Lipscomb County, TX Property Records

    Lipscomb County is in the northeastern Texas Panhandle, bordering Oklahoma. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 3,059, with 2024 estimates near 2,880 and declining at 5.9% since 2020. County seat: Lipscomb, largest community Booker, Other communities: Follett, Darrouzett, Higgins. Created in 1876, organized in 1887. Named for Abner Smith Lipscomb, Associate Justice of the Texas Supreme Court.

    Lipscomb County has an unusually high mineral value relative to its small residential population. The county appraisal data shows mineral roll values exceeding $100 million in Booker ISD alone, reflecting natural gas royalties from the Texas Panhandle gas field. The housing market is thin and slow. Median sale price approximately $130,000–$139,000; homes average approximately 108–175 days on the market. Monthly transaction volumes typically number one to two.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

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

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

    Online Access (Free)

    Lipscomb County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Lipscomb 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 Lipscomb County Appraisal District at co.lipscomb.tx.us. 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

    Call ahead before visiting: the county seat is one of the smallest in Texas.

    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 Lipscomb County Appraisal District by mail to Lipscomb, TX 79056. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Lipscomb 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 (806) 862-4131 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Lipscomb County Appraisal District.

    • Property Taxes: Lipscomb County Tax Assessor-Collector. Contact through the courthouse at (806) 862-4131.

    • 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 (806) 862-4131 or mail a request to P.O. Box 70, Lipscomb, TX 79056.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at Lipscomb 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 Lipscomb County

    • Lipscomb: County seat. Unincorporated. 30–40 year-round residents. One of the smallest county seats in Texas. Confirm courthouse staffing before visiting.

    • Booker: Largest community, straddling Lipscomb and Ochiltree County lines. total. Commercial center. Confirm which county for any Booker property.

    • Follett

    • Darrouzett

    • Higgins

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Lipscomb County Appraisal District

    • Lipscomb County Tax Assessor-Collector: Contact through the courthouse at (806) 862-4131.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • County seat (Lipscomb) has 30–40 residents: Among the smallest county seats in Texas. Call ahead to confirm the courthouse will be staffed. Booker is approximately 30 miles away and is a more practical base.

    • Mineral roll exceeds residential property value: Natural gas royalties give Lipscomb County a mineral tax base substantially exceeding its residential and commercial property value. Gas lease instruments, assignments, pooling agreements, and pipeline easements are the dominant recorded instrument types by value.

    • Booker straddles two county lines: Properties in the Ochiltree County portion of Booker are recorded with the Ochiltree County Clerk, not Lipscomb. Confirm which county applies before submitting a records request.

    • 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 Lipscomb County Property Record

    • Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:

      • Standard conveyance

      • Llien instruments.

    • Natural Gas Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee

      • Leased premises

      • Primary term

      • Royalty rate

      • Bonus consideration.

    • Natural Gas Pipeline Easements:

      • Grantor and grantee

      • Easement corridor

      • pipe specifications

      • Compensation

      • Term.

    • Agricultural Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee

      • Leased premises

      • Permitted use

      • Term

      • Annual payment.

    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 Lipscomb County

    Lipscomb County has no incorporated cities, only unincorporated communities and towns.

    • County Seat: Lipscomb (unincorporated, population 66).

    • Largest Town: Booker (population 1,595, partly in Ochiltree County).

    • Other Towns: Follett (489), Darrouzett (376), and Higgins (428).

    Full municipality list at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipscomb_County,_Texas.

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals

    • Lipscomb County Clerk and District Clerk:

    • Online Deed Search and Records:

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

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 129, Lipscomb, TX 79056.

      • Website: lipscombcad.com

      • The District appraises all real and business personal property according to the Texas Property Tax Code.

    • Lipscomb County Tax Assessor-Collector (Property Tax Collection):

    • Lipscomb County Official Website:

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