Houston County, TX Property Records

    Houston County is located in central East Texas. It has a population of roughly 23,000 residents, and the county seat is located in Crockett. Communities in this county include Crockett, Grapeland, Latexo, Augusta, and Porter Springs.

    The typical home value in Houston County is $201,692, which is notably below Texas market levels. Home values in the county have decreased by 4.7% over the previous year, reflecting softer demand in a smaller, rural housing market.

    Data from the Federal Reserve Economic Data reveal that about 28% of households in Houston County spend over 30% of their income on housing costs. This scenario indicates that certain households are unable to afford decent accommodation and cater for other needs such as education and healthcare.

    In Houston County, TX, property assessment and parcel data are managed at the county level, rather than the municipal level. The Houston County Appraisal District is responsible for determining property values and keeping parcel records. You can access parcel details through the appraisal district's website or by visiting its office.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The responsibility for keeping official land records in Houston County rests solely with the Houston County Clerk's Office. The clerk's contact details and service area are listed below:

    • Houston County Clerk's Office: 401 East Houston Avenue, Crockett, TX 75835

    • Phone: (936) 544-3255

    • Email: tmeadows@co.houston.tx.us

    • Coverage: All municipalities within Houston County, TX.

    What Houston County Property Records Include

    The county clerk's office records, indexes, and preserves property documents, ensuring they are accessible to the public for legal and research purposes. These documents include deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, affidavits, subdivision plats, easements, contracts, foreclosure notices, judgments, declarations of condominiums, bills of sale, and declarations of domicile.

    In Houston County, TX, property records are maintained under the Recorded Land System. The system enables the county clerk to file and index records by grantor/grantee names, recording dates, and document types. While the clerk's office records the property documents, it does not guarantee title validity. You should confirm the validity of the title by conducting an official title search or visiting a title insurance company.

    How to Access Houston County Property Records

    You may access Houston County property records through multiple methods, including online portals, in-person visits, or other request methods.

    Online Access (Free)

    Use the official records search portal to access the Houston County property records. Through the portal, you can search for property records by using criteria such as the grantor/grantee name, document number, recording date, or legal description. By signing in as a guest, you can search and view records without a subscription. For you to purchase images or copies of the document (more than five images), you must select a subscription.

    In Person

    You may visit the county clerk's office in person to search and retrieve Houston County property records. The contact information is listed below:

    • Houston County Clerk's Office: 401 East Houston Avenue, Crockett, TX 75835

    • Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Fridays (excluding holidays).

    To search property records, you will need the owner's name, property address, or parcel identification number. It costs a $1 per page to obtain regular copies of property records, while certified copies carry an additional $5.00 fee plus the per-page charge.

    By Phone or Email

    You may contact the county clerk's office at (936) 544-3255 or by tmeadows@co.houston.tx.us to inquire about property records.

    By Mail/Overnight

    To request copies of recorded documents by mail, send a written request to the Houston County Clerk's Office, 401 East Houston Avenue, Crockett, TX 75835. Your written request should include the parties' names, the type of document, the recording date, the property address, and the legal description. Be sure to remit payment for applicable copy fees and include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk's office can return the documents to you.

    E-Recording (For Professionals)

    Houston County supports electronic recording of land documents just like other counties in Texas. This service allows title companies, attorneys, and lenders to securely submit real estate documents without visiting the clerk's office. It also provides indexing information and enables the submitters to receive immediate confirmation once the recordings are completed. The approved vendors in Houston County include CSC eRecording and Simplifile.

    What's Not at the Registry (But Matters for Property Research)?

    There are other property information, such as assessments, parcel cards, and tax-related information that are maintained by other agencies aside from the county clerk's office. These records are important for thorough property research. For example, the Houston County Appraisal District manages property valuations and appraisal records, which you can access online or directly at their office.

    The Houston County Tax Assessor/Collector's Office oversees property tax billing, payment history, and account information for all properties in the county. You can contact their website or visit their office directly. Additionally, the county provides tax rate worksheets for schools and cities to the public. However, official statewide tax rates and finance data are available at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

    Step-by-Step: How to Pull a Deed Online

    To find a deed in Houston County, TX, you can use the county clerk's official online portal. To view and print the document, follow these steps:

    • Visit the Houston County official records search portal.

    • Select the “guest login” to view the index information on the property records.

    • Enter the search criteria, such as owner's name, recording date, or document number, to search for records.

    • A list of records matching the search criteria will be displayed on the screen.

    • Once you have located the record, view the document or image.

    • To download or print the document or image, you should register for an account.

    Cities & Towns in Houston County (and Their Registry Districts)

    The Houston County Clerk's Office serves all municipalities in the county. These municipalities include Crockett, Grapeland, Kennard, and Lovelady.

    City/County Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    In Houston County, property assessments and tax information are managed by separate county offices. The Houston County Appraisal District is responsible for determining property values and maintaining ownership records. The office provides a list of data and records about exemptions, audit reports, certified appraisal rolls, and taxpayer information on its website to the public. You can search for property information and parcel data on the appraisal district's website.

    The Houston County Tax Assessor-Collector oversees property tax billing, tracks payments, and provides information on overdue accounts. Individuals can use their online databases to search for tax information by using the owner's name, property address, parcel number, or tax account number. These tools make it easier for them to find the information they need and stay up to date on property valuations and taxes.

    Houston County-Specific Nuances

    You should be aware of some specific nuances in Houston County, TX, that may ensure your property research is thorough and accurate:

    • The Houston County Clerk's Office maintains all property records in the county. No other county office handles property records at the municipal level.

    • Individuals may view property records for free as a guest using the official records search portal. Alternatively, they may choose a subscription for full access to the records.

    • Older property records may only be available in physical format at the courthouse. To access these documents, you should visit the clerk's office.

    • While the county clerk maintains official recorded land documents, other property-related records, such as zoning, building permits, and planning, are handled by individual cities. You should contact the appropriate municipal office for comprehensive land-use information.

    • No specialized Land Court exists in Houston County, TX. Real property disputes are handled by the 3rd District Court and the 349th District Court in the county.

    Typical Contents of a Houston County Property Record

    You can find the following information in typical Houston County property records:

    • Deeds

      • Names of the grantor and grantee

      • Legal property description

      • Purchase price or consideration amount

      • Recording date and instrument number

      • References to prior deeds

    • Mortgages and Releases

      • Names of the borrower and lender

      • Loan amount and terms

      • Recording information

      • Mortgage releases or satisfactions

    • Plans and Plats

      • Subdivision names and plat references

      • Lot and block identifiers

      • Survey information and boundary descriptions

    • Encumbrances and Legal Notices

      • Easements and rights-of-way

      • Restrictive covenants

      • Lis pendens or foreclosure notices

      • Tax liens or judgment liens

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    Once a change occurs in a property title, it cannot be edited or amended. To record a property title change in Houston County, you should file a new document with the county clerk's office. Ensure the document includes the names of all parties involved and a legal description of the property. The documents should also include the date it was signed, the signatures, and proper notarization in accordance with Texas requirements.

    Pay any applicable recording fees by cash, check, money order, or credit card to the Houston County Clerk. If the address of each grantee is not included, it will attract a penalty of twice the statutory filing fee for the filing of such document with the county clerk. This fee is paid in addition to the regular filing fees.

    Documents may be submitted electronically via an approved e-recording service provider, by mail, or in person at the clerk's office. You can submit documents by mail to the Houston County Clerk, 401 East Houston Avenue, Crockett, TX 75835. When submitting documents by mail, make sure you include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of processed documents.

    In-person document submission is accepted at the clerk's office from Monday through Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. When you submit a document in person, the clerk will review it for compliance and collect the required recording fees. You must present a valid government-approved ID for photo identification at the clerk's office.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    Follow these steps to conduct efficient property research in Houston County, TX:

    • Identify the correct registry or county office. The Houston County Clerk's Office is the official custodian of property records in the county. Contact the clerk's website or visit the office in person.

    • Gather key property details such as the owner's name, property address, or legal description of the specific property.

    • Search property records through the county clerk's official record search portal or visit the clerk's office in person.

    • Check property values through the appraisal district's website. Alternatively, you can visit the appraisal district office in Crockett.

    • Verify tax status with the county Tax Assessor-Collector's website or directly at their office.

    • Verify the chain of title and check for omissions, judgments, liens, or encumbrances.

    Appendix A: Municipalities in Houston County

    Houston County contains four incorporated municipalities comprising four cities.

    • Cities - Crockett, Grapeland, Kennard, and Lovelady.

    *Houston County also has several unincorporated communities and ghost towns. However, they exist only for mailing or census purposes. They are legally part of the larger city they are located in, with no government or official boundaries separate from the municipality. (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals