Matagorda County, TX Property Records

    Located along the Texas Gulf Coast, Matagorda County has a population of about 36,000 residents, reflecting relatively stable population levels over recent years. The county ranks around 87th in population among Texas's 254 counties and covers roughly 1,100 square miles. Communities in the county include Bay City, Palacios, and Matagorda.

    The typical home value in Matagorda County is approximately $195,000, reflecting a 1.9% increase over the past year. This figure remains significantly lower than the Texas statewide average of approximately $295,000. The county's real estate market includes a mix of residential homes, agricultural land, ranch properties, and coastal real estate.

    Matagorda County's housing market generally moves at a slower pace compared with many larger Texas markets. Homes typically remain on the market for about 118 to 123 days, and median listing prices commonly range between $226,000 and $283,000. These longer listing times often indicate a more balanced market, where buyers and sellers have relatively similar negotiating power.

    The Federal Reserve Economic Data shows that more than 27% of households in Matagorda County spend at least 30% of their income on housing expenses. When households spend this much of their income on housing, it can make it harder to pay for other basic needs such as food, healthcare, and transportation.

    Although Matagorda County maintains centralized recording for property documents through the County Clerk's Office, a complete property search may require contacting several local city or municipal assessor offices. The County Clerk records deeds, liens, and other real estate documents, while the Matagorda County Appraisal District maintains property values and parcel information used for tax assessments. The Matagorda County Tax Assessor-Collector manages property tax accounts and payment records.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Matagorda County Clerk's Office maintains all official land records for the county and serves as the county recorder. The office receives, indexes, and preserves real estate documents for all properties, including those located in both incorporated and unincorporated areas. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, plats, and other instruments affecting real estate ownership. Once recorded, these documents become part of the county's permanent public record.

    You can visit the office at:

    • Matagorda County Clerk's Office: 1700 7th Street, Room 325, Bay City, TX 77414
      Phone - (979) 244-7621, Records Search

    Email - coclerk@co.matagorda.tx.us
    Coverage - All properties and land records within Matagorda County, including incorporated cities and unincorporated areas.

    What Matagorda County Property Records Include

    Matagorda County property records are official documents that track ownership, transfers, and legal interests affecting real estate within the county. These records provide the legal foundation for property ownership and can be viewed by homeowners, buyers, lenders, title companies, and government agencies. Access to these records is, however, subject to applicable copy fees and procedural requirements.

    Common documents found in Matagorda County property records include Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds, mortgage releases, mechanic's liens and tax liens, easements, subdivision plats and surveys, notices of lis pendens, affidavits, and judgments affecting real property.

    Texas counties, including Matagorda County, operate under a recorded land title system. Under this system, property documents are recorded and indexed based on the names of the parties involved and the type of instrument filed. This allows the public to trace a property's ownership history and review documents that affect its legal status.

    Official land records in Matagorda County date back to 1837. Historical deed indexes covering 1837 to 1956 are available through archived index books. Many property records from 1955 to the present can be searched online through the County Clerk's Official Records Search portal. Earlier documents may require access to physical record books, microfilm archives, or assistance from the County Clerk's Office.

    How to Access Matagorda County Property Records

    Matagorda County property records can be accessed through several methods, including online searches, in-person visits, and written requests.

    Online Access (Free)

    The Matagorda County Clerk's Office provides an online records search system that allows individuals to view recorded documents by name, document type, file number, or recording date. The system typically provides basic index information and may allow requestors to view scanned images of certain documents.

    Online searches through this portal are commonly used to locate deeds, liens, plats, and other recorded instruments. While searching the index is generally free, fees may apply when downloading documents or requesting certified copies.

    In Person

    You can visit the County Clerk's office to view and obtain copies of property documents at:

    • Matagorda County Clerk's Office: 1700 7th Street, Room 325, Bay City, TX 77414

    Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays (excluding county holidays).

    Standard copies typically cost about $1.00 per page, while certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page. Recording a new real property document generally costs $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page.

    By Phone or Email

    For questions about accessing deeds, mortgages, and other documents, you may contact the Matagorda County Clerk's Office by phone at (979) 244-7621 or via email at countyclerk@co.matagorda.tx.us. The office also provides information about fees and request procedures.

    By Mail/Overnight

    You can submit property documents for recording or request copies of land records by mail through the Matagorda County Clerk's Office. Send your materials to 1700 7th Street, Room 325, Bay City, TX 77414. If you are submitting a document for recording, you must include the original, signed, and notarized document, a self-addressed stamped envelope for returning the recorded document, and the appropriate recording fee. Recording fees are typically $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page. Payment is generally accepted by check or money order payable to the County Clerk.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    If you are a title company, law firm, lender, or another professional who regularly submits property documents, you can do so electronically in Matagorda through authorized e-recording providers. These providers include Simplifile, CSC e-Recording, and ePN. Availability and registration requirements may vary by vendor, so you should check the County Clerk's website for the most current instructions and approved service providers.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office (But Matters for Property Research)?

    Although the Matagorda County Clerk's Office maintains the county's official land records, other property-related information is handled by separate local offices. The Matagorda County Appraisal District maintains property values, parcel characteristics, and ownership records used for tax assessments. The Tax Assessor-Collector manages property tax accounts, payments, and delinquencies.

    Building permits, zoning classifications, and land-use regulations are typically handled by the local city planning or building department, depending on the property's location.

    Because these responsibilities are shared across multiple offices in Matagorda County, thorough property research often requires reviewing records from the County Clerk, the Appraisal District, the Tax Assessor-Collector, and, in some cases, the relevant municipal planning office. For statewide comparisons of tax rates and property values, researchers may also consult reports published by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

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

    You can search and review deeds and other recorded documents in Matagorda County by following these steps:

    • Visit the official records search portal maintained by the Matagorda County Clerk's Office.

    • Select a search option. Most users search by grantor or grantee name, although searches can also be performed by document number, document type, or recording date.

    • Enter the required search information and submit the query.

    • Review the list of results and select the document that matches the property or parties you are researching.

    • Open the record to view the indexed details and available document images. You may download or request a certified copy of the deed if needed.

    When reviewing a deed, note important reference details such as the instrument number, recording date, and prior recording references. These details help you trace earlier transactions and follow the property's chain of title.

    Cities & Towns in Matagorda County (and Their Record Custodian)

    The Clerk's Office maintains all official land records in Matagorda County. This means that property documents for every municipality and unincorporated community within the county are recorded and preserved by the County Clerk.

    The county's incorporated cities include:

    • Bay City

    • Palacios

    In addition to these cities, Matagorda County contains several smaller communities and unincorporated areas, including:

    • Blessing

    • Collegeport

    • Matagorda

    • Sargent

    • Markham

    • Van Vleck

    Regardless of the property's location within the county, deeds, liens, plats, and other real estate documents are filed with the County Clerk's office.

    City/County Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    The Matagorda County Appraisal District is responsible for determining the taxable value of real property in the county. The district maintains appraisal records, parcel information, ownership data, and property characteristics used for property tax assessments. It also provides an online property search system that allows individuals to look up parcel data by owner name, property address, or account number through the Matagorda CAD Property Search portal.

    Property tax billing and collection are managed by the Matagorda County Tax Assessor-Collector. This office maintains property tax accounts, tax payment records, and delinquency information, and collects property taxes for the county and other local taxing entities.

    For complete property research, it is common to review records from all three offices: the County Clerk for recorded documents, the Appraisal District for property valuation and parcel information, and the Tax Assessor-Collector for property tax records.

    Matagorda County–Specific Nuances

    Property records in Matagorda County follow the standard Texas county recording framework, but several local characteristics can influence how property research is conducted:

    • Centralized recording system - All land records are recorded and maintained by the Matagorda County Clerk's Office, which serves every city and unincorporated area within the county.

    • Chronological recording structure - Documents are recorded in the order they are received and assigned a unique instrument or document number. Records are indexed by grantor and grantee names, as well as by document number and recording date.

    • Appraisal district system - Property values, parcel data, and exemption records are maintained separately by the Matagorda County Appraisal District, which operates independently from the County Clerk.

    • Tax administration - Property tax billing and collections are handled by the Matagorda County Tax Assessor-Collector, so tax records must be reviewed separately from recorded land documents.

    • Diverse land use patterns - The county includes coastal property, agricultural land, residential neighborhoods, and rural tracts. As a result, property research may involve reviewing subdivision plats, easements, coastal-related filings, and appraisal district records related to agricultural or open-space valuation.

    Typical Contents of a Matagorda County Property Record

    A Matagorda County property record typically consists of multiple documents that confirm the property's ownership history, legal boundaries, and financial obligations. These records commonly include the following information:

    • Deeds

      • Names of the grantor and grantee (seller and buyer)

      • Legal description of the property (lot, block, survey, or metes and bounds)

      • Consideration amount (the declared purchase price or transfer value)

      • Recording date and instrument number

      • Prior recording references

    • Deeds of Trust and Mortgage Documents

      • Names of the borrower and lender

      • Loan amount and repayment terms

      • Recording details and instrument number

      • Release or reconveyance information when the loan is satisfied

    • Plats and Surveys

      • Subdivision or survey name

      • Lot and block numbers

      • Boundary measurements

      • Plat references and filing dates

    • Encumbrances and Legal Notices

      • Easements (utility, drainage, or access rights)

      • Liens, including mechanic's liens and tax liens

      • Restrictive covenants affecting property use

      • Notices of lis pendens related to pending litigation

    Other documents recorded in property records may include affidavits, powers of attorney, assignments of liens, and corrective deeds.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    In Matagorda County, documents that change property ownership or legal interests must be recorded with the Matagorda County Clerk's Office. Recording a document ensures that the transaction becomes part of the county's official public land records and provides legal notice of the change in ownership or interest.

    Common documents recorded with the County Clerk include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, lien releases, easements, assignments of interest, and subdivision plats. Before submitting a document for recording, it must meet Texas recording requirements. These requirements generally include a complete legal description of the property, the required signatures of the parties involved, and proper notarization when applicable. Recording fees must also be paid at the time the document is filed.

    Documents may be submitted to the County Clerk in several ways. You can record a document in person at the County Clerk's office located at 1700 7th Street, Room 325, Bay City, TX 77414. Documents may also be submitted by mail by sending the original document, the required recording fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope so the recorded document can be returned after processing. In addition, professional filers such as title companies, lenders, and law firms may submit documents electronically through approved e-recording vendors. Once the Clerk accepts the document, it is recorded, assigned an instrument number, and indexed as part of the county's permanent public land records.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    The following checklist outlines a practical approach for researching property records in Matagorda County:

    • Start with the County Clerk's Office - Search the official records index maintained by the County Clerk's Office to locate liens, deeds, and other recorded documents.

    • Record key reference numbers - Note the instrument number, recording date, and any prior document references listed in the record.

    • Trace the chain of title - Use the prior references on each deed to locate earlier transactions and confirm the property's ownership history.

    • Review plats and encumbrances - Check for subdivision plats, deeds of trust, easements, liens, restrictive covenants, and other documents that may affect the property.

    • Verify parcel information - Cross-check ownership details and parcel data through the Matagorda County Appraisal District property search system.

    • Confirm tax information - Review property tax records and payment history through the Matagorda County Tax Assessor-Collector.

    Following these steps helps ensure that property ownership history, legal restrictions, and tax obligations are properly documented.

    Appendix A: Cities and Communities in Matagorda County

    Matagorda County includes two incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities and census-designated places.

    Cities:

    • Bay City

    • Palacios

    Census-designated places and communities include:

    • Matagorda

    • Van Vleck

    • Blessing

    • Collegeport

    • Sargent

    All property records for these areas are recorded and maintained by the Matagorda County Clerk's Office.

    *Incorporated municipalities in Matagorda County are cities and towns recognized under Texas law. Their incorporation details are maintained through state and municipal records rather than a single consolidated county source.

    **Matagorda County includes several unincorporated communities and census-designated places. These locations exist primarily for geographic or census purposes and are not independent municipalities. (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals

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