Fayette County Property Records
Fayette County property records are maintained by the County Clerk in La Grange, Texas. The office holds one of the oldest collections in the state, with deed records and land documents going back to 1838. You can search Fayette County property records through the Laredo online system or through TexasFile, which offers free search access. This guide covers the clerk's office, how to search, recording fees, and other resources you need to find property documents in Fayette County.
Fayette County Overview
Fayette County Clerk Office
The Fayette County Clerk is the official keeper of all property records in the county. County Clerk Brenda Fietsam and her staff manage deeds, deeds of trust, oil and gas leases, mineral leases, mechanic's liens, UCC filings, and other official records. The office is at 151 N. Washington St. in La Grange, with a mailing address at P.O. Box 59, La Grange, TX 78945.
Records in this collection date back to 1838, making it one of the longest spans available in Texas. Documents from 1838 to the present are in the system. Online search is available through the Laredo platform and through TexasFile, which offers free search access. If you need document copies or certified records, contact the clerk's office by phone or email.
| County Clerk | Brenda Fietsam |
|---|---|
| Address | 151 N. Washington St., La Grange, TX 78945 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 59, La Grange, TX 78945 |
| Phone | (979) 968-3251 |
| Fax | (979) 968-8531 |
| county.clerk@co.fayette.tx.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
The clerk's office accepts email requests for records. You can also mail requests to the P.O. Box address above. For extensive lien searches or title research, the office recommends using a title company. Staff can help you navigate the system but do not conduct full searches on your behalf.
Search Fayette County Property Records
The Fayette County Clerk maintains property records through the Laredo online system and through TexasFile.
The Laredo system lets you search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or date range. TexasFile also gives you free access to the index. Document images are available for purchase through either platform. Both systems cover the full record span from 1838 to present.
To search in person, visit the clerk's office during business hours at 151 N. Washington St. in La Grange. Staff can show you how to use the search terminal. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, you do not need to state a reason for accessing public records. The office also accepts email requests at county.clerk@co.fayette.tx.us for routine document lookups.
Note: Marks and brands registrations must be done in person at the clerk's office and cannot be submitted by mail or online.
Types of Fayette County Property Records
The County Clerk records and indexes a wide range of documents affecting real property in Fayette County. Under Texas Property Code Section 12.001, instruments must be recorded to provide constructive notice to third parties. Once filed, documents become part of the permanent public record.
Official Records include deeds, deeds of trust, oil and gas leases, and mineral leases. The office also keeps assumed name records, UCC filings, civil case records, commissioners court minutes, election records, marriage records, probate cases, birth and death records, and naturalization record indexes. Each instrument gets an instrument number and is indexed by all party names.
Oil, gas, and mineral leases are particularly significant in Fayette County given the area's history with subsurface rights. These documents are filed with the County Clerk and become part of the permanent official records. Anyone reviewing title to land in the county should check for mineral lease activity in addition to standard deed and lien records.
Fayette County Appraisal District
The Fayette County Appraisal District maintains tax appraisal records separate from the clerk's deed records. Chief Appraiser Richard Moring oversees the office at P.O. Box 836, La Grange, TX 78945. You can reach the appraisal district by phone at (979) 968-8383 or by fax at (979) 968-8385.
The CAD database shows current ownership based on the tax rolls, appraised values, exemptions, and property characteristics. You can search online by owner name, address, or account number. If you think your appraised value is too high, you can file a formal protest. The protest deadline is May 15 each year under Texas Tax Code Chapter 41. The appraisal district records update annually but may lag behind a recent sale by several months until the new deed is processed.
Note: The CAD and the County Clerk are separate offices. The CAD handles appraisals and exemptions. The County Clerk handles recorded documents and title research.
Recording Fees and Procedures
Recording a document with the Fayette County Clerk costs $26 for the first page and $4 for each additional page. These fees are set by the Texas Local Government Code and apply uniformly across most Texas counties. If more than five parties are to be indexed, there is an additional charge of $0.25 per name over five.
You can submit documents for recording in person, by mail, or through eRecording. Mail submissions should include a check or money order made payable to the County Clerk. Checks must include your driver's license number. eRecording is the fastest option and allows documents to be submitted and returned electronically. Vendors like Simplifile and CSC work with most Texas county clerks.
Once recorded, a document gets a unique instrument number and is stamped with the recording date. The clerk returns the original to the submitting party. Recorded documents are then indexed and made available online, usually within a few business days. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.
Texas Public Information Act
Fayette County property records are public documents. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, anyone can request government records without giving a reason. You do not need to be the property owner or have any personal interest in the document to access it.
The clerk's office must respond promptly. If producing the records will take more than ten business days, the office must notify you of the expected timeline. For routine property records that are already indexed and online, you can usually access them right away. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division handles disputes about access and publishes guidance on your rights.
Some information in property records may be redacted from online images. Under Texas Property Code Section 11.008, personal identifiers like social security numbers and financial account numbers must be removed from online documents. The original paper records held by the clerk contain the complete information.
Additional Property Research Resources
Beyond the County Clerk and appraisal district, several other sources help with Fayette County property research. The Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division offers statewide resources on exemptions, protest procedures, and appraisal district data. Texas has no state property tax, but local taxing entities set rates that apply in Fayette County.
For historical land research going back to the Republic of Texas and Spanish land grants, the Texas General Land Office maintains over 800,000 historical records. Fayette County land dates to early Texas settlement, and those original grants are searchable through the GLO database. The Texas Secretary of State's SOSDirect system covers business entity records and UCC filings at the state level. The Texas State Law Library also provides research guides on property law topics including recording requirements and title issues.
Nearby Counties
Check the right county if a property is near a county line. Fayette County borders several other Texas counties with their own clerk offices and record systems.