How to Find Owners of Properties
in Texas

In Texas, property ownership is regulated by Chapter 209 of the Texas Property Code, which is titled "Texas Residential Property Owners Protection Act". Like most states, Texas allows most of the information that's recorded in a deed or other homeownership documents to be made available to the public. These laws are outlined in Chapter 11 of the Texas Property Code.

While property records must include the names of the owners, the Texas county clerk is forbidden from placing a person's social security number in any document that's recorded in the office. There are numerous types of ownership that are allowed under Texas law, which include sole ownership, joint tenants, community property, and tenants in common.

If you need to access ownership records for properties in Texas, you can either obtain them from the clerk's office or through the online database that's available in your county. However, while it might be easy to find someone who has sole ownership of a home, it's considerably more difficult to determine ownership when the property is held by a corporation or trust.

There are several methods you can use to locate a property owner in Texas, which include third-party online resources and public records that are made available by the county.

Registry of Deeds

In Texas, the Register of Deeds is referred to as the Recording Division of the County Clerk's Office. They record all the documents associated with a piece of property. You can find one of these offices in every county. The types of information you should be able to access from the clerk's office include the Texas deed records and the property tax documents. These records can be accessed in the following county databases:

• Harris County
• Dallas County
• Tarrant County
• Bexar County
• Travis County

Land Records Website

Before creating a property deed, a land record must be made. Once a land record is filed at the county clerk's office, the property can be sold to people or businesses with a deed. You should be able to find land records on the website of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Once you reach the website and click on the land record database, you can search for these documents with the original grantor's name, the patent number, or the title date.

City or Town Assessor's Office

You can also obtain this information from the city or town assessor's office. They'll be able to provide you with comprehensive property records that include everything from building permit information to foreclosure documents. If you're interested in taking this approach, here are the assessor websites for the 10 most populous counties in Texas.

• Harris County
• Dallas County
• Tarrant County
• Bexar County
• Travis County
• Collin County
• Denton County
• Fort Bend County
• Hidalgo County
• El Paso County

Tax Records

Tax records are also held at your local assessor's office. When you wish to buy a property in Texas, these records can help you learn about the assessed value, tax history, and current ownership of the real estate that interests you.

When you're looking to request a property tax record, you can either contact the county assessor's office or use their website. Most counties in Texas provide online databases that offer access to these documents. You'll need to know the address or parcel ID to obtain the tax records.

Title Company/Agency

A title company is a firm that has access to databases of property records, which allows them to perform title searches for anyone who requests them. This type of service costs around $80-$200 in Texas. The title search should provide you with a detailed ownership history.

You can also search for the name of the property's owner by asking a local real estate agent, contacting a lawyer, or searching real estate websites. You can even ask the neighbors if they'll give you the owner's name.

Property ownership in Texas involves buying and holding real estate. While ownership is often referred to as someone buying a piece of real estate and registering it under their name, it can also involve different entities purchasing properties in the state.

There are many financial, practical, and legal advantages associated with owning real estate in Texas. For example, every mortgage payment you make allows you to build equity that increases your net worth.

Understanding what the different types of property ownership in Texas are should help you make a knowledgeable decision about the type of title you'd like to hold. By selecting the right ownership structure for your home or investment portfolio, you'll be able to influence everything from your liability and risk to your property taxes and access to finance.

There are several forms of property ownership in Texas that have their own benefits and legal implications. The most common types include sole ownership, community property, and joint tenants. The table below outlines the many different ownership titles as well as their implications and benefits:

The most common form of ownership in Texas is an individual owning a piece of real estate. However, real estate can also be owned by the following entities:

If you need help finding the owner of a corporation or trust, consider contacting a title company or real estate attorney. Local professionals in your area should know how to access this information in Texas.

Keep in mind that determining the owner of any of these entities involves many steps. For example, you might need to look through local business directories, such as a nearby chamber of commerce. You could also search business databases like Westlaw and LexisNexis. This information might be available by cross-referencing deeds, Texas property tax records, mortgages, and other documents that are available to the public.

Finding the Owner of a Trust in Texas

To find the owner of a trust in Texas, keep in mind that this type of account isn't public record in Texas. Only the IRS, trustee, and beneficiary can know the contents of the trust. You can, however, contact the clerk's office in your county to see if they can give you any of the info you're seeking.

Finding the Owner of an LLC in Texas

The easiest way to find the owner of an LLC is by using the Texas Secretary of State website. While you can call the Secretary of State directly, the SOSDirect website offers quick access to the public records that should contain this info.

Finding the Owner of a Corporation in Texas

The owner of a corporation can also be found by searching the SOSDirect website. Consider using third-party solutions like PropertyChecker as well to find the records that may contain the information you're seeking.

When you buy or sell real estate, a property deed will be created to ensure the legal transfer of the home. These documents contain a description of the property, information about the buyer and seller, and the seller's signature. There are numerous methods of property transfer in Texas, the most common of which include general warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, and quitclaims.

Before you become involved in the conveyance of property title, you must understand all the legal and administrative processes that take place. Keep in mind that it costs around $100-$200 to prepare a deed in Texas. However, Texas is one of the only states that doesn't have a transfer tax.

To start this process, identify the type of transfer you're engaging in. Is the transfer part of a traditional sale or a divorce settlement? Each type of transfer comes with different requirements.

You should also conduct a title search to identify any outstanding disputes, liens, or encumbrances that need to be resolved. For example, the owner may have a line of credit that needs to be paid off. It's a good idea to purchase title insurance to protect yourself against possible title issues.

The deed associated with the property will now be drafted. Both parties will need to sign this document in front of a licensed notary public. Make sure the document includes your name and a legal description of the real estate you're buying. Since you don't need to pay any property taxes, your fees will likely be minimal at this point.

After signing the deed, it will be recorded with the county clerk. Once the deed has been recorded, a new title will be established for the buyer. Consider notifying local tax authorities and your mortgage lender after the transfer takes place. You should also update your property records at the tax assessor's office to make sure you don't continue receiving tax bills.