One of the most common misconceptions among Texas property owners is that the local appraisal district determines legal ownership of real estate. While appraisal district websites are often the easiest way to look up property information online, they do not control or verify who legally owns property in Texas.
The Role of the Appraisal District
Appraisal districts in Texas exist to appraise property values for the purpose of local taxation. These entities determine what a property is worth so that the appropriate amount of property tax can be levied. The county assessor-collector, not the appraisal district, is responsible for collecting those taxes.
But here’s the key point: Appraisal districts are not the official record of property ownership. They may reflect the current taxpayer of record, but they are not legally dispositive of ownership.
Legal Ownership is Determined by County Clerk Records
If you want to know who legally owns a property, you must consult the county clerk’s real property records. These are the official land records where deeds, affidavits of heirship, probate orders, and other instruments that affect ownership are recorded.
Searching these records can be difficult for non-lawyers, as they often require:
- The full legal description of the property
- Knowledge of how to navigate often outdated and complex systems
- Understanding of how chain of title and recorded documents work
That’s why most people turn to appraisal district sites, which are far more user-friendly. But again, they are not the source of truth for who owns what.
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