How to Search for Arlington Property Records

Arlington's central location between Dallas and Fort Worth makes it a strong investment market. However, you should always check property records before buying or investing in real estate. They contain essential information such as ownership history, appraised values, liens, taxes, zoning classifications, foreclosures, amenities, and other vital details to help you make informed decisions. Arlington property records are public records, which means anyone can view them or request copies. The key to finding what you need is knowing where to look. You can use the list of resources below to search for Arlington property records.

Tarrant County Clerk

The Tarrant County Clerk is the official custodian for records that relate to property ownership in Arlington. These include deeds, mortgages, plats, easements, liens, maps, and more. You can find these records online using the County Clerk's Official Records Search tool and download unofficial, watermarked copies for free; official certified copies are also available for a fee. You can perform quick searches (using the tool) by name, document type, number, or subdivision, while the advanced search option offers additional criteria for refining results. You can also search and get copies of records in person at the County Clerk's office located at Room B30, 100 W. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196. Copy fees will apply. You may contact the office at (817) 884-1195 for assistance and general inquiries.

Tarrant Appraisal District

The Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) is responsible for determining the value of all property in the county, including the City of Arlington, for tax purposes. TAD is the primary resource for comprehensive details on a property's ownership, physical characteristics, valuation, and sales data. You can search for this information online directly through the TAD's website. You can narrow searches by owner's name, account number, property address, and several other criteria, or do a combined search across all available categories. The TAD also offers an interactive map that you can use to view parcel boundaries, visualize lot lines, and get other property-related information. If you prefer in-person services, you can visit the TAD's office, located at 2500 Handley-Ederville Road, Fort Worth, TX 76118-6909. You can also call (817) 284-0024 for assistance and general inquiries.

Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector

The Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector is responsible for billing and collecting property taxes for the City of Arlington. This office is a key resource for property records detailing tax bills, current and owed balances, payment histories, and other related information. The tax office offers a property search tool that you can use to look up this information online. You can also visit the Tax Assessor-Collector's Arlington Office at 700 E. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76010, for in-person services or call this office at (817) 548-3935 for assistance and general inquiries.

Tarrant County Courts System

The Tarrant County Court System is another resource for Arlington property records, particularly those related to legal matters, such as foreclosures, title disputes, landlord/tenant cases, and other civil judgments. You can search these records online using the state-provided Re:SearchTX tool; account registration is required (at no cost), and fees may apply to access certain services. The Tarrant County District Clerk also offers a separate, subscription-based web access service that can be used to search records online. You may also visit the Tarrant County Courthouse at 100 W. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196, and the Arlington Subcourthouse at 700 E. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76101, to access records in person. You can call the Tarrant County Clerk at (817) 884-1195 and the District Clerk at (817) 884-1574 for assistance and general inquiries.

City of Arlington Resources

The City of Arlington provides an online Plat Search tool that you can use to find, view, and download official plat maps by entering a legal description or subdivision name. If you do not have this information, the city offers a maps tool that you can use to visually identify a parcel and retrieve its Tax Legal Key, which can then be used to search for related plats.

Arlington property taxes are a crucial funding source for a wide range of local services and infrastructure. This includes public schools, police and fire departments, street maintenance and repair, parks and recreation, public health services, trash collection, and much more. The Tarrant Appraisal District establishes the value of properties in Arlington for taxation purposes, while the Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector bills and collects all property taxes. Property values are determined based on market conditions, property characteristics, and recent sales data. Once the value is determined, it is multiplied by the combined tax rates (set by the city, county, school district, and other taxing entities) to calculate the final tax bills.

Tax statements are typically mailed in the first week of October and are due in full by January 31st of the following year. However, taxpayers have the option of splitting payments into two or four equal installments. To qualify for the half-payment option, the first payment must be made by November 30th and marked as "half-payment," with the second payment due by June 30th. The quarterly payments option is limited to certain senior citizens (65+) and disabled homeowners, and payments are due January 31st, March 31st, May 31st, and July 31st. Unpaid taxes begin accruing penalties and interest immediately after the due dates. If the taxes remain delinquent, the county may eventually seize and sell the property at a public tax foreclosure auction to recover the unpaid debt. The Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector offers several options for paying your Arlington property taxes, including online, by mail, over the phone by calling (817) 884-1110, or in person at any tax office location across the county.

Assessments

The Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) annually assesses properties in Arlington to determine their market value. Valuations are determined using mass appraisal methods, including sales comparisons, cost estimates, and income potential for commercial properties. The TAD may also conduct physical inspections, use aerial imagery, or review permit activity to verify property characteristics and ensure accurate assessments. Properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning what they would sell for in an open, competitive market as of January 1st each year.

