Sutton County, TX Property Records

    Sutton County is on the Edwards Plateau in southwest Texas. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 3,372, with 2025 estimates near 3,203. The county seat and only incorporated city is Sonora. Created in 1887 and named for Confederate officer John S. Sutton.

    Sonora is known as the home of the Caverns of Sonora, regarded as one of the most beautifully decorated caves in the world, featuring exceptional helictite formations. The 1891 Sutton County Courthouse, designed by Oscar Ruffini in Second Empire style, is on the National Register of Historic Places as a State Antiquities Landmark.

    The economy is based on ranching, hunting, and wool and mohair production. Sutton County has historically been a leading county for wool and Angora goats in the United States. The median household income is approximately $58,000–$65,000, and the median home value is approximately $130,000–$160,000. The Tax Assessor-Collector's office does not collect property taxes.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    All official land records in Sutton County are maintained by the Sutton County Clerk (Pam Thorp). The office is at 300 E. Oak St., Suite 3, Sonora, TX 76950.

    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 Sutton County Property Records

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

    Online Access (Free)

    Sutton County property records are available online through TexasFile, a statewide records portal. Select Sutton 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 Sutton 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) to:

    You may also request property record data from the Sutton County Appraisal District by mail to 300 E. Oak St., Ste. 2, Sonora, TX 76950. Include a clear description of the property or information requested.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Sutton 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) 387-3815 for information on approved e-recording services and submission requirements.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Sutton County Appraisal District (Mary Bustamante), 300 E. Oak St., Ste. 2, Sonora, TX 76950. Phone: (325) 387-2809.

    • Property Taxes: Tax Assessor-Collector Kathy Marshall, (325) 387-2342. Does NOT collect property taxes. Contact the CAD.

    • 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) 387-3815 or mail a request to 300 E. Oak St., Suite 3, Sonora, TX 76950.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at the Sutton 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 Tax Assessor-Collector or appraisal district.

    Cities & Towns in Sutton County

    • Sonora: County seat and only incorporated city, home of the Caverns of Sonora and the NR-listed 1891 courthouse.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Sutton County Appraisal District: (325) 387-2809. Handles tax collection.

    • Tax Assessor-Collector (does NOT collect property taxes): Contact the CAD.

    • Texas Comptroller

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Tax Assessor-Collector does NOT collect property taxes: Confirm payment point with the Sutton County Appraisal District at (325) 387-2809.

    • The wool and mohair economy generates specific lease types: Grazing leases, livestock easements, and shearing facility agreements are common instruments in addition to standard deed and mortgage records.

    • NR courthouse by Oscar Ruffini: The 1891 courthouse is a State Antiquities Landmark and National Register listing. Properties adjacent to the courthouse square may be subject to historic preservation guidelines.

    • 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 Sutton County Property Record

    • Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases:

      • Standard conveyance

      • lien instruments.

    • Ranch, Hunting, and Grazing Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • leased premises

      • Term

      • Permitted use

      • 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 Sutton County

    Sutton County, TX, has 1 incorporated city and several unincorporated communities.

    • City: Sonora (County Seat).

    • Unincorporated Communities and Census-Designated Places: Camp Allison, Owensville, Wentworth, and Winkler's Well.

    They are legally part of the unincorporated areas of Sutton County, with no government or official boundaries separate from the county. (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B: Key Contacts & Portals