Mills County, TX Property Records

    Mills County is a Central Texas county on the Edwards Plateau, west of Waco and northwest of Austin. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was approximately 4,563, with 2025 projections placing it near 4,576. The county seat is Goldthwaite, and it is the county's only incorporated city of significance. The county was created in 1887 and named for John T. Mills, a Texas legislator and judge. The Colorado River flows through the county, and Regency Suspension Bridge, a historic wire suspension bridge on the county line with San Saba County, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

    The economy is based on ranching, hunting, and pecan production. The Edwards Plateau terrain makes the county well-suited to cattle, sheep, and goat operations, and hunting leases are a significant rural income source. There is no significant oil and gas production. Healthcare and retail serve the local population in Goldthwaite. The median household income is approximately $64,494.

    The housing market is very thin and dominated by large ranch transactions, making aggregate statistics misleading. Redfin's month-to-month "median" swings from $65,000 to $1,040,000 depending on which properties changed hands. The underlying residential market in Goldthwaite is modest; the large swings reflect occasional ranch sales. ACS-derived values for residential properties are more stable.

    A note for mail submissions: as of August 18, 2025, FedEx charges a pickup surcharge at the Mills County Clerk's office. Parties providing FedEx labels for the return of recorded documents will be notified when documents are ready and are responsible for scheduling and payment.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    All official land records in Mills County are maintained by the Mills County Clerk. The office is located at the Mills County Courthouse in Goldthwaite, 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 Mills County Property Records

    Online Access

    Search www.texasfile.com and select Mills County.

    In Person

    Visit the Mills County Courthouse at 1011 4th Street, Goldthwaite, TX 76844.

    By Phone or Fax

    • Phone: (325) 648-2222. Fax: (325) 648-2806.

    By Mail

    Mail requests to P.O. Box 483, Goldthwaite, TX 76844. Note the FedEx pickup surcharge; contact the office before using FedEx return labels.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Mills County Appraisal District. Mailing: P.O. Box 565, Goldthwaite, TX 76844.

    • Property Taxes: Mills County Tax Assessor-Collector. Contact through the courthouse at (325) 648-2222.

    • 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) 648-2222 or mail a request to P.O. Box 483, Goldthwaite, TX 76844.

    • 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 Mills County

    • Goldthwaite: County seat. Population approximately 1,800. Named for an early settler. The commercial center and location of the county government.

    • Mullin: Small community in the southeast of the county. Population approximately 180.

    • Zephyr: Small community. Population approximately 200.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Mills County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 565, Goldthwaite, TX 76844.

    • Mills County Tax Assessor-Collector: Contact through the courthouse at (325) 648-2222.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Large ranch sales dominate market statistics treat aggregate figures with caution: Mills County's monthly transaction volume is typically one to three sales. A single ranch sale can swing the reported median by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Redfin and similar platforms show month-to-month medians ranging from $65,000 to over $1,000,000. ACS-derived residential values are the more meaningful reference for standard residential property.

    • FedEx surcharge for office pickup: As of August 2025, FedEx charges a surcharge for document pickup at the Clerk's office. Parties submitting recording materials with FedEx return labels should contact the office to confirm current procedures before submitting.

    • Hunting and ranch leases are primary instrument types: Edwards Plateau ranching and hunting lease income generate a significant volume of recorded lease instruments. Search for these in addition to standard deed and mortgage records for any rural parcel.

    • 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 Mills 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.

    • Ranch and Hunting Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Description of leased premises;

      • Term

      • Hunting rights

      • Annual payment.

    • Pecan and Agricultural Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Leased premises

      • Term

      • Permitted use

      • Harvest rights.

    • Releases:

      • Reference to 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 Mills County, TX

    Mills County has 3 incorporated cities and several unincorporated municipalities, including the following.

    • Cities and Towns: Goldthwaite Which is the county seat, Mullin, and Priddy.

    • Unincorporated Communities and Census-Designated Places: Big Valley, Blanket Springs, Bozar, Buffalo, Caradan, Castor, Center City, Democrat, Double Ford, Duke Crossing, Durenville, Ebony, Pleasant Grove, Ratler, Regency, Ridge, Scallorn, Star, and Villa.

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

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals

    • Mills County Clerk of Court Office

      • Address: 1011 4th Street, Goldthwaite, TX 76844

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 646, Goldthwaite, TX 76844

      • Phone: (325) 648-2711

      • Website: https://www.co.mills.tx.us

    • Mills County Appraisal District (Property Appraiser's Office)

      • Street Address: 901 W. 6th Street, Goldthwaite, TX 76844-9998

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 565, Goldthwaite, TX 76844-0565

      • Phone: (325) 648-2253

      • Fax: (325) 648-3458

      • Email: info@millscad.org

      • Website: www.millscad.org

    • Mills County Tax Assessor-Collector

      • Street Address: 1011 4th Street, 3rd Floor, Goldthwaite, Texas 76844

      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 56, Goldthwaite, Texas 76844-0056

      • Phone: (325) 648-3879

      • Fax: (325) 648-2324

      • Email: Lking@co.mills.tx.us

      • Website: www.co.mills.tx.us

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

    • Mills County Geographic Information Services (GIS)