Mason County, TX Property Records

    Mason County is a Hill Country county on the Edwards Plateau in west-central Texas, approximately 200 miles northwest of San Antonio. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 3,953, with 2025 estimates placing it near 3,990. The county seat is Mason, which is the county's only incorporated city. The county was created in 1858 and named for Fort Mason, a U.S. Army post. The county is notable for its strong German heritage: early German settlers arrived in the 1850s, voted overwhelmingly against secession in 1861, and their cultural imprint persists in architecture, local surnames, and the town character of Mason.

    Mason County is the primary source of Texas blue topaz, the state gemstone, which is mined from the Llano Uplift granite formations in the county. The economy is based on ranching, hunting, tourism, and some retirement-driven demand. The county is designated a "closed range" or "fenced in" county under Texas Stock Law, meaning livestock must be kept fenced rather than being allowed to roam freely on public roads.

    The housing market has appreciated with broader Hill Country demand. Median home values are estimated at approximately $200,000–$230,000 based on ACS-derived and county appraisal data, though the market is very thin and transaction volumes are typically low, with one to four sales per month. The median household income is approximately $55,000–$60,000. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, an estimated 25–29% of households are cost-burdened.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    All official land records in Mason County are maintained by the Mason County Clerk. The County Clerk and District Clerk functions are combined. The office is located at the Mason County Courthouse in Mason, Texas. The Clerk is Pam Beam.

    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 Mason County Property Records

    Online Access

    Search Texasfile and select Mason County.

    In Person

    Visit the Mason County Courthouse at 201 Fort McKavitt St., Mason, TX 76856. Office hours are 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.

    By Phone, Fax, or Email

    • Phone: (325) 347-5253. Fax: (325) 347-6868. Email: chelsa.armendariz@co.mason.tx.us.

    By Mail

    Mail requests to P.O. Box 702, Mason, TX 76856. Include instrument details, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Mason County Appraisal District. CAD mailing: P.O. Box 1119, Mason, TX 76856.

    • Property Taxes: Mason County Tax Assessor-Collector. Contact through the courthouse at (325) 347-5253.

    • Texas RRC: RRC for any historical 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 (325) 347-5253 or mail a request to P.O. Box 702, Mason, TX 76856.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at the county appraisal district 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 County Tax Assessor-Collector.

    Cities & Towns in Mason County

    • Mason: County seat and only incorporated city. Population approximately 2,100. Named for Fort Mason. The historic courthouse square and downtown district preserve significant 19th-century Texas-German architecture. Home of the Mason Jar and topaz hunting tourism.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Mason County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 1119, Mason, TX 76856.

    • Mason County Tax Assessor-Collector: Contact through the courthouse at (325) 347-5253.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Closed-range county: Mason County is a "closed range" or "fenced in" county under Texas Stock Law, meaning livestock must be kept fenced rather than being allowed to roam freely on public roads. Fence maintenance obligations and livestock liability differ from open-range counties. Researchers dealing with rural property should review any recorded fence line easements or livestock boundary agreements.

    • German heritage and anti-secession history: Mason County's German settlers voted 85 to 17 against secession in 1861, making it one of the most staunchly unionist counties in Texas. The Mason County "Hoo Doo War" of the 1870s was a violent civil conflict between post-war factions. This history is locally significant but has no direct bearing on current property records.

    • Texas blue topaz and Llano Uplift mineral rights: Mason County is the source of Texas blue topaz, the state gemstone, found in the Llano Uplift granites. Topaz and mineral rights for the Llano Uplift formations may appear in recorded instruments. These are distinct from oil and gas mineral rights but follow similar severance and chain-of-title principles.

    • Office closes at 4:00 p.m., earlier than most Texas counties: The Mason County Clerk closes at 4:00 p.m. daily, earlier than the standard 5:00 p.m. close. Plan in-person visits to arrive before 3:30 p.m. to allow adequate time.

    • 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 Mason 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.

    • Ranch and Hunting Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Description of leased premises

      • Term

      • Hunting rights

      • Annual payment.

    • Releases:

      • Reference to the original deed of trust

      • Statement of satisfaction

      • Lender signature.

    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 Mason County, TX

    Mason County has 1 incorporated city and several unincorporated municipalities, including the following.

    • Cities and Towns: Mason, which is the county seat.

    • Unincorporated Communities and Census-Designated Places: Art, Camp Air, Fredonia, Field Creek, Grit, Grossville, Hedwig's Hill, Hilda, Katemcy, Koockville, Loyal Valley, Pontotoc, and Streeter.

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

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals