Reagan County, TX Property Records

    Reagan County is on the Edwards Plateau in West Texas, northwest of San Angelo. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 3,385, with 2025 estimates near 3,166. County seat and only significant city: Big Lake. Created in 1903 and named for John Henninger Reagan, Postmaster General of the Confederacy, U.S. Senator, and first chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

    The Big Lake Oilfield, discovered on University of Texas System land in 1923, opened the entire Permian Basin to oil development and funded the Permanent University Fund. The county currently produces approximately 5.5 million barrels of crude oil per month (June 2024 RRC data), ranking it approximately 7th in Texas.

    Oil field wages influence the housing market. Median sale prices run approximately $250,000–$285,000 (Redfin, 2025). The median household income is approximately $80,000 (estimated, reflecting oil field wages). According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, an estimated 22–26% of households are cost-burdened.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Reagan County Clerk maintains all official land records in Reagan County. The office is at the Reagan County Courthouse, Big Lake, 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 Reagan County Property Records

    You can access Reagan County property records online, in person, by phone, and by mail. The process depends on the type of record you need.

    Online Access (Free)

    Reagan County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Reagan 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 Reagan County Appraisal District 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 Reagan County Appraisal District by mail to 409 2nd St., Big Lake, TX 76932. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Reagan 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 (325) 884-2335 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Reagan County Appraisal District (Jacquelyn Botello), 409 2nd St., P.O. Box 8, Big Lake, TX 76932. Phone: (325) 884-3275.

    • Property Taxes: Tax Assessor-Collector Cynthia Aguilar, 300 N. Plaza Ave., Big Lake, TX 76932. Phone: (325) 884-2131. Reagan County Tax A/C does collect property taxes.

    • UT System Land: For University of Texas System land questions,

    • 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) 884-2335 or mail a request to P.O. Box 100, Big Lake, TX 76932.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at Reagan County Appraisal District Taxing Entities 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 Reagan County

    • Big Lake: County seat. Named for an intermittent dry lake 2 miles south, the largest dry lake in Texas. Oil discovery center for the Permian Basin in 1923.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Reagan County Appraisal District: (325) 884-3275.

    • Tax Assessor-Collector (Cynthia Aguilar): (325) 884-2131. Collects property taxes.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Big Lake Oilfield opened the Permian Basin century of mineral instrument history: The 1923 discovery funded the UT Permian Basin Fund. Nearly a century of mineral leasing, assignment, ratification, and pooling activity means any rural title search must extend back through multiple decades.

    • Named for the first chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission: John Henninger Reagan chaired the RRC from 1891 to 1903. The county named for him is now one of the significant oil-producing counties in Texas.

    • Oil field wages inflate housing market statistics: Recent sale prices ($250K–$285K) run significantly above ACS-derived median property values, reflecting oil field purchasing power. Use both data sources when assessing market conditions.

    • 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 Reagan County Property Record

    • Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:

      • Standard conveyance

      • Lien instruments.

    • Oil and Gas Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee

      • leased premises

      • primary term

      • royalty rate

      • Pugh depth clauses.

    • Surface Use Agreements:

      • Operator and surface owner

      • Permitted uses

      • Pad locations

      • Pipeline routes

      • Compensation

      • Term.

    • Division Orders:

      • Operator

      • Interest owners and working/royalty interest percentages for specific wells.

    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 Reagan County

    Reagan County has 1 incorporated city and several unincorporated communities.

    • County Seat and Largest City: Big Lake.

    • Unincorporated Communities and Towns: Best, Stiles (ghost town, former county seat), and Texon (historic oil town).

    Full municipality list at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reagan_County,_Texas.

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals

    • Reagan County Clerk and 112th District Clerk:

      • Address: Reagan County Courthouse, 300 North Plaza Avenue, Big Lake, TX 76932.

      • Mailing: P.O. Box 100, Big Lake, TX 76932.

      • Phone: (325) 884-2442

      • Fax: (325) 884-1503

      • Clerk: Tammy Hodge.

      • Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

      • Website: co.reagan.tx.us/page/reagan.County.District.Clerk

    • Online Deed Index and Property Search:

      • Access via Reagan County Clerk's Public Search: reagan.tx.publicsearch.us (Images and index available 1903–present).

      • Recording Fees: $5.00 first page, $4.00 each additional page; $10.00 records management fee per instrument.

    • Reagan County Appraisal District (Tax Maps, Property Values, & Assessment):

      • Address: 409 2nd Street, Big Lake, TX 76932-4515.

      • Mailing: P.O. Box 8, Big Lake, TX 76932-0008.

      • Phone: (325) 884-3275

      • Fax: (325) 884-2149

      • Chief Appraiser: Jacquelyn Botello.

      • Email: reagancad@verizon.net

      • Website: reagancad.org

    • Reagan County Tax Assessor-Collector (Property Tax Collection):

    • Reagan County Official Website:

    • Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (Tax Rates & Finance Data):