Franklin County Property Records

Franklin County property records are maintained by the County Clerk in Mount Vernon, Texas. The office has deed records indexed and imaged online going back to 1843, one of the deepest historical spans available in any Texas county. You can search Franklin County property records free online through the county's EagleWeb system. This guide covers the clerk's office, search options, recording fees, and other resources for finding land documents in Franklin County.

Franklin County Clerk Office

The Franklin County Clerk is the official custodian of all property records in the county. County Clerk Brook Bussell and her staff maintain deed records, contracts, lien filings, oil and gas lease records, UCC filings, and vital records. The office is at 200 North Kaufman Street in Mount Vernon, TX 75457. You can email the clerk at countyclerk@co.franklin.tx.us with questions or record requests.

The EagleWeb online records system went live in November 2025 and provides access to deed records from 1843 forward, along with contract and lien records from 1910 forward. This is one of the longest available online spans for any Texas county. Records are free to search and view online. Document images are available to purchase, and a monthly subscription is available for unlimited printing if you need many copies.

Note: The courthouse is closed on Good Friday (April 3, 2026). Plan your visit accordingly if you need in-person access around that date.

Search Franklin County Property Records

The Franklin County Clerk provides free online access to property records through the EagleWeb system at countyclerkrecords.co.franklin.tx.us.

The EagleWeb portal lets you search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, date range, or instrument number. Deed records go back to 1843, and contract and lien records go back to 1910. You can view records for free online. When you purchase a document image, it downloads without the "UNOFFICIAL" watermark. A pay-as-you-go option and a monthly subscription for unlimited printing are both available.

An alternate search option is available at franklintx.countygovernmentrecords.com. For in-person access, visit the clerk's office during business hours. Note that the office closes for lunch Monday through Thursday from noon to 1:00 PM. Staff can point you to the right index but do not conduct searches on behalf of the public under state AG guidance.

A free property fraud alert service is available through the clerk's office. Sign up at the EagleWeb portal to receive email alerts when any document is recorded in your name in Franklin County.

Types of Franklin County Property Records

The County Clerk in Franklin County records and indexes all instruments affecting real and personal property. Under Texas Property Code Section 12.001, instruments must be recorded to give constructive notice to third parties. Once a deed or lien is filed with the clerk, it is part of the public record.

Deed records from 1843 include warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and executor's deeds. Contract and lien records from 1910 cover oil and gas lease records, mechanic's liens, tax liens, release of lien filings, abstracts of judgment, UCC filings, and assumed name certificates. Each document is indexed by grantor and grantee, and results include the instrument number, document type, recording date, and book and page reference. Document images are clear and fully legible in the online system.

eRecording is accepted through CSC, Simplifile, ePN, and Eagle Recorder Access. This lets title companies and lenders submit documents and get them back electronically, which is faster than mailing originals. Starting September 1, 2025, valid photo ID is required for anyone filing documents in person under SB 16.

Franklin County Appraisal District

The Franklin County Appraisal District maintains tax appraisal records for all taxable property in the county. The CAD database shows current ownership on the tax rolls, appraised value, exemptions, and property details. Standard Texas appraisal procedures apply, including a May 15 protest deadline under Texas Tax Code Chapter 41.

You can search CAD records online by owner name, address, or account number. If you find a discrepancy between the CAD ownership and the deed records, it usually means a recent deed was filed with the clerk but has not yet been updated in the CAD tax rolls. CAD records update annually and can lag several months behind recent transactions. For current tax status and estimated tax bills, use the CAD's online portal. For full title history, use the County Clerk's deed records.

Recording Fees and Procedures

Recording a document with the Franklin County Clerk costs $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page. A $5.00 certification fee applies if you need a certified copy. These fees are consistent with state guidelines under the Texas Local Government Code.

You can submit documents in person at 200 North Kaufman Street, by mail, or through eRecording via CSC, Simplifile, ePN, or Eagle Recorder Access. Mail submissions should include a check or money order payable to the County Clerk. For eRecording, your vendor handles the submission and returns the recorded document electronically, usually faster than mail.

Once recorded, a document gets a unique instrument number and recording date stamp. The clerk returns the original to the submitting party. Documents are then indexed and appear in the online system within a few business days. Secure online ordering of vital records is also available through the clerk's portal.

Texas Public Information Act

Franklin County property records are public documents. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Public Information Act, anyone can request copies of government records without giving a reason. Property ownership, liens, and recorded deeds are all accessible to any member of the public.

The clerk must respond promptly to record requests. Since most Franklin County property records are already indexed and available online, you can often access them right away without submitting a formal request. For copies of documents that are not yet available online or for bulk requests, contact the office by email or in person during business hours. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division handles disputes about record access and publishes detailed guidance on your rights.

Additional Property Research Resources

The Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division provides resources on exemptions and protest procedures that apply in Franklin County. Texas has no state property tax, but local taxing units in Franklin County set their own rates.

For historical land research, the Texas General Land Office holds archives covering Spanish, Mexican, and Republic of Texas land grants. Franklin County records go back to 1843, making the GLO database relevant for anyone researching the earliest settlers. The Texas Secretary of State's SOSDirect covers business entity records and state-level UCC filings. The Texas State Law Library offers research guides on recording requirements and real property law across Texas counties.

Nearby Counties

If a property is near a county boundary, make sure you search in the right county. Franklin County borders several other East Texas counties.