Glasscock County, TX Property Records

    Glasscock County is a Permian Basin county in West Texas, included in the Big Spring Micropolitan Statistical Area. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 1,116, with 2024 estimates near 1,068 and declining. The county seat is Garden City, an unincorporated census-designated place with a population of approximately 334. The county was created in 1887 and organized in 1893. It is named for George Washington Glasscock, an early settler of the Austin, Texas area and the namesake of Georgetown, Texas.

    Glasscock County is one of the more significant Permian Basin oil producers in West Texas. It produces approximately 4.3 million barrels of crude oil per month (June 2024 RRC data), ranking it approximately 9th in Texas. This production base drives the county's notably high median household income of approximately $101,250, the highest in this batch of 13 counties and comparable to Travis County. For a county of 1,068 people, this represents significant per-capita oil wealth.

    Garden City became the county seat when the entire town of New California was placed on wheels and moved to the Garden City location in 1893. The community was renamed at that time.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Glasscock County Clerk maintains all official land records in Glasscock County. The office is at the Glasscock County Courthouse in Garden City, 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 Glasscock County Property Records

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

    Online Access (Free)

    Glasscock County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Glasscock 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 Glasscock County Appraisal District at glasscockcad.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 Glasscock County Appraisal District by mail to 209 S. Myrl St., Garden City, TX 79739. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Glasscock 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) 354-2489 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Glasscock County Appraisal District (Chief Appraiser: Scott Smetana), 209 S. Myrl St., P.O. Box 155, Garden City, TX 79739. Phone: (432) 203-2215.

    • Property Taxes: Tax Assessor-Collector Tina Flores, 209 S. Myrl St., P.O. Box 89, Garden City, TX 79739. Phone: (432) 354-2489. Glasscock County Tax A/C collects property taxes.

    • Texas RRC: Permian Basin well records, production histories, and GIS maps.

    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) 354-2489 or mail a request to P.O. Box 89, Garden City, TX 79739.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel 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 Glasscock County

    • Garden City: County seat. Unincorporated CDP. Pop. ~334. Named after the move of an entire community from its original location in 1893 to form the county seat.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Glasscock County Appraisal District (Scott Smetana)

    • Tax Assessor-Collector (Tina Flores)

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Permian Basin oil production 4.3 million barrels/month: Glasscock County ranks approximately 9th in Texas crude oil production (June 2024 RRC data). A century of mineral leasing, assignment, ratification, and pooling activity means any rural title search must include a comprehensive mineral instrument search.

    • Highest median income in this batch oil wealth on a small base: At ~$101,250 median household income, Glasscock County exceeds Travis County (Austin). For a county of approximately 1,068 people, this reflects concentrated oil royalty and industry income. The income distribution is likely highly unequal.

    • Garden City was literally moved to become the county seat: In 1893, most of Garden City's structures were placed on wheels and relocated from the original Garden City site to the New California site, which was then renamed Garden City. The entire town was physically moved to establish the county seat.

    • 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 Glasscock County Property Record

    • Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:

      • Standard conveyance

      • Lien instruments.

    • Oil and Gas Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee

      • leased premises

      • primary term

      • royalty rate

      • Pugh and depth clauses.

    • Surface Use Agreements:

      • Operator and surface owner

      • Permitted uses; pad locations

      • Pipeline routes

      • Compensation

      • Term.

    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 Glasscock County

    Glasscock County has 1 incorporated city and several unincorporated communities and historic settlements.

    • County Seat and Largest City: Garden City (County Seat; home to Glasscock County Courthouse, historic landmark; oil and agricultural hub; established 1907 as part of West Texas railroad expansion and oil development).

    • Unincorporated Communities and Historic Areas: Midkiff (unincorporated community in southern part of county, 20 miles southeast of Garden City), Dixie (historical settlement near Lacy Creek), New California (historical settlement that became part of present-day Garden City; selected as original county seat in 1893), and scattered Edwards Plateau ranchland.

    Municipality list per Wikipedia and county sources. Confirm the current list at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasscock_County,_Texas

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals

    • Glasscock County Clerk and District Clerk (Division of Records & Recording Services):

      • Address: 117 East Currie Street, Garden City, TX 79739 (Glasscock County Courthouse; Classical Revival architecture, built 1909–1910, designed by Edward Columbus Hosford; listed on National Register of Historic Places and Texas State Antiquities Landmark).

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 190, Garden City, TX 79739.

      • Phone: (432) 354-2371

      • Clerk: Rebecca Batlá.

      • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed holidays).

      • Website: co.glasscock.tx.us/page/glasscock.County.Clerk

      • Records Available: Birth, marriage, divorce, probate, court, and land records from 1893.

    • Online Deed Search (County Clerk Records):

    • Glasscock County Appraisal District (Property Valuations & Assessment):

      • Street Address: 124 North Main Street, Garden City, TX 79739.

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 155, Garden City, TX 79739-0155.

      • Phone: (432) 354-2393

      • Fax: (432) 354-2354

      • Chief Appraiser: Scott Smetana.

      • Hours: Monday–Friday (contact office for specific hours).

    • Glasscock County Tax Assessor-Collector (Property Tax Collection & Vehicle Registration):

    • Glasscock County Official Website:

    • Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (Tax Rates & Finance Data):