Menard County, TX Property Records
Menard County is on the Edwards Plateau in west-central Texas, approximately 50 miles northwest of Mason. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 1,962, with 2025 projections near 1,865 and declining at approximately 2.4% annually. The county seat and only city is Menard, with a population of approximately 1,348. The county was created in 1858 and organized in 1871. It is named for Michel Branamour Menard, the founder of Galveston, Texas.
Menard County contains two sites of major historical significance. Fort McKavett, established in 1852 and abandoned in 1883, is a well-preserved Texas State Historic Site southeast of Menard along the San Saba River. In 1757, Spanish Franciscan missionaries established Mission Santa Cruz de San Sabá near the present town of Menard. It was destroyed just one year later by a Comanche and Wichita raid in 1758, one of the bloodiest confrontations between Spain and the Comanche in Texas history. The ruins are a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
The economy is based on ranching, hunting, and pecan production. The housing market is extremely thin; large ranch sales dominate and make aggregate price statistics unreliable. The median household income is approximately $48,191. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, an estimated 28–32% of households are cost-burdened.
Who Keeps the Official Land Records
The Menard County Clerk maintains all official land records in Menard County. The office is at the Menard County Courthouse in Menard, 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 Menard County Property Records
You can access Motley County property records online, in person, by phone, and by mail. The process depends on the type of record you need.
Online Access
Motley County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Motley 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 Floyd County Appraisal District (serves Motley County) at co.motley.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
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 Floyd County Appraisal District (serves Motley County) by mail to 104 E. California St., Floydada, TX 79235. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.
E-Recording (Professionals)
Motley 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) 347-2621 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.
What's Not at the County Clerk's Office
Property Appraisal: Menard County Appraisal District.
Property Taxes: Menard County Tax Assessor-Collector. Contact through the courthouse at (325) 396-4682.
Texas Historical Commission: for Fort McKavett State Historic Site and Mission San Sabá preservation inquiries.
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 (325) 396-4682 or mail a request to P.O. Box 1028, Menard, TX 76859.
Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at Menard 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 Menard County
Menard: County seat and only city. On the San Saba River. Named for the county. Near Fort McKavett State Historic Site and Mission San Sabá ruins.
City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes
Menard County Appraisal District
Menard County Tax Assessor-Collector: Contact through the courthouse at (325) 396-4682.
Texas Comptroller
County-Specific Nuances
Mission Santa Cruz de San Sabá (1757–1758): The Franciscan mission established near present-day Menard was destroyed in 1758 by a massive Comanche and Wichita raid, killing two priests and dozens of soldiers and converts. It was one of the most violent confrontations between Spain and the Comanche in Texas. The ruins are a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Properties near the mission site may be subject to preservation instruments.
Fort McKavett State Historic Site: Fort McKavett, established in 1852, is a well-preserved frontier army post on the San Saba River. Properties adjacent to the state historic site may be subject to Texas Historical Commission easements or access agreements.
Extremely thin market, large ranch sales distort statistics: Menard County's Redfin data shows median sale prices ranging from $352,500 to over $1,000,000, depending on which properties traded in a given month. These figures reflect occasional large ranch sales, not residential values. ACS-derived and appraisal district values are the more meaningful reference for standard residential property
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 Menard County Property Record
Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:
Standard conveyance
Llien instruments.
Ranch and Hunting Leases:
Lessor and lessee
Description of leased premises
Term
Permitted use
Annual payment.
Pecan Orchard Leases:
Lessor and lessee
Leased premises
term;
Harvest rightS
Annual payment.
Historic Preservation Instruments:
Easements and agreements relating to Fort McKavett or Mission San Sabá site properties.
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 (www.texasfile.com) 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. Determine whether the mineral estate has been severed from the surface estate.
Check Texas RRC records: Visit www.rrc.texas.gov 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 Menard County
Menard County has 1 incorporated city and several unincorporated communities.
County Seat and Largest City: Menard.
Unincorporated Communities: Beyer Crossing, Callan, Erna, Fivemile Crossing, Fort McKavett, Fourmile Crossing, Hext, Saline, Tenmile Crossing, and Twentymile Crossing.
Full municipality list at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menard_County,_Texas.
Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals
Menard County Clerk and District Clerk:
Physical Address: 206 East San Saba Avenue, Menard, TX 76859 (Courthouse).
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1038, Menard, TX 76859.
Phone: (325) 396-4682
Fax: (325) 396-2047
Clerk: Christy Eggleston.
Hours: Regular courthouse business hours, Monday–Friday. Confirm current hours.
Email: [email protected]
Online Deed Search and Records:
TexasFile provides free access to Menard County Official Public Records.
Website: texasfile.com
Menard County Appraisal District (Tax Maps, Property Values, & Assessment):
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1008, Menard, TX 76859-1008.
Website: menardcad.org
Property Tax Database: texastaxtransparency.com/Menard/
The District appraises all real and business personal property according to the Texas Property Tax Code.
Menard County Tax Assessor-Collector (Property Tax Collection):
Street Address: 206 East San Saba Avenue, Menard, Texas 76859.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 215, Menard, Texas.
Tax Assessor-Collector: Tim Powell.
Phone: (325) 396-4523
Website: co.menard.tx.us/page/menard.County.Assessor.Collector
Menard County Official Website:
Website: co.menard.tx.us
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (Tax Rates & Finance Data):