Jim Wells County, TX Property Records

    With a population of roughly 41,000, Jim Wells County ranks 108th among Texas counties by size. The county is in the South Texas Plains region and spans 864 square miles. The average home value in the county is $144,509, a 4.4% decrease over the past year. This places it considerably lower than the Texas average of $297,592.

    The Jim Wells County real estate market is characterized by slower turnover relative to neighboring counties. The median list price in the county stands at $259,333, with market conditions remaining generally balanced. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that approximately 52% of residents encounter severe housing difficulties. As a result, this statistic reflects the number of households that dedicate at least 30% of their earnings to housing costs.

    In Jim Wells County, Texas, responsibility for property records is shared among the Appraisal District, the County Clerk, and the Tax Assessor-Collector. A comprehensive search typically requires using both digital access points and in-person visits to each respective office.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Jim Wells County Clerk serves as the official custodian of recorded public documents, including deeds, liens, and plats, through a centralized filing system. Members of the public may conduct online searches of real property records by name, document number, or other identifiers. The Clerk's office is located at 200 N. Almond Street, Alice, Texas 78332, and can be contacted by phone at (361) 668-5702 or by fax at (361) 668-5711. In-person services are available during standard weekday business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    What Jim Wells County Property Records Include

    The Jim Wells County Clerk administers Official Public Records (OPR) that document the history of property ownership and real estate transactions within the county. These records contain assessments, owner information, and taxation data that are vital for property research and appraisal.

    Jim Wells County maintains land title records in chronological order as mandated by Texas statutes, using volume and page citations and instrument numbers. Indexes are structured by grantor, grantee, and legal description, with current indexes accessible online. In addition, deed records dating to the county's founding in 1848 are archived by the County Clerk.

    How to Access Jim Wells County Property Records

    Individuals seeking property records in Jim Wells County may do so through in-person office visits, online portals, or other available methods.

    Online Access (Free)

    The County Clerk's office maintains a third-party portal that makes property records and indexes for Jim Wells County available online. The portal supports searches by name, date range, and document type, and watermarked images are accessible free of charge. Meanwhile, obtaining printable or downloadable copies typically requires a fee or a subscription to access.

    In Person

    The Jim Wells County Clerk's Office on North Almond Street in Alice, Texas, offers in-person access to property records for members of the public. The office makes public terminals available for research, and staff are present to assist those conducting record searches. Interested persons must bear in mind that fees are charged for printed copies of documents.

    By Phone or Email

    The Jim Wells County Clerk's Office accepts general property record inquiries by phone at (361) 668-5702. Certified copies of documents are generally obtained through mail applications or in-person requests, rather than via telephone.

    By Mail/Overnight

    The Jim Wells County Clerk's Office, headquartered at the Jim Wells County Courthouse in Alice, Texas 78332, processes recording and copy requests received by mail. Recording fees are assessed at $25.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page, with a $0.25 surcharge applied per name indexed in excess of five. Furthermore, real property transfer documents must include the grantee's mailing address and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of recorded instruments. Copy requests must be accompanied by the applicable recording references and correct payment. Although plain copies cost $1.00 per page, certified copies carry an additional $5.00 certification fee per document.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Jim Wells County, Texas, offers online property record searches, but the county has not yet implemented electronic submissions for new filings. To confirm whether e-recording has become available, residents may contact the Jim Wells County Clerk's Office at 361-668-5702. Residents may file property instruments in person or by mail until e-recording is in place.

    What's Not at the Recorder's Office (But Matters for Property Research)

    The Jim Wells County Clerk is the custodian of recorded property documents, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Individuals conducting thorough property inquiries must additionally consult the Jim Wells Central Appraisal District and the Tax Assessor-Collector, which administer property assessments and taxation through separate functions. The Tax Assessor-Collector sets tax rates, issues statements, and collects payments for the county and local taxing entities.

    The Jim Wells Central Appraisal District, located at 1600 East Main Street, Alice, TX 78332, is responsible for the appraisal of real and business personal property. Furthermore, it retains record cards, building data, land sketches, and valuations in its files. At the state level, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts serves as a resource for property tax assistance, valuation reports, certified rates, and roll evaluations.

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

    To access deeds online in Jim Wells County, individuals may follow these steps:

    • Individuals may begin their search for recorded property documents, including deeds, through the Jim Wells County Clerk's Official Public Records portal.

    • Narrow search by applying available filters for names, dates, or subdivision details as applicable.

    • Select the instrument number or volume and page reference that corresponds with a document to review its indexing data and related property records.

    • Users may be required to download documents, which typically involves registering an account, while browsing search results is generally available at no cost.

    • Printing or downloading uncertified copies of documents online may incur per-page fees, which are subject to variation.

    Cities & Towns in Jim Wells County (and Their Record Custodians)

    As the county's official custodian of property records, the Jim Wells County Clerk maintains recorded instruments for all areas of the county. The County Clerk's jurisdiction extends to the following incorporated communities:

    • A – E

      • Alice (County Seat)

    • F – O

      • Orange Grove

    • P – S

      • Premont

      • San Diego

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Distinct offices handle property assessments and tax administration in Jim Wells County to maintain accuracy and compliance. Residents may search for property details by owner name, address, or account number.

    The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts serves as the state-level source for valuation reports and certified tax rates.

    Jim Wells County-Specific Nuances

    In Jim Wells County, the record-keeping procedures established by the county over the years influence property research.

    • The clerk's office in Jim Wells County, located in Alice, serves as the official repository for all filed and preserved property-related documents.

    • All property instruments filed in Jim Wells County are recorded and indexed in sequential order. This helps to establish the legal notice necessary to protect ownership rights.

    • Since its establishment in 1858, Jim Wells County has continuously preserved property records. These records are typically organized according to grantor and grantee names.

    • Jim Wells County maintains an online portal that allows public users to search property indexes and retrieve record images online.

    • For assessment and tax collection purposes, the Jim Wells Central Appraisal District assigns each parcel a unique Geographic ID.

    • The Jim Wells County Clerk and the Jim Wells Central Appraisal District each maintain publicly accessible search tools. This enables users to identify property ownership by searching individual or corporate names.

    Typical Contents of Jim Wells County Property Record

    In Jim Wells County, Texas, property records document ownership rights, encumbrances, and the physical characteristics of individual parcels.

    • Deeds

      • Grantor and grantee names (seller and buyer)

      • The property's legal description (lot, block, subdivision, metes and bounds)

      • Consideration amount (the purchase price or nominal value)

      • Prior Book and Page References (links to earlier transactions)

      • Homestead declaration (if applicable)

      • The type of deed (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, trustee deed, etc.)

    • Deeds of Trust and Discharges

      • Lender and borrower names

      • Principal loan amount

      • Interest rate and term

      • Mortgage book and page reference

      • Satisfaction of mortgage or release of lien (when paid off)

      • Assignments (if the mortgage is transferred to another lender)

    • Plans and Plats

      • Subdivision names and plat book/page references

      • Lot and block identifiers

      • Site plans or boundary surveys (when recorded)

      • Condominium declarations and amendments

      • Master deeds

    • Encumbrances and Legal Notices

      • Easements (utility, access, drainage, etc.)

      • Lis pendens (notice of pending litigation)

      • Restrictive covenants (HOA rules, land use limitations)

      • Foreclosure postings

      • Tax or judgment liens

      • Code enforcement liens and special assessments

    Individuals in Jim Wells County, Texas, may access a range of property-related records, among them affidavits, trustee sale notices, rent assignments, assumed name filings, and judgment abstracts.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    The Jim Wells County Clerk maintains real property records for the county, encompassing deeds, liens, and mortgages. All filings are directed to the Jim Wells County Courthouse:

    • Alice Office Branch: 200 N. Almond St., Alice, TX 78332.

    • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

    Mail-in submissions must include original documents accompanied by the applicable fees. In addition, all filings must comply with the clerk's office requirements for fees, notarization, and confidentiality notices.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    This checklist presents the steps for researching property records in Jim Wells County, TX.

    • Lookup the Clerk's Records. Jim Wells County maintains a digital portal through which the public may search indexed property records dating from the mid-1900s to date. Individuals may retrieve records by entering a party name, document number, or volume and page citation. Older instruments may be reviewed directly at the Jim Wells County Courthouse in Alice, as they cannot be retrieved online.

    • Note Key Identifiers. Comprehensive property research in Jim Wells County requires noting key identifiers, including instrument numbers, citation references, and document types.

    • Trace Title History. In Jim Wells County, a chain of title is established by tracing property ownership through grantor/grantee records to confirm each transfer. Individuals may consult historical land patents and grants when tracing property titles in Jim Wells County.

    • Review Plats and Encumbrances. Researchers may use the County Clerk's index to locate tax liens, encumbrances, plats, and easements that may affect a property.

    • Cross-reference with Appraisal District Tools. The Jim Wells Central Appraisal District portal provides access to property data, including exemption filings and improvements.

    Appendix A: Municipalities in Jim Wells County

    Jim Wells County, Texas, is home to 4 incorporated cities*, along with various unincorporated communities**.

    • A – O: Alice (County Seat) and Orange Grove.

    • P – S: Premont and San Diego (mostly in Duval County).

    **Census-designated places and unincorporated communities in Jim Wells County operate without a municipal government and are overseen by the Jim Wells County Commissioners Court. (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals