Jeff Davis County, TX Property Records

    Jeff Davis County is in the Trans-Pecos region of far West Texas, in the Davis Mountains. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was approximately 2,278, with 2024 estimates near 1,865 and declining at approximately 16.8% since 2019. The county seat is Fort Davis, an unincorporated census-designated place with a population of approximately 1,024. The county was created in 1887 and organized in 1887. It is named for Jefferson Davis, who served as U.S. Secretary of War when the nearby frontier fort was established in 1854.

    Jeff Davis County contains two significant destinations. Fort Davis National Historic Site preserves the best-remaining example of a frontier military post in the American Southwest, including the barracks of the Buffalo Soldiers, African American troops who served on the frontier after the Civil War. McDonald Observatory, operated by the University of Texas at Austin on Mount Locke (elevation 6,791 ft), is one of the world's premier astronomical research facilities and hosts public programs. The Davis Mountains provide exceptional outdoor recreation.

    The economy is based on ranching, tourism, and the university observatory. The median household income is approximately $59,286, and median home values are approximately $180,000–$230,000 (estimated, reflecting high-desert ranch and second-home demand). The 1910–1911 Jeff Davis County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse is at 100 Court Avenue, Fort Davis, TX 79734.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Jeff Davis County Clerk maintains all official land records in Jeff Davis County. The office is at the Jeff Davis County Courthouse, Fort Davis, 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 Jeff Davis County Property Records

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

    Online Access (Free)

    Jeff Davis County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Jeff Davis 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 Jeff Davis County Appraisal District. 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 Jeff Davis County Appraisal District by mail to Fort Davis, TX 79734. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Jeff Davis 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) 426-3968 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Jeff Davis County Appraisal District.

    • Property Taxes: Jeff Davis County Tax Assessor-Collector. Contact through the courthouse at (432) 426-3968.

    • National Park Service (Fort Davis): For properties adjacent to Fort Davis National Historic Site, contact the NPS.

    • Texas RRC: www.rrc.texas.gov.

    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) 426-3968 or mail a request to P.O. Box 836, Fort Davis, TX 79734.

    • 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 Jeff Davis County

    • Fort Davis: County seat. Unincorporated CDP. Site of Fort Davis National Historic Site (established 1854) and gateway to McDonald Observatory and the Davis Mountains.

    • Valentine: Small unincorporated community near the Presidio County line. Famous for its February Valentine's Day card-mailing tradition.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Jeff Davis County Appraisal District

    • Jeff Davis County Tax Assessor-Collector: Contact through the courthouse at (432) 426-3968.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Fort Davis National Historic Site and Buffalo Soldiers: Fort Davis, established in 1854, is one of the best-preserved frontier army posts in the US. It was the post of the Buffalo Soldiers African American troops of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and 24th and 25th Infantry who served in West Texas after the Civil War. Properties adjacent to the National Historic Site may be subject to NPS easements or access agreements.

    • McDonald Observatory on UT System land: McDonald Observatory is operated by the University of Texas at Austin on Mount Locke (6,791 ft) and Mount Fowlke. The observatory's dark-sky ordinances affect lighting regulations for a significant area around the facility. Properties within the dark-sky zone may be subject to county ordinances restricting outdoor lighting.

    • NR courthouse (1910–1911, Classic Revival/Beaux-Arts): The Jeff Davis County Courthouse at 100 Court Avenue, Fort Davis, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a State Antiquities Landmark.

    • Named for Jefferson Davis: The county is named for Jefferson Davis, who was U.S. Secretary of War when Fort Davis was established in 1854 and later became President of the Confederate States. Fort Davis, the town, shares this naming lineage.

    • 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 Jeff Davis County Property Record

    • Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:

      • Standard conveyance

      • lien instruments.

    • Ranch and Hunting Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Description of leased premises

      • Term

      • Permitted use

      • Annual payment.

    • Federal and NPS-Adjacent Easements:

      • Access easements for properties near Fort Davis National Historic Site.

    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 Jeff Davis County

    Jeff Davis County has 2 incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities and historic sites.

    • County Seat and Largest Town: Fort Davis (home to historic Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory, and the Jeff Davis County Courthouse, 1910–1911 Classic Revival/Beaux-Arts style, the highest-elevation courthouse in Texas; 175 miles southeast of El Paso).

    • Other City: Valentine.

    • Unincorporated Communities and Historic Areas: Chispa, Bell Place, Corner Windmill, Old Place Windmill, Saltlick Mill, Davis Mountains (Texas' highest mountain range), and scenic Trans-Pecos region rangeland.

    Full list at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Davis_County,_Texas.

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals

    • Jeff Davis County Clerk and District Clerk:

      • Street Address: 100 Court Avenue, Fort Davis, TX 79734 (Jeff Davis County Courthouse; 1910–1911 Classic Revival/Beaux-Arts architecture, the highest-elevation courthouse in Texas, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002).

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 398, Fort Davis, TX 79734.

      • Phone: (432) 426-3251

      • Fax: (432) 426-3760

      • Clerk: Jennifer Wright.

      • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

      • Website: jeffdaviscounty.texas.gov/page/jeffdavis.County.Clerk

    • Online Deed Search and Property Records:

      • TexasFile provides free access to Jeff Davis County Official Public Records (images and index available 1887–present).

      • Website: texasfile.com

    • Jeff Davis County Appraisal District (Tax Maps, Property Values, & Assessment):

      • Street Address: 100 Court Avenue, Fort Davis, TX 79734-9998.

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 373, Fort Davis, TX 79734-0373.

      • Chief Appraiser: Gary Zeitler, Interim.

      • Phone: (432) 426-3210

      • Fax: (432) 426-3437

      • Email: jeffdavisappraisal@yahoo.com

      • Hours: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.

      • Website: jeffdaviscad.org

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

    • Davis Mountains and National Scenic Area:

      • Information regarding the Davis Mountains (Texas's highest mountain range) and related land inquiry resources.

      • Contact Jeff Davis County or the U.S. Forest Service for public lands information.

    • Jeff Davis County Official Website:

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