Garza County Property Records
Garza County property records are kept by the County Clerk in Post, Texas. The office handles all real and personal property documents, including deeds, tax liens, UCC filings, and vital statistics. Online records are available from 1987 through TexasFile. The County Clerk and District Clerk are the same person in Garza County, so both property records and court records are handled through the same office. This guide covers how to find and access property records in Garza County.
Garza County Overview
Garza County Clerk Office
The Garza County Clerk serves as both County Clerk and District Clerk for all property and court records in the county. County Clerk Terri Laurence maintains the office. The mailing address is P.O. Box 366, Post, TX 79356. You can reach the clerk by phone at (806) 495-4430, fax at (806) 495-4431, or email at terri.laurence@co.garza.tx.us.
The clerk's office preserves all documents relating to real and personal property, including deeds, tax liens, and UCC filings. The office also handles vital statistics, brands, and assumed name certificates. Document copies are available through TexasFile from 1987 to 2025. Records before 1987 are held in the physical office and require an in-person visit or a written request.
| County Clerk | Terri Laurence |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 366, Post, TX 79356 |
| Phone | (806) 495-4430 |
| Fax | (806) 495-4431 |
| terri.laurence@co.garza.tx.us | |
| Judicial District | 106th Judicial District Court |
Because the County Clerk and District Clerk are the same position in Garza County, this office handles a wider range of records than in counties with separate offices. If you need court records in addition to property records, the same office serves both functions. An open records request form is available online through the county website.
Search Garza County Property Records
The Garza County Clerk provides access to property records through TexasFile, covering documents from 1987 to 2025.
To search online, go to TexasFile and select Garza County. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, or document type. Results cover 1987 to 2025. For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at the courthouse in Post. The open records request form is available on the county's website for written requests.
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, public records are open to any person without requiring a stated reason. For Texas Public Information Act requests, you can send them by email, U.S. mail, fax, or in person at the courthouse. Military personnel being deployed to active duty are exempt from certain recording fees under Texas Government Code Section 437.217.
Note: eFile is now mandated in Texas for district court documents, so court filings go through the eFiling system rather than paper submission in most cases.
Types of Garza County Property Records
The County Clerk records a range of documents affecting real and personal property in Garza County. Under Texas Property Code Section 12.001, instruments must be recorded to give constructive notice to third parties. Document types kept by the clerk include:
- Deeds and deeds of trust
- Tax liens (state and federal)
- UCC financing statements
- Vital statistics (birth, death, marriage)
- Brands and assumed name certificates
- Civil, probate, and criminal court records
Each recorded instrument is indexed by grantor and grantee names and includes the property description, recording date, and document type. For documents before 1987, you must contact the office directly or visit in person. The physical records in the office cover the full history of property in Garza County from its creation as a county to the present.
Garza County Appraisal District
The Garza County Appraisal District maintains tax appraisal records separate from the County Clerk's deed records. Chief Appraiser Allisha Belongia (Interim) oversees the office at P.O. Drawer F, Post, TX 79356-0290. You can reach the CAD by phone at (806) 495-3518.
The CAD database shows current ownership based on the tax rolls, appraised values, exemptions, and property characteristics. Online searches let you look up parcels by owner name, property address, or account number. If you think your appraised value is too high, file a formal protest by May 15 under Texas Tax Code Chapter 41. The CAD records update annually and may not reflect very recent deed transactions. For a complete picture of any property in Garza County, check both the County Clerk records and the CAD database.
Recording Fees and Procedures
Standard Texas recording fees apply in Garza County. The first page costs $26, and each additional page is $4. These fees are set by the Texas Local Government Code. Military personnel being deployed are exempt from certain fees under Government Code Section 437.217, an uncommon provision worth noting if applicable to your situation.
You can submit documents in person at the courthouse in Post, by mail to P.O. Box 366, by fax, or by email. For mail submissions, include a check or money order payable to the County Clerk. For requests that include a specific document search, use the open records request form available on the county website. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document.
Texas Public Information Act
Garza County property records are public documents. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, anyone can request government records without giving a reason. An open records request form is available on the Garza County website to make the process straightforward.
The clerk's office must respond promptly to your request. If producing the records will take more than ten business days, the office must notify you of the expected timeline. For records already online through TexasFile, you can access them immediately. For older or physical records, submit a written request by email, mail, or fax. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division handles disputes about record access and publishes guidance on public information rights in Texas.
Additional Property Research Resources
The Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division provides statewide resources on exemptions and protest procedures relevant to Garza County property owners. For historical land research, the Texas General Land Office archives cover early Texas land grants.
The Texas Secretary of State's SOSDirect system covers business entity records and state-level UCC filings. If a lien or transaction involves a business entity, the SOS system can confirm the entity's legal name and current status. The Texas State Law Library provides research guides on Texas property law and recording requirements. For district court records in Garza County, contact the same office since the County Clerk also serves as District Clerk.
Nearby Counties
Check the right county when a property is near a boundary. Garza County borders several West Texas counties.