Mcculloch County, TX Property Records

    McCulloch County sits on the Edwards Plateau in central Texas. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 7,630, with 2025 estimates placing it near 7,472. The county seat is Brady. The county was created in 1856 and organized in 1876. It is named for Benjamin McCulloch, a Texas Ranger and Confederate general. Brady claims the geographic center of Texas, a designation that is primarily a point of local pride rather than economic advantage.

    The housing market is very thin and very slow. The median home value is approximately $111,500, substantially below the Texas statewide average of approximately $298,000. Homes average around 194 days, reflecting a market where demand is limited, and buyers are few. Monthly transaction volume rarely exceeds five sales. The median household income is approximately $51,919, modest even by rural Texas standards.

    According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, an estimated 27–31% of McCulloch County households are cost-burdened. With low incomes and an aging housing stock, the county's affordability picture is less comfortable than the low prices suggest. Property records are maintained by the County Clerk at the courthouse in Brady.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

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

    Online Access

    Search texasfile and select McCulloch County. Index search is available; document image availability varies by year.

    In Person

    Visit the McCulloch County Clerk at 101 N. High Street, Brady, TX 76825 during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.).

    By Phone

    Call (325) 597-2400 ext. 2 during business hours.

    By Mail

    Mail requests to McCulloch County Clerk, 101 N. High Street, Brady, TX 76825 with instrument details, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: McCulloch County Appraisal District (MCAD), 800 S. Blackburn St., Brady, TX 76825. Phone: (325) 597-0818.

    • Property Taxes: McCulloch County Tax Assessor-Collector, 101 N. High St., Brady, TX 76825. Phone: (325) 597-2400.

    • Zoning (Brady): Brady City Planning and Zoning Division. Phone: (325) 597-2152 ext. 1000.

    • Texas RRC: RRC for 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 online. If not, contact the County Clerk at (325) 597-2400 ext. 2 or mail a request with instrument details and applicable fee to 101 N. High St., Brady, TX 76825.

    • 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, operators, and production data.

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

    Cities & Towns in McCulloch County

    • Brady: County seat and only incorporated city of significance. The population is approximately 5,400. All recorded instruments for Brady properties are filed with the McCulloch County Clerk.

    • Melvin: Small unincorporated community. Richland Springs, Lohn, Rochelle, and Voca are additional small communities in the county.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • McCulloch County Appraisal District: 800 S. Blackburn St., Brady, TX 76825. Phone: (325) 597-0818.

    • McCulloch County Tax Assessor-Collector: 101 N. High St., Brady, TX 76825. Phone: (325) 597-2400.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • The geographic center of Texas has no legal significance for records: The geographic center of Texas lies near Brady in McCulloch County. This is a point of local pride and tourism but has no bearing on property records, title research, or recording procedures.

    • Hunting leases are a primary recorded instrument: The Edwards Plateau economy depends heavily on hunting lease income. These leases are recorded instruments and should be searched when researching rural properties. Leases may encumber parcels for years and affect land use.

    • Very thin market statistical caution required: Monthly sales volumes are typically two to five transactions. Median price percentages reported by aggregators are unreliable. Use ACS-derived assessed values and appraisal district data as the more stable baseline.

    • 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: Much of the land in this county qualifies for ag appraisal under the Texas Tax Code, valued on productive capacity rather than market value. Assessed values may be substantially lower than market value.

    Typical Contents of a McCulloch County Property Record

    • Deeds:

      • Grantor and grantee names;

      • Full legal description.

      • Consideration.

      • Warranty covenants.

      • Acknowledgment.

      • Recording volume and page.

    • Deeds of Trust:

      • Borrower

      • Lender and trustee names

      • Loan amount

      • Legal description

      • Power of sale clause.

    • Hunting and Agricultural Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Description of the leased premises

      • Term

      • Permitted use

      • Hunting rights and restrictions

      • Annual payment.

    • Easements:

      • Parties

      • Description of easement corridor

      • Permitted use

      • Term.

    • Releases:

      • Reference to the original deed of trust

      • Statement of satisfaction

      • Lender signature and notarization.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    All instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the County Clerk. Submissions may be made in person, by mail, or through an approved e-recording service.

    • Acknowledgment: The instrument must be acknowledged before a notary public. The acknowledgment must identify the acknowledging party by name and be dated on or after the execution date.

    • Legal Description: A complete legal description referencing the appropriate survey, abstract number, and block/lot designations.

    • Legibility: Pages must be 8.5 x 11 inches, clearly printed, with a 3-inch top margin on the first page for the clerk recording notations and 1-inch margins elsewhere.

    • 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 by owner name, document type, and date.

    • Retrieve deed documents: Trace all deeds in the chain of title. Review for legal description accuracy, warranty covenants, and reservations or exceptions.

    • Search for encumbrances: Search for deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, lis pendens, and other recorded encumbrances against the property and all prior owners.

    • Review oil and gas instruments: Conduct a separate search of 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, permitted locations, operators, and production data.

    • Verify appraisal and tax status: Confirm current assessed value, exemption status, and tax payment history at the appraisal district and Tax Assessor-Collector.

    • Confirm homestead status: Determine whether the property carries a homestead exemption, which affects conveyance and lien requirements.

    • Review plat records: For subdivided properties, confirm plat recording and verify the legal description matches the recorded plat.

    • Obtain certified copies: Request certified copies from the County Clerk for closing or litigation. Fees: $5.00 first page, $1.00 per additional page.

    Appendix A: Municipalities in McCulloch County, TX

    McCulloch County has 2 incorporated cities that are served by the McCulloch County Clerk of Deeds. They include:

    • Cities: Brady, which is the county seat, and Melvin.

    • Unincorporated Communities: Beasley Crossing, Calf Creek, Camp San Saba, Doole, East Sweden, Fife, Homer Junction, Knight Crossing, Lohn, Marco, Mercury, Milburn, Military Crossing, Mitchell Crossing, Niblock, Paul Junction, Pear Valley, Placid, Rochelle, Salt Gap, Selman, Stacy, Voca, Waldrip, Walker Crossing, West Sweden, and Whiteland.

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

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals