Knox County, TX Property Records

    Knox County is in the Rolling Plains of northwest Texas. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 3,353, with 2025 estimates near 3,192 and declining at 1.9% annually. The county seat is Benjamin, and Munday is the largest city. Created in 1858 and organized in 1886. Named for Henry Knox, the first U.S. Secretary of War.

    The economy is based on wheat, cotton, and cattle agriculture, with emerging wind energy development. Benjamin is one of the smallest county seats in Texas population of 196, and the courthouse was built by WPA labor in 1938. The median household income is approximately $56,304, and the median home values are approximately $60,000–$80,000.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Knox County Clerk maintains all official land records in Knox County. The office is at the Knox County Courthouse, P.O. Box 47, Benjamin, TX 79505.

    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 Knox County Property Records

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

    Online Access

    Knox County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Knox 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 Knox 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).

    You may also request property record data from the Knox County Appraisal District by mail to Benjamin, TX 79505. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Knox 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) 459-2441 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Knox County Appraisal District.

    • Property Taxes: Knox County Tax Assessor-Collector. Contact through the courthouse at (940) 459-2441.

    • 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) 459-2441 or mail a request to P.O. Box 47, Benjamin, TX 79505.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at Knox County, Texas 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 Knox County

    • Benjamin: County seat. WPA courthouse (1938). One of the smallest county seats in Texas.

    • Munday: Largest city. Commercial center.

    • Knox City: Small community.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Knox County Appraisal District

    • Knox County Tax Assessor-Collector: Contact through the courthouse at (940) 459-2441.

    • Texas Comptroller.

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Benjamin is among the smallest county seats in Texas: Population 196 at the 2020 census. Confirm the courthouse will be staffed before making the trip.

    • Wind energy leases are an emerging instrument type: Wind turbine easements and lease instruments are a growing category of recorded documents and should be searched in addition to standard oil and gas instruments for any rural parcel.

    • 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 to convey or encumber 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 Knox 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.

    • Wind Energy Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee

      • Turbine and access easement descriptions

      • Term

      • Royalty or 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 Knox County

    Knox County has 4 incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities.

    • County Seat: Benjamin.

    • Largest City: Knox City.

    • Other Cities: Goree and Munday.

    • Unincorporated Communities: Gilliland, Hefner, Rhineland, Sunset, Truscott, Union Grove, and Vera.

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

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals

    • Knox County Clerk and District Clerk:

      • Street Address: 100 West Cedar Street, Benjamin, TX 79505 (Courthouse).

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 196, Benjamin, TX 79505-0196.

      • Phone: (940) 459-2441

      • Fax: (940) 459-2005

      • Clerk: Jeannie Clark.

      • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. E-filing required for district and county court filings.

      • Website: knoxcountytexas.org/page/knox.county.district.clerk

    • Online Deed Search and Property Records:

      • TexasFile provides free access to Knox County Official Public Records (2008–present).

      • Website: texasfile.com

      • TaxNetUSA offers searchable appraisal district data and deed records.

      • Website: taxnetusa.com/texas/knox

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

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

    • Knox County Official Website:

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