Sterling County, TX Property Records

    Sterling County is on the Edwards Plateau in West Texas, south of the Concho River. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 1,116, with 2024 estimates near 1,387 and growing modestly. The county seat and only incorporated city is Sterling City, nicknamed "The Windmill City," with a population of approximately 1,121. The county was created in 1891 and organized in 1891. It is named for W. S. Sterling, a buffalo hunter and early settler.

    The economy is based on ranching, oil and gas, and agriculture. Sterling City's nickname reflects the area's extensive use of windmills for water supply, a defining feature of the Texas Edwards Plateau landscape. The historic Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railway passenger depot in Sterling City is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The median household income is approximately $68,000–$85,000 (estimated, with some oil field influence). Median home values in Sterling City are approximately $115,000–$165,000.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Sterling County Clerk maintains all official land records in Sterling County. The office is at the Sterling County Courthouse in Sterling City, 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 Sterling County Property Records

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

    Online Access

    Sterling County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Sterling 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 Sterling 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 Sterling County Appraisal District by mail to Sterling City, TX 76951. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Sterling 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) 378-3181 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Sterling County Appraisal District.

    • Property Taxes: Sterling County Tax Assessor-Collector. Contact through the courthouse at (325) 378-3181.

    • 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) 378-3181 or mail a request to Sterling County Courthouse, 609 4th St., Sterling City, TX 76951.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel in Sterling County 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 Sterling County

    • Sterling City: County seat. "The Windmill City." Site of the NR-listed Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway passenger depot.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    County-Specific Nuances

    • "The Windmill City" water supply infrastructure: Sterling City's nickname reflects the county's extensive use of windmills for livestock water supply across the Edwards Plateau. Agricultural properties may have recorded water well easements and windmill maintenance agreements.

    • NR railway depot: The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway passenger depot at 415 Stadium Ave., Sterling City, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves today as a local museum.

    • 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 Sterling County Property Record

    • Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:

      • Standard conveyance

      • lien instruments.

    • Ranch and Agricultural Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Leased premises

      • Permitted use

      • Term

      • Annual payment.

    • Oil and Gas Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee

      • Leased premises

      • Primary term

      • Royalty rate.

    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 Sterling County

    Sterling County, TX, has 1 incorporated city and is comprised primarily of ranching and unincorporated rural areas.

    • City: Sterling City (County Seat, known as the "Windmill City").

    • Unincorporated Communities and Historic Areas: Open range ranching lands, scattered ranch properties, historic camping areas, and pastoral landscape. The county is one of Texas's most sparsely populated areas, with only 1,372 residents as of the 2020 census.

    Sterling County also has several historic locations and open rangeland areas. However, unlike urban counties with defined neighborhoods, Sterling County consists primarily of unincorporated ranch and pastoral lands with no government or official boundaries separate from the county. (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals