San Augustine County, TX Property Records

    San Augustine County is located in East Texas near the Louisiana border. According to the U.S. Census, the county is estimated to have a population of approximately 8,000. Its county seat and largest community is San Augustine. The county is known for its deep historical roots, forested land, agricultural activity, and rural character.

    Despite a 0.2% growth over the previous year, San Augustine County's average home value of approximately $188,000 remains below Texas's home value of $295,000. The local real estate market includes a mix of residential homes, timberland, agricultural acreage, rural homesites, and long-held family properties common throughout East Texas.

    The Federal Reserve Economic Data shows that approximately 25% of households in San Augustine County spend at least 30% of their income on housing. Such households cannot afford adequate housing, leaving little funds for essentials such as food, education, and healthcare.

    In San Augustine County, property assessments and parcel data are handled at the county level. The appraisal district maintains an equitable tax roll that covers all real and personal property in the county. Additional information is available on the appraisal district's website or office.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The San Augustine County Clerk's Office is the official custodian of recorded land records in the county. You may contact the county clerk's office by using the information below for property record inquiries or assistance with document research:

    • San Augustine County Clerk's Office: 106 S Broadway, San Augustine, TX 75972

    • Phone: (936) 275-2452

    • Email: margo.noble@co.san-augustine.tx.us

    • Coverage: All communities within San Augustine County

    What San Augustine County Property Records Include

    The county clerk's office maintains a wide range of recorded land documents. These records commonly include:

    • deeds,

    • deeds of trust,

    • liens, releases,

    • easements,

    • rights-of-way,

    • plats,

    • surveys,

    • affidavits,

    • and probate-related land transfers.

    The office also keeps judgments that affect title and other instruments tied to real estate ownership and land use.

    You can track land ownership in San Augustine County through the Recorded Land System. This system displays the notice of property ownership claims to the public. It does not guarantee title, so you should conduct an official title search or contact a title insurance company to verify the property ownership.

    Official land records in San Augustine County, Texas, date back to approximately 1833. Online access to unofficial copies is available for documents recorded from January 2, 1856, to the present. For offline records and physical or paper copies, you should visit the county clerk's office.

    How to Access San Augustine County Property Records

    You can access San Augustine County property records through several ways, including online portals, in-person visits, or other request methods.

    Online Access

    Use the Official Records Search to search for unofficial copies of San Augustine County property records. You can search by using the name search, document search, book search, or date search. Anyone may search records on the portal by using the grantor or grantee name, document number, recording date, or other related indexed information. In some cases, document images may also be available for viewing through these systems. Certified copies are typically obtained through the San Augustine County Clerk's Office and may require a formal request and applicable copy fees.

    In Person

    You may visit the San Augustine County Clerk's Office below in person to access property records:

    • San Augustine County Clerk's Office: 106 S Broadway, San Augustine, TX 75972

    • Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday and 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Friday

    It costs $1 per page to obtain copies of standard copies and an additional $5 per document for certification.

    By Phone or Email

    You may contact the San Augustine County Clerk's Office by phone at (936) 275-2304 for questions regarding property records, document copies, or filing requirements. General inquiries may also be directed by email to margo.noble@co.san-augustine.tx.us.

    By Mail/Overnight

    You may obtain a copy of San Augustine County property records by mailing a written request to the county clerk's office. Include property details such as the owner's name, address, parcel ID, and the book & page number in the request. Provide payment evidence of the copy fees and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to ensure the documents are returned to you. Mail the written request along with other documents to the San Augustine County Clerk's Office at 106 S Broadway, San Augustine, TX 75972.

    E-Recording (For Professionals)

    San Augustine County does not currently accept electronic recording of land records. All property owners or their authorized representatives, including attorneys, title companies, lenders, or other designated agents, should submit real property documents directly to the clerk's office. They may submit the documents in person or by mail to the clerk's office.

    Offices in Connection to Property Research

    There are other records, essential to property research, that are not available at the county clerk's office. Examples of the records include property assessments, parcel details, tax rates, and payment records.

    The San Augustine County Appraisal District appraises taxable property within the county and maintains property records used for taxation purposes. These records may include parcel maps, property ownership information, homestead and other exemption filings, agricultural valuation records, and appraisal notices.

    The San Augustine County Tax Assessor-Collector manages property tax billing and collections. This office maintains tax account records, payment histories, delinquent tax information, and related tax billing records.

    For additional information on Texas property taxes, exemptions, and statewide tax administration, property owners or researchers may consult the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

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

    The following steps outline how to locate a San Augustine County deed online:

    • Gather as much information as possible about the property, such as the owner's name, approximate recording date, legal description, or instrument type.

    • Contact the San Augustine County Clerk's Office to ask whether the deed is available online or if a search must be completed in person or by mail.

    • If records are available electronically, visit the Texas Land Records System.

    • Search by selecting name, document type, recording date, or instrument number.

    • Identify the required deed or document image from the list of matching results returned.

    • View the document images for free or print/download them for a nominal fee.

    Cities & Towns in San Augustine County (and Their Registry Districts)

    The county clerk's office is the only property records registry that serves communities in San Augustine County.

    City/County Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    The San Augustine County Appraisal District is responsible for appraising all taxable property within the county. The district maintains appraisal records used for valuation purposes, including parcel information, property characteristics, ownership details used for assessment, exemption records, appraisal notices, protest procedures, and agricultural valuation information.

    The San Augustine County Tax Assessor-Collector manages property tax billing and collections. This office oversees tax accounts, payment histories, and delinquent tax information for properties within the county. Individuals can pay taxes online through the tax collector's website.

    San Augustine County-Specific Nuances

    San Augustine County has some unique features that are vital to thorough property research. These include:

    • The San Augustine County Clerk is the official recorder for all real property documents in the county. There are no separate recorders at the municipal level.

    • A significant portion of land in San Augustine County consists of timberland, agricultural acreage, and rural residential parcels. Some properties are designated for agricultural or open-space valuation under Texas property tax law.

    • Via the recorded land system, you can track property ownership in San Augustine County.

    • There is no land court in San Augustine County. The district court oversees property-related legal matters in the county.

    Typical Contents of San Augustine County Property Records

    In a typical San Augustine County property record, you can find the following information:

    • Deeds:

      • Names of the grantor and grantee (seller and buyer)

      • Legal description of the property (lot, block, survey, or metes and bounds)

      • Consideration amount (the declared purchase price or transfer value)

      • Recording date and instrument number

      • Prior recording references

    • Deeds of Trust and Mortgage Documents:

      • Names of the borrower and lender

      • Loan amount and repayment terms

      • Recording details and instrument number

      • Release or reconveyance information when the loan is satisfied

    • Plats and Surveys:

      • Subdivision or survey name

      • Lot and block numbers

      • Boundary measurements

      • Plat references and filing dates

    • Encumbrances and Legal Notices:

      • Easements (utility, drainage, or access rights)

      • Liens, including mechanic's liens and tax liens

      • Restrictive covenants affecting property use

      • Notices of lis pendens related to pending litigation

    Recorded property records also include affidavits, powers of attorney affecting real property, assignments of liens, and corrective deeds used to amend or clarify previously recorded instruments.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    Property ownership changes in San Augustine County may occur due to several reasons. Common examples include deeds following a sale, transfers between family members, probate-related transfers, and corrective deeds.

    Individuals should prepare new documents that include the names of all parties, a complete legal description of the property, the date of execution, signatures, and notarization. Documents may be submitted for recording in person at the county clerk's office or by mail. For mail submissions, include the original signed document, applicable recording fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk's office will return the original documents to the applicant via the stamped envelope.

    Once accepted by the county clerk, the document is recorded, assigned an instrument number, and indexed in the county's official public records. This creates the official record of the ownership change and helps maintain the chain of title for the property.

    Practical Property Research Checklist

    You may use the following checklist when researching property in San Augustine County:

    • Identify the office that maintains the record you need, such as the county clerk, the appraisal district, or the tax assessor-collector.

    • Gather available property details, such as the owner's name, property address, legal description, or property account number.

    • Search recorded land records through the official portal or contact the county clerk's office in person, by mail, or through other formal requests.

    • Review property ownership information used for valuation, along with parcel data and exemption records, through the San Augustine County Appraisal District.

    • Verify property tax status, payment history, and account information through the tax assessor-collector.

    • Ensure that the chain of title is unbroken and free from liens, omissions, judgments, and encumbrances.

    Appendix A: Municipalities in San Augustine County

    San Augustine County includes the incorporated municipality of San Augustine. The remainder of the county consists of rural and unincorporated areas, including small communities such as Black Ankle, Benina, and Broaddus (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals