Montgomery County, TX Property Records

    Montgomery County, Texas, has more than 620,000 residents. The average home price is $346,076, a decrease of 0.5% from the previous year and about 16.5% higher than the state average of $297,000. Montgomery County homes cost roughly 4% less than the national average.

    Homes in Montgomery County typically sell within 52 days of being listed. Around 11.6% of properties sell above the asking price, while 69% sell below it. The county's real estate is influenced by its proximity to the Houston area.

    According to the Federal Reserve Economic Data, Montgomery County's median household income is $94,203, and about 27.2% of households are cost-burdened, spending 30% or more of their income on housing. This indicates that over one in four households is at risk of financial insecurity.

    The Montgomery Central Appraisal District (MCAD), under the leadership of the Chief Appraiser, is responsible for personal property assessments and real estate inventories in the county. It provides detailed information on properties, property maps, valuation data, and property tax history.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Recording Division of the Montgomery County Clerk's Office keeps the official land records for the county. This office accepts, processes, records, and publishes documents relating to land ownership in the county. Records that can be found in the Clerk's office include deeds, land patents, mortgages, tax liens, plats, and subdivision restrictions.

    You can also find relevant property records at the Montgomery Central Appraisal District's office. The contact details and direct links to their property record search tools are provided below:

    • Montgomery County Clerk's Office: 210 West Davis, Conroe, TX 77301.

    • Phone: (936) 539-7889. Official Records Search.

    • Montgomery Central Appraisal District: 109 Gladstell, Conroe, TX 77301.

    • Phone: (936) 756-3354, (936) 441-2186. Property Search.

    What Montgomery County Property Records Include

    Montgomery County property records include information on property ownership and legal information about real estate in the county. These records typically include the following:

    • Deeds

    • Mortgages

    • Assignments

    • Releases or discharges

    • Liens and Judgments

    • Tax-sale certificates

    • Lis pendens filings

    • Foreclosure notices

    • Covenants and Easements

    • Restrictions

    • Agreements

    • Subdivision or plat maps

    • Surveys

    Montgomery County runs a unified registering system for all property and real estate records in the county. The county's property records are available from the county's formation in 1837 to the present. Many of the county's property records have been digitized and are available online. You can contact the Recording Division to request copies of records that cannot be accessed online.

    How to Access Montgomery County Property Records

    You can access Montgomery County property records by mail, in person, or remotely through online portals.

    Online Access

    Montgomery County property records can be accessed on the Official Records Search portal provided by the Montgomery County Clerk's Office. You can search by grantee's name, grantor's name, address, or parcel ID. For a more refined search, use the “Advanced Search” option. You can view, download, or print a record once found.

    Alternatively, you can use the MCAD's Property Search platform to search for the county's property records. You can search by address, owner's name, or account number.

    In Person

    To access Montgomery County property records in person, visit the Montgomery County Clerk's Office in Conroe with a valid photo ID. You will need to provide information about the property, such as the property address, owners' names, or account number. The office is typically open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may request copies of the records for a fee. It costs $1 per page for plain copies and an additional $5 for certification.

    You can only record property documents at the Montgomery County Clerk's Main Office in Conroe. The documents must meet the county's recording format and be notarized.

    By Phone or Email

    You can make inquiries and get general information about the county's property records by email or phone, but you cannot request copies. Contact the Montgomery County Clerk's Office at (936) 539-7889 or countyclerk@mctx.org for information about the county's property records.

    By Mail/Overnight

    To access a Montgomery County, TX, property record by mail, submit a written request to the Montgomery County Clerk's office. You will need to provide information about the property, such as the owner's name, account number, or property address. The Recording Division also accepts mail-in recording of property documents. The documents must be prepared in adherence to the county's formatting requirements and notarized.

    In addition, the following pieces of information are useful for accessing and recording property records in Montgomery County:

    • Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the requested records or return of original documents.

    • Include the applicable fee in the form of a personal/business check, money order, or cashier's check made payable to the Montgomery County Clerk.

    • Include a valid photo ID that corresponds to the check.

    • Send the complete mail package to Montgomery County Clerk, P.O. Box 959, Conroe, TX 77305.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Montgomery County only accepts e-recording of documents from certain individuals and businesses, including licensed attorneys, lending organizations, title insurance companies, title agents, banks, and government agencies. If you are eligible, you can use an approved vendor to electronically submit property documents to the Recording Division for verification and recording. Approved vendors include Indecomm Global Services, ePN, Corporate Service Company (CSC), Hopdox, and Simplifile.

    What's Not at the Registry (But Matters for Property Research)?

    The Montgomery County Clerk's Office is responsible for recording and maintaining documents that affect property title and ownership transfers, such as deeds, mortgages, plans, and discharges. However, several other important documents relevant to property research are maintained by different government departments. These departments include the Montgomery Central Appraisal District, which is responsible for property assessments, and the Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector, which handles property tax collection.

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

    You can pull up Montgomery County deeds online by taking the following steps:

    • Visit Montgomery County's Official Records Search platform.

    • Search for the property using criteria, such as address, grantor's name, grantee's name, or account number. You can use the “Advanced Search” option to refine your search.

    • Identify your desired deed from the search results. View the parcel details.

    • Download or print the plain copies of the desired property records. For certified copies, contact the Recording Division.

    Cities & Towns in Montgomery County (and Their Registry Districts)

    The Montgomery County Clerk's Office records and maintains all property documents from all municipalities in the county. The cities and towns under the jurisdiction of the Clerk's Office include:

    • Conroe, Cut and Shoot, Magnolia, Montgomery, Oak Ridge North, Panorama Village, Patton Village, Roman Forest, Shenandoah, Splendora, Willis, Woodbranch, Stagecoach, Woodloch, Chateau Woods, Decker Prairie, Dobbin, Egypt, Imperial Oaks, New Caney, Porter, River Plantation, Spring, and Tamina.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    The Montgomery Central Appraisal District assesses and values taxable properties and real estate in the county. It also handles appraisal protests through its Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The Tax Assessor-Collector uses the assessments provided by the MCAD to calculate property taxes and collects them from residents. You can file a property tax protest with the ARB by May 15 or within 30 days of receiving your Notice of Appraised Value.

    Montgomery County-Specific Nuances

    Montgomery County, TX, has several features that may affect how property research is conducted:

    • Montgomery County maintains a single registry at the county level. The Montgomery County Clerk's Office registers properties from all municipalities in the county.

    • The Recording Division under the Montgomery County Clerk's Office records all county property documents and makes them available to the public.

    • Montgomery County uses a unified land title system; residents only need to record their properties in the county.

    • Montgomery County property records from the 1800s may be accessed at the clerk's office, and several records have been digitized for online access.

    • The Montgomery Central Appraisal District assesses property in the county, and the Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector calculates and collects property taxes.

    Typical Contents of a Montgomery County Property Record

    A Montgomery County property record typically contains a range of information about the property's value, ownership, assessment, taxes, and legal description. Generally, you will find the following information when reviewing these records:

    • Deeds (proof of ownership transfer):

      • Grantor's name

      • Grantee's name

      • Property address

      • Legal description of the property

      • Mailing address

      • Date of conveyance and execution

      • Sale consideration (the purchase price or transfer value)

      • Prior book/page or certificate references

      • Assessed value

      • Property boundaries and lines

      • Taxable value (after all exemptions)

      • Reservations or exceptions

    • Mortgages (evidence of debt):

      • Borrower and lender names

      • Loan amount, terms, and interest rate

      • Recording date and page number

      • Discharge or release details

    • Plans (visual maps):

      • Subdivision plats

      • Survey or plan number

      • Lot dimensions and layout

      • Endorsement references

    • Encumbrances (restrictions and claims)

      • Easements

      • Restrictions or covenants

      • Rights of way or shared access agreements

      • Lis pendens notices

    You may also view other information, such as power of attorney filings, history of sales, declarations of trusts, corrective or confirmatory deeds, and affidavits.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    A document that has been recorded in Montgomery County, TX, cannot be altered, edited, or removed from the county's public records. However, you may need to change a property record because of transfer of ownership, changes in boundary or easement rights, addition or removal of an individual from the title, homestead filings, or lien discharges.

    To effect a change, you must prepare a new document with the new details and file it with the Recording Division of the Clerk's Office for recording. The documents must be duly signed and notarized.

    You may file the new title in person, by mail, or by e-recording through an approved entity. All filings must meet the county's formatting standard and include applicable recording fees. The Montgomery County Clerk's office is open for recording from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    You can use this practical checklist to conduct effective property research in Montgomery County, Texas:

    • Verify ownership and legal status: Use the Clerk's Official Records Search tool to confirm details about the property, such as the current owner, deeds, and property ID.

    • Record reference numbers: Note unique property identifiers, including the book/page number, account number, or parcel ID.

    • Conduct a detailed search: You can use the Montgomery County Appraisal District's Property Search and Map Search platforms to view parcel details, noting property characteristics, assessed value, and boundaries.

    • Review property taxes: Contact the Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office to verify the current property taxes and check for any delinquencies. View up to 10 years of tax history.

    • Review zoning and land use: Contact the zoning department of the relevant city/town to confirm zoning and potential restrictions. Check for development activities that may increase or decrease the property value, including road expansions, rezoning requests, new subdivisions, and commercial developments.

    • Identify environmental concerns: Check the property's location relative to wetlands, flood zones, hazard zones, and potential risks. Confirm easy access to utilities such as water, sewer, electricity, and gas.

    • Confirm record accuracy: Ensure there are no discrepancies in the documents reviewed.

    • Document your findings: Keep copies of all documents, tax records, parcel maps, and correspondence for future reference or legal review.

    Appendix A: Municipalities in Montgomery County

    Montgomery County, TX, comprises the following information: cities, towns, and unincorporated communities.

    • Cities: Conroe, Cut and Shoot, Magnolia, Montgomery, Oak Ridge North, Panorama Village, Patton Village, Roman Forest, Shenandoah, Splendora, Willis, and Woodbranch.

    • Town: Stagecoach and Woodloch.

    • Unincorporated Communities: Chateau Woods, Decker Prairie, Dobbin, Egypt, Imperial Oaks, New Caney, Porter, River Plantation, Spring, and Tamina.

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals