Van Horn, TX 79855.

    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 Culberson County Property Records

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

    Online Access (Free)

    Culberson County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Culberson 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 Culberson County Appraisal District at culbersoncad.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 Culberson County Appraisal District by mail to 1800 W. Broadway St., Suite 318, Van Horn, TX 79855. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Culberson 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 (432) 283-2130 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Culberson County Appraisal District (Maricel G. Gonzalez), 1800 W. Broadway St., Suite 318, P.O. Box 550, Van Horn, TX 79855. Phone: (432) 283-2977.

    • Property Taxes: Tax Assessor-Collector Aida Balcazar, 300 La Caverna St., P.O. Box 668, Van Horn, TX 79855. Phone: (432) 283-2130. Culberson County Tax A/C collects property taxes.

    • National Park Service: For properties near Guadalupe Mountains National Park, for boundary and easement information.

    • Texas RRC.

    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 (432) 283-2130 or mail a request to P.O. Box 668, Van Horn, TX 79855.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at Culberson CAD Taxing Entities 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 Culberson County

    • Van Horn: County seat and only incorporated community. Westernmost incorporated Central Time Zone city in the US. Location of the county courthouse, Guadalupe Mountains National Park access, and Blue Origin launch facility nearby.

    • Dell City: Unincorporated community in the Diablo Plateau, northeast of Van Horn. An agricultural area known for producing crops.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Culberson County Appraisal District (Maricel Gonzalez)

    • Tax Assessor-Collector (Aida Balcazar): (432) 283-2130. Collects property taxes.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Van Horn is the westernmost Central Time Zone incorporated community in the US: Despite sitting at the longitude of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Van Horn uses Central Time rather than Mountain Time. This geographic anomaly means Van Horn has the latest earliest sunset in December of any incorporated community on Central Time, occurring no earlier than 5:56 pm.

    • Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Culberson County contains a portion of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, including the Guadalupe Peak summit (the highest point in Texas at 8,749 ft). Properties near the park boundary may be subject to NPS easements or access agreements.

    • Blue Origin commercial space launch site: Blue Origin's West Texas launch facility is near Van Horn in Culberson County. Blue Origin has conducted numerous commercial suborbital flights from this site. Recorded instruments relating to the launch facility and surrounding properties may include easements and federal coordination agreements.

    • 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 Culberson County Property Record

    • Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:

      • Standard conveyance

      • Lien instruments.

    • Ranch and Agricultural Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee

      • Description of leased premises

      • Term

      • Permitted use

      • Annual payment.

    • Federal and NPS-Adjacent Easements:

      • Access easements for properties near Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

    • 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 Culberson County

    Culberson County has one incorporated city and multiple unincorporated communities.

    • City: Van Horn (County Seat; population 2,052; located at the crossroads of Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90; gateway to Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks).

    • Unincorporated Communities: Boracho, Corner Windmill, Grisham Pumping Station, Kent, Levinson, Lobo, Nickel Creek Station, Old Christian Place, Ort, Pezuna del Caballo, Pine Springs, and State Line. Unincorporated communities and census-designated places are populated places that do not have their own government.

    Culberson County is unique as one of the few U.S. counties split between two time zones (Central and Mountain) and encompasses portions of Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals