Richardson Texas Property Records
Richardson property records are split between two counties. Most of Richardson falls within Dallas County, with a northern portion extending into Collin County. Recorded deeds, liens, deeds of trust, and plat maps for Dallas County parcels are held by the Dallas County Clerk. Collin County properties go through the Collin County Clerk in McKinney. To find out which county holds records for a specific Richardson address, check the Dallas Central Appraisal District or the Collin Central Appraisal District. Both provide free online searches to confirm ownership and county jurisdiction.
Richardson Quick Facts
Where to Find Richardson Property Records
Because Richardson straddles the Dallas-Collin county line, you may need to check both clerks depending on which part of the city the property sits in. Most Richardson addresses are in Dallas County, so start there. The Dallas County Clerk's office is in downtown Dallas and offers an online records portal for searching deeds and other recorded instruments.
| Dallas County Clerk | 509 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75202 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (214) 653-7099 |
| Website | dallascounty.org/departments/countyclerk |
| Collin County Clerk | 2300 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, TX 75071 |
| Phone | (972) 548-4185 |
| Website | collincountytx.gov/county_clerk |
Under Texas Property Code Section 12.001, all instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the County Clerk in the county where the land sits to be binding on third parties. That makes it essential to confirm the right county before pulling title records. The two appraisal districts can help: Dallas CAD at dcad.org and Collin CAD at collincad.org both allow free online parcel searches by address.
How to Search Richardson Property Records
Start at the appraisal district website to confirm the county. Dallas CAD at dcad.org lets you search by address or owner name and shows the county, owner, legal description, and appraised value. If the property is in Dallas County, move to the Dallas County Clerk's online search for deed history and lien records. Collin CAD at collincad.org does the same for the Collin County portion of Richardson.
The Dallas County Clerk's online portal allows searches by grantor, grantee, or document type. Many recorded instruments are available to view for free online. For certified copies, either visit the office in person or request them by mail with payment. The Collin County Clerk at collincountytx.gov/county_clerk also provides online document searches and copy request options.
Keep this information handy when searching:
- Full property address with zip code
- Owner name as it appears on the deed or tax records
- Year of purchase or estimated time frame
- Account number from the appraisal district
Types of Property Records in Richardson
Both Dallas and Collin County clerks hold the same types of property documents. Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds record ownership changes. Deeds of trust are filed when a lender holds a security interest in the property. Releases of lien clear the record once a loan or debt is paid. Mechanic's liens may be filed by contractors who have completed work on a property and have not been paid.
You may also find lis pendens filings if litigation is pending over a property, federal and state tax liens, judgment liens, and easement agreements. Plat maps for Richardson subdivisions are recorded with the county clerk and show subdivision layout, lot boundaries, and easements. These maps are important when you need to confirm lot size or check for utility easements on a specific parcel.
Note: If the same property straddles the county line, documents may be filed with both county clerks. Check both to get a complete picture.
Dallas and Collin Appraisal Districts
Richardson properties are appraised by either Dallas CAD or Collin CAD depending on county location. Dallas CAD at dcad.org handles appraisals for the Dallas County portion of Richardson. Collin CAD at collincad.org covers the Collin County side. Both districts value property at 100% of market value as of January 1 each year under the Texas Tax Code.
Property owners have the right to protest appraised values. The deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the notice is mailed. Both Dallas and Collin CAD allow online protest filing through their websites. The Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division provides protest guides and forms free of charge. Exemptions including homestead, over-65, and disabled veteran can reduce your taxable value. Apply directly with the appropriate appraisal district.
Recording Fees
Both Dallas and Collin County clerks charge the standard Texas recording fees set by Texas Local Government Code Section 118.011. The first page of any instrument costs $26 to record. Each additional page is $4. A standard deed running three pages costs $34. Copies cost a per-page fee, and certified copies carry an added certification charge on top.
Pay by cash, check, or money order at the clerk's office. Most clerks also accept credit cards for copy requests. Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods before visiting in person or submitting a mail request.
Public Access Under Texas Law
Richardson property records at both county clerks are public documents under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Public Information Act. Any person can request to inspect or copy these records. The county must respond within 10 business days. Fees for copies must be reasonable, and the OAG publishes a fee schedule that counties must follow.
Texas Property Code Section 11.008 requires counties to redact personal identifiers like social security numbers from online document images. This protects individual privacy while keeping property ownership information fully public. If Dallas or Collin County is not responding to a records request, you can contact the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division at the link above for help.
Additional Resources
The Texas General Land Office holds historical land grant archives going back to the 1700s. For Richardson properties with long ownership histories, the GLO database can provide context on early land grants in the area. The Texas Comptroller Eminent Domain Database lists entities that hold eminent domain authority, which is useful if government or utility acquisition activity is relevant to a property.
The Texas Real Estate Commission lets you check the license status of any Texas real estate agent or broker. The Texas Secretary of State SOSDirect system handles UCC filings and business entity records, which can be relevant when researching commercial property or business-owned real estate in Richardson.
Dallas County Property Records
Most Richardson properties are in Dallas County. The Dallas County Clerk is the primary record keeper for deeds, liens, and recorded instruments. Visit the Dallas County page for more detail on the county's recording system, search tools, and courthouse location.
Nearby Cities
Looking for property records in nearby cities? These pages can help: