Foard County, TX Property Records

    Foard County, TX Property Records

    Foard County is in the Rolling Plains of north-central Texas. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 1,095, with 2024 estimates near 991 and declining. The county seat and only incorporated city is Crowell. The county was created in 1891 and organized in 1891. It is named for Robert Levi Foard, an attorney who served as a major with the Confederate Army. Foard County was one of Texas's entirely dry counties until voters approved alcohol sales in May 2006.

    The economy is based on cattle, cotton, and some oil production. The median household income is approximately $42,212 (2023 ACS data), one of the lower figures in this batch. Median home values are very modest, approximately $40,000–$65,000. The housing market is extremely thin, with monthly transaction volumes of one to two sales at most.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Foard County Clerk maintains all official land records in Foard County. The office is at the Foard County Courthouse in Crowell, 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 Foard County Property Records

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

    Online Access (Free)

    Foard County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Foard 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 Foard County Appraisal District at foardcounty.texas.gov. 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 Foard County Appraisal District by mail to Crowell, TX 79227. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Foard 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 (940) 684-1424 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Foard County Appraisal District.

    • Property Taxes: Foard County Tax Assessor-Collector. Contact through the courthouse at (940) 684-1424.

    • 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 (940) 684-1424 or mail a request to P.O. Box 660, Crowell, TX 79227.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at foardcounty 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 Foard County

    • Crowell: County seat and only incorporated city. Named for George Crowell, land agent for a colonization company.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Foard County Appraisal District

    • Foard County Tax Assessor-Collector: Contact through the courthouse at (940) 684-1424.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Dry county until 2006: Foard County was one of Texas's entirely dry counties until May 2006, when voters approved alcohol sales. Historical commercial leases may reflect the county's prior dry status in permitted use provisions.

    • Very thin housing market: Foard County has among the lowest home values (~$40,000–$65,000) and the thinnest transaction volumes in this series. Monthly sales often number one or fewer. Statistical medians from ACS or Redfin should be interpreted with caution, given this thin market.

    • 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 Foard 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 Foard County

    Foard County has one incorporated city and five unincorporated communities.

    City: Crowell (County Seat; population 718 as of 2026; named after John C. Crowell, an early settler; established in 1891 and selected as county seat by election on April 27, 1891).

    Unincorporated Communities: Foard City (competing townsite for county seat in 1891), Margaret, Rayland, Thalia, and Vivian are unincorporated communities that do not have their own government (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals

    • Foard County Clerk and District Clerk:

      • Address: 101 South Main Street, Crowell, TX 79227

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 539, Crowell, TX 79227

      • Phone number: (940) 684-1365

      • Fax: (940) 684-1918

      • Website: www.foardcounty.texas.gov

    • Foard County Treasurer:

      • Address: 101 South Main Street, Crowell, TX 79227

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 455, Crowell, TX 79227-0455

      • Phone number: (940) 684-1818

      • Fax: (940) 684-1918

      • Website: County Treasurer

    • Foard County Appraisal District:

      • Address: 200 North Main Street, Crowell, TX 79227-9998

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 419, Crowell, TX 79227-0419

      • Phone number: (940) 684-1225

      • Fax: (940) 684-1676

      • Email: foardapp@yahoo.com

      • Website: www.foardcad.org

    • Foard County Tax Assessor-Collector:

    • Online Deed Search:

      • TexasFile (1891–present): texasfile.com Free access to Foard County Official Public Records.

    • Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (statewide property tax and assessment data):

    • Foard County Official Website: