Lynn County, TX Property Records

    Lynn County is a South Plains county in West Texas, immediately south of Lubbock County. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 5,596, with 2025 estimates placing it near 6,017. The county seat is Tahoka. New Home, Wilson, and O'Brien are smaller incorporated communities. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1903. It is named for W.M. Lynn, a member of the Texas Veterans Land Board.

    The economy is built on agriculture. Cotton is the dominant crop, grown under drip and center-pivot irrigation, drawing from the Ogallala Aquifer. Corn, wheat, and sorghum are also significant. New Home ISD, located north of Tahoka, is one of the highest-performing small school districts in Texas and has a disproportionate influence on the county's reputation given its size. There is no significant oil and gas production and no major non-agricultural employer.

    The housing market is modest and slow. ACS-derived median home values are approximately $109,600, well below the Texas statewide average of approximately $298,000. Listing ages average around 88 days. Monthly transaction volumes are low, with aggregate price statistics carrying wide uncertainty. The median household income is approximately $60,833. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, an estimated 25–29% of households are cost-burdened.

    The County Clerk's office in Tahoka operates on a split-week schedule, closing at noon on Fridays. Researchers planning in-person visits should note this schedule before making the trip.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

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

    Online Access

    Search texasfile and select Lynn County.

    In Person

    Visit the Lynn County Clerk at 1501 South 1st Street, Tahoka, TX 79373. Note that the office closes at noon on Fridays. Plan visits for Monday through Thursday when possible.

    By Phone

    Call (806) 561-4750 during business hours.

    By Mail

    Mail requests to Lynn County Clerk, 1501 South 1st Street, Tahoka, TX 79373. Include instrument details, $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certified copies, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Lynn County Appraisal District.

    • Property Taxes: Lynn County Tax Assessor-Collector. Contact through the courthouse at (806) 561-4750.

    • Texas RRC: RRC to verify any oil and gas activity.

    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) 561-4750 or mail a request to 1501 South 1st Street, Tahoka, TX 79373 with instrument details and applicable fee.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at the county appraisal district for assessed value, ownership, and exemption status.

    • Check mineral interests: For properties with oil and gas activity, search the Texas RRC for well locations and production data.

    • Confirm tax status: Verify current tax payment history with the County Tax Assessor-Collector.

    Cities & Towns in Lynn County

    • Tahoka: County seat. Population approximately 2,700. Named for a lake. Location of the county courthouse and principal county services.

    • New Home: Small community north of Tahoka, population approximately 400. Home of New Home ISD, one of the highest-performing small school districts in Texas.

    • Wilson: Small agricultural community. Population approximately 490.

    • O'Brien: Very small community in the northern part of the county.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Friday noon close plan in-person visits accordingly: The Lynn County Clerk closes at noon on Fridays. Researchers planning in-person visits should schedule for Monday through Thursday to ensure full access to staff and records.

    • Ogallala Aquifer dependency search for water rights instruments: Lynn County's cotton and grain agriculture depends entirely on Ogallala Aquifer irrigation. As the aquifer depletes, water rights instruments become increasingly significant for understanding long-term land use and agricultural value. Search for underground water district instruments and water rights conveyances when researching agricultural parcels.

    • No significant oil and gas production but mineral search still required: Lynn County has no active oil and gas production of consequence. However, mineral estates may have been severed from the surface estate in prior decades. A complete title search should include a mineral instrument search even in non-producing areas.

    • Copy fees: Standard copies cost $1.00 per page; certified copies incur an additional $5.00 fee per document. Contact the office to confirm current fee schedules before mailing payment.

    • 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, even if the title is in only one spouse's name.

    • 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 Lynn County Property Record

    • Deeds:

      • Grantor and grantee names;

      • Full legal description

      • Consideration

      • Warranty covenants

      • Acknowledgment

      • Recording volume.

    • Deeds of Trust:

      • Borrower,

      • Lender and trustee names;

      • Loan amount

      • Legal description

      • Power of sale clause.

    • Agricultural Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Description of leased premises

      • Term

      • Permitted use

      • Annual rental payment.

    • Easements:

      • Utility easements

      • Irrigation easements

      • Parties

      • Description

      • Permitted use

    • Releases:

      • Reference to the original deed of trust;

      • Statement of satisfaction

      • Lender signature

      • Notarization.

    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 mineral-related instruments, including leases, assignments, ratifications, and pooling agreements. Determine whether the mineral estate has been severed.

    • 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: $5.00 first page, $1.00 per additional page.

    Appendix A Municipalities in Lynn County, TX

    Lynn County has 4 incorporated cities and several unincorporated municipalities, including the following.

    • Cities and Towns: New Home, O'Donnell, Tahoka, which is the county seat, and Wilson.

    • Unincorporated Communities and Census-Designated Places: Draw, Grassland, Lakeview, New Lynn, New Moore, Petty, Skeen, Wayside, Wells, and West Point.

    These communities do not have independent governments. They exist only for mailing or statistical purposes. (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals

    • Lynn County Clerk of Court Office

      • Address: 1627 Avenue K, Tahoka, TX 79373

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 937, Tahoka, TX 79373

      • Phone: (806) 561-4750

      • Fax: (806) 561-4988

      • Website: http://www.co.lynn.tx.us

    • Lynn County Appraisal District

      • Street Address: 1615 Main Street, Tahoka, TX 79373

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 789, Tahoka, TX 79373-0789

      • Phone: (806) 561-5477

      • Fax: (806) 561-4057

      • Email: info@lynncad.org

      • Website: www.lynncad.org

    • Lynn County Tax Assessor-Collector

    • Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (statewide property tax and assessment data):

    • Lynn County Geographic Information Services (GIS)