Cass County Property Records

Cass County property records are filed at the County Clerk's office in Linden, Texas. The office maintains deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and related instruments affecting real property in the county. Records date back to 1846. You can search available records online through the county portal, or you can visit the office in person at 100 East Houston, Linden, TX 75563. This East Texas county covers a mix of timber land, farms, and residential properties.

Cass County Clerk Office

The Cass County Clerk maintains all official real property records in the county. The office address is 100 East Houston, Linden, TX 75563. Phone: (903) 756-5071. Fax: (903) 756-8057. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Clerk records deeds, deeds of trust, liens, judgments, oil and gas leases, plat maps, and assumed name certificates.

The Cass County website provides access to the county's online records portal. Property records are available through the county's online system, though some older documents require an in-person search. Probate records filed before 2005 are not available online and must be searched at the office. Free registration is required to access the online system.

Foreclosure notices are published on the county website, which makes it easy to track pending sales of distressed properties. E-recording is available for those who need to submit documents without a trip to the courthouse. All recordings are indexed by grantor name, grantee name, document type, and recording date.

The Cass County website provides a portal for searching property records and accessing recorded documents.

Use the county's online portal for basic index searches, or visit the office in Linden for full document access and certified copies.

How to Find Cass County Property Records

The easiest way to start a records search in Cass County is through the county's online portal at cc.co.cass.tx.us. You can search by name, document type, or date range. This system gives you access to records that have been digitized. For probate records before 2005, you need to search in person at the courthouse.

In-person searches are free. The clerk's office has terminals where you can search the indexes. Staff will guide you to the right location in the index, but they are not required to perform the search for you. Per AG Opinion WW-607, the County Clerk has no legal obligation to search the records and certify results, except for federal tax lien searches which require a $10.00 fee. You are expected to search the indexes yourself or hire a local title abstractor.

Federal tax lien searches are available for $10.00. This fee is set by statute and covers the clerk's obligation to search and certify the results of the federal lien index. If you need to verify whether a federal tax lien has been filed against a property or person, this is the formal channel.

Criminal records searches through the Cass County system are available at records.txdps.state.tx.us through the Texas DPS. These are separate from property records but may be relevant for title researchers who need to check for judgments.

Recording Fees

Cass County recording fees are: $36.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry a $5.00 certification fee plus the copy rate. The federal tax lien search fee is $10.00, as required by Texas statute. Birth and death record verification is $10.00 per search.

Under Texas Property Code Section 12.001, you must record instruments affecting title in the county where the land is located. This creates constructive notice to anyone who later searches the records. The recording system established by Texas Property Code Section 13.001 sets out the priority rules that apply when competing claims arise.

Cass County Appraisal District

The Cass County Appraisal District maintains appraisal data for all taxable parcels in the county. The CAD is located in Linden and can be contacted for property valuation questions, exemption applications, and protest matters. Search the CAD database by owner name, address, or account number to find ownership and appraised value information. The protest deadline is May 15 each year.

Exemptions available in Cass County include homestead, over-65, disabled person, and disabled veteran exemptions. Apply with the CAD by April 30. The appraisal district also tracks timber and agricultural land valuations, which are relevant given the county's rural character. The Tax Assessor-Collector handles tax collection and can provide current tax status information.

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts provides oversight for all county appraisal districts through its Property Tax Assistance Division. If you have concerns about your appraisal or the protest process, the Comptroller's office can provide guidance on your rights and the procedures that apply.

Note: Timber land in East Texas may qualify for special open-space appraisal under a separate tax structure. Check with the Cass County Appraisal District to see if your property qualifies and what application is required.

Your Rights Under the Public Information Act

Cass County property records are public documents under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. You have the right to inspect and get copies of these records without needing to explain why. The office must respond promptly to your request. If it will take more than 10 business days, they must notify you when the records will be ready.

The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division at texasattorneygeneral.gov publishes a free Public Information Handbook that explains your rights in detail. If a governmental body denies your request or charges unreasonable fees, you can file a complaint with the OAG. The OAG issues binding decisions on records access disputes.

Certain data in property records is confidential under Texas Property Code Section 11.008(k), including social security numbers and financial account numbers. These are redacted from public copies. Everything else, including grantor and grantee names, legal descriptions, recording dates, and document types, is accessible to anyone who asks.

Nearby Counties

Records are filed in the county where the land is located. Check the county line if you are near a border.