Access Castro County Property Records

Castro County property records are kept by the County Clerk in Dimmitt, Texas. The office records deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, plat maps, and other instruments affecting real property going back to 1891 when the county was organized. Castro County sits in the Texas Panhandle in the northwest part of the state, where large agricultural operations and farm tracts make up most of the land. You can search records online through TexasFile or in person at 100 East Bedford, Room 101, Dimmitt, TX 79027.

Castro County Clerk

The Castro County Clerk's office handles all real property recordings for the county. The office is at 100 East Bedford, Room 101, Dimmitt, TX 79027. Phone: (806) 647-3338. Fax: (806) 647-5438. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk records and indexes all instruments filed in connection with real property transactions in this Panhandle county.

The Castro County Clerk's office accepts documents for recording in person and through e-recording vendors. The record set goes back to 1891. Castro County was part of the famous XIT Ranch, one of the largest ranches in Texas history, and the county's early property records reflect that heritage of large land grants and ranch transfers. Vital records from 1903 and earlier marriage licenses are also on file.

E-recording is available for authorized users. All recorded documents are indexed by grantor name, grantee name, document type, date, and instrument number. The clerk also maintains assumed name certificates and UCC filings relevant to property transactions.

The Castro County Clerk records all property instruments for the county and provides access to the official public record.

Visit the office in Dimmitt or use TexasFile to search records online by grantor, grantee, document type, or date range.

Searching Castro County Property Records

Online access to Castro County property records is available through TexasFile. You can search by name, document type, date range, or instrument number. Free basic searches show index data. A TexasFile subscription lets you view and download full document images. Coverage varies by record period, so older documents may require an in-person visit.

In-person searches at the county courthouse are free. The clerk's office has indexes and microfilm available. Staff will assist you in finding the right index, but they are not obligated by law to do the search for you. This is consistent with AG Opinion WW-607 which holds that county clerks have no duty to search records and guarantee the results.

Mail requests are accepted for specific documents you have identified. Include the grantor and grantee names, the recording date, and the instrument number if you know it. Send payment for copies at $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $5.00. Allow adequate time for the office to process your request.

Recording Fees and Legal Requirements

The first page of any recorded instrument in Castro County costs $36.00. Each additional page is $4.00. Standard copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies require a $5.00 certification fee plus the per-page copy charge. These fees apply to all instruments recorded in the county clerk's official records.

Recording is required under Texas Property Code Section 12.001 to provide constructive notice to the public. An unrecorded deed or lien may not be enforceable against a later buyer or lender who had no actual knowledge of it. The Texas Property Code Section 13.001 recording system gives priority to instruments that are properly filed and indexed. For agricultural land in Castro County, recording mineral leases alongside surface deeds is especially important because mineral and surface rights are often held separately.

Note: Castro County's agricultural character means many transactions involve farm equipment liens and crop mortgages in addition to real property deeds. These are separate document types recorded in different indexes at the clerk's office.

Castro County Appraisal District

The Castro County Appraisal District is co-located with the County Clerk at 100 East Bedford, Room 110, Dimmitt, TX 79027. Phone: (806) 647-5336. Fax: (806) 647-5654. The CAD appraises all taxable property in the county including surface land, improvements, and mineral interests. You can search by owner name, address, or account number to find property details and appraised values.

The Castro County Appraisal District provides online property search tools and exemption information for county landowners.

Homestead, over-65, and disabled veteran exemptions are available. File applications with the CAD by April 30. The protest deadline is May 15 each year. The Tax Assessor-Collector shares the same location and phone number as the CAD.

The Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division provides oversight and publishes updated property tax guidance after each legislative session. Senate Bill 2 from the 2023 special session raised the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000, which affects taxable values across Castro County.

Public Records Access

Castro County property records are open to the public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. The Texas Public Information Act gives everyone the right to inspect or request copies of public records, including those held by the county clerk. Governmental bodies must respond promptly and cannot impose unreasonable delays. The Texas Attorney General's office at texasattorneygeneral.gov handles complaints and disputes about public records access.

The Texas General Land Office maintains historical land grant records for the Panhandle region at glo.texas.gov. Records covering the XIT Ranch and surrounding land grants may include original surveys and conveyance documents relevant to Castro County title research. The Texas State Law Library has research guides on property law and agricultural land topics that can help you understand the legal framework.

For business entity verification in connection with a property transaction, use the Texas Secretary of State's SOSDirect portal. UCC filings affecting personal property and fixtures are also searchable there. Verifying the legal entity behind a seller or lender is a standard step in commercial real estate due diligence.

Nearby Counties

Property is recorded in the county where it sits. If your land is near a border, verify the right county first.