Property owners typically receive a Notice of Appraised Value around April (for residential property) or May (for commercial property), detailing their property's current valuation. If you disagree with the valuation, you can contact the TAD for an informal review. If no agreement is reached informally, you can file a formal protest with the Tarrant Appraisal Review Board. This protest must be filed by May 15th or 30 days after your valuation notice was mailed, whichever is later. You can call the TAD's Taxpayer Liaison Officer at (817) 595-6101 or email them at tlo@tad.org for inquiries and assistance with filing a protest.

Appraisals

Arlington assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair market value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

Arlington, Texas, has a median effective property tax rate of 1.70%, higher than both the national median of 1.02% and the Texas state median of 1.67%. The city's average annual tax bill is $4,809, also higher than the national average of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Arlington's tax rate compares to other counties in Texas:

• Bexar County 2.03%
• Collin County 1.49%
• Dallas County 1.74%
• El Paso County 2.01%
• Grayson County 2.09%
• Harris County 1.66%
• Kendall County 1.25%
• Lubbock County 1.86%
• McMullen County 1.12%
• Potter County 2.16%
• Starr County 0.79%
• Stonewall County 3.00%
• Travis County 1.65%
• Webb County 1.54%
• Winkler County 1.22%

Exemptions

Property taxes in Arlington are higher than the national average, and some homeowners may struggle to keep up with payments. Thankfully, several tax exemption programs can help ease the burden for eligible homeowners in the city. These include:

• Homestead Exemption: Reduces the taxable value of a property and is available to any homeowner who owns and occupies residential property in Arlington as their primary residence.
• Over 65/Disabled Exemption: Reduces the taxable value of the primary residence of seniors (65+), their surviving spouses, and disabled homeowners.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Grants exemptions to veterans with disabilities and surviving spouses of U.S. Armed Forces members or first responders who were killed in action.

You can contact the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) at (817) 284-0024 and (817) 284-4063 for more information or assistance with applying for a tax exemption.

Permits are required for building new structures and renovating, remodeling, or demolishing existing buildings in Arlington. Cosmetic work, such as painting, carpeting, or wallpapering, and certain minor repairs or upgrades, like installing cabinets and fixing leaky pipes, are usually exempt. These permits are issued by the Arlington Planning and Development Services Department. You can apply for necessary permits, submit building plans, and schedule inspections online through the city's Arlington Permits portal (account registration is required to use the portal). You can also visit the department's office at 101 W Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76010, for in-person services or call (817) 459-6502 for assistance and general inquiries. Note that you may still be required to submit your permit application online.

Common types of permits issued in Arlington include:

• Building Permits: These are for the construction, alteration, or repair of structures.

  • Residential Building Permits: For constructing, renovating, or expanding single-family homes and duplexes.
  • Commercial Building Permits: For building, altering, or demolishing commercial structures, including offices, retail spaces, and multifamily units.
  • Fence Permits: For installing or replacing fences.

• Trade-Specific (Specialty) Permits: These are for specific systems within a building and are often required even if a general building permit isn't.

  • Electrical Permit: For new wiring, service upgrades, panel replacements, and other electrical work.
  • Plumbing Permits: For installing, altering, or repairing plumbing systems, including water lines, sewer connections, gas piping, and fixtures.
  • Mechanical Permits: For installing, replacing, or modifying HVAC systems.
  • Fire Permits: For installing or modifying fire suppression systems, alarms, and other fire safety equipment in buildings.
  • Alarm Permits: For installing or modifying monitored security systems in homes or businesses.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Arlington is a vibrant North Texas city and the largest in the state that is not a county seat. Located right between Dallas and Fort Worth, it is known as the "American Dream City" because of its strong economic opportunities, sports and leisure attractions, community spirit, and high quality of life. The city hosts several professional sports teams, including the Dallas Cowboys (at AT&T Stadium), the Texas Rangers (at Globe Life Field), and the Dallas Wings (at College Park Center). The city also boasts internationally recognized theme parks like Six Flags Over Texas (the original Six Flags) and Hurricane Harbor.

Arlington, Texas, has a population of 394,266 residents. The city has 158,894 housing units, with approximately 93% of these units occupied and 53% owner-occupied. The city offers a wide range of housing options, including single-family homes, townhouses, condos, apartments, custom homes, and senior living communities. Popular housing styles include Ranch, Craftsman, Mid-Century, Tuscan, Mediterranean, Contemporary, and Modern Farmhouse. The average home value in Arlington, TX, is $308,620, representing a 4.1% decrease from previous years. Note that actual home prices can vary considerably depending on the area in Arlington. Here are examples of home values in different Arlington neighborhoods:

• Beacon Hills $358,998
• Central $263,905
• Cimmaron Estates $357,004
• Hollow Hills $314,227
• Southeast $312,738
• Southwest $345,859

The Arlington, Texas, real estate market is somewhat competitive, with relatively stable prices and moderate buyer activity. Homes typically go under contract in around 24 days of listing, and approximately 22% of listed homes sell above the listing price.