Carrollton Property Records Lookup
Carrollton property records are split between two county clerks because the city straddles the Dallas and Denton county line. Carrollton has a population of about 133,000 and most of it sits in Dallas County, but a portion of the northern part of the city extends into Denton County. If you need to find a deed, lien, or other recorded instrument tied to a Carrollton property, you'll need to search the right county based on where the property is located. This page covers both offices, how to search them, and what types of records you'll find.
Carrollton Overview
Where to Find Carrollton Property Records
Because Carrollton spans two counties, property records are split based on which county each parcel falls in. The Dallas County portion is the larger part, covering most of the city south of the county line. The Denton County portion covers the northern neighborhoods near the boundary. Texas Property Code Section 11.001 requires that instruments be recorded in the county where the land is located, so you need to know which county applies before you search.
If you're not sure which county a Carrollton address is in, check the Dallas Central Appraisal District at dcad.org or the Denton Central Appraisal District at dentoncad.com. Enter the street address and see which one returns a result. That tells you which county the property is in and which Clerk holds the records.
| Dallas County Clerk | 509 Main Street, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 653-7099 dallascounty.org |
|---|---|
| Denton County Clerk | 1450 East McKinney Street, Denton, TX 76209 Phone: (940) 349-2012 dentoncounty.gov |
| Hours (Both) | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Note: Most Carrollton properties are in Dallas County. If you're doing a general search and aren't sure, start with Dallas County.
How to Search Carrollton Property Records
Both Dallas and Denton counties offer online property records search tools. For the Dallas County portion of Carrollton, go to the Dallas County Clerk's website at dallascounty.org. For properties in the Denton County portion, use the Denton County Clerk's portal at dentoncounty.gov. Both systems let you search by grantor or grantee name, document type, or date range.
Start by checking the appraisal district for the address you're researching. DCAD at dcad.org covers the Dallas portion, and Denton CAD at dentoncad.com covers the Denton portion. Once you confirm the county and get the owner's name, use that to search the corresponding Clerk's index. This two-step approach is the most reliable way to find Carrollton property documents without knowing the county in advance.
For in-person requests, call ahead to confirm hours and what identification you'll need to bring. Certified copies are available at either office on the same day for documents in the digital system.
Types of Carrollton Property Records
Both county clerks record the same types of real property instruments for Carrollton addresses. Warranty deeds are the most common, used to transfer ownership from seller to buyer. Deeds of trust secure the lender's interest in a mortgaged property. Releases of lien are recorded when a loan is paid off and the lender clears the title. These three types make up the bulk of what's in the index for most residential properties.
Other instruments you may find include:
- Mechanic's and materialman's liens from contractors and suppliers
- Lis pendens notices connected to active court cases
- Easements for utilities, drainage, and access
- Subdivision plat maps showing lot and block configurations
- Homeowners association declarations and covenants
- Affidavits of heirship for estate transfers
Because part of Carrollton is in Dallas County and part is in Denton County, subdivision plats for different neighborhoods may be in different county systems. This is another reason to verify the county before searching.
Appraisal Districts for Carrollton
Carrollton properties are valued by two different appraisal districts depending on which county they're in. The Dallas Central Appraisal District at dcad.org values parcels in the Dallas County portion. The Denton Central Appraisal District at dentoncad.com handles the Denton County portion. Both databases are free and searchable by address.
When you search either appraisal district, you'll see the owner's name, appraised value, exemptions, and legal description. That information is useful in its own right, and it also gives you the details you need to search the corresponding Clerk's index for recorded instruments. Protest deadlines and procedures are the same for both districts: May 15 or 30 days from the appraisal notice, whichever is later.
Recording Fees
Both Dallas County and Denton County follow the same state fee schedule under Texas Government Code Section 118.011. Recording costs $26 for the first page and $4 for each additional page. This fee is the same regardless of which county the Carrollton property is in. A two-page deed recorded in Dallas County costs $30. The same document in Denton County costs the same $30.
Certified copies are available from either office. The standard charge is $5 per document plus a per-page fee. If you need a copy for a refinance, title transfer, or legal matter, make sure to request a certified copy rather than a plain print. Plain copies are fine for personal reference but won't meet the requirements of most lenders or courts.
Public Access to Property Records
Property records at both county clerks are open to the public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Texas Public Information Act. There's no requirement to prove ownership or state a reason for your request. The whole point of recording real property instruments publicly is to put the world on notice about who owns what and what encumbrances exist. Anyone can access that information.
Walk-in access is available at both county offices during regular business hours. Online searches don't require any login or registration at either Dallas or Denton County. If you file a formal Public Information Act request, the Clerk must respond within ten business days. Redactions are limited to specific personal identifiers like Social Security numbers, but ownership details and instrument terms remain public.
Additional Resources for Carrollton
For UCC filings that may affect commercial properties in Carrollton, check the Texas Secretary of State at sos.state.tx.us. Historical land grants and patent records for Dallas and Denton counties are available through the Texas General Land Office at glo.texas.gov. These are primarily useful for older title research rather than recent transactions.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas at lanwt.org serves Denton County residents who need help with property law questions. Lone Star Legal Aid at lonestarlegal.org serves Dallas County. If you need an attorney, the State Bar's lawyer referral service is at (800) 252-9690.
County Property Records
Most of Carrollton is in Dallas County, with the northern portion extending into Denton County. Property documents are recorded in whichever county the land is located in. Visit either county page for full details on their recording systems.
Nearby Cities
Other DFW cities with property records pages